Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
perform all your morning ablution
s at the s
ame time. Nonetheless, the rooms are probably
the best maintained along the strip.
120,000K
Phonechivith/Houayxai Riverside
Above the slow boat pier 084 211765,
houayxairiverside.com
.
Sister properties set in a pair of striking ochre-orange buildings just
above the slow boat landing. Enlivened by Lao fabrics, the rooms at
Phonechivith Guest-
house
, off a shared veranda, demonstrate a touch more class than down in town. Next-door
Houayxai Riverside Hotel
is the nicest in town, where you can gaze out of big picture win-
dows overlooking the Mekong from your swish, comfy pad. The wooden terrace restaurant
right on the water offers al
l kinds o
f soups, salads and fri
ed
dishes. Also organizes bus travel
to Thailand.
Phonechivith
100,000K
,
Houayxai Riverside
$35
Phonetip
At the top of the old ferry landing 084 211084.
The cheapest rooms here are
rather cramped, with shared bathrooms, but an extra 20,000K will buy you a bit more space
and an en suite. There's
a comm
unal balcony overlooking the street, and some rooms have
views down to the river.
40,000K
River View
Behind the Meuang Neu restaurant, 100m north of the old ferry landing
030 903 0993.
A very popular place with spacious, well-maintained rooms in a long, three-
story block leading down to the river. Shaded by tall palm trees, the raised garden terrace
at the b
ack is one of the most atmospheric places to contemplate the sunset with a Beerlao.
80,000K
Sabaydee
200m north of the old ferry landing 020 5692 9458.
This modern hotel boasts
big, spotlessly clean rooms, with a terrace at th
e top th
at offers terrific views of the Mekong.
A friendly welcome and the best deal in town.
90,000K
Thanormsub
250m north of the ferry landing 084 211095.
This blue-roofed house has
fourteen very clean, tiled rooms with fetchingly pi
nk, if s
lightly cramped, bathrooms. No
views, but the staff are friendly and it's fairly quiet.
90,000K
EATING AND DRINKING
BarHow?
150m north of the old ferry landing 020 5516 7220.
With its bottle-lined walls,
good music and ambient lighting, this relaxed place almost has the feel of a wine bar. It's a
favourite with backpackers for its cold Beerlao, cocktails (mojito 30,000K) and reasonably
priced Lao, Thai and
falang
food (
tôm yam
35,000K, steaks 60,000K).
Daily 6am-11pm.
DreamBakery
100m south of the old ferry landing.
A cheerful and inviting bakery-café with
big wooden chairs and colourful tablecloths. Coffee comes from the Bolaven plateau and the
cakes and pastries (blueberry pie 10,000K, strudel 12,000K) are more than passable.
Daily
7am-8pm.
Houayxai Kaew Food Court
Next to Gateway Villa Hotel 084 212180.
Sleek and mod-
ern, this restaurant looks a bit out of place in Houayxai. But with its helpful picture menu of
