We have 56 places to stay in and around Luang Prabang.
The peninsula is notable for its luxury and top-range hotels, but there is also a good selection of backpacker and flashpacker guesthouses to choose from. Check down the back streets for better quality and the best deals as those with a Mekong riverside location often don’t represent good value.
The heart of the historic quarter, located in the peninsula, is home to a few charming luxury boutique properties including The Belle Rive and Mekong Riverview Hotel. Due to UNESCO restrictions, swimming pools cannot be built within the historic area so if you’re looking for a hotel with a pool, you’ll have to look outside this area.
Directly behind Joma Bakery Cafe is a veritable guesthouse village. Four lanes run between the main street and the Mekong and just about every place with a roof offers lodging. Up until a year ago, we would have said it was THE area with the cheapest rooms. However, a significant number of these once family-owned guesthouses have been leased to Chinese businesspeople and these joints now cater to a Chinese clientele. Prices in this area have inflated, especially during high season, while building maintenance and warm Lao hospitality have sadly diminished. There are still enough cheap guesthouses to be found and we nevertheless recommend you start here if you’re on the hunt since tuk tuks from the bus stations and slow boat pier usually drop the newly arrived at Joma Bakery Cafe.
One of the best places to stay in Luang Prabang is along the Nam Khan river. It’s quieter and classier than the Mekong, with better places to stay, tranquil scenery, a lazy pace, less traffic and fantastic dining options. Several good value midrange and upscale boutique hotels have opened here. Further up river is the heart of Luang Prabang’s convivial backpacker bar scene where there are some good budget accommodation.
Several alluring properties lie more than 10 kilometres outside of Luang Prabang. These are too far to be commuting to and from town, but make great destinations of themselves for those looking for seclusion, serenity and nature. A 25-minute drive and you can be surrounded by rice paddies, mountains and rural villages on the river.
