Accommodation in Laos is either super budget, mid-range nondescript or high-end luxury which is why the brand new Lao Poet hotel in Vientiane is a breathe of fresh air. It’s very much a mid-level hotel only with a design and facilities that make it more interesting than its competition. Set in a site which was once was home to a famous Laos Poet, the hotel is located on a quiet side street in Vientiane. Designed to look like an “urban jungle”, the hotel is modern with touches of 1930s Indochine – think palm print wallpaper, leather armchairs, rusty fans and fringed bed lamps.
There’s 55 rooms in the Lao Poet, some of which come with tubs. Ours had a super modern concrete shower instead, some nice products and a very comfy bed. Outside of the rooms you’ll find a rooftop infinity pool with amazing views over the Mekong to Thailand, the city and even the top of Wat Phat, Laos’ biggest temple, pointing through the rooftops. It’s a great place to catch the sunset over a cocktail or three. There’s also a gym, steam room and sauna.
Breakfast is served on the ground floor in the pretty restaurant with floor to ceiling windows, lots of greenery and colorful furniture. Don’t miss the omelette, it was the best egg dish we had in Laos.
Lao Poet’s location is perfectly placed to explore the city with the Mekong and night market just a block away, a food focused local night market 10 mins away and, for places further afield, they have free bikes too. Read about what we got up to around town here. Service also stood out with the staff all willing to go that extra mile to help. For the price it’s a steal and we’d happily make it our base in Vientiane when we return.
Book a stay at the Lao Poet Hotel with Secret Retreats from $60 a night.