Embracing the French colonial charm of 1930s Indochina while still harnessing the long proud history of Lao culture, the Lao Poet Hotel in Vientiane is a lovely place to stay in Laos’ capital.
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As you’d expect from any capital, Vientiane has plenty of hotel options. Not only is it the political and economic hub of Laos, it’s also the main international gateway to the country and right on the border of eastern Thailand.
But if you’re not after a big anonymous international hotel full of business travellers or large tour groups, this 55-room boutique hotel right in the centre of Vientiane is the place for you.
Check out our video walkthrough of the Lao Poet Hotel here:
Where to Stay in Vientiane, Laos — Lao Poet Hotel
Once the home of a famous local writer, the Lao Poet Hotel is a locally owned boutique hotel in the central Ban Haysoke District, surrounded by shops, markets and bars, and close to the river.
Everything about this hotel is quietly low-key, which matches Vientiane well. Decor and furniture reflect a comfortable, creative vibe with nods to Lao’s French influence, as well as the country’s many cultures and its close ties to Buddhism.
The lobby has a classical feel, full of French design and furniture, though mingled in with the European aesthetic is plenty of Laos too.
Check out our guide to Vientiane here for top tips on things to do, where to eat and how to get around this interesting city.
You can also find our full library of stories, guides and videos on Laos here, including our review of the state-of-the-art high-speed train that’s changed tourism in Laos.
Statues of elephants and water buffalo sit next to Parisian style cafe tables and photographs of Hmong and Yao Mien Laotians in traditional dress sit in teak art deco frames.
We stayed here at the Lao Poet Hotel as part of our trip with InsideAsia Tours on their outstanding Laos by Train itinerary. Check it out (and book it) here.
The Rooms at Lao Poet Hotel
Our room – an Urban Deluxe room – is small by Southeast Asian hotel standards, but well furnished and comfortable.
The hand-painted mural above bed is impressive and just one of the many artworks in the room and around the hotel. In fact, most of the rooms here have a unique mural above the bed, which is a lovely touch.
Attention to detail in the styling of the room makes such a difference, like traditional lantern style bed lamps and the work desk that feels like you should be penning some Hemingway-esque novel.
The bathroom is neat and modern with some nice design touches and sleek black marble walls around the sink and vanity.
However, the wall next to the shower is just glass, so you’d better have a good relationship with whoever you’re sharing the room with.
There is a blind you can pull down for privacy, but this seems to be a growing trend in SE Asian hotels and I’ve got to say: I’m not a fan.
What Else is There at the Lao Poet Hotel?
It’s up on the roof that you’ll find the real wow factor of this hotel where the rooftop infinity pool looks out over this low-slung little city.
Even though you’re only up six or seven storeys, you get views out over the rooftops of Vientiane all the way to the Mekong River and the Thai border beyond.
Next to the pool is a beautiful leafy lounge perfect for a sundowner or an intimate dinner, and if you’re in need of a pampering, there’s a small day spa and massage room on the fifth floor.
Breakfast here is served in the sunny restaurant next to reception, where you’ll find a generous spread of the freshest fruit you’ll ever eat and a new favourite discovery: pineapple jam!
There’s also toast and butter, and you can also order eggs a la carte, but — to my doctor’s glee — there’s no bacon in the buffet.
You can also order any coffee you can think of (Laos’ coffee scene is better than most European countries) and best of all, this savoury pancake.
Filled with chicken mince and beansprouts and somehow crispy and chewy at the same time, it’s similar to Vietnamese bahn xeo. I still have dreams about this delicious morning morsel!
The Lao Poet Hotel is a great place to base yourself in this funny little city — a city where the French colonial influence is still clear to see, but that also has so much of its own culture to get to know.
