If you are looking for a place to meet people, Spicy Lao is the place to go -- otherwise, stay away. They offer free breakfast. There are much cheaper accommodations right in the middle of town.
The Location
This hostel is located a little bit off downtown, not really far away, but the area is quite dark at night. It is about four blocks away from the night market. If you arrive to Luang Prabang from Thailand with the Slow Boat, you can even walk there, but if you are arriving with the speed boat you are a tuk-tuk ride away, same thing if you arrive to the bus station, as it is about fifteen minutes away by tuk-tuk.
Rooms and Bathrooms
There are beds everywhere -- even in the living room area. When you book, make sure to ask for a bed in a dorm, otherwise you will be awakened by people going into or out of their dorms. Dorms themselves are quite small -- they have bunk beds (the beds are ok), but everything gets a bit crowded and there are no door locks or room lockers. The price for all beds is the same, so if you are traveling with a companion you can ask for a private room for the same price as a dorm bed. Be aware that not all private rooms have beds -- some of them just have a mattress on the floor.
There are four toilets and showers so it is not a problem, but since they have open windows, the toilets are packed with mosquitoes! Showers are ok, the water pressure is not the best, but it works. The cleanliness of the place is not that good -- they have bats on the rooftop, and it is full of spider nets everywhere.
Common Spaces
The place has a TV area downstairs -- you need to ask permission to go into it and ask for the key. There is a terrace, where they serve breakfast every morning from 7 a.m. and there is also a TV there to watch (and there are lots of cushions to sit on). They offer free internet access -- there are two computers at the reception, but it can be hard to find one that's available. There is a small place where you can find things that fellow travelers did not want anymore and you can use them or take them if you need to. There is a garden downstairs with a few benches where people can relax. There is no storage room, but you can leave your bags at the reception.
Summary
The place is ok, but it is a bit expensive for what they offer. Cleanliness is not very good, and it seems that all the mosquitoes are inside that place instead of outside. Don't go looking for a palace, because this isn't one.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
March 2009
Location/Contact
