Howdy there! I have wanted for a while to review some of the places I stayed at on earlier travels, and so that time has come. I will be going through the places I stayed at five years ago now on my big 2011, starting with Laos today. Hopefully it proves useful to readers!

 

Luang Prabang – Rattana Guest House

Interesting that the prices seem to be the same with twin rooms on their website still US $15 which is what I paid, $20 for a double and $25 a triple, these are high season rates not as expensive in the low season.

This is a family run guesthouse and as with the best of these the owners are incredibly kind and welcoming. It’s up to the guest whether they want to use the air conditioner which I have seen in a few guesthouses, and it’s an extra $5 a night if you want it. It’s not a bad idea because it costs a lot for them to run it. The owners also can link you in to tours and the like – I took two from there, one up the Mekong River and another to the beautiful Kuang Si Falls. I’d happily recommend this place!

Andrew’s Ratings:

Value for Money: 3/5

Friendliness: 4.5/5

Cleanliness: 4/5

Noise: 4/5

Location: 3.5/5

Total: 19/25 (76/100)

 

Website – Rattana Guest House Luang Prabang

 

Banna Guesthouse – Plain of Jars (Phonsovan)

This one with the strangish name in Phonsovan served me fine, however a little research online has not revealed glowing endorsements of this place. Phonsovan is basically one long road with the centre of town a good twenty-five minute walk from the guesthouse which is not in its favour, especially considering the size of the place.

The place was quiet, not 100% clean, darkish and dingy, but having said that I was comfortable enough here and didn’t mind it at all. The worst thing was walking up that long and dusty road! At ten bucks though for a room a little walk didn’t kill me!

Andrew’s Ratings:

Value for Money: 3.5/5

Friendliness: 2.5/5

Cleanliness: 3.5/5

Noise: 2/5

Location: 1.5/5

Total: 13/25 (52/100)

 

Not wanting to keep these posts to more than two or three places in a post, next week I will complete my reviews from Laos with the places I stayed in Vang Vieng and Vientiane. May the Journey Never End!