Yaklom Hill Lodge

Only in the dry season

What we say

No pic at the moment -- Sorry!
Add to scrapbook
Read reviews
Add review
We were a bit disappointed when we stayed here in June 2009. Though it immerses you in jungle, for the price, it leaves out some expected comforts. The rooms seemed worn and the bathrooms dirty. In the rainy season, because of its setting right in the forest, our bed sheets were perpetually damp. During this time, the brick path leading around the grounds, overgrown with moss, caused anyone unlucky enough to walk on it to slip constantly. However, the staff was incredibly kind and we appreciate that the lodge meets many ecological benchmarks and employs ethnic minorities from the surrounding villages. Bathrooms are cold-water only, although there is a separate hut with two showers on the grounds where hot water is available, but only between 18:00 and 21:00. The restaurant is no-frills but offers good Thai food with really fresh veggies. The gardens are lovely. There are directions to Yak Lom Lake, which is about a 45-minute, pleasant walk along country roads. All rates include transfers and breakfast. Note that prices sometimes fluctuate a little during the rainy season depending on demand, so if you're travelling then, ask about off-season rates.

Contact details:
10 minute drive (in dry season) east of Ban Lung past the lake. T: (012) 799 211, (011) 725 881
Contact via email form
Visit website

What we were quoted*

Type of room	Low season	High season	Notes
Sgl fan private b'room	10 USD	10 USD
Dbl fan private b'room	15 USD	15 USD
Triple fan private b'room	20 USD	20 USD
Deluxe bungalow	45 USD	45 USD	Traditional hill tribe house

* Travelfish researchers visit and review properties on an anonymous basis. By that we mean they show up, in person, and pretend to be either be a potential guest, or somebody looking for a room for a friend or relative. Where possible the researcher will inspect at least a couple of rooms. The rates you see above are what either the desk staff told us they were, or what were in the brochure when they just told us to quit bugging them and look in the brochure. For mid-range hotels and up, always shop around online for a competitive rate. Click here to find out more about what makes Travelfish different with regards our accommodation reviews.

Added to Travelfish on: 24th November, 2005
Last visited or updated on: 20th August, 2009

Yaklom Hill Lodge reviews

Read 3 opinions from Travelfish readers

Rustic but peaceful - 21st January, 2008
Maybe 5 or 6 km outside of town on a bad road. The lodge grounds are spacious, relaxing, well organized, and clean. The individual bungalows are rustic but charming. There's only electricity from maybe 6-10 PM, and hot showers are available, although not in your room. The Volcano lake is a 45 minute walk. The excursions all seemed interesting, but we didn't partake. Average food, helpful & friendly staff.

Yaklom Hill Lodge reviewed by gringeaux on 21st January, 2008, rated 4 out of 5.
Stayed here 1/2008
This is a Travelfish recommended reviewer
Total reviews submitted: 15.
gringeaux also reviewed: Ban Na Elephant Watch Tower and Homestay, Dawn of Happiness, Diamond Cave Resort, JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa, Khao Lak Seafood, Nan Guest House, Pop Guesthouse, Railay Highland, Sri Pat Guesthouse, Sukhothai Guesthouse, The Mangrove, YHA Bangkok Downtown.

Very serene spot - 24th February, 2007
The fans kick off with the rest of the generator power at around 9:30, but there's a solar-powered DC backup for lights and another fan if it's steamy. The crickets and geckos lull you to sleep, and the birds wake you in the morning. A very peaceful spot. The staff are very friendly and they run a range of eco-minded tours to surrounding villages and attractions. You'll find a nice assortment of people staying there. The lake is situated halfway back into town, close enough that you can walk. Be warned: the last stretch of road between the lake and the lodge is the worst clay powderfield in town, so be careful if you're driving yourself. Highly recommended.

Yaklom Hill Lodge reviewed by jcmcilwaine on 24th February, 2007, rated 5 out of 5.
Stayed here 2/2007
This is a Travelfish recommended reviewer
Total reviews submitted: 11.
jcmcilwaine also reviewed: Cat Cat View Hotel, Indochine 2 Hotel, P. Guesthouse, Papa Crab, Pavillion Indochine, Reno Hotel, Sivilay Guesthouse and Restaurant, Thavisouk Guesthouse, Thien Thanh, Tung Trang Hotel.

Peaceful and comfortable - 12th December, 2005
Very comfortable, very private cabins. Pleasant restaurant has roof but no walls, food nothing special but staff are really friendly and helpful. Transport to town and beyond is available at very reasonable prices. Recommended.

Yaklom Hill Lodge reviewed by BC on 12th December, 2005, rated 4 out of 5.
Stayed here 1/2005
This is a Travelfish recommended reviewer
Total reviews submitted: 21.
BC also reviewed: Dien Bien Party Hotel, Kham Xam Guesthouse, Kong Keo Guesthouse, Kong Keo Guesthouse, Little Garden Bar & Guesthouse, Mai Sai Guesthouse, Malany Guesthouse, Manychan Guesthouse and Restaurant, Nam Ou Guesthouse and Restaurant, Rama Hotel, Rambuttri Village, Rattana Guesthouse, Riverside Guest House, Two Dragons Guesthouse, Villa Ban Lao.

Have your say

Review title

Shortness and snappiness are encouraged ;-)

When did you stay here?

Your review

(Remotely sensible, non-ranting comments are much appreciated. If you don't like somewhere, please explain why and perhaps go and add a comment for somewhere you did like -- it's all far more helpful for others that way.)
Serial ranters, loons and spammers will be banished!

So how does it rate?
On a scale of one to ten (with 10 being outstanding and 1 being bloody awful) how would you rate Yaklom Hill Lodge for the following criteria?

Note: Ratings are OUT OF TEN -- not five!
We just set them at 5 (average) to get you started.

Cleanliness:
Location:
Overall facilities:
Romance:

Room quality:
Staff:
Value:
Vibe:

Please note comments may be edited for clarity, typos etc. Also, this is not intended as a means to contact the guesthouse or hotel. Messages such as reservation enquiries will be deleted -- as will ranting tirades, spam and anything else that really belongs outside.

Please login and refresh this screen before writing your review -- thanks!

More places to stay

Tree Top Ecolodge
Mr. T, once Stung Treng's unofficial welcome committee and owner of its popular Riverside guesthouse, has relocated to Ban Lung to be with his new wif ... more

NorDen House
Located a five-minute walk from Yak Lom crater lake, this forested retreat has six bungalows -- all doubles, two with twin beds -- that are spotless a ... more

Terres Rouges Lodge
Owned by a former French paratrooper named Pierre, Terres Rouges boasts extremely tasteful rooms in a two-storey building, with a new building which l ... more

Borann Lodge
Unfortunately for Borann, it's now upstaged by its impressive neighbour. Located just up the street from Tree Top, Borann is a fine hotel with a simil ... more

Lakeside Chheng Lok Hotel
The Lakeside Chheng Lok Hotel sits on the far side of the lake and if the far pricier Terres Rouges is out of your budget, this is a good, albeit some ... more

Sovann Kiri Hotel
The Sovann Kiri Hotel is just about the flashest digs in Ban Lung, and what it lacks in charm and ambience it makes up for with a fantastic, helpful s ... more

Kim Morakat Hotel
Almost straight across the road from the Ratanak, the Kim Morakat has clean functional rooms that are in far better condition than the Ratanak. Rooms ... more

Tribal Hotel
Located a few hundred metres from Ban Lung market behind the post office, Tribal is in a convenient spot and has decent amenities but is quite ugly, w ... more

Ratanak Hotel
This is the most popular budget hotel in Ban Lung, but it is badly in need of a coat of paint, sand-blasting, or perhaps demolition. Rooms, while well ... more

Jump to a destination