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The Boat Landing Guesthouse

Well designed, attractive bungalows on the river

What we say 

Photo of The Boat Landing Guesthouse, 6km out of town. , Luang Nam Tha
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The only upmarket choice in Luang Nam Tha, The Boat Landing is attractive, comfortable and well-designed. They offer a lot of services, serve great food, provide information about the area and things to do, and are committed to giving something back to the local community. Set at the official boat landing about 6km out of Luang Nam Tha itself, The Boat Landing is also in a picturesque setting on the Nam Tha river. Ten wooden bungalows line the bank of the river and face the water. Rooms are well furnished, with nice touches like locally made handicrafts and solar powered lights. Rooms have bathrooms with western toilet and hot shower. Showers are heated with solar energy as part of the Boat Landing's commitment to eco-tourism, but this does mean that there's often not enough hot water to go around in the high season. Get in early, or go without. There are four different room sizes, and prices: small twin, large twin, double suite and family room. The latter two are generous sized two-room bungalows. On the grounds there is a restaurant, which serves a delicious selection of northern Lao food. Prices are not cheap, but reasonable given the food is so good and restaurants are scarce in the area. They also sell nine illustrated postcards explaining how to cook their most popular dishes. The guesthouse has a number of other services: laundry, international telephone calls, money exchange, bag storage while you go on local treks, an informative book library and handicrafts for sale. Probably the most interesting thing is the information about the region and the local trips that they offer. From The Boat Landing you can do walks and excursions to local villages by yourself, or go on organised bike or boat trips. They can also organise trekking trips with the Tourism Office.

Check out their excellent website, http://www.theboatlanding.com, which shows in detail not just information about their own guesthouse, but also other guesthouses in Luang Nam Tha. The Boat Landing is definitely worth a visit for a meal or snack, if not to stay for your whole visit.

Contact details:
6km out of town. T: (086) 312 398 F: (086) 312 239  
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What we were quoted*

Type of room Low season High season Notes
Dbl fan private b'room 17 USD 28 USD upto $22/30
Deluxe Suite 33 USD 45 USD
Extra Bed 5 USD 5 USD
Family room 33 USD 45 USD

* 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: 28th September, 2004
Last visited or updated on: 9th October, 2006

The Boat Landing Guesthouse reviews

Read 4 opinions from Travelfish readers

Wonderful place to stay - 29th October, 2007
Spent 3 nights here, well worth the money. Nice touchs like free gifts of local handicrafts. We stayed in the family room and it was beautifully decorated. The restaurant was fantastic and served set menus from the 4 ethnic groups in Nam Tha - brilliant.

The Boat Landing Guesthouse reviewed by marianwarren on 29th October, 2007, rated 5 out of 5.
Stayed here 12/2006
This is a Travelfish recommended reviewer
Total reviews submitted: 13.
marianwarren also reviewed: Baanrimtaling Home Stay, CM Blue House, Erawan House, Indochine 2 Hotel, May Lyn, Pakse Hotel, Sabaydee Guesthouse, Sala Don Khone, Sawasdee Bangkok Inn, Saysouly Guesthouse, Tanoy Guesthouse, Tram Anh.

Very nice but overpriced - 8th February, 2010
The Boat Landing GH is very well situated at the river border. Really romantic, and the local food is excellent. Different from the common Lao-food served all over Laos. Only the price is becoming very high (45$), comaring with other lodges. 20$ extra for the scenery is a lot of money.

The Boat Landing Guesthouse reviewed by paulsuzanne on 8th February, 2010, rated 3 out of 5.
Stayed here 1/2010
Total reviews submitted: 15.
paulsuzanne also reviewed: Baanrimtaling Home Stay, Cave Lodge, Khoun and Khone Guesthouse, Kingfsher Ecolodge, Mali Namphu, Monsavan Guesthouse, Pagoda Inn, Pana Huts, Phou Iu Guesthouse, Sabaidy 2 Guesthouse, Shambara Boutique Hostel, Thakhaek Travel Lodge, Top Guest House, Vayakorn Guesthouse.

Well worth the money - 28th January, 2009
Friendly and warm staff. Lush and well maintained gardens. But extremely far from town but you don't really need to go there. Clean and comfortable rooms - did not give cleanliness full marks as we killed a tiny cockroach in the bathroom. The toilet flushing system was a little unexpected - you DIY out of a big jar of water next to the toilet. No heating available in the room, but extra blankets are provided. We were fortunate to catch the annual fish catching festival that happens right in fron of the guesthouse on 31 Dec. Don't miss it ! The prices here are outdated - it's USD40 for the dbl room, USD55 for the largest room they had

The Boat Landing Guesthouse reviewed by dragonnite on 28th January, 2009, rated 4 out of 5.
Stayed here 12/2008
Total reviews submitted: 6.
dragonnite also reviewed: Dok Khoune Guesthouse, Mali Namphu, Orchid Guesthouse, Thakhaek Travel Lodge, Villa Senesouk.

Fantastic Guesthouse - 27th January, 2007
We stayed one night in town and then after a three day trek, with Green Discovery, we stayed at the Boat Landing Guesthouse. We loved it - yes it's more expensive than the places in town but has atmosphere galore, a great restaurant, very helpful staff and a 'to die for' view of the river. I think we had that $28 room and we loved it.

The Boat Landing Guesthouse reviewed by messej01 on 27th January, 2007, rated 4 out of 5.
Stayed here 12/2006
Total reviews submitted: 10.
messej01 also reviewed: Mali Namphu, Paradise Palms, Rambuttri Village, Salaphae, Sayo Guesthouse, Tumtum Cheng Guest House, Vong Pasued Guest House, Xayoh Ban Sabai Bungalow and Restaurant.


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