Phou Fa Hotel

What we say:

The entrance to Phou Fa is made of dark grey stone and lends the place the atmosphere of a fortress or old-time prison, when in fact, it used to be the Chinese consulate. High up on a hill near Phou Fa itself, it is well away from the main street and the minimal tourist amenities. Turn left at the junction in town and head up the hill. The road winds around until you hit a roundabout. At the roundabout take a left and keep going for a few hundred metres. The Phou Fa is the building high up on the left. The grounds are large but slightly unkept and are home to a beer garden which has fabulous sweeping views over Phongsali and beyond. Rooms are well appointed but dark and tiny, and feature large beds -- twins or doubles made from two singles pushed together-- reading lamps and good quality linen. Private bathrooms have a hot shower and western toilet, both rarities in Phongsali. There are two restaurants, one with windows overlooking the view and catching the breeze, which is open during the warmer months. The other is almost buried into the mountainside and has a fireplace to heat it up, making it suitable for the colder months. Both have the same menu of mostly Lao food, northern style with a Chinese influence, as well as some foreign food on the breakfast menu, such as bread and pancakes. The Phou Fa is usually quiet and mostly caters to town events and local clientele, however, if peace and solitude (there is no real madding crowd in Phongsali, but there are a few people in the centre of town) are you thing then head to the Phou Fa.