Kong Keo Guesthouse

Eccentric but welcoming - 11th November, 2007
I enjoyed the Kong Keo very much, but I can see why some people might not. The $4 bungalow was nice, but there is a special knack to getting the water lukewarm rather than cold. Ask them to show you. Apparently the new $10 bungalows have 'real' hot water. The tour was good enough, but if you're on a budget and not many people are staying you could probably get cheaper at an agency in the town. The best thing about the place is the communal area with the fire in a bomb casing and the eccentric owner, who gives out lao-lao, sings crazy songs with his guitar and tells old Lao folk tales about Buffalo and Horses. He's priceless and in my view unmissable.

Kong Keo Guesthouse reviewed by pauljaymes on 11th November, 2007, rated 5 out of 5.
Stayed here 11/2007
Total reviews submitted: 3.
pauljaymes also reviewed: CM Blue House.

Great time had - 9th November, 2007
The Kong Keo guesthouse is THE guesthouse to stay in, in Phonsavan. I read about it in my guidebook and found a guy leading people there from the bus station - unfortunately all the bungalows were booked up when we arrived, and I'd definitely recommend them over the main building whose shared bathroom was possibly the worst feature of the guesthouse. However that night the owner cooked us two pigs and invited all his friends around for a party - many shots of lao-lao were consumed. The tour with the guest house was to site 1 of the Plain of Jars and a cratered field (where once there was a garage), and the Hmong village with Cluster bomb casings (used as pigeon coop stilts and fences). All these were amazing. We finished the tour at a hot springs which were really not good - A similar tour is provided with a waterfall instead though. The next night was more celebration... Overall the spirit, character and food make this guesthouse a vital part of your itinerary in Laos.

Kong Keo Guesthouse reviewed by hyacin3 on 9th November, 2007, rated 5 out of 5.
Stayed here 11/2007
Total reviews submitted: 2.
hyacin3 also reviewed: Old Darling II and Asia Queen Hotel.

Surely there's a much better option in town - 13th February, 2007
Not the best place to stay. Stayed in one of the bungalows. Even though the staff tell you there is hot water, there isn't and it is freezing at night!!! They have two options for tours around the area. We organised to go on one but on the day they made up an excuse because they only wanted to take one group out that day. So we couldn't go on the tour we wanted. Whatever you do, do not make an argeement with the guesthouse and a group of other people to be dropped off at the bus station. They will be keen at first then 15 minutes before the bus leaves they say the van has a flat battery before pointing out a 4WD and saying "needs a push start" and everyone in the group will take turns pushing the car around the airstrip out the front, until someone points out a jeep. Everyone in, but no one to drive. Back to pushing the jeep around. With a minute to spare someone else will come out and offer to take everyone to the station for an exorbitant amount because the bus is about to leave! I wouldn't stay there again. Be wary of overcharging.

Kong Keo Guesthouse reviewed by joant on 13th February, 2007, rated 1 out of 5.
Stayed here 12/2006
Total reviews submitted: 6.
joant also reviewed: Bounmy Guesthouse, Libra Guesthouse, New Siam Guest House, Tribal Hotel, V.N.Guesthouse.

Great rooms but was that guy wasted or what?! - 23rd June, 2006
OK great double room in the house, $4 with bathroom and hot water at night, no complaints and interesting garden with war scraps used as planters and fence posts but the guy that ran the place geez...don't know what was up with him. 5 of us were trying to get an answer out of him about the tours he ran and the cost but he just kept laughing and wouldnt give us a straight answer. Finally he said $10US for a day each mumbling something about paying buffalo prices getting buffalo tour, pay chickens prices get chicken tour, but he was just such a waster we couldn't be sure what was going on so we booked in town at a travel agency for $10 for the day taking in Plain of Jars, village that uses bomb scraps in daily use, buddha cave and medicine cave. The caves were not too interesting but the first half of the day was. Personally I would only stay the full day in Phonsavan then move on. But anyway the accomodation was fine.

Kong Keo Guesthouse reviewed by noushymoo on 23rd June, 2006, rated 3 out of 5.
Stayed here 6/2006
Total reviews submitted: 6.
noushymoo also reviewed: #10 Lakeside Guest House, CM Blue House, Merry Guest House No. 1, New Joe Guesthouse, Sisavang Guesthouse.