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Region: Northwest Vietnam> Province: Lai Chau> Location: Muong Lay
Lan Anh Hotel
Top spot
Take the road off the main one through town watch for signs, the hotel is on the right just before the river.
Lai Chau Province
Tel: (023) 852 370
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Description
For a long time the Lan Anh was the only decent place to stay in town -- now it's the ONLY place to stay in town -- but don't fret, it's a real oasis in the jungle. Those arriving here in twisted confusion over which town they are really in will find this place a little like falling off a cliff and landing on a mound of pillows. The main reception area looks a bit like a hunting lodge, done up in tiles of the multicoloured slate you'll seeing being mined throughout the area. Acceptably fast dial-up internet access is available here for 10,000 VND per hour. It's a very popular spot for large group tours, mostly of the francophonic variety, and there's a large restaurant across from reception for that purpose. There are three buildings with rooms -- most people go for the stilt-house style accommodation. They're pretty, and cozy, with bendy wooden floors, comfy beds and mozzy nets, but no air-con. Which would be pretty impractical, since the slatted wood walls allow for wide gaps (thus the mozzy nets) and little privacy. You'll hear the people in the next room whispering to each other (mostly in French) so be aware that private lovemaking is a public broadcast affair. The best rooms are in one of the buildings out back, making good use of the local slate to provide solid floors (and solid walls -- take note, young lovers). Very tasteful armoires and vanities, along with big broadcast TVs, fridges and tubs in the bath are rounded out with a small, wood-burning fire place (though we're not sure they'll actually let you use it.) Unfortunately, the hot water system is communal, so when that group tour of Belgian waffle salesmen awakens at 07:00 (you'll hear them), and they faire la toilet en masse at 07:30, you'll be shivering in the shower at 08:00. Being the only place in town has pretty much ruined the staff here. The food is fairly poor, but since there aren't abundant options in town, you may have to suck it up and choke it down. Most of the staff are pretty indifferent to solo travellers since they have their hands filled with the groups, and, basically, they don't need us any more. Also, tour services are no longer on offer here for independent travellers unless you are really, really, really persistent over a period of many days. And since no one ever spends more than a night here, best to strike out on your own. Despite the negatives, the Lan Anh is bound to be a memorable (if unavoidable) spot along the way on your tour of northwest Vietnam.
Standard - Double
10 USD (low season)
10 USD (high season)
Superior - Double
15 USD (low season)
15 USD (high season)
Deluxe- Double
20 USD (low season)
20 USD (high season)
Upto $25
Added to Travelfish on: 26th June, 2006
Last visited or updated on: 6th April, 2008
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