Laos forum

You will find it very difficult to get something for $15.00 these days. Prices have gone up a lot. I'd say start at about $25.00.

should still be quite a bit of accomm in LPB in the USD15 range (considering that there were still rooms to be had for ~USD10 or even less during the Dec 2009 peak season). all depends on what your minimum requirements are (fan vs AC, ensuite vs. shared bathroom, etc). but such cheaper places usually do not accept reservations - too many no-shows.

Coldriver GH has ensuite twin rooms in the rear building (ground floor with river view 80-90,000kip in 2008, not sure what the rates are now; 2nd floor river view rooms are more expensive). it's on the Khan river (not Cold river), near the old motorbike/bicycle/pedestrian-only bridge. along the same lane are a few other guesthouses, & there are more down a parallel lane. they house quite a few long-term volunteers.

so far all i've heard about Oudomphong is positive, but have never checked it out myself. it's right smack in the middle of a neighbourhood where just about every other house is a guesthouse - there are many many more than what is listed on Tfish. go to hobomaps.com --> maps of Luang Prabang --> look for the area behind the Post Office - bearing in mind that even hobomaps is not exhaustive, you'll get an idea of just how many guesthouses there are. search the names on blogsearch.google.com & you'll find what others who've stayed there have written about them.

what time of the day will you arrive in LPB?
mid-morning to early afternoon is the best time to hunt for rooms - after many have checked out to keep moving along the Huay Xai-LPB-Vang Vieng-VTE trail, & before the next boat-load arrives from Pak Beng...so if planning to arrive in the evening, could consider booking your first night, & then hunt around the next morning.

My friend and I just checked out of the Oudomphone Guest House 2 (Lonely Planet Mekong Guide features Oudomphone Guest House. No. 2 is next door)- and we couldn't have better things to say. There's always someone there should you need anything, and they are very centrally located. Our room with two twin beds, a hot shower, and towels was 60,000 kip a night- about $7.50. It's no frills, with little kid sheets, but it's all you need if you're backpacking. It was one of the cleanest, most friendly places we've stayed. It's located at: 65/4 Ban Houaxieng near Kaemkong Road. Tel: (856-20) 5314459. On a map, it's between the post office and the Mekong.