You can’t get more centrally located in Luang Prabang than Indigo House. The 12-room hotel is on the main street, in arguably the busiest block in town. If you want to be in the thick of the action, this is the place to stay. The four-storey building – a skyscraper by Luang Prabang standards – looms over the night market and is adjacent to the popular cheap eats alleyway teaming with spicy papaya salad stalls, barbecue and vegetarian buffets.

Indigo House, formerly known as Ancient Luang Prabang. The night market commences in front of this hotel.

Formerly known as Ancient Luang Prabang, the hotel had its “indigo” reno and facelift in early 2014. If the name and the blue and white facade didn’t give you enough of a hint, each of the 12 rooms feature different shades of blue.

The lobby is a coffee shop, bakery and boutique selling indigo-dyed textiles, a craft that Laos is well known for. It’s an inviting space, but it’s also a busy, very public hub. Don’t expect personalised service. If you are looking for calm, quiet and privacy (and if you hate the colour blue!), this is definitely not the hotel for you.

Enjoy a coffee and some busy street scenes in this cafe, bakery, boutique and lobby.

Each room has a different theme centered on a feeling, such as “Cool,” “Calm,” and “Peace,” each varying slightly in design and decor. The rooms are a fair size and elegant, with gleaming wood floors, white linens, minimal decoration and new bathroom fixtures. Natural materials like stone, rattan and hand-woven textiles have been incorporated. Parts of the bathroom are open concept, with the shower and sink integrated into the room design. They are can provide a screen if you are skittish about privacy.

The rooms have air-conditioning, electronic safe, TV and minibar. The four rooms that face the front of the building have their own small balcony overlooking the main street. These rooms are, of course, subject to street noise. There are also no ground floor rooms so guests must be able to climb stairs.

The hotel’s best feature is the private rooftop terrace. It’s a place you’d want to write some postcards, catch up on email or enjoy a drink. It has an amazing vantage point of the main street – something to consider if you are planning to be in Luang Prabang during a special religious procession or festival.

The rooftop terrace gives you a bird’s eye view of the main street.

The location means you are steps from everything but you sacrifice facilities like free bicycle, private restaurant and lobby, swimming pool and garden. The price point is comparable with Le Sen, My Dream and Maison Dalabua – but these hotels offer a completely different experience to Indigo House.