Soulless but one of the cheapest available
Ultra frugal travellers will struggle in Nong Kiaow during high season, because as of 2018, only Delilah has a dorm room and once full, people looking for a cheap private room are in a hard spot—luckily, Sythane Guesthouse fits the bill.
It’s basic and the location—directly on the main street not far from the bridge—has no soul, but those who are not fussed about a river views should consider throwing their bag down here and in fact, this place is cleaner and sturdier than some of the bamboo bungalows we saw that were double the price of these rooms.
Sythane Guesthouse is a two storey concrete block house, doors all facing the road. Rooms are basic, with tile floor and a bed pushed against a corner (blanket provided but no top sheet). The bathroom is equally spartan, though on the upside, there is an electric heated shower, sink and western bucket flush toilet. A fan and window keeps things civilised, as does the hot water dispenser and tea available at the front for all guests.
Being on the main road means the place is easy to find and it is conveniently close to several popular restaurants and travel agents. The most convincing aspect of why you’d want to stay here is the price, and like all cheap guesthouses in Nong Kiaow, during high season this one fills rather quickly.
Address: Ban Sophoun, across from Q Bar
T: (030) 984 4286; (020) 9716 7884;
Coordinates (for GPS): 102º37'2.44" E, 20º34'9.22" N
See position in Apple or Google Maps: Apple Maps | Google Maps
Room rates: Under US$10
What we were quoted as a walk-in.
Dbl fan private bathroom | 50,000 kip | 60,000 kip |
Reviewed by
Cindy Fan
Cindy Fan is a Canadian writer/photographer and author of So Many Miles, a website that chronicles the love of adventure, food and culture. After falling in love with sticky rice and Mekong sunsets, in 2011 she uprooted her life in Toronto to live la vida Laos. She’s travelled to over 40 countries and harbours a deep affection for Africa and Southeast Asia. In between jaunts around the world, she calls Laos and Vietnam home where you'll find her traipsing through rice paddies, standing beside broken-down buses and in villages laughing with the locals.
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