Luang Prabang - Thong Bay Guesthouse

Luang Prabang - Thong Bay Guesthouse

Thong Bay Guesthouse Bungalow Balcony

Thong Bay Guesthouse in Luang Prabang is one of the best places I have stayed while traveling Indochina. This family run guesthouse is located just 10 minutes from the Luang Prabang Airport and I had the pleasure of staying at one of the bungalows facing the Nam Khan River and Phousi Mountain. Thong Bay Guesthouse is one of my best stays in a long time.

Thong Bay Guesthouse entrance

Thong Bay Guesthouse is also not in town if you should know and to get to town, there are tuk tuks that take you to town for US$3 a trip. The plus side of this is that you are one with culture and nature when staying at the Thongbay Guesthouse and away from the main town.

Thong Bay Guest House compound

The reason for my stay here at Thong Bay was that when I visited Vientiane, I stayed at their sister guest house called Thong Bay too. So, while I stayed there, I got to know about the Luang Prabang branch from the manager there and immediately booked my stay before heading to Luang Prabang via flight on Lao Airines.

On arrival at the Luang Prabang Airport, I was greeted by one of the Thong Bay staff who ushered me to my waiting Tuk Tuk Van. The staff was super polite and friendly where basic English was used. I was surprised that the Lao people spoke decent English which was easily understood.

Thong Bay Guesthouse Bungalows facing Nam Khan River

Reaching Thong Bay Guesthouse, they had a fairly large gate that kept you in privacy. Meaning a private compound guesthouse with well manicured gardens and landscaping. I honestly had no idea how Thong Bay in Luang Prabang was going to look as the one in Vientiane was pretty decent. When I saw the place here in Luang Prabang, I thought to myself, this is such a paradise for a bargain. Mind you that the bungalow with river view cost me only US$28 a night (2008 price)

Thong Bay Guesthouse bungalow room beds

Arriving at the bungalow, I could not believe how well taken care it was. Authentic walls, roofing and the area was spacious! These bungalows come in doubles or triples (family room) and are carefully built along the hillside of the Nam Khan River producing amazing views. They were out of doubles so we got a triple for the price of a double room bungalow. That was awesome Lao hospitality if you ask me.


The beds were much better than the Vientiane Thong Bay and the decorations were tastefully selected with various pieces of Lao silk placed around the room. Walls were weaved design and the entire place was made from wood except the bathrooms.

Thong Bay Guesthouse bathroom - Extra large

Walking into the bathrooms, I was pleased to know that it was extremely spacious and clean. Something that was really looked into. I could not find a fault here as everything was perfect.

Thong Bay Guesthouse bungalow shower

Even the shower area was amazing as it was made from stone with a skylight. Hot water, tiled floor, stone walls - it looked like a 5 Star resort bathroom minus the bath tub. Honestly, a very very good deal here for the price you are paying.

Thong Bay Guesthouse - View of farmers

I spent a good amount of time in the mornings observing the local Lao people going about their farming across the bungalow and Nam Khan River. The locals have plots of land where they plant local vegetables and herbs. Down by the river, you would see Lao children playing with rubber tubes happily as if there were no worries.

Thong Bay Guesthouse Lao Breakfast

Thong Bay Guesthouse also has an awesome breakfast which is ordered the night before on a notice board and it is delivered to your room in the morning. A great system where before you go to bed, just go up to the notice board in the reception area, choose your breakfast and write it down on the board with your room number and time. They then send it to you room in the morning with gentle knocks on your door calling out your name. Try the Local Lao Breakfast. The best ever.

My recommendation - Yes, yes, yes! Worth every cent!

Guesthouse Utilities:

• Fan
• Mini Fridge
• Mosquito Netting
• Private Bathrooms
• Hot/Cold Shower

Food Served:

• Lao Style Food
• Western Style Food

Prices as of Nov 2009:

• Garden Bungalow - U$24 - $28
• River View Bungalow - US$29 - $34
• Family Bungalow - US$35 - $40

Distances

• Airport Transfers - $6 per trip
• Trip to town - $3 per trip
  
• From Airport - 10 minutes via tuk tuk
• From main town - 10 minutes via tuk tuk / 30 mins via walk
  

Visit the official website of Thong Bay Guesthouse in Luang Prabang

Thongbay guesthouse
Mrs Lay Inthavong
Ban Vieng May, Vat Sakem
Luang Prabang - Lao PDR
Tel/Fax : (856-71) 253 234
e-mail : layinthavong@hotmail.com

Map of Thong Bay Guesthouse in Luang Prabang, Laos

View Thong Bay Guesthouse in a larger map
~ David Jr

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