Thoulasith Guesthouse

My biggest concern was how the homestay handled bus tickets. We were overcharged, and the tuk-tuk driver was underpaid, which led to a verbal argument with the man who sold us the tickets. Since we were close to missing the bus, the driver kindly asked for another 20,000 kip, which we happily paid given the situation. In a small village, ripping someone off like that is just wrong. Without the tuk-tuk situation, I’d have given two stars. The rooms felt humid and smelled strongly of cigarettes. Cleanliness was okay, but the beds were very old. The sheets smelled fresh, though the beds were uncomfortable. The pictures are outdated, for example, there was no TV. Water pressure was the weakest we’d encountered in four months in Asia. The shower switched between freezing cold and literally boiling hot every 30 seconds. Be careful, as even the medium setting could burn you, and you can hear the water boiling in the heater. Reviews for places here are mixed, so this might still be one of the better homestays, but we’d try somewhere else if we came back. In the rainy season it was nearly empty, so there was no need to book ahead. Ask to see the room first and insist on online prices. And don’t book bus or train tickets through this homestay.

The rooms are basic but pleasant, with comfortable beds, AC, a fan, and Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have good ventilation and a toilet paper cover to keep it from getting soaked in the shower. There are nice balcony areas with tables and chairs, plus free water refills and hot water, which I really appreciated. The man who runs the place is really nice and speaks great English. They offer tours, train, taxi, and bus bookings, as well as laundry. It’s centrally located by the high street. The walls are very thin, though, and there can be quite a bit of outside noise at night.

I’ve stayed in cleaner rooms. At 300 a night, it’s worth looking around before you book. There are nearby guest houses for 200 that are better.

The rooms were good and clean, and the receptionist was very nice. Thanks, Anon, for the great service and smiles.