Le Vang Bua Villa

The location suited us because the hotel was calm and away from the noise. The other guests seemed to be looking for the same kind of place to unwind. Getting to the city center takes a walk, a free bike ride, or paid transport. My room was spacious, very clean, and had enough amenities for the budget price. Best of all, the staff were warm from check-in onward, and answered questions and requests promptly and cheerfully.

We spent six nights in a lovely, spacious deluxe room with a balcony over the pool. The staff were friendly, and breakfast was fine, with eggs cooked to order, fresh fruit, toast, and croissants. The tricky part is getting into the busy town area. Maps often don’t show the Nam Khan river, which you have to cross. The bamboo bridge has a daily fee and is only there for six months of the year, disappearing in rainy season. The other choice is the Old Bridge, which wasn’t a pleasant experience at night. That’s the only issue we had.

We were among the few guests, so it felt like we had the place to ourselves. The staff were friendly, the rooms clean and spacious, and breakfast was good. There’s a nice pool and a great lounge area overlooking the water. The pool could have used a cleaning, though maybe that’s less necessary in low season.

The staff are kind and helpful, and can arrange transport if you ask. There’s a free transfer from or to the airport, or a location in town, when you arrive or leave. The hotel is a bit away from the town’s main center, but it has a swimming pool and free bikes. When the bamboo bridge is open, it’s about a 15 minute walk into the center. Going by bike or car takes about the same time, with a bike shortcut bridge and a longer car route.