Arawan Riverside Hotel

I went to Pakse for a weekend and would stay here again. The TV wasn't great, and hot water varied depending on the time of day and demand, but the room was clean, the AC was good and quiet, and the window had a great view. Most importantly, I slept really well. The beds are soft, unlike the rock-hard beds I've found in much of Asia. It was the best sleep I've had in months. Breakfast was mostly Asian food, though there were eggs, toast, and sausage too. It's a good hotel.

The place is usually empty, so I wonder if they make their money from the occasional Chinese tour group willing to pay far too much. How did it get so expensive? I paid about half the current rate not long ago, so the prices seem to have jumped a lot in just the past few months.

The shower felt like heaven after several days in a very rural area. I spent a night here during a work layover, and found it comfortable and convenient. The hotel is a little old, but has style. The rooms were spacious and clean, the beds comfortable, and breakfast was good overall, with fresh fruit and decent coffee, though there weren't many non-Asian options.

Its riverside setting gives the hotel a nice atmosphere and views that many guests enjoy. Some rooms look directly over the river, and those are especially worth considering.