Lao Chaleun Hotel

Renting a scooter here turned into one of our worst experiences and most horrible days in SE Asia. The scooter they gave us was faulty and broke down after half an hour. We tried messaging the hotel, but got no replies, and they kept hanging up when we called. They were very aggressive and refused to return my passport. After a “mechanic” looked at the scooter, we had to pay them $50 US. It took seven hours and “police” involvement to get the passport back. They threatened to keep it, even though that’s illegal and the contract never said they’d hold a passport. Dealing with the staff was genuinely scary. They yelled at us and wouldn’t listen. I wouldn’t be surprised if they rented that same scooter to someone else the next day. Afterward, even some locals told us it was a terrible place and the people there weren’t nice. Do NOT rent scooters from here.

There’s no lift in this walk-up building, and the hotel has definitely seen better days. I stayed because Pakse Hotel was full. No bed bugs, but the towel felt like sandpaper on my skin. You get what you pay for.

The staff were very friendly and spoke good English, but the facilities were so bad that I wouldn’t stay here again. Don’t send laundry here either. My clothes came back stained, and I can’t wash the marks out. Honestly, I’d give it zero stars if I could.

The shower was fine, and it’s a cheap hotel, but the rooms are old and a bit run down. The WiFi really doesn’t work. If you need internet, I’d stay elsewhere; otherwise, bring your own shows downloaded.