Dokkhoune Guesthouse

We were worn out after a 20-hour bus ride and had no local SIM, so we picked the first place that seemed acceptable for the first night. Later, while we were in the room, someone tried the doorknob several times before knocking. My girlfriend opened up, and two cleaners from the Laos staff looked past her into the room, apparently checking the table for valuables. They spoke to each other in the local language, said nothing to us, then left. It was around 3 pm, the room had already been cleaned, and we heard the same thing happening at the next door afterward. Karin's review below made us cautious. Before going to lunch, we took our valuables with us, and that day we moved to a better, cheaper place. I can't say what the cleaners intended, but the incident felt unsafe. The rest of the guesthouse was tired and old. The bed was uncomfortable, the shower was cold despite them saying it would be hot, and the reception staff seemed completely uninterested in us. We were quoted one price on arrival and charged another, and building work started at 6 am. Poor overall.

The location worked well, close to the MAG visitor center and some good western food spots. It was very cheap, and the owners and staff were helpful. Our room was clean and the shower had hot water. We also used the laundry service; the clothes were back at noon the next day, though I'd have liked it to be a bit faster.

The price is low, but the place feels old and gets little to no cleaning or upkeep. I checked several other hotels in town, and they didn't seem any better, though apparently there are better options around.

I stayed four nights and usually carried my money, passport, and credit card with me. On the last day, I hid them in a bag inside a GoPro case. When I returned and started packing, I noticed my money was gone. The owner didn't seem concerned. He said we could say anything, but he didn't believe us because we were customers. I wouldn't recommend staying here if you want to keep your belongings safe.