Aura Residence

The location worked well for me, near shops and the local food market, and not too far from the Maekhong river view. I stayed for seven nights and found it worth the price. The room was very large, though cleanliness could use a little improvement. They cleaned it daily, brought water and coffee, replaced dirty towels, and refilled the shampoo and shower supplies for free. The front desk staff were friendly and helpful, and their English was easy to understand.

The staff were friendly and helped us book rides on their own phone app, since there’s no Grab or Bolt around here. Food vendors, a cafe, a convenience store, and the bus stop are all nearby. Pubs are about a half-hour walk away, so this isn’t the best base if you want a night out. The room was pleasant, though the lights in my toilet were broken.

My husband, mother-in-law, and I stayed in the VIP room for $30 a day. It had two bedrooms opening onto one large living room, with a fridge, TV, and couch there. Each bedroom had AC, and the shower was always warm. Awesome!

The room itself was clean and spacious enough, but the rest of the stay was a disappointment. I couldn’t get the WIFI to work, and reception just said it was down without seeming in a hurry to fix it. That was a real problem for work, especially since my phone hotspot barely worked with the poor mobile internet. Noise was another issue: staff shouted loudly in the hallway, and the elevator bell seemed to beep at every floor. It kept me awake, and after I finally fell asleep, the squeaking woke me again. The hotel is near the Thai consulate but far from the center. I couldn’t find any tuktuks or taxis, so walking to the center took 45 minutes. I won’t be back.