S2 Modern Boutique Hotel

The service was good, and that helped, but the room made a poor first impression. The floor and bedside tables were dusty, the decor and furniture felt basic and cheap, and the towels were old, frayed, and dull. I wasn’t pleased and wouldn’t even give it three stars. There’s no hotel bar, and the nearest one is at least three miles away. This seems better suited to backpackers.

I’ve stayed at four other hotels downtown near the Mekong River, but felt less comfortable there about security and parking my motorcycle when coming and going. S2 was easier on that front, with plenty of room in the underground parking. It’s away from the noise but still close to everything. The views are nice, the beds and bathroom are comfortable, the internet is good, and there’s a lovely pool and a gym I could actually use, including a Smith Machine with pull options for lats and back. The staff at S2 were sweet, friendly, and helpful, and seemed genuinely interested in making my time in Laos better. Manager Afeee leads by example, offers unique local experiences, and is direct and open-minded when asking for feedback. One suggestion: as in much of Thailand, walk-in bookings should be 12-15% cheaper than online rates. And if a current guest asks to extend, they shouldn’t have to go back to a booking app. That could send them to another hotel, and makes them do work reception should handle. A superb stay. I’ll definitely return.

It’s very quiet inside, with good insulation, a powerful hot shower, and water pressure. Staff were diligent, and there’s a shuttle into downtown Vientiane plus some good restaurants around the corner. The location is a bit remote, which seems to be reflected in the lower price. Great value for the money.

The staff were awesome, and we slept well in the comfortable beds and enjoyed the hot showers. This was one of the most rewarding stops on our road trip. We loved our stay.