Laos Travel Forum

My fiancée and I are planning our honeymoon in Laos next year and as well as going to Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng we were also thinking of travelling to Don Det & Don Khon. Are there any decent mid-range or boutique hotels there at all? And what is the quickest way to get there? Is there anywhere else that you would suggest visiting in the country for a really memorable holiday?

I backpacked around the country when I was a student about 10 years ago but guess it must have changed a bit since then …!

I stayed on Don Khon in March. It was a very beautiful & peaceful place. I can't say that I saw any up-market-type places to stay, although where I stayed was fine. Pan's Guesthouse is probably the pick, nice little wooden bungalows. There is no electricity, air-con, hot water. They run a generator for 4 hours each night, between around 6pm to 10pm. The idea is to get away from it all - IMO a great place for a honeymoon, swimming, relaxing on the hammock etc.
Be sure to bring insect repellant though, many of the huts have no screens.

The quickest way to get there: Probably fly from Vientiane to Pakse, and then get a bus to Ban Nakasang and then a boat to either Don Det or Don Khon. Or, what I did was get a boat from Pakse to Champasak to see Wat Phu Champasak and then headed on to Don Khon.

Four Thousand Islands (Si Phan Don) is was the highlight of my trip to Laos. So laid-back and relaxed. I have so many photos to go thru, will get some pages done soon.
betska

If you visited 10 years ago then you'll be shocked by how much change has transpired. I've been visiting yearly since '01 and still am amazed how quickly and how much things are changing.

Anyways, the fancier accomodations are on Don Khon, such as Auberge Sala Don Khon.

For Vientiane, I recommmend the Green Park Hotel but there are a few newer and less expensive places.

Lots of choices up in Prabang.

I stayed on don dhet for a few days with my girlfriend a few years ago and really loved it. Not much in the way of upmarket I don't think. JUst hire bikes , swim, sunbake and play with the water buffalo(well get chased by them anyway as i did).