Traveling to Laos? Find Houaphan hotels

My stay at the Nam Nern Ecolodge was great. Really deep in the jungle. Lots of night sounds, river sounds. Saw a sambar deer, five civet cats, dragon lizards and owls on the night safari. Dry season a good time to go as the animals must come to the river to drink. Floating down the river in silence was very serene, with moments of excitement when an animal was spotlighted. The guide spoke pretty good English and the hunters-turned-wildlife-spotters could find anything. The food was ok. Nothing special. But no MSG either.

When we arrived we had trouble finding the place as it is composed of multiple properties across town and only one reception with no given directions. After we finally found staff they sent us on a ghost hunt around time to one of their properties before eventually telling us that they were completely booked out. They did not feel responsible at all and told us that they are not using any online booking services anymore, even though we had a booking confirmation. We were not allowed inside at the proper reception and we're told to leave with a recommendation of other available guesthouses.

We just stayed for one night,and it was ok about the room cleanliness and facilities,but on the next day when we checked out, the staff couldn't understand English and kept asking us to pay after I explained I'd paid by credit card and showed him the booking voucher....,yet he just repeated the same words. Finally, we gave up communicating and left with anger. The hotel could hire people who don't understand English, that's fine. But the hotel manager or anyone who manage the booking stuff should have responsibility to let the receptionist know the payment condition of every room. What a lousy experience we had!

Arrived at the guesthouse to find no one spoke any English, so trying to explain that I had paid online was a challenge. After someone translating via a phone call we found out that in fact they have no online booking and we would have to pay again. The money was taken off my credit card but we still weren't allowed a room unless we paid cash. After emailing their contact address on Agoda website, to no surprise the email was invalid and did not work. I have taken this issue up with my credit card company and will be taking it further if need be! I strongly suggest that this property be removed from your site!

I enjoyed my stay at this hotel in Sam Neua very much and would rate it 10/10. I filled in the required box about food, but it should be noted that the hotel does not sell food or have a dining area. The people who work in the hotel were excellent and very helpful. The elevator is in working order, and the room was clean, comfortable and had many amenities such as a refrigerator, air-conditioning, tv and a nice washroom. I would come back here again.

Upon arrival, were given a key and thats the last we saw of any staff for the rest of the day. I did finally find one man who I asked about WiFi and he went to find out- NO WiFi. The shower and bathroom were terrible- the water poured out of the sink onto the floor. The price is only $15 Aus. but we have stayed in many more at the same price. Others now tell us that Naxai Guesthouse II is much better.

Tricky to review this place. The owner and family are nice. The hotel has no facilities except for wifi which is weak. It's sited out of town a little in an area undergoing heavy development of the road into town and a new market. We were sold one of the new rooms with what looked like a great corner view window instead we got an old room with damp bathroom. The owner is nice but tried to get us to pay him directly then claim the money back from Agoda. Strange. We didn't. I suggest not staying here and trying somewhere else in town. It's fine but soulless.