What is Lao Poet Hotel?

Lao Poet Hotel is a Selected hotel located in Vientiane, Laos. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does Lao Poet Hotel have?

Lao Poet Hotel has been awarded Selected by the Michelin Guide, indicating a very special stay.

Where is Lao Poet Hotel located?

Lao Poet Hotel is located in Vientiane, Laos, in the Asia region.

What makes a Selected hotel special?

Selected hotels provide very special stays with excellent service and a unique sense of place.

How do I book Lao Poet Hotel?

You can view more details and booking information for Lao Poet Hotel through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

Lao Poet Hotel | Selected in Vientiane, Laos

Name: Lao Poet Hotel
Address: Vientiane, Asia, Laos
Rating: 4.5

The Lao Poet Hotel in Vientiane, Laos, a Michelin Key Selected property, is highly regarded by guests for its blend of traditional charm and modern comforts. This boutique hotel offers a distinctive experience, characterized by its unique design, attentive service, and prime location in the heart of the city.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Lao Poet Hotel generally receives an "exceptional" overall rating, with many guests expressing delight and considering it a refreshing change from typical hotel experiences. It's widely praised as a charming boutique hotel offering a strong sense of place, blending local character with sufficient modern amenities.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of the Lao Poet Hotel:

Service & Staff: The staff are frequently described as "very friendly," "lovely," "helpful," "attentive," and "accommodating," going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay.
Location: Its central location in the old downtown is a major draw, offering easy walking access to major attractions, markets, shops, and restaurants.
Design: The hotel's aesthetic is a significant highlight, featuring thoughtful decoration that combines clean contemporary lines with traditionally styled furniture and antiques. Guests appreciate the colorful interiors, vintage wood paneling, green paint, and stunning hand-painted murals found in rooms and throughout the property. The design draws inspiration from 1930s Indochine, interspersed with modern, creative touches.
Amenities: The rooftop infinity pool and bar are a crowning jewel, offering excellent views of the city and the Mekong River, especially at sunset. The hotel also provides spa facilities, a sun terrace, sauna, and massage treatments. Free and strong Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

3. Room Quality

The 55 rooms and suites at Lao Poet Hotel are described as comfortable, clean, and thoughtfully designed. Urban Exclusive Classic rooms are particularly noted for their charming atmosphere, featuring beds swathed in velveteen, vintage wood paneling, green paint, and impressive hand-painted murals that extend onto the ceiling. Polished cement floors are softened with hand-woven rugs. Urban Deluxe rooms, while sometimes noted as smaller by Southeast Asian standards, are well-furnished. All rooms typically include a work desk, free Wi-Fi, bathrobes, slippers, and a mini-bar. Bathrooms are neat and modern, often equipped with sleek black marble walls, spacious shower stalls, and extra-large raindrop shower heads. Some rooms and suites, including the spacious Poet Suites, also feature bathtubs.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's restaurant receives high praise for its culinary offerings. It specializes in traditional Lao cuisine, which is described as "excellent" and "made from scratch and to order". One particular highlight noted by guests is the Lao sausage wrapped in lemongrass. The dining experience is often compared to "dining in a distant relative's home," emphasizing its authenticity and warmth. Breakfast is a particular strong point, described as "very good," "varied," and notably not a buffet, but rather a delicious cooked-to-order meal. Guests appreciate the cozy and inviting atmosphere of the restaurant. The restaurant also offers American dishes.

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at Lao Poet Hotel is consistently rated as outstanding. Guests frequently commend the staff for being "great, helpful, friendly, and accommodating". They are noted for their attentiveness and willingness to "go above and beyond" to assist guests, even helping with quick taxi calls for those running late. The staff can communicate in multiple languages, including English and Mandarin Chinese.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Lao Poet Hotel boasts a prime, central location in Vientiane's old downtown, making it an ideal base for exploration. It is situated on a quiet yet "green" street, close to the food market, shops, and restaurants. Key attractions are within easy walking distance, including the Laos National Museum (a 3-minute walk), Wat Sisaket (2625 feet), Patuxay Monument, the Mekong River boardwalk, and the vibrant night market. Wattay International Airport (VTE) is approximately a 10-12 minute drive away, and the hotel offers a 24-hour airport shuttle service for a fee.

7. Value & Pricing

The Lao Poet Hotel is positioned as a "mid-range boutique category" property that offers "affordable luxury". With an average room price of around $98, it provides "exceptional value for money" compared to the city's average hotel room price of $50. Guests generally feel that the quality of service, design, amenities, and location justifies the cost.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, a minor recurring comment relates to the design of some bathrooms, specifically the glass wall next to the shower. While a blind is provided for privacy, some guests are "not a fan" of this trend in Southeast Asian hotels. Additionally, one review mentioned that the immediate street around the hotel can feel "like the gateway to a ghost town" due to some vacant and dilapidated buildings, though construction for new developments is visible nearby. It's also worth noting that while excellent, it is not considered a luxury hotel by Western standards.