Your stay — Athena Hotel
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The Property — Athena Hotel
The Athena Hotel is a clean, no-frills three-star in central Pakse offering dependable air-conditioned rooms, a small pool for cooling off, and a quiet courtyard. Its lobby is modest with tile floors, a reception desk, and a seating area where guests sip iced coffee while planning trips to the Bolaven Plateau. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a functional base, not character or luxury. The USP is its location: a short walk from the Mekong riverfront and the morning market, making it practical for independent explorers.
Chronicles of Pakse
Pakse was founded in 1905 by French colonial authorities as an administrative centre at the confluence of the Mekong and Xe Don rivers, with its grid street plan and shophouse architecture from that era still visible today. It grew as a hub for coffee and cardamom trade from the Bolaven Plateau, and after the Pathet Lao takeover in 1975 it stagnated until the 2000s tourist revival. Architecturally, the city blends French-era shophouses with concrete apartment blocks and new guesthouses. Contemporary Pakse is the gateway to southern Laos, known for its relaxed atmosphere, food stalls along the river, and its role as a springboard for Wat Phou and 4,000 Islands explorers.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pakse guide →Best months
November to February: dry season with cool mornings and sunny days, and lower humidity; crowds are moderate as it's high season but not overwhelming.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are peak months due to European winter holidays and ideal weather; hotel prices rise 30-50% and book out early. The annual That Luang Pakse festival in December draws local crowds but doesn't drive huge price spikes.
Budget shoulder season
March and April: still dry but hotter (up to 38°C), with hotel discounts of 20-30% and far fewer tourists. October offers early dry season at low season rates but occasional rain.
Weather & packing
Pakse sits in a tropical monsoon zone with a distinct wet season from May to October — flash floods can close roads to the Bolaven Plateau. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and quick-dry sandals; avoid heavy cotton shoes.
Live City Briefing — Pakse
- The new Pakse bypass road (Route 13 extension) opened in 2025, reducing truck traffic through the city centre and making the riverfront walkway safer. Check if construction on the Xe Don bridge approach is done — it caused noise near central hotels in early 2026.
- The morning market (Talad Sae) at the north end of the main street has new covered stalls for fresh produce and souvenirs, and vendors now accept QR payment widely. Cash is still king for street food.
- July is peak monsoon: expect heavy afternoon downpours and occasional flight delays. The Bolaven Plateau's Tad Fane waterfall is at full flow, but some dirt roads remain impassable for scooters without off-road tyres. Rent a sturdy car or 4x4 instead.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Athena Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, away from the street side. These upper floors minimize street noise from the main road and avoid any ground-floor bustle.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or 2nd floor facing the street — Pakse's main roads can have motorbike and truck noise from early morning. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor (often a dull hum).
Best views
Upper-floor rooms overlooking the side or rear of the hotel offer a view of local rooftops and trees — more pleasant than the street side's parked cars and power lines.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5 are the quietest — further from street level and above any common-area noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Pakse's main road traffic (tuk-tuks, motorbikes, trucks) starts around 6am and can continue until late evening. The hotel's location on a central street means occasional bar or market noise nearby.
Insider tips
Ask for a room on the 5th floor, back side, when booking — it's usually the quietest. If you have a morning bus or flight, request a wake-up call at reception rather than relying on the room phone.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Athena Hotel
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed roughly 15 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up. Login via room number and surname; no time limit.
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand. Free Lao and Thai physical newspapers at reception, available 07:00.
Standard check-in 14:00–22:00. Early bag-drop available from 10:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 pay 50% of nightly rate.
Complimentary luggage storage in a locked room near reception; open 07:00–22:00.
Step-free access from street to lobby via ramp; lift to all floors. No roll-in shower on-site; one ground-floor room has widened doorways and a grab bar. Structural limitations: narrow corridors in rear wing.
Free on-site parking for 8 cars in a secure courtyard (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park is at Dao Heuang Market, 500 m walk, about 10,000 LAK per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates need a credit card hold for first night. At check-in, a 200,000 LAK incidental hold is placed.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Vat Phonsavanh (734 m · ~9 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Vat Phone Koung (777 m · ~10 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Wat Tham Fai (Wat Pha Bat) (961 m · ~12 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ຈັດ ຮອງຄະຍອມ (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
FRIENDSHIP MALL — 744 m · ~9 min walk
Champasak Cultural Museum — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 131 m · ~2 min walk
Saythala Osot — 529 m · ~7 min walk
Chinese Grocery — 252 m · ~3 min walk
Pakse Bus Station — 2.5 km · ~31 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Exchange cash at banks or gold shops in town; the airport gives poor rates and tourist bureaux add a commission.
Major credit cards accepted in mid-range hotels and larger restaurants, but small shops, street stalls, and local transport need cash; contactless is rare.
Not expected but appreciated — round up the bill in restaurants, leave 5-10% for good service; taxi drivers and hotel staff don't expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small iced coffee from a street stall — around 10,000-15,000 LAK.
A bowl of noodle soup or a Lao-style plate of sticky rice with grilled meat — 20,000-30,000 LAK.
A main dish of stir-fried vegetables or pork with rice — 25,000-35,000 LAK.
Along the riverfront near the night market and around the central market stalls — grilled meats, papaya salad, noodle soups.
Local minimarts like Romyen and small family-run shops; no large budget supermarket chains in Pakse.
The daily market (Talat Daoheuang) and the night market for second-hand clothes and basic cotton garments.
Tuk-tuk for 10,000 LAK per short ride; from the airport take the shared minibus into town for 15,000 LAK per person.
Eat at the night market for cheap local food; negotiate tuk-tuk fares before getting in; buy water and snacks at minimarts rather than tourist spots.
Emergency Contacts
PakseFor tourists, contact the Tourist Police on 021 251 141. In Pakse, the main hospital is Pakse Hospital on Road 13 South, +856 31 251 702. The provincial police station is on Road 23, near the old airport. Note that 030 is the nationwide police emergency line but may not always be answered in English; better to have a Lao speaker or your hotel help.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Pakse, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Athena Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 131 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Saythala Osot — 529 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Airport road junction → Royal Pakse Hotel (city center)
💡 Walk 200m from airport exit to main road and flag a southbound jumbo. Cheaper than taxi but less convenient with luggage.
Pakse Airport → Royal Pakse Hotel (city center)
💡 Songthaews run a fixed route from airport to central market. Flag one on the main road; the driver will drop you near the hotel if you point to it on a map.
Pakse Southern Bus Terminal → Royal Pakse Hotel (via Daoheuang Market stop)
💡 Use this only if arriving by long-distance bus. Get off at the market and walk 5 mins north on Route 13.
Pakse International Airport → Royal Pakse Hotel
💡 Pre-arrange with the hotel for 50,000 kip flat rate; airport touts may quote 80,000+.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Athena Hotel?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, away from the street side. These upper floors minimize street noise from the main road and avoid any ground-floor bustle.
Which rooms should I avoid at Athena Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or 2nd floor facing the street — Pakse's main roads can have motorbike and truck noise from early morning. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor (often a dull hum).
Is Athena Hotel noisy?
Pakse's main road traffic (tuk-tuks, motorbikes, trucks) starts around 6am and can continue until late evening. The hotel's location on a central street means occasional bar or market noise nearby.
Which rooms have the best views at Athena Hotel?
Upper-floor rooms overlooking the side or rear of the hotel offer a view of local rooftops and trees — more pleasant than the street side's parked cars and power lines.
What are insider tips for staying at Athena Hotel?
Ask for a room on the 5th floor, back side, when booking — it's usually the quietest. If you have a morning bus or flight, request a wake-up call at reception rather than relying on the room phone.
What time is check-in at Athena Hotel?
Check-in at Athena Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Athena Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed roughly 15 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up. Login via room number and surname; no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Athena Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Athena Hotel?
A bowl of noodle soup or a Lao-style plate of sticky rice with grilled meat — 20,000-30,000 LAK.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Athena Hotel?
Tuk-tuk for 10,000 LAK per short ride; from the airport take the shared minibus into town for 15,000 LAK per person.
When is the best time to visit Pakse?
November to February: dry season with cool mornings and sunny days, and lower humidity; crowds are moderate as it's high season but not overwhelming.
Top Attractions in Pakse
💡 Best photographed from a distance. Head to the nearby Khan River promenade for a better view and a shady bench.
💡 Come just before sunset – vendors start selling grilled corn, fried bananas, and sugarcane juice. It's also a launching point for boat trips to the Don Khong islands (paid).
💡 Arrive early (6–7am) for the real bustle. Try the grilled riverweed with sesame – a local specialty for 5,000 kip.
💡 Entry is free, but you need to show a passport or ID. Allow 30–45 minutes. Signage is in Lao and French – use Google Lens for translation.
💡 Go around 5pm to catch the sunset and avoid the midday heat. The climb up the stairs is steep – take water.