Your stay — Royal Pakse Hotel
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The Property — Royal Pakse Hotel
The Royal Pakse Hotel is a straightforward 3-star option on the main road into town, with a faded-colonial facade and a pool that’s more functional than flashy. Its lobby feels like a quiet provincial hotel from the 1990s: tiled floors, a front desk with a slow fan, and a faint scent of air-con and damp. It suits budget travellers and overland adventurers who need a clean room, reliable Wi-Fi, and easy access to the bus station or ferry to Champasak.
Chronicles of Pakse
Pakse was founded in 1905 as a French administrative outpost at the confluence of the Mekong and Sedone rivers, quickly becoming a trading hub for coffee and cardamom. Its riverside architecture still shows French-colonial shophouses, though many are now faded or replaced by concrete blocks. The city served as a base during the Second Indochina War and later the Lao civil war. Today it’s a laid-back gateway to the Bolaven Plateau and the temples of Wat Phou, with a mix of Lao, Chinese, and Vietnamese influences in its markets and noodle shops.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pakse guide →Best months
November to February: clear skies, low humidity, and cool evenings; crowds are moderate, mostly around December and January.
Peak / festival surge
December–January: dry-season peak with holiday travellers; hotel prices rise 20–30%; the That Luang Festival in late November also draws visitors to the region.
Budget shoulder season
October and March: October is still wet but quieter and cheaper; March is hot but dry with few tourists, so you’ll find discounts of 15–25%.
Weather & packing
Pakse has a distinct wet-dry monsoon — June is deep in the rainy season, with sudden heavy downpours and high humidity. Pack a lightweight, quick-dry rain jacket and waterproof footwear; leave cotton jeans at home.
Live City Briefing — Pakse
- The new Pakse bus station (Southern Bus Terminal) opened in 2024 on Route 13 south of town, replacing the old chaotic depot near the morning market; budget extra time for transfers.
- Flooding along the Mekong in late June 2025 was unusually high; visitors in late June 2026 should check river levels before booking boat trips to the 4000 Islands.
- A new night market on 23 Singha Road has grown popular for street food and local handicrafts, running from 5pm to 10pm — good for a cheap dinner near the hotel.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Royal Pakse Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd floor facing the rear courtyard (away from Sisavangvong Road). These rooms are quieter and cooler, as the street traffic noise drops off by floor 3, and the rear orientation avoids the morning market deliveries.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room on the 2nd floor facing the street. The main road (Sisavangvong) carries tuk-tuks and motorbikes from early morning, and the 2nd floor is closest to both street noise and the ground-floor restaurant. Also avoid rooms near the single stairwell (ends of corridors) due to foot traffic.
Best views
Rooms on the 3rd–4th floors facing Sisavangvong Road have a partial view of the Mekong River and the old town. Rear-facing rooms look onto the quiet courtyard and neighbouring roofs.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors. The lack of a lift means fewer guests use these floors, and they’re far enough from ground-level noise sources.
🔊 Noise notes
Sisavangvong Road is the main drag through Pakse, so expect tuk-tuks, motorbikes and occasional trucks from 6am to 10pm. The hotel's own restaurant can be noisy until about 9pm. No lift means stairwell noise echoes, especially on the 2nd floor.
Insider tips
Park on-site if possible; the closest public car park (Ban Saphay Road) is a 5-minute walk and costs 10,000 LAK per night. Check in early (before 2pm) to request a rear-facing room, as these are fewer in number. If you have heavy luggage, ask for a ground-floor room (the only step-free area) – otherwise you’ll carry bags up stairs.
- 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 — Royal Pakse Hotel
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and all rooms; typical speed suitable for messaging and web browsing; no login constraint.
No lift; guest rooms are on floors 2–4 accessed only by stairs.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; building is a modern low-rise with no historical quirks.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 08:00; late check-out fee of LAK 150,000 until 18:00.
Complimentary luggage storage after check-out until 20:00.
No step-free access; main entrance has three steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for 10 cars; no valet or EV charging; nearest public car park is 500m east on Ban Saphay Road (LAK 10,000 per night).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of first night charged at booking; LAK 200,000 incidental card hold at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Wat Luang (184 m · ~2 min walk)
- Place of worship: Chùa Long Vân Temple (438 m · ~5 min walk)
- Place of worship: Thach Minh Dien Shrine (658 m · ~8 min walk)
- Place of worship: Linh Bao Tu Temple (733 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Champasak Cultural Museum — 992 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 156 m · ~2 min walk
Soksay Pharmacy Dr Santisouk — 274 m · ~3 min walk
Friendship — 86 m · ~1 min walk
Pakse Bus Station — 582 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Exchange US dollars or Thai baht at gold shops or banks in town; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux as they offer poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger hotels and some restaurants, but most local shops, markets, and street vendors expect cash.
Tipping is not expected but welcomed; round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% at nicer restaurants if service is good.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local-style iced coffee (kaffe lao) from a street stall or market stall; about 10,000–15,000 Kip.
A bowl of noodle soup (pho or khao soi) at a market food court or street-side shop; about 20,000–30,000 Kip.
Stir-fried rice or noodles with meat from a local restaurant; around 30,000–40,000 Kip for a main dish.
The area around the morning market (Talat Sao) and along the riverfront in Pakse has clusters of stalls selling grilled meats, noodle soups, and baguettes from late afternoon.
Phimphone Market (Talat Phimphone) is the main budget supermarket chain for dry goods and basics.
Talat Dao Heuang (Dao Heuang Market) offers cheap clothing, accessories, and fabric; prices are negotiable.
Shared tuk-tuk (songthaew) rides within town cost around 10,000–20,000 Kip per person; from the airport, a shared tuk-tuk is the cheapest option at about 30,000 Kip.
Eat at market food courts instead of restaurants; use tuk-tuks with fixed fares rather than hailing; buy bottled water and snacks from local minimarts, not hotels.
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 Royal Pakse Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 156 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Soksay Pharmacy Dr Santisouk — 274 m · ~3 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 Royal Pakse Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd floor facing the rear courtyard (away from Sisavangvong Road). These rooms are quieter and cooler, as the street traffic noise drops off by floor 3, and the rear orientation avoids the morning market deliveries.
Which rooms should I avoid at Royal Pakse Hotel?
Avoid any room on the 2nd floor facing the street. The main road (Sisavangvong) carries tuk-tuks and motorbikes from early morning, and the 2nd floor is closest to both street noise and the ground-floor restaurant. Also avoid rooms near the single stairwell (ends of corridors) due to foot traffic.
Is Royal Pakse Hotel noisy?
Sisavangvong Road is the main drag through Pakse, so expect tuk-tuks, motorbikes and occasional trucks from 6am to 10pm. The hotel's own restaurant can be noisy until about 9pm. No lift means stairwell noise echoes, especially on the 2nd floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Royal Pakse Hotel?
Rooms on the 3rd–4th floors facing Sisavangvong Road have a partial view of the Mekong River and the old town. Rear-facing rooms look onto the quiet courtyard and neighbouring roofs.
What are insider tips for staying at Royal Pakse Hotel?
Park on-site if possible; the closest public car park (Ban Saphay Road) is a 5-minute walk and costs 10,000 LAK per night. Check in early (before 2pm) to request a rear-facing room, as these are fewer in number. If you have heavy luggage, ask for a ground-floor room (the only step-free area) – otherwise you’ll carry bags up stairs.
What time is check-in at Royal Pakse Hotel?
Check-in at Royal Pakse Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Royal Pakse Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and all rooms; typical speed suitable for messaging and web browsing; no login constraint.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Royal Pakse Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Royal Pakse Hotel?
A bowl of noodle soup (pho or khao soi) at a market food court or street-side shop; about 20,000–30,000 Kip.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Royal Pakse Hotel?
Shared tuk-tuk (songthaew) rides within town cost around 10,000–20,000 Kip per person; from the airport, a shared tuk-tuk is the cheapest option at about 30,000 Kip.
When is the best time to visit Pakse?
November to February: clear skies, low humidity, and cool evenings; crowds are moderate, mostly around December and January.
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.