Your stay — Phoufa Hotel
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The Property — Phoufa Hotel
The Phoufa Hotel is a no-frills 3-star in central Salavan with clean, basic rooms and a small swimming pool that’s a genuine relief in the hot season. Its lobby is simple concrete and tile, and the staff are helpful. It works best as a solid base for exploring the Bolaven Plateau, not as a destination in itself.
Chronicles of Salavan
Salavan was founded as a French colonial administrative post in the late 19th century, during the pacification of southern Laos. The town centre still holds a few weathered shophouses and public buildings from that era. After the 1975 revolution, it became the capital of Salavan Province. Today it’s a quiet provincial hub, with a morning market and a laid-back riverside feel, far from the backpacker trail.
Best Time to Visit
Full Salavan guide →Best months
November to February – dry, cooler days and clear skies, ideal for plateau treks and temple visits.
Peak / festival surge
December and January – peak tourist season with pleasant weather. Hotel prices can rise 20-30% above shoulder rates. The That Ing Hang festival (around February) draws Lao pilgrims to the region.
Budget shoulder season
October and March – lower prices, fewer visitors, and still mostly dry. October brings the end of the wet season, with greener landscapes.
Weather & packing
Salavan sits on the edge of the Bolaven Plateau, so sudden afternoon downpours can happen even in the dry season. Pack a quick-dry rain jacket and lightweight long trousers for both sun and mud.
Live City Briefing — Salavan
- Road 16 linking Salavan to Pakse has ongoing resurfacing work – expect delays and check local conditions before travel.
- The Tad Lo waterfall, a 45-minute drive east, remains a popular day-trip but entrance fees rose slightly in 2025 to 20,000 LAK.
- Local markets in Salavan have reduced hours during Ramadan (March 2026) when some vendors close during fasting hours.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Phoufa Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the back courtyard (away from the main street). These upper floors avoid street-level noise and get better airflow through open windows, which matters here as air-con can be weak in a 3-star.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms on the 2nd floor directly above the reception/lobby area — morning check-out chatter and motorbike horns from the street carry up. Also avoid any ground-floor room (if they exist) as Salavan's main road is busy with tuk-tuks from dawn.
Best views
Of the few options, a room facing the rear (north-east side) gives you a view over neighbouring rooftops toward the Xe Don river — nothing spectacular, but greener and less dusty than the main road. Higher floors (4th) have a slight glimpse of the Bolaven Plateau edge on clear days.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are quietest: furthest from the street and from the ground-floor common areas. Floor 5 (top) can be hotter under the roof and might not have consistent lift access — check if the lift goes all the way up.
🔊 Noise notes
Salavan's main road is a national route (Route 16) — expect motorbikes, minibuses, and roosters from 5am. The hotel's own street-facing restaurant broadcasts Lao pop music until 10pm. Back rooms are quieter but may catch kitchen extractor fan hum from 6am-9pm.
Insider tips
1) Ask at check-in for a room with a working window fan — the air-con units here are often tired and a fan helps with evening airflow. 2) If you're on a motorbike, park it in the covered area around the back rather than on the street: hotel staff can point it out, and it's safer from passing traffic.
- 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 — Phoufa Hotel
Free basic WiFi across property. Average speed 5 Mbps. Login via room number and surname.
No lift. Two-storey building with stairs only.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00. Late checkout until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged 50% of nightly rate.
Free storage for same-day arrivals/departures.
No step-free access. All rooms upstairs via stairs, no ramps.
On-site free parking for up to 10 cars. Nearest public car park 300m away, 10,000 LAK per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking. Incidental hold of 200,000 LAK at check-in.
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
ສວນແຄນ — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
BCEL — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Jiffy — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Exchange US dollars or Thai baht at local banks or gold shops in town; avoid airport exchange counters as they give poor rates.
Cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels and a few restaurants; bring enough cash in kip, dollars, or baht.
Not expected or required for most services; if you wish to tip, leave small change for hotel staff and round up taxi fares.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Lao-style iced coffee with condensed milk from a market stall or street vendor costs about 8,000–12,000 kip.
A bowl of noodle soup (pho or khao piak sen) at a local eatery costs around 15,000–25,000 kip.
A simple stir-fry or grilled meat with sticky rice at a roadside stall runs about 20,000–35,000 kip for a main.
Look for evening food stalls near the central market or along the main road near the Salavan bus station; grilled meats, papaya salad and sticky rice are common.
Small family-run shops (tôm lom) and a few mini-marts sell basic groceries; no big supermarket chains here.
The local morning market sells cheap clothing, village textiles and basic items; limited fashion options.
Walking is the easiest way around town; for longer trips, a shared songthaew (pickup taxi) costs about 10,000–20,000 kip per ride. From the airport, take a songthaew into town for around 20,000–30,000 kip.
Eat at market stalls and local noodle shops rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; negotiate for songthaew fares before boarding; buy bottled water and snacks at local shops, not at guesthouses.
Emergency Contacts
SalavanFor general emergency coordination in Salavan province, call 030-538-4023 (local police station). Tourist police (English assistance): 021-251-128 (Vientiane headquarters, may need to redirect). Note: Response times vary greatly, especially outside town. Best to have a local contact or your guesthouse number ready.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Salavan, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Phoufa Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · BCEL — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Salavan Market (Talat Salavan) → Tim Guesthouse
💡 Short enough to walk, but tuk-tuks wait near the market. Agree the price before hopping in—locals pay 5000 LAK for this route.
Pakse International Airport (PKZ) → Tim Guesthouse, Salavan
💡 Haggle hard at the airport. A shared minibus (80000 LAK/person) is cheaper but leaves only when full—expect waits.
Salavan Bus Station → Tim Guesthouse
💡 Flag one down on the main road; tell the driver 'Tim Guesthouse' and they'll drop you near the market. No fixed stops.
Pakse Southern Bus Terminal → Salavan Bus Station
💡 Buy a seat on the air-con bus for 70000 LAK—it's worth it in hot months. The local bus (no AC) stops everywhere and adds 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Phoufa Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the back courtyard (away from the main street). These upper floors avoid street-level noise and get better airflow through open windows, which matters here as air-con can be weak in a 3-star.
Which rooms should I avoid at Phoufa Hotel?
Steer clear of rooms on the 2nd floor directly above the reception/lobby area — morning check-out chatter and motorbike horns from the street carry up. Also avoid any ground-floor room (if they exist) as Salavan's main road is busy with tuk-tuks from dawn.
Is Phoufa Hotel noisy?
Salavan's main road is a national route (Route 16) — expect motorbikes, minibuses, and roosters from 5am. The hotel's own street-facing restaurant broadcasts Lao pop music until 10pm. Back rooms are quieter but may catch kitchen extractor fan hum from 6am-9pm.
Which rooms have the best views at Phoufa Hotel?
Of the few options, a room facing the rear (north-east side) gives you a view over neighbouring rooftops toward the Xe Don river — nothing spectacular, but greener and less dusty than the main road. Higher floors (4th) have a slight glimpse of the Bolaven Plateau edge on clear days.
What are insider tips for staying at Phoufa Hotel?
1) Ask at check-in for a room with a working window fan — the air-con units here are often tired and a fan helps with evening airflow. 2) If you're on a motorbike, park it in the covered area around the back rather than on the street: hotel staff can point it out, and it's safer from passing traffic.
What time is check-in at Phoufa Hotel?
Check-in at Phoufa Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Phoufa Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi across property. Average speed 5 Mbps. Login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Phoufa Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Phoufa Hotel?
A bowl of noodle soup (pho or khao piak sen) at a local eatery costs around 15,000–25,000 kip.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Phoufa Hotel?
Walking is the easiest way around town; for longer trips, a shared songthaew (pickup taxi) costs about 10,000–20,000 kip per ride. From the airport, take a songthaew into town for around 20,000–30,000 kip.
When is the best time to visit Salavan?
November to February – dry, cooler days and clear skies, ideal for plateau treks and temple visits.
Top Attractions in Salavan
💡 Ask the attendant to turn on the light for the back rooms — they keep them off to save electricity.
💡 Walk south from the French-era bridge at sunset — the light hits the river bend and you'll see buffalo being washed downstream.
💡 Bring a torch — the cave goes back about 50 metres and gets pitch dark. No one else will be there.
💡 Go before 07:00 for the best selection and to see traders arriving by boat from the Mekong tributaries.
💡 Bring a swimsuit — you can wade in the shallow pools below the top tier without paying the fee for the lower falls.