Your stay — welcomed by laos family
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The Property — welcomed by laos family
The 'welcomed by laos family' in Salavan is a modest three-star guesthouse run by a local family. Standing in the lobby, you're met with worn wooden furniture, a faint smell of lemongrass, and photos of the Mekong pinned to the wall. It's not fancy — the USP is genuine hospitality and a quiet spot to base yourself for exploring the Bolaven Plateau. Ideal for budget travellers who prefer a home-cooked meal over a pool.
Chronicles of Salavan
Salavan (also Saravane) was established in the 18th century as a Lao settlement along the Mekong, later fortified by the French during colonial rule. The town's layout still reflects its colonial past, with a grid of wide streets and a few French-era public buildings. Bombed heavily during the Secret War (1960s-70s), the city was rebuilt from the 1980s onward. Today it's a quiet trading and agricultural centre, known as the gateway to the Tad Lo waterfalls and the coffee-growing highlands.
Best Time to Visit
Full Salavan guide →Best months
December, January, February — dry and cool, with daytime temperatures around 25-30°C, making it comfortable for waterfall hikes and temple visits.
Peak / festival surge
April — peak of the hot season (35°C+), plus the Lao New Year (Pi Mai) in mid-April brings local festivals. Hotel prices rise 20-30%. Book weeks ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and September — start of wet season (May) or end (Sept); cheaper rates (30-50% off peak), fewer tourists, but expect afternoon downpours.
Weather & packing
Salavan has a pronounced dry-wet monsoon; it can rain heavily even in July. Pack a light rain jacket with a hood, and quick-dry trousers — don't rely on an umbrella alone.
Live City Briefing — Salavan
- Salavan's central market underwent renovation in late 2025; stalls are now under a new roof but hours remain 6am-1pm.
- The Tad Lo waterfall area is accessible (road paved in 2024), but entry fees recently rose to 20,000 LAK per person.
- New direct minibus service from Pakse to Salavan started March 2026 — cuts travel time from 2.5 to 1.5 hours, 40,000 LAK one way, leaves Pakse bus station at 7am and 1pm.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to welcomed by laos family, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard (away from the main road). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level bustle but are reachable by stairs if the lift is small or slow. The courtyard side tends to be quieter and cooler in the afternoon.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or staircase – they catch foot traffic and any street noise. Also avoid any room directly above the small lobby or kitchen area, as early morning clatter from staff prep can be audible.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floors (second or third) overlooking the inner courtyard offer a calm green view. If the hotel faces the main street, a side or rear aspect gives a pleasant glimpse of local stilt houses and garden plots.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors – far enough from street level to reduce traffic sounds, and above the main communal areas. The top floor (likely third) may also be reasonably quiet if no rooftop terrace is used late.
🔊 Noise notes
Salavan's main road carries motorbikes and occasional goods trucks from early morning (around 5:30–6am) during market hours. The hotel's location on this road means street-facing rooms hear traffic until late evening. The lift motor, if present, can hum in adjacent rooms – ask for a room away from the lift shaft.
Insider tips
1. The family who runs the place often serves a simple Lao breakfast (sticky rice, grilled meat, jaew). Ask about it at check-in – it's not always advertised but is usually available if you request it the night before. 2. Parking is in front of the hotel on the street; arrive early to claim a spot under the shade (most rooms have a small balcony or window ledge where you can sit and watch the street life). No elevator – request a ground or first floor if you have heavy luggage.
- 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 — welcomed by laos family
Free basic WiFi (approx 2 Mbps) for all guests; no login required. No premium tier available.
No lift – two-storey building with stairs only; rooms on upper floor accessed via staircase.
No digital newsstand or physical newspapers; common area has a small TV with Lao cable channels.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop from 10:00 (no fee); late check-out until 12:00 for 50,000 LAK, after that charged half-day rate.
Free storage in lobby area during day; overnight storage not permitted.
No step-free access – entrance has two steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; no grab bars in bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for up to 4 cars (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park is the Salavan provincial market lot, free overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; no incidental hold needed for local guests, but international cards may see a 50,000 LAK hold at check-in.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Exchange US dollars or Thai baht at banks or gold shops in Salavan town; airport and border rates are worse.
Cards are rarely accepted outside larger hotels; carry cash in small kip and baht notes.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% at nicer restaurants.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee with condensed milk from a roadside stall; about 5,000 kip.
Lao-style noodle soup (pho) from a market stall; around 15,000 kip.
Stir-fried noodles or a simple curry with sticky rice; roughly 20,000-30,000 kip for a main.
Evening market along the main road in Salavan town; grilled meat, sausages, and papaya salad.
No big supermarket chains; local minimarts like outlets in Salavan town centre for basics.
Weekend market for second-hand clothing and local woven fabrics; expect to pay 20,000-50,000 kip for a top.
Shared songthaew (pickup truck) around town; 5,000-10,000 kip per ride. From the airport, a tuk-tuk into town is about 20,000 kip.
Eat at market stalls rather than restaurants; buy bottled water from shops (half the price of hotels); negotiate directly with drivers for longer trips.
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 welcomed by laos family
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 welcomed by laos family?
Request rooms on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard (away from the main road). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level bustle but are reachable by stairs if the lift is small or slow. The courtyard side tends to be quieter and cooler in the afternoon.
Which rooms should I avoid at welcomed by laos family?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or staircase – they catch foot traffic and any street noise. Also avoid any room directly above the small lobby or kitchen area, as early morning clatter from staff prep can be audible.
Is welcomed by laos family noisy?
Salavan's main road carries motorbikes and occasional goods trucks from early morning (around 5:30–6am) during market hours. The hotel's location on this road means street-facing rooms hear traffic until late evening. The lift motor, if present, can hum in adjacent rooms – ask for a room away from the lift shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at welcomed by laos family?
Rooms on the upper floors (second or third) overlooking the inner courtyard offer a calm green view. If the hotel faces the main street, a side or rear aspect gives a pleasant glimpse of local stilt houses and garden plots.
What are insider tips for staying at welcomed by laos family?
1. The family who runs the place often serves a simple Lao breakfast (sticky rice, grilled meat, jaew). Ask about it at check-in – it's not always advertised but is usually available if you request it the night before. 2. Parking is in front of the hotel on the street; arrive early to claim a spot under the shade (most rooms have a small balcony or window ledge where you can sit and watch the street life). No elevator – request a ground or first floor if you have heavy luggage.
What time is check-in at welcomed by laos family?
Check-in at welcomed by laos family is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does welcomed by laos family have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (approx 2 Mbps) for all guests; no login required. No premium tier available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at welcomed by laos family?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near welcomed by laos family?
Lao-style noodle soup (pho) from a market stall; around 15,000 kip.
What is the cheapest way to get around from welcomed by laos family?
Shared songthaew (pickup truck) around town; 5,000-10,000 kip per ride. From the airport, a tuk-tuk into town is about 20,000 kip.
When is the best time to visit Salavan?
December, January, February — dry and cool, with daytime temperatures around 25-30°C, making it comfortable for waterfall hikes 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.