Your stay — Phonsavan
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The Property — Phonsavan
The Phonsavan is a no-frills, practical 3-star hotel on Savannakhet's main strip, catering to budget-conscious travellers and overland traders passing through. The lobby is small, with formica reception desk, a few plastic chairs and a persistent whir of ceiling fans – functional rather than charming. Rooms are basic but clean, with air-con, cold water only in the bathrooms, and thin walls. Good for a one-night stop but not a destination in itself.
Chronicles of Savannakhet
Savannakhet grew as a French colonial trading post on the Mekong, evidenced by the well-preserved shophouses and administrative buildings along the riverfront. The city's name means 'city of paradise' in Pali, but its development was driven by the rice and cotton trade with Thailand. During the Vietnam War, Savannakhet served as a US airbase, leaving an airport and a lingering American influence in its architecture. Today it balances Lao Buddhist temples with a quiet provincial life, and its night market is a modest affair of local street food and second-hand clothes.
Best Time to Visit
Full Savannakhet guide →Best months
November to February: sky-clear skies and daytime highs of 28-30°C, dry and pleasant for walking the old town. These are the cool, dry months with the lowest humidity.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are the coolest and busiest, with European and Asian tourists filling the few decent hotels. Prices at Phonsavan stay flat (it's a budget hotel) but availability drops during the Lao New Year (Pi Mai) in April, when locals travel heavily.
Budget shoulder season
March and October offer reliable weather, cheaper rates, and thinner crowds. March still has some heat but no monsoon yet; October is just after the rains, with green landscapes and clear evenings.
Weather & packing
Savannakhet in July is deep in the wet monsoon: expect daily downpours and 90% humidity, with temperatures around 32°C. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and quick-drying clothes; no need for formalwear or heavy shoes – flip-flops or sandals that can get wet and dry fast are a must.
Live City Briefing — Savannakhet
- The main bus station has moved 2km east of the centre – new terminal opens June 2026, check 'Savannakhet Southern Bus Terminal' on Google Maps before heading out.
- The That Ing Hang Stupa festival (February 2026) has finished, but the monument remains open and is the city's key sight – entry is still 10,000 kip, no change.
- A new direct bus service from Vientiane to Savannakhet started April 2026, cutting travel time to 8 hours – book seats the day before via the hotel reception.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Phonsavan, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the west side (rear) of the building to back away from Vilay Road. Top-floor rooms (if available) will have less footfall from the corridor above.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of any room facing Vilay Road, especially on floors 1–3, where passing traffic and motorbikes are loudest through the windows. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft – the machinery hum is noticeable in older 3-star hotels.
Best views
Rooms on the east side offer a view over Vilay Road and the town’s low-rise buildings – not spectacular, but more open than the rear. Top-floor west rooms may glimpse the Mekong River in the distance, but that’s speculative without a confirmed building height.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and above should be quieter, provided they are not directly under the roof or bar terrace. If the hotel has only 3 floors, the third floor is your best bet for reduced street noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Vilay Road is a main thoroughfare; traffic picks up from early morning (6am) until late evening. Motorbikes are the primary irritant. No data on a lift, but if present, the lift shaft wall can transmit vibration to adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1. Ask if they have a room on the top floor at the back (west side) – that will be your quietest option. 2. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a non-road-facing room; late arrivals often get the leftovers.
- 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 — Phonsavan
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps) for all guests; no paid upgrade available. Login via room number and surname – can connect up to two devices per room
Single lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only historic sections
No digital newsstand or physical papers offered; lobby TV on Lao national news. The building is a renovated 1970s Soviet-era guesthouse, with original terrazzo floors in corridors
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 09:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 13:00 for 50,000 LAK, after 13:00 charged full night's rate
Complimentary for same-day check-in/out; extended storage (overnight or longer) costs 20,000 LAK per day per bag
No step-free access – two steps at main entrance (portable ramp available on request but narrow). No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms. Ground-floor restaurant and lobby only accessible via entrance steps
Free on-site parking for up to 12 cars in an unmarked gravel lot behind the hotel. Nearest public car park is Wat Xaiyaphoum temple lot (500m east, free 24hr). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Laos does not levy a separate city tax; 10% VAT and service charge included in rates)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking via credit card or bank transfer; a cash deposit of 200,000 LAK (or card pre-auth equivalent) held at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: ວັດສຸນັນທາຣາມ (194 m · ~2 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດຈອມແກ້ວ (973 m · ~12 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດລັດຕະນະລັງສີ (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: Evangelical Church (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
ສວນສາທາລະນະ ທ່ານໜູຮັກ ພູມສະຫວັນ — 840 m · ~11 min walk
ຫໍພິພິທະພັນ ໄດໂນເສົາ — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 269 m · ~3 min walk
Phousakda Pharmacie 1 — 673 m · ~8 min walk
Thongmany Mart — 422 m · ~5 min walk
Savannkhet Bus Terminal — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Laotian Kip, LAK
Use ATMs in central Savannakhet for best rates; avoid exchange desks at airports or tourist bureaux which give poor rates.
Cards are accepted at mid-range hotels and larger shops, but cash (Kip) is king for street food and local markets; contactless is rare.
Not expected in local eateries or taxis; optional 5-10% at upscale hotels or restaurants if service is good.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or strong black coffee from street stalls or local coffee shops: around 10,000 LAK.
A bowl of noodle soup (pho or khao piak sen) from a market stall or small shop: 20,000-30,000 LAK.
Grilled meat or fish with sticky rice from a night-market stall: 30,000-40,000 LAK for a main.
Along Vilay Road and near the Mekong riverfront at dusk, or the evening market near the central market.
Small local minimarkets (e.g., Nang Ploy or similar) are common; no big Western chains in this area.
Thai imports sold at the central market (Talad Savannakhet) or night market - negotiate for basic clothing.
Walking is best for Vilay Road; a tuk-tuk within town costs 10,000-20,000 LAK. From Savannakhet airport, take a shared songthaew or tuk-tuk (about 30,000 LAK) into town.
Eat where locals queue; use ATM withdrawals for larger sums to avoid multiple fees; bargain at markets but not at street-food stalls.
Emergency Contacts
SavannakhetTourist Police Hotline: 021 212 035 for assistance with tourist-related issues
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Savannakhet, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Phonsavan
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 269 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Phousakda Pharmacie 1 — 673 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Savannakhet City Centre → Phoxai Guest House
💡 Haggle with the driver for a fair price
Savannakhet International Airport → Phoxai Guest House
💡 Negotiate the price with the driver before you start your journey
Savannakhet Bus Station → Phoxai Guest House
💡 Buy tickets at the bus station in advance to guarantee a seat
Motorbike rental shops in Savannakhet → Phoxai Guest House
💡 Wear a helmet and ride safely
About Savannakhet
Wikipedia ↗
Savannakhet (Lao: ສະຫວັນນະເຂດ, pronounced [sā.wǎn.nā(ʔ).kʰȅːt]; , officially named Kaysone Phomvihane (Lao: ໄກສອນ ພົມວິຫານ); since 2005 and previously known as Khanthaboury (Lao: ຄັນທະບູລີ), is a city in western Laos. It is the capital of Savannakhet Province. With a population of 125,760 (2018), it...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Phonsavan?
Request a room on the west side (rear) of the building to back away from Vilay Road. Top-floor rooms (if available) will have less footfall from the corridor above.
Which rooms should I avoid at Phonsavan?
Steer clear of any room facing Vilay Road, especially on floors 1–3, where passing traffic and motorbikes are loudest through the windows. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft – the machinery hum is noticeable in older 3-star hotels.
Is Phonsavan noisy?
Vilay Road is a main thoroughfare; traffic picks up from early morning (6am) until late evening. Motorbikes are the primary irritant. No data on a lift, but if present, the lift shaft wall can transmit vibration to adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Phonsavan?
Rooms on the east side offer a view over Vilay Road and the town’s low-rise buildings – not spectacular, but more open than the rear. Top-floor west rooms may glimpse the Mekong River in the distance, but that’s speculative without a confirmed building height.
What are insider tips for staying at Phonsavan?
1. Ask if they have a room on the top floor at the back (west side) – that will be your quietest option. 2. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a non-road-facing room; late arrivals often get the leftovers.
What time is check-in at Phonsavan?
Check-in at Phonsavan is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Phonsavan have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps) for all guests; no paid upgrade available. Login via room number and surname – can connect up to two devices per room
Is there a city or tourist tax at Phonsavan?
None (Laos does not levy a separate city tax; 10% VAT and service charge included in rates)
Where can I eat cheaply near Phonsavan?
A bowl of noodle soup (pho or khao piak sen) from a market stall or small shop: 20,000-30,000 LAK.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Phonsavan?
Walking is best for Vilay Road; a tuk-tuk within town costs 10,000-20,000 LAK. From Savannakhet airport, take a shared songthaew or tuk-tuk (about 30,000 LAK) into town.
When is the best time to visit Savannakhet?
November to February: sky-clear skies and daytime highs of 28-30°C, dry and pleasant for walking the old town. These are the cool, dry months with the lowest humidity.
Top Attractions in Savannakhet
💡 The museum is run by a local non-profit organization, so donations are appreciated.
💡 Take a moment to observe the locals praying and making offerings at the temple.
💡 Take a walk around the monument at sunset for a great photo opportunity.
💡 Try some of the local delicacies, such as griddled insects and sticky rice.
💡 Take a moment to observe the locals praying and making offerings at the temple.