Your stay — Pounlaodee Hotel
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The Property — Pounlaodee Hotel
The Pounlaodee Hotel is a modest, functional 3-star in central Savannakhet, with clean, air-conditioned rooms and reliable WiFi. Its lobby feels like a quiet, practical transit point — staff are efficient but informal, and the main draw is location: a five-minute walk from the Mekong River and the old French-colonial quarter. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a decent night’s sleep and easy access to the town’s sights, not charm or luxury.
Chronicles of Savannakhet
Savannakhet (Kaysone Phomvihane) grew from a minor French trading post in the 19th century into the commercial hub of southern Laos, thanks to its position on the Mekong and the construction of the Savannakhet–Mukdahan bridge in 2006. Its architecture mirrors that era — rows of shuttered shop-houses, a neoclassical Catholic cathedral, and the crumbling That Ing Hang stupa (a 16th-century Buddhist site just outside town). Today it’s a relaxed, dusty border city where Lao, Vietnamese and Thai influences blend in noodle shops and morning markets. The city retains a sleepy, provincial air, with few tourists despite being a key crossing into Thailand.
Best Time to Visit
Full Savannakhet guide →Best months
November to February — cool (18-28°C), dry, clear skies; crowds are low beyond December holiday peaks.
Peak / festival surge
April (Lao New Year/Pi Mai): celebration drives domestic visitors and pushes hotel prices up 30-50%. Also hottest month (35°C+).
Budget shoulder season
March and October: month each side of peak/rainy — March is hot but dry; October post-monsoon is lush and quiet. Bookable at base rates.
Weather & packing
July is deep monsoon season — expect daily heavy downpours, high humidity (80%+) and temps around 30°C. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and quick-dry sandals; leave jeans at home.
Live City Briefing — Savannakhet
- The Savannakhet–Mukdahan bridge (Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge) is open to all traffic — the immigration queues at both sides remain slow, so allow 45-60 min crossing time.
- A new daily bus service (07:00, 13:00) now connects Savannakhet directly to Pakse, bypassing the old local buses; tickets at the Southern Bus Terminal.
- July is peak rice-planting season, so rural roads (especially to That Ing Hang) may be muddy; check conditions if renting a scooter.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Pounlaodee 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 away from the main road. These upper floors reduce street noise and offer a bit more privacy above the ground-level bustle.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially those near the lobby or street-facing) as they pick up foot traffic, motorbike noise, and staff activity from the entrance and reception area.
Best views
Savannakhet is a low-rise town, so upper-floor rooms on the non-street side will look out over neighbouring roofs and trees — not spectacular, but calmer than the roadside view which is mainly traffic and dusty pavement.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest — furthest from street level and any ground-floor service areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Main street noise from motorbikes and tuk-tuks can be heavy during the day, especially on the roadside. Early morning market traffic may start around 5-6 AM. Lift machinery hum is audible in adjacent rooms, particularly on lower floors.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on the back side of the building when booking — most guests default to the front, so the quieter side often has better availability. 2) Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper: the thin walls in this class of hotel won't block hallway noise or early-morning street sounds.
- 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 — Pounlaodee Hotel
Free for all guests. No login needed – open network. Speed is around 10 Mbps, sufficient for email and browsing but not for streaming HD video.
One lift serves all three floors. No stairs-only sections.
No newspapers or digital news services. The building is a modern concrete structure (built 2018) with no heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop available from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 is free; after 12:00 a half-day rate (200,000 LAK) applies until 18:00.
Free of charge at reception after check-out. No secure locked room – bags are stored behind the front desk.
No step-free entrance – there are two steps at the main door. The lift is wide enough for a standard wheelchair. No accessible rooms or grab bars in bathrooms.
On-site, free, unguarded parking for about 10 cars in front of the hotel. No valet, no EV charging. Nearest public car park is at Savannakhet Central Market (300 m away), 10,000 LAK per day.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard bookings; a 500,000 LAK incidental hold on your card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: ວັດໃຫຍ່ ຫຼັກເມືອງ (799 m · ~10 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Exchange US dollars at banks or gold shops in town; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted at mid-range hotels and big shops, but most cafes, markets, and transport require cash.
Tipping is not expected; round up bills at nicer restaurants or leave small change for hotel staff if service is excellent.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local-style iced coffee (o-leng) from a street vendor or market – about 15,000 kip.
Khao piak sen (rice noodle soup) from a streetside stall – around 20,000 kip.
Larb moo (spicy minced pork salad) with sticky rice at a local food shop – roughly 30,000–40,000 kip for a main.
Evening food stalls along the Mekong riverfront and near the central market (Talad Savannakhet) offer grilled meats, noodles, and salads.
Boonthavi Supermarket and other mini-marts near the bus station stock basic groceries and drinks.
Central Market (Talad Savannakhet) sells cheap everyday clothes, T-shirts, and sandals.
Rent a bicycle (about 30,000 kip/day) or take a tuk-tuk within town (10,000–20,000 kip per ride). From the airport, walk 15 minutes into town or take a tuk-tuk for 20,000 kip.
Eat at street stalls near the market rather than restaurants. Haggle politely at markets and tuk-tuks. Use Lao kip for small purchases to avoid unfavourable exchange rates on Thai baht or dollars.
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 Pounlaodee Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 Pounlaodee Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road. These upper floors reduce street noise and offer a bit more privacy above the ground-level bustle.
Which rooms should I avoid at Pounlaodee Hotel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially those near the lobby or street-facing) as they pick up foot traffic, motorbike noise, and staff activity from the entrance and reception area.
Is Pounlaodee Hotel noisy?
Main street noise from motorbikes and tuk-tuks can be heavy during the day, especially on the roadside. Early morning market traffic may start around 5-6 AM. Lift machinery hum is audible in adjacent rooms, particularly on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Pounlaodee Hotel?
Savannakhet is a low-rise town, so upper-floor rooms on the non-street side will look out over neighbouring roofs and trees — not spectacular, but calmer than the roadside view which is mainly traffic and dusty pavement.
What are insider tips for staying at Pounlaodee Hotel?
1) Ask for a room on the back side of the building when booking — most guests default to the front, so the quieter side often has better availability. 2) Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper: the thin walls in this class of hotel won't block hallway noise or early-morning street sounds.
What time is check-in at Pounlaodee Hotel?
Check-in at Pounlaodee Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Pounlaodee Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests. No login needed – open network. Speed is around 10 Mbps, sufficient for email and browsing but not for streaming HD video.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Pounlaodee Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Pounlaodee Hotel?
Khao piak sen (rice noodle soup) from a streetside stall – around 20,000 kip.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Pounlaodee Hotel?
Rent a bicycle (about 30,000 kip/day) or take a tuk-tuk within town (10,000–20,000 kip per ride). From the airport, walk 15 minutes into town or take a tuk-tuk for 20,000 kip.
When is the best time to visit Savannakhet?
November to February — cool (18-28°C), dry, clear skies; crowds are low beyond December holiday peaks.
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.