Your stay — Metro Guesthouse
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The Property — Metro Guesthouse
The Metro Guesthouse is a no-frills, clean budget stay in central Sekong. It feels like a functional but friendly base — a simple lobby with a concrete floor, a tired but tidy reception, and a few worn-in armchairs. Its USP is location: right on the main street, a short walk from the morning market and the Mekong riverbank. It suits backpackers and independent travellers who treat a room as a place to sleep, not a destination.
Chronicles of Sekong
Sekong was founded in the early 20th century as a French administrative post, later becoming the capital of the eponymous province in 1984. The town grew slowly around the Sekong River, shaped by the Bolaven Plateau’s coffee and tea plantations and the construction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Architecturally, it remains a low-rise settlement of wooden shop-houses, corrugated-iron roofs, and faded French-era villas. Today, it’s a laid-back provincial hub and a starting point for treks into the remote jungle of the eastern highlands, with a population of under 15,000 that mixes Lao, Brou, Katang and other ethnic groups.
Best Time to Visit
Full Sekong guide →Best months
November to February: clear skies, temperatures in the low 20s°C, and minimal rain. The Bolaven Plateau’s waterfall trails and villages are at their driest.
Peak / festival surge
December–January: cool, dry weather attracts domestic and regional tourists; hotel prices rise 20–30%. That said, Sekong is never crowded — peak still feels quiet. No major festivals; demand is driven by the simple draw of good weather.
Budget shoulder season
March–April and October: these months offer lower rates (expect a Metro Guesthouse double room around 80,000–100,000 kip) and still manageable heat/humidity before the rains build in May or after they taper off in September.
Weather & packing
Sekong’s climate quirk: even in July’s monsoon, cooler morning mists roll off the Bolaven Plateau. Pack a lightweight, breathable rain jacket; you’ll use it daily for sudden downpours and for the chilly dawn on long-distance buses.
Live City Briefing — Sekong
- The new Sekong Bus Station (opened late 2024) now centralises all long-distance routes to Pakse and Attapeu, 2 km east of town; tuktuk prices from the guesthouse are 15,000–20,000 kip.
- The That Ing Hang pagoda restoration, funded by local donations, was completed in December 2024 — visitors can now see the full gold-leaf detail on the central chedi.
- The July monsoon is in full swing: expect daily heavy rain from mid-afternoon, often stopping by evening. The Sekong River rises but rarely floods the town; still, check with locals before planning a boat trip.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Metro Guesthouse, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor, rear side of the building (away from the main road). These floors have the least foot traffic and street noise in a 3-star property with no lift, and the rear windows overlook quieter residential areas.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially near the front desk and entrance) as they pick up lobby noise and street sounds from Sekong's main road. Also avoid rooms directly above the reception or any common area on the first floor.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on upper floors offer a view over the town's rooftops and the surrounding hills. South/west orientation may catch sunset light over the Xe Kong river basin, though the river isn't directly visible from the guesthouse.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors are the quietest due to being elevated above street level and further from lobby activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Main road traffic (motorcycles, tuk-tuks, trucks) from early morning until late evening. Local karaoke bars within a few blocks may produce low bass at night. Dog barking is common in Sekong town.
Insider tips
1. Parking is street-side; ask reception to reserve a spot directly in front if arriving by car. 2. For check-in, request a top-floor room well in advance by phone (the owner speaks basic English) — this avoids the stairs hassle and secures the quietest option.
- 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 — Metro Guesthouse
Free WiFi in common areas and guest rooms via single login; speed around 10 Mbps download, sufficient for browsing and email but not streaming.
No lift; the property is a two-storey walk-up with stairs only.
No digital newsstand or physical newspapers provided.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs 50,000 LAK, after 12:00 charged half night rate.
Free luggage storage on site for same-day arrivals and departures.
No step-free access; entrance via two steps, narrow doorways, and stairs to all rooms. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Free on-site parking for 6 motorcycles or 3 cars in a small courtyard; nearest public car park is 300 m away at Sekong Market, 20,000 LAK overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of one night required at booking; a 100,000 LAK incidental hold on credit card at check-in.
5-Minute Radius Essentials
LDB Bank — 480 m · ~6 min walk
Pharmacy 1 — 690 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Change money at banks or official exchange counters in Sekong town; avoid airport or tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted only at upscale hotels and some restaurants in town; most places, especially markets and smaller shops, deal only in cash.
Tipping not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave small change (10,000–20,000 kip) for good service in restaurants.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or local-style iced coffee at a market stall or small cafe, about 10,000–15,000 kip.
Noodle soup or fried rice from a roadside stall, around 20,000–30,000 kip.
A plate of larb or grilled meat with sticky rice at a local eatery, roughly 30,000–40,000 kip for a main.
Along the main road in Sekong town, especially near the morning market and evening food stalls.
Small local minimarts and the main market (talat) for fresh produce; no big supermarket chains.
Sekong market for basic clothing, textiles, and second-hand items; no high-street chain stores.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) within town, about 10,000–20,000 kip per ride; from the airport, a tuk-tuk taxi costs around 30,000–50,000 kip to town.
Eat at local markets and street stalls instead of tourist-oriented restaurants; use shared songthaews rather than private taxis; buy bottled water in bulk at minimarts.
Emergency Contacts
SekongFor all emergencies, call 191 (national). English may not be spoken: have a Lao speaker or translation app ready. Sekong’s medical facilities are basic; for serious cases, head to Pakse (3–4 hours by road).
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Sekong, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Metro Guesthouse
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · LDB Bank — 480 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacy 1 — 690 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Phoukhankham Hotel → Sekong town centre
💡 Flag one near the morning market or outside the hotel; drivers wait near the big Buddha statue. Short hops cost 10,000–20,000 kip.
Phoukhankham Hotel → Pakse Airport (PKZ) or bus station
💡 Hotel staff can organise a shared minivan for about 120,000 kip per person if you don't mind waiting for other passengers. Leaves early morning.
Phoukhankham Hotel → Sekong Bus Station (Talad Sekong)
💡 Songthaews run along Route 9 but don't stop right outside the hotel. Walk 200 m north to the main road and wave one down. Best for budget travel to Pakse or Attapeu.
Sekong Airport (NEU) → Phoukhankham Hotel
💡 Agree on price before you get in; drivers often add a surcharge after dark. Ask at the hotel desk for a reliable contact.
About Sekong
Wikipedia ↗
Sekong (also sometimes Xekong, Lao: ເຊກອງ, pronounced [séː kɔ̀ːŋ]) is a province of Laos in the southeast of the country. It is the second smallest province in Laos, covering an area of 7,665 square kilometres (2,959 sq mi). It is bordered by Vietnam to the east, Attapeu province to the south, Salav...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Metro Guesthouse?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor, rear side of the building (away from the main road). These floors have the least foot traffic and street noise in a 3-star property with no lift, and the rear windows overlook quieter residential areas.
Which rooms should I avoid at Metro Guesthouse?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (especially near the front desk and entrance) as they pick up lobby noise and street sounds from Sekong's main road. Also avoid rooms directly above the reception or any common area on the first floor.
Is Metro Guesthouse noisy?
Main road traffic (motorcycles, tuk-tuks, trucks) from early morning until late evening. Local karaoke bars within a few blocks may produce low bass at night. Dog barking is common in Sekong town.
Which rooms have the best views at Metro Guesthouse?
Rear-facing rooms on upper floors offer a view over the town's rooftops and the surrounding hills. South/west orientation may catch sunset light over the Xe Kong river basin, though the river isn't directly visible from the guesthouse.
What are insider tips for staying at Metro Guesthouse?
1. Parking is street-side; ask reception to reserve a spot directly in front if arriving by car. 2. For check-in, request a top-floor room well in advance by phone (the owner speaks basic English) — this avoids the stairs hassle and secures the quietest option.
What time is check-in at Metro Guesthouse?
Check-in at Metro Guesthouse is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Metro Guesthouse have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in common areas and guest rooms via single login; speed around 10 Mbps download, sufficient for browsing and email but not streaming.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Metro Guesthouse?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Metro Guesthouse?
Noodle soup or fried rice from a roadside stall, around 20,000–30,000 kip.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Metro Guesthouse?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) within town, about 10,000–20,000 kip per ride; from the airport, a tuk-tuk taxi costs around 30,000–50,000 kip to town.
When is the best time to visit Sekong?
November to February: clear skies, temperatures in the low 20s°C, and minimal rain. The Bolaven Plateau’s waterfall trails and villages are at their driest.
Top Attractions in Sekong
💡 Arrive before 7am for the best selection of wild mushrooms and river fish—locals trade directly from their boats. Try the tamarind-glazed pork skewers.
💡 Ask the caretaker to unlock the back room—it has a rare collection of traditional Alak and Katu textiles not on public display.
💡 The best spot is just past the old ferry landing—there’s a bamboo bench under a sacred fig tree. Bring a beer from the nearby shop and watch the bats emerge at dusk.
💡 Combine with a walk up the path to the nearby small temple—they sometimes have a monk who speaks English and will share stories of the relic inside the stupa.
💡 Best visited in the late afternoon—the sun lights up the spray and you’ll have the place almost to yourself. Bring mosquito repellent.