🇱🇦 Thakhek, Laos
Pimsiri Hotel
📍 22/55, ถนนชยางกูร, Thakhek, 48000
Your stay — Pimsiri Hotel
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The Property — Pimsiri Hotel
The Pimsiri Hotel is a no-frills, two-storey concrete block with a small lobby that smells of floor polish and strong Lao coffee. It offers clean, air-conditioned rooms at budget rates, a decent rooftop restaurant with views over the Mekong, and a location within walking distance of the bus station and central market. It suits backpackers and independent travellers who need a reliable base for exploring the karst landscapes of Khammouane province, not those seeking charm or luxury.
Chronicles of Thakhek
Thakhek was established as a French colonial trading post in the early 20th century, its riverside front still lined with handsome shophouses and administrative buildings from that era. The city grew slowly as a sleepy Mekong port until the Pakse–Hanoi highway (Route 12) funnelled cross-border freight and travellers through it from the 2010s. Contemporary Thakhek retains a laid-back, predominantly Lao character, with a bustling morning market and a growing reputation as the gateway to the Kong Lor Cave system and the dramatic Thakhek Loop motorbike route. Its population of around 30,000 remains small enough that life revolves around the Nam Hinboun and the Mekong rivers.
Best Time to Visit
Full Thakhek guide →Best months
November to February: cool and dry, with daytime highs around 28°C and low humidity, making it ideal for exploring caves and riding the Loop without heat exhaustion. Tourist numbers are moderate, and hotel prices stay reasonable.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are the busiest months, driven by the cool dry season and Western holidays. Hotel prices at properties like Pimsiri can rise 20–30% over their low-season rates. The main events are local Boun Khoun Khao (rice festival) in late January, and the That Sikhottabong festival in February, which draws regional pilgrims.
Budget shoulder season
March and October offer the best bargains: March is still dry but heating up (35°C+), while October is just past the rainy peak but trails are still green and crowds are thin. Discounts of 30–40% on standard rates are typical at this hotel.
Weather & packing
Thakhek has a tropical monsoon climate with a distinct wet season from May to October, when afternoon downpours are frequent and intense. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and waterproof footwear, and carry a small torch for power outages or late cave visits.
Live City Briefing — Thakhek
- The Thakhek bus station recently upgraded its departures board with timetables to Vientiane and Savannakhet; visitors should reconfirm times on arrival as schedules shift seasonally.
- A new pedestrian walkway along the Mekong riverfront is nearing completion, offering a short, scenic route from the hotel down to the old market area.
- The Kong Lor Cave entrance fee increased to 200,000 LAK (approx £7) in early 2026, but the guided boat trip inside remains one of the best value excursions in the region.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Pimsiri 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 inner courtyard (away from Chayangkun Road). These floors are high enough to reduce street-level noise but still within easy stair-walking distance (no lift likely in a 3-star Thakhek hotel).
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially any facing Chayangkun Road — that's a main artery through Thakhek with motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and early-morning market trucks. Also skip rooms near the stairwell (loud foot traffic in the morning).
Best views
Chayangkun Road runs east-west; rooms facing south might overlook a side alley or small gardens. North-facing rooms (if not directly on the road) could see the Mekong River direction — but at 3 stars, expect rooftops and trees at best.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are your best bet for quiet. Floor 2 is OK if facing the courtyard, but still picks up some street hum.
🔊 Noise notes
Chayangkun Road is Thakhek's main drag — constant motorbike traffic from 6am to 10pm, plus occasional trucks. No lift means stairs carry noise; ask for a top-floor room to avoid stairwell disruption. Potential nearby karaoke bars (common in Lao provincial towns) could add late-night bass.
Insider tips
1) Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper — even 'quiet' rooms can get morning market noise. 2) Check in early (by 2pm) to pick your room; otherwise you'll get whatever's left. If you have heavy luggage, request a 2nd-floor room — no lift makes 4th floor a workout.
- 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 — Pimsiri Hotel
Free WiFi for all guests, one device per room; speed adequate for browsing and messaging, not for streaming HD video.
No lift: the hotel is a two-storey walk-up with stairs only.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed at reception; late check-out fee 50,000 LAK per hour after 12:00 noon.
Free, no charge for storing bags after check-out at the front desk.
No step-free access; entrance has one small step; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for up to 4 cars on first-come basis; nearest public car park is 200m away on Tha Chak Road, 10,000 LAK per day; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; a refundable 200,000 LAK card hold or cash deposit at check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดพระอินทร์แปลง (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 132 m · ~2 min walk
7-Eleven — 133 m · ~2 min walk
ศาลาท่าน้ำแสงสิงแก้ว — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Exchange US dollars or Thai baht at gold shops or banks in Thakhek town centre; avoid the airport as rates are poor.
Cards are accepted only at larger hotels and a few restaurants; most shops, street stalls and transport expect cash.
Tipping is not expected but a small round-up for good service in restaurants is appreciated; taxis and hotel staff do not require tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant Lao coffee with condensed milk from a roadside stall or market: about 10,000–15,000 LAK.
A bowl of noodle soup or a Lao-style or Vietnamese main dish at a local eatery: about 25,000–40,000 LAK.
A simple main dish like grilled meat with sticky rice at a local restaurant: about 35,000–55,000 LAK.
Along the Mekong riverfront near the morning market and around the clock tower, find skewers, noodle soups, and papaya salad.
Minimarkets and small grocery stores on the main streets (e.g., Phosy Market area); Lao Kip is standard.
The morning market (Talat Sao Thakhek) sells cheap local clothing and textiles; no major chain stores.
Rent a bicycle or motorbike from guesthouses along the main road (about 50,000–80,000 LAK per day for a motorbike); from the airport, a shared tuk-tuk into town is the budget option (about 20,000–30,000 LAK).
Eat at local markets and stalls instead of tourist-oriented restaurants; negotiate motorbike rental direct with guesthouses; carry small denominations of Lao Kip to avoid overcharge on change.
Emergency Contacts
ThakhekThese numbers are local to Thakhek. For all Laos emergencies, 1195 works for ambulance, 1190 for police, 1198 for fire – but reach may be patchy. Keep your hotel front desk number handy; they often have direct contacts. The district hospital is at the north end of town on Route 13.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Thakhek, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Pimsiri Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 132 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
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💡 Thakhek has no trams or metro. For short trips, consider renting a bicycle (10,000-15,000 LAK/day) from a shop near the river – the town is compact and flat.
Nakhon Phanom Airport (KOP), Thailand → Mouthong Guesthouse, Thakhek
💡 Book through the guesthouse for a fixed rate and to ensure the driver knows the unpaved road near the Mekong. Cross the border at Thakhek Friendship Bridge; the driver handles immigration paperwork.
Thakhek Central Market (Talat Lao) → Mouthong Guesthouse
💡 Negotiate the fare before getting in – drivers start at 50,000 LAK. If you're coming from the bus station, walk 200m south to the main road to avoid inflated 'station taxis'. Most tuk-tuks are three-wheeled converted motorcycles.
Thakhek Bus Station (central terminal) → Mouthong Guesthouse (near the Mekong riverfront)
💡 Flag down the bus on Tha Nang Road heading south towards the river. Ask the driver to stop at the 'Mouthong' turn-off – it's a dirt track down to the guesthouse, a 2-minute walk. Buses are rare after 17:00.
About Thakhek
Wikipedia ↗
Thakhek (Lao: ທ່າແຂກ, pronounced [tʰāː kʰɛ̏ːk]), the capital of Khammouane Province, is a town in south-central Laos on the Mekong River and the administrative centre of the district with the same name. The Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, linking Thakhek and Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, across the riv...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Pimsiri Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Chayangkun Road). These floors are high enough to reduce street-level noise but still within easy stair-walking distance (no lift likely in a 3-star Thakhek hotel).
Which rooms should I avoid at Pimsiri Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially any facing Chayangkun Road — that's a main artery through Thakhek with motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and early-morning market trucks. Also skip rooms near the stairwell (loud foot traffic in the morning).
Is Pimsiri Hotel noisy?
Chayangkun Road is Thakhek's main drag — constant motorbike traffic from 6am to 10pm, plus occasional trucks. No lift means stairs carry noise; ask for a top-floor room to avoid stairwell disruption. Potential nearby karaoke bars (common in Lao provincial towns) could add late-night bass.
Which rooms have the best views at Pimsiri Hotel?
Chayangkun Road runs east-west; rooms facing south might overlook a side alley or small gardens. North-facing rooms (if not directly on the road) could see the Mekong River direction — but at 3 stars, expect rooftops and trees at best.
What are insider tips for staying at Pimsiri Hotel?
1) Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper — even 'quiet' rooms can get morning market noise. 2) Check in early (by 2pm) to pick your room; otherwise you'll get whatever's left. If you have heavy luggage, request a 2nd-floor room — no lift makes 4th floor a workout.
What time is check-in at Pimsiri Hotel?
Check-in at Pimsiri Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Pimsiri Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests, one device per room; speed adequate for browsing and messaging, not for streaming HD video.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Pimsiri Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Pimsiri Hotel?
A bowl of noodle soup or a Lao-style or Vietnamese main dish at a local eatery: about 25,000–40,000 LAK.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Pimsiri Hotel?
Rent a bicycle or motorbike from guesthouses along the main road (about 50,000–80,000 LAK per day for a motorbike); from the airport, a shared tuk-tuk into town is the budget option (about 20,000–30,000 LAK).
When is the best time to visit Thakhek?
November to February: cool and dry, with daytime highs around 28°C and low humidity, making it ideal for exploring caves and riding the Loop without heat exhaustion. Tourist numbers are moderate, and hotel prices stay reasonable.
Top Attractions in Thakhek
💡 Bring a tin of beer from a shop for 5,000 kip and sit on the concrete steps. The sun sets around 6:30pm year-round.
💡 The main stupa is closed to tourists, but walk behind it to see the small Buddha statues and get a view over the Mekong.
💡 Buy a bag of sticky rice with grilled fish for breakfast—costs about 10,000 kip. Opens at 5am when the boats arrive.
💡 Combine with a walk along the riverfront path to the north—you'll spot old French colonial buildings along the way.
💡 Go early (8am) to avoid crowds. Hire the boat from the village directly, not a tour agent in town—half the price.