Great if you're backpacking without slumming it. If you want to be pampered and fussed over go elsewhere. After staying the first night in a small 'boutique' inn (ie. cramped and dirty) with a grumpy owner, our change to the much larger and more central Phousi Hotel was great. Located directly opposite the night markets and various restaurants and shops this was an excellent location to spend a few days in Luang Prabang. The adjoining rooms accomodated the four of us easily. We had none of the problems experienced by the other reviewers. Moderately priced, clean and quiet, not five star by any means, but nor does it charge 5 star prices.

I stayed at the Phousi Hotel the first time about 5 years ago. It seems like not much has changed. I didn't experience any problems and the staff was nice and informative. The rooms were clean (for Laos standards), but were just dated and old. The Phousi is located in the heart of Luang Prabang, right next to the night market and has nicely manicured grounds where one can enjoy a nice Beer Lao. Its a great starting point to begin the day or evening. I had a last minute booking for a standard deluxe room that cost around $65/night (Christmas time).

Luang Prabang itself has vastly developed unfortunately the Phousi hasn't, the hotel has remained the same since I was there, not much improvement. In fact, I would say the location is now a hindrance if one is looking for quiet and serenity. There is constant noise. Its located on the main artery road with traffic noise starting from 6AM and lasting till 12AM. In addition, there is a primary school located right behind it as well. So, if you are there during the afternoon or early evening there will be kids screaming/playing.

The hotel purported to have WiFi, but I could never connect to it. Other relatives at mine stayed at different, vastly more expensive guesthouses, and their wifi didn't work either. So, it could be something with the Lao network.


If you are looking for a good central location the Phousi is good. If you are looking for charm and quiet then better to pick elsewhere.

We stayed for 3 nights in September for US$20 a night in Phousi GH1 - the nicest of the 3. The room was clean and had a balcony on the top (2nd) floor. However there were a few odd things about the place that make me unwilling to recommend it.Firstly when trying to book it via email we were quoted $35 a night, then when we phoned after reading much cheaper prices in reviews they said we could have a room for $25, which we negotiated down to $20 as we were staying 3 nights.

There was construction going on next door (an apparent extension of the guesthouse) which has been going on for over a year and doesn't look like it is anywhere near finished. It wasn't too noisy and didnt bother us too much, however all the washing that is done at the hotel is hung amongst the dirty and dusty bricks and old building remains - including the sheets and towels which consequently don't seem that clean when you get them back.

On the topic of towels, the room was cleaned daily however every single day we had to ask for our towels to be replaced and the cleaner would take them and not replace them. This was annoying, but bearable until the cleaner waltzed into the room to replace the towels , we were in bed and had left the do not disturb sign on the door. It was very embarassing! The shower was also pathetic.

I also wouldn't recommend getting your Visa for Vietnam or Thailand arranged through them last minute as their rates are very high. The internet is in GH2 around the corner and constantly cut out when I was using it - and quite pricy compared to what you can get in town around the corner.

The breakfast in the restaurant outside next to the construction is edible but nothing amazing compared to what you can get in Luang Prabang.

We had an evening flight out of LP so they kindly let us store our bags for the day... in their staff quarters where they were watching TV. It was fine, however I didn't feel confident that my bag was safe from other travelers and staff members prying eyes.

Overall it is a good price for the location, level of cleanliness and new furniture in the room... might be better when the construction is finished.

We stayed at this hotel as part of a trip with Intrepid and after reading some of the reviews on this hotel, dreaded what we would find. Not all was bad but it wasn't that good either!

The rooms are good size but pillows, bed covers and towels had stains on them and the water when having a shower was either very hot or very cold. The reception staff mustered a smile sometimes, other times we were ignored. The houskeeping staff were always friendly.

The location is good and the fabulous night market is nearby. There is free wireless in the rooms internet which occasionally works well, othertimes is unbearably slow.

There are so many other places to stay in Luang Prabang that I wouldn't bother coming here again.