Where to stay in Sam Neua, Laos – Sam Neua travel guide

Sam Neua has a good selection of hotels to choose from and even the most fussy traveller will find something to their standard. The best places are all located in front of the river near the big monument at the roundabout in the centre of town.

1. Khamxam Guesthouse

Located right on the corner by the bridge, this guesthouse is often touted as one of the best options in Sam Neua and it is indeed very clean, with generous-sized rooms graded and priced accordingly.

The largest rooms, on the top floor, are pleasantly done with a few pieces of furniture, a fan and private bathroom featuring Western toilet and hot shower and a separate lounge room. Other rooms also have a private bathroom with hot water and Western toilets, but they are smaller and with hardly a stick of furniture. Still, it’s in these rooms that you will find fantastic value for Sam Neua. They are clean and bare, but not shoddy as you might expect in this price range. Unfortunately there is no WiFi in the hotel but we reckon it’s only a matter of time before it’s turned on as the competition among the hotels on the river is fierce. A great budget option.

Where is Khamxam Guesthouse

Khamxam Guesthouse

Riverside, Sam Neua

T: (064) 312 111(020) 9773 3999 

Room rates: Under US$10

2. Phonechalern Guesthouse

Phonechalern is located between two other guesthouses offering similar rooms at similar prices and it can be difficult to separate one from another.

The thing that distinguishes Phonechalern from the others is that the rooms have a slightly better layout, sport balconies and get great natural light if located on the river side of the building. Rooms come with large single beds in either single or twin configurations, TVs with cable channels, wardrobes and the occasional bit of artwork. As with other hotels around town, the floors are tiled, making for a chilly walk to the bathroom in the colder months. There is a variety of room with gaudy carpets and a big double bed, but the expense of these rooms isn’t really justified. All rooms come with hot water showers, Western toilets and free in-room WiFi.

Where is Phonechalern Guesthouse

Phonechalern Guesthouse

Riverside, Sam Neua

T: (064) 312 195 

Room rates: Under US$10

3. Sa Ne Khaem Guesthouse

This place is slightly cheaper than other options along this strip but is just as good except for the absence of WiFi.

Rooms are smaller than Chittavanh, but still big enough to swing a cat in, the beds are Lao specials (rock hard) and the bathrooms have hot water showers and Western toilets. There are a few bits and pieces of furniture in the room for those who really need them and the owner is very friendly. It’s located next to Chittavanh Guesthouse in a strip of generic guesthouses on the side of the river near the bridge. This place is a good choice for those without a WiFi requirement.

Where is Sa Ne Khaem Guesthouse

Sa Ne Khaem Guesthouse

Riverside, Sam Neua

T: (064) 312 152(020) 5569 9189 

Room rates: Under US$10

4. Bounhome Guesthouse

Bounhome is in a new building next to most of the other new guesthouses in town on the river and is quite modern and fresh.

Rooms are equipped with rock hard beds with wafer thin sheets, a wardrobe, old TV and hot water bathroom with Western toilet. The showers are inconveniently located in front of the toilets, making showering more difficult than it should be. Still, this is a reasonable option in town with free in-room WiFi.

Where is Bounhome Guesthouse

Bounhome Guesthouse

Next to Dan Nao Meuang Xam Restaurant, Sam Neua

T: (064) 312 223(020) 2234 8125 

Room rates: Under US$10

5. Chittavanh Guesthouse

Much like the rest of the generic guesthouses along this strip, Chittavanh Guesthouse is modern and only recently built.

Rooms come with clean hot water bathroom with Western toilet, beds like concrete slabs as is the norm in town, wardrobe, table and chair and free in-room WiFi. The twin rooms are in fact twin double rooms capable of sleeping four people. This is a popular choice and has its own restaurant on site with an English menu. Not a bad option in Sam Neua.

Where is Chittavanh Guesthouse

Chittavanh Guesthouse

Riverside, Sam Neua

T: (064) 312 265(020) 5576 6880 

Room rates: Under US$10

6. Saynamxam Guesthouse

This homely place is just around the corner from a strip of guesthouses on the riverfront, but is quite new just like its neighbours, meaning modern rooms, modern bathrooms with hot water and Western toilets.

It feels a little more budget here and that comes through with a slightly lower price, but we can’t help but feel that the rooms in some other hotels at the same price are slightly better. The rooms have TVs, wardrobe and a table and chair as well as customary uncomfortable beds. Still, with all the hotels in town being so similar, we’re only splitting hairs by rating this slightly lower than some others.

Where is Saynamxam Guesthouse

Saynamxam Guesthouse

On side road from river next to market, Sam Neua

T: (030) 9122 466 

Room rates: Under US$10