Where to Stay in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang maintains a “small town” feel despite being a tourist hotspot filled with loads of hotels and guesthouses for you to choose from. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to stay in Luang Prabang, we’ve got you covered after visiting (and loving hard on) the UNESCO Heritage Town multiple times. We cover LPB’s main areas and recommend our favourite hotels for every budget.

Most things are concentrated in the Old Quarter and you can walk from one side to the other in half an hour. So there really isn’t a “bad choice”, just one that suits your travel style and budget.

Having stayed in completely different areas on every visit, we’ve lived the pros and cons of each and are sharing our personal recommendations.

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Our favourite places to stay in Luang Prabang

Best Budget Pick

La Casa Hostel

There are 3 La Casa Hostel’s to choose from – we love the original, run by Woo

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Best Mid-Range

My Dream Boutique Resort

A little oasis hidden in the trees, they often run last minute deals on their Villa with Private Pool

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Best Luxury Pick

Sofitel

The best facilities in the area, this is a beautiful spot to unwind and treat yourself

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Best areas to stay in Luang Prabang

Before picking a hotel or guesthouse, you first need to decide which area in Luang Prabang will be best for you. We split it up into 5 key areas – the Old Quarter, Mekong Riverside, Central, Nam Khan Riverside, and the area across the Nam Khan. Each has plenty of options to stay and offers a different vibe.

Here’s what to expect from each:

Luang Prabang Old Quarter: This is the best spot for first timers. It’s where you’ll find most of the things you’ll want to do in Luang Prabang plus transport for the ones out of town. Everywhere is walkable and there are lots of great food options. But it’s also the most desirable area so prices are higher, and it can be noisy, especially near the morning/ night markets.

Mekong Riverside: If great views are your top priority in deciding where to stay in Luang Prabang, look along the Mekong Riverside. By booking a room on the correct side, you can get beautiful views in a more peaceful setting though you’ll need to walk or get a tuktuk into town.

Central: This is where you’ll get the most bang for your buck. You’ll be amongst normal daily life with more local restaurants (with local prices). The downside is that it’s not as pretty an area.

Nam Khan Riverside: Along the banks of the river, on the same side as the Old Quarter, you’ll find more budget-friendly options. It’s also where most of the bars and nightlife are but it’s not like ‘the strip’ or bar street in other Southeast Asian cities. Luang Prabang is a pretty sleepy city and everything shuts by 11pm.

Across the Nam Khan: There used to be a bamboo bridge for crossing the river, but now you have to walk down to the Old French Bridge which ups your daily step count pretty significantly though many hotels offer a free shuttle service. The benefit is less tourists and a much more peaceful experience, it feels more like being in a Laotian village.

Quick tips on hotels in Luang Prabang

• Prices vary massively between peak season (November to February) and wet season (late July to October)
• Don’t leave your booking until the last minute, especially during the busier months as hotels book out
• Some of the bigger, more bougie hotels will take card but for everywhere else you’ll need to pay cash. Either dollars or kip will be accepted but if you’re paying in the local currency, they won’t give you the same market rate you’d get if you google USD to KIP conversion. This isn’t a scam, it’s just that Lao banks won’t give the hotels the same rate you see online
• Air conditioning is not a guarantee despite it being a tropical climate. So make sure to double check before booking

The Old Quarter – Best for First Timers

Where all the action happens, and by action I mean the many Luang Prabang temples, monks and boutique shopping since everything in town is shut by 11pm.

Being right in the Old Quarter is ideal if its your first visit and you want to walk around Luang Prabang and visit the many many cafes. You can go from one end to the other in 30 minutes, so nothing is too far, plus there’s plenty of tuktuks if you need them or want to go further.

The downside of staying in Luang Prabang’s Old Quarter is that there aren’t really “budget” options, though hotels in Laos are generally quite cheap compared to Cambodia or Thailand.

Best on a budget – Xuan Keo Place House 2

Xuan Keo Place House 2 isn’t the *most* budget-friendly in all of Luang Prabang, but we were really impressed by the value for money you get. (Note: The sign outside the hotel says SUAN Keo Place House 2, not XUAN… just to be confusing!)

The owner is amazing and so helpful; the rooms are super comfortable and clean; plus there’s good air con and pretty decent WiFi. It’s less than 10 minutes to walk to the daily Night Market and is really close to our favourite cafe for sunset in Luang Prabang – Sunset 360 Café.

This is an excellent choice for anyone looking to stay in the Old Quarter but trying to save some money.

Best mid-range hotel – Ban Lakkham River View

Location can’t get better than this, Ban Lakkham is right in the heart of the Old Quarter, close to Wat Xiengthong and overlooking the Nam Khan.

This colonial style house has been renovated and offers comfortable rooms and cute balconies to sit and watch the world pass by. Breakfast is also included in the room rate which you can eat from their terrace right on the Nam Khan riverfront.

We particularly like the location of this hotel because it doesn’t get clogged up with the tour group vans directly outside. Other part of the same road are pure chaos at set points in the day but here is almost directly between 2 of the main parking spots.

Best luxury pick – The Belle Rive Boutique Hotel

While The Belle Rive Boutique Hotel may not offer all the facilities of a modern luxury hotel in the west, its beautiful, comfortable, superbly located, and very well kitted out by Laos standards. If you want all the “mod-cons”, you need to stay out of the Old Quarter.

Not all rooms have a balcony overlooking the Mekong River, but it’s definitely worth springing for one. The beautifully appointed duplexes are huge and add a real sense of luxe to your stay in Luang Prabang and the staff are amazing. Even if you don’t get a balcony though, breakfast is served on their riverside terrace.

We considered adding the 3 Nagas Boutique Hotel as our luxury pick – it’s certainly the bougiest. But, honestly, we just don’t think it justifies the high price tag.

Mekong Riverside – Best for Stunning Views

Further along the river, away from the Old Quarter, you’ll find more secluded places to stay away from the noise of the early morning rituals and motorbikes. The riverside hotels often have stunning views and a little more space but are a bit of a trek to get to town. Though you’ll never struggle to find a tuktuk driver to take you.

Best for culture – Ock Pop Tock Mekong Villa

This is gorgeous villa, craft workshop, café, and so much more. Ock Pop Tock connects people with the traditional arts and crafts of the various ethnic groups within Laos. So it’s a great place to spend your money, knowing it goes to support rural communities in Laos.

Each room is designed and decorated completely differently using local arts and crafts. And the views of the Mekong are heart-stoppingly good. Seriously, if you don’t stay here it’s definitely worth coming out to enjoy their restaurant anyway.

The only downside is that it’s about 30 minutes to walk back into town or 5-10 minutes in a tuktuk.

Best for nature – On the Mekong Resort

We’re a little bit obsessed with On The Mekong Resort as it transports you from the hustle and bustle of the town into a quiet oasis. It’s hidden in the stunning countryside of Laos and is the perfect place to completely unwind. You’re also not completely cut off from exploring everything Luang Prabang has to offer as they run a free shuttle service.

The gorgeous compound has fruits and vegetables plants and lots of trees for shade – something very dear to my very pale heart! The food is great though a little pricey by Laos standards. With incredible views over the Mekong, this is our go-to retreat when we’re looking for total peace.

Central – Best for the Budget Conscious

Behind Mount Phousi you’ll find a plethora of guesthouses in striking distance of the Old Quarter that generally offer a little better value for money.

It’s not as pretty here and has more of Laotian daily life about it, which we’re big fans of. We love it here as you’re closer to restaurants frequented by locals and you get more bang for your buck.

Best budget budget hostel – La Casa de Jardin

There are 3 La Casa properties and we love their mission so much that you’ll see them twice in this guide on where to stay in Luang Prabang. We stayed at the original La Casa (in the Nam Khan Riverside area) for 3 weeks and visited La Casa de Jardin on the owner’s invitation to eat with them.

You can choose to stay in one of their mixed dorm rooms or in a private room – both are comfortable. But what makes La Casa really stand out is the amazing staff. Even down to the owner’s young daughter who serenaded us and loved to use our phones to look up her current obsession, blob fish!

Despite being super budget-friendly, breakfast is included each morning and they serve up free family-style dinner 3 nights a week. So you can meet other backpackers over a very generous dinner portion. The common area is huge too if you want to hang out or get some work/ trip planning done.

They also support 2 orphanages and multiple schools throughout Laos. The owner is currently paying for 4 students to go to university. Honestly, it’s a phenomenal family-feel hostel that’s working to do a lot of good.

Best mid-range pick – Cozy An Boutique Hotel

Just 5 minutes walk from the Night Market, Cozy An Boutique Hotel offers a little oasis of calm.

With well furnished rooms, beautiful balconies, and a refreshing swimming pool, it has all the facilities you need for a tranquil stay without needing to move too far for the bars, restaurants, cafes and shopping.

Best luxury choice – Sofitel Luang Prabang

Sofitel is a little further from the Old Town than our other Central picks. The hotel is a grand old colonial fort but with better facilities than any of the hotels closer. So it’s ideal for anyone wanting all the amenities of a Western style luxury hotel but with the charm of Luang Prabang.

There’s also an on-site spa and wellness centre, 25m pool, and gorgeous bedrooms. Plus, they can organise sunset cruises down the Mekong on their fluffy rugged longtail boat. It’s the perfect “treat yourself” stay in Luang Prabang.

Nam Khan Riverside – Best for Hostels & Bars

This area is pretty big and starts close to the Old Quarter and stretches quite far out of town. We prefer the further out options as the ones closer to town are also closer to the bars and are pretty basic hostels. (And we love to walk everywhere).

Don’t worry too much about noise from the bars though. It’s not the manic nightlight scene of Khao San Road in Bangkok or Beer Street in Hanoi. Everything closes by 11pm unless you head out of town so you can still get a good night’s sleep.

Best budget-friendly hostel – La Casa Hostel

We stayed at La Casa Hostel for 3 weeks and cannot recommend it highly enough. We were in one of their private rooms which are really spacious and comfortable, and they have dorm rooms too.

The team, run by Woo, are incredible. We loved staying with La Casa and know we’ll always be welcomed back to a homely place to stay in Luang Prabang. Each morning, breakfast is served (no choice) and they also serve up free dinners 3 nights a week. The food is usually homely Filipino dishes as the owner and the cook are from the Philippines.

We also love how passionate they are about supporting communities around Laos. You cannot stay with a nicer group of people.

Best mid-range pick – Moonlight Champa Riverview

We’ve not stayed at this one yet but it’s *high* on our list for our next Laos trip.

Moonlight Champa Riverview is located further down the Nam Khan than all the others on our list but that means it’s way more peaceful and has gorgeous, uninterrupted views onto the river. If you can spring for their King Room with River View, you might be tempted to scrap your Luang Prabang itinerary and just stay in bed staring out!

It might be a little bit out of town (about 25 minutes walk) but they have bicycles that you can use for free to explore the area.

Across the Nam Khan – Best for Peace and Quiet

Over the Nam Khan river you’ll find quieter streets and some amazing craft workshops and shops. To get there, you’ll need to get a boat across the river or go the long way round to cross the (mildly terrifying) Old French Bridge. But the serenity can be worth a little inconvenience if it isn’t your first time in the city.

Best mid-range – My Dream Boutique

My Dream Boutique Hotel ticks a lot of “luxury” boxes at a very affordable price. We love spending a night here as a treat.

They have gorgeous views across the river, a huge garden area, two swimming pools, and an excellent breakfast overlooking the river. The pool by the restaurant gets pretty busy so it’s worth heading to the other one if you’re in need of a little peace and quiet. Then, at sunset, head down to the garden.

Their villa with private pool is excellent value, even if it is a more “luxury” price. It has its own little kitchen and a slipper bath overlooking the pool – it’s the dreamiest spot to chill out in. They often run last minute deals on this room, particularly in the off season, so its worth keeping an eye on.

Runner up mid-budget pick – Madilao Hotel

With a lack of budget options in this part of Luang Prabang, we have a second mid-range choice instead. The Madilao Hotel is quite far from the bridge across the river so it’s not the easiest to get to but it is close to a phenomenal sunset photo spot. So you win some, you lose some.

They also run a shuttle service into town for visiting the markets and going for dinner.

This is a quiet and relaxing hotel with a great pool, beautiful gardens, and an excellent restaurant.

Best luxury stay – The Apsara Rive Droite

The Apsara Rive Droite is a beautiful house set by the river and has a pool, private balconies and a bath in each room.

They usually run a boat across the river whenever you need. However, it stopped in June 2024 for flood defence construction. So you’ll need to check with them if it will be running when you stay. With the boat, it’s accessible for everything you want but with more peace and quiet, more space, and better facilities.

Final Thoughts

Deciding where to stay in Luang Prabang all comes down to what you want to do whislt you’re there. Different areas are better for different things. And for different budgets. That said, it’s a small place so you’re never really too far from anything in the city especially if you ride a bicycle.

We love staying in the Central area so we’re close to local restaurants. With a night somewhere more peaceful, like across the Nam Khan or along the Mekong Riverside, to treat ourselves. However, the best area to stay in Luang Prabang for first timers is the Old Quarter. It allows you to soak up the magical atmosphere.