Unbelievable Views! That Luang's BEST Hotel Awaits in Vientiane, Laos
Unbelievable Views! That Luang's BEST Hotel Awaits – My Vientiane Adventure (and a few Speed Bumps!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Vientiane, Laos, and let me tell you, it was…an experience. And at the heart of it all was supposedly this absolute gem of a hotel, “Unbelievable Views! That Luang's BEST Hotel Awaits.” (Yes, that’s actually the name. Seriously.) Did it live up to the hype? Well, let's just say my expectations and reality tangoed more often than I'd planned.
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The Big Picture: Does it Really Live Up to the Name?
First impressions? The view. Lord, the view. Absolutely unbelievable. From my (thankfully) high-floor room, I could practically taste the golden glow of That Luang Temple, bathed in the morning sun. Seriously, forget Instagram, this was worth the price of admission alone. And yes, I'm finally understanding why people are obsessed with Vientiane sunsets. I even got a room with a balcony, and in a city like Vientiane, this is a serious win. I spent about 30 minutes on the balcony when I arrived, just smiling.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (and a Little Bit of a Headache)
Okay, the "Accessibility" section in the brochure definitely needs an update. While they touted facilities for disabled guests, relying entirely on the elevator isn't exactly a robust accessibility strategy. Getting around the hotel in a wheelchair, particularly outside the main lobby and restaurant areas, felt…well, let’s just call it a workout. The paths weren't smooth, some of the ramps were a little dodgy, and I'm pretty sure I saw a curb or two that could eat a compact car. It’s a classic case of “trying,” but not quite succeeding.
- Wheelchair accessible?: Yes, but with caveats. The main areas are accessible. Outside? Prepare for an adventure and, perhaps, a friendly staff member ready to help.
- Elevator: Essential. And luckily, it seemed to function reliably.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Listed, but I'd suggest contacting them directly to determine specific needs.
Cleanliness & Safety: COVID-19 (and Beyond)
They clearly take cleanliness seriously. I’m talking:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Check.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Check.
This made me feel pretty secure, especially given the current (and ongoing) health concerns. Hand sanitizer stations were everywhere. They even had a little sign in the room about the option to “Room sanitization opt-out available" – how thoughtful! Though it did beg the question, "What's with the room sanitization in the first place?" But, great for extra safety, of course.
- Hygiene certification: Likely. I didn't see a certificate, but their practices certainly suggested they were on top of it.
- Safe dining setup: Yes. Tables were spaced out, and the staff wore masks.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Seems so!
The Room: My Little Oasis (Mostly)
Okay, the room itself? Pretty damn good!
- Air conditioning: Essential in Vientiane. Worked perfectly.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Yes, and it was actually decent, even with everyone on their devices.
- Complimentary tea/coffee maker: Crucial for that morning caffeine fix.
- Extra long bed: Hallelujah! Finally, some space to stretch out. (I'm, like, 6 foot, so this matters.)
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for sleeping through those early morning temple bells (and, let’s be honest, a bit of jetlag).
- In-room safe box: Always a good idea to keep your valuables secure.
- Refrigerator: Great for keeping those beerlaos chilled!
- Room decorations: Not a bunch of clutter, which I like. There were some pretty (and, dare I say, "unbelievable") views out the window.
- Separate shower/bathtub: I am very picky here and this gets a star for the separate shower.
- Bathroom phone: In case of a true emergency.
- Additional toilet: Ah, luxury!
- Wake-up service: Helpful unless you're a heavy sleeper and the temple bells will work just fine.
Now, the minor imperfection? My room was not soundproof. One morning, I woke up to the delightful sounds of a rooster, a dog, and what I think was a goat having an early morning debate. Not exactly ideal.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (or Maybe Not)
The food situation was… complicated.
- Restaurants: They had a few options, but they weren't all consistently amazing.
- Asian cuisine in the restaurant: Decent. Standard hotel fare.
- International cuisine in the restaurant: A bit hit-or-miss.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet was a solid. Good range of Western and Asian options.
- Coffee/tea in the restaurant: The coffee was… adequate.
- Poolside bar: A real treat. I spent a lot of time there.
- Snack bar: Meh. Avoidable.
- Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver after a long day of exploring.
Here’s where things kind of… went off the rails, though: One night, I ordered the unbelievably hyped "Chef's Special Pad Thai" from room service. What arrived? A plate of… something. The noodles were overcooked, the sauce was bland and the shrimp tasted like they’d been swimming in the Mekong River for a month. A major culinary disappointment. I could almost hear the chef, somewhere far away, laughing and shaking his head. And I kind of felt like joining him. This was an honest moment of utter disappointment.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day! (Kind of)
They had a whole spa setup, and I, of course, took full advantage.
- Spa: Yes.
- Massage: Yes. (And, thankfully, it was much better than the Pad Thai!)
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes! The pool had an incredible view of the city.
- Gym/fitness: Yep. Didn't use it, but it looked functional.
- Sauna: Also yes, but I didn’t get around to trying it.
- Foot bath: Now we are talking!
I got a massage. It was fantastic! Seriously, the masseuse could almost see the stress knots in my shoulders. I practically melted into the massage table. This experience was an unbelievable high point.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Concierge: Super helpful, especially with arranging transportation and offering recommendations.
- Currency exchange: Handy.
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent service. My room was always spotless.
- Elevator: The essential lifeline.
- Luggage storage: Very convenient.
- Cash withdrawal: Definitely a plus.
- Wi-Fi for special events: Presumably available.
- Express Check-in/out: Yes, and efficient.
Getting Around: Taxi Tales and the Thrill of the Tuk-Tuk
- Airport transfer: Convenient and reliable.
- Taxi service: Available, but negotiate the price before you get in!
- Car park [free of charge]: A godsend if you're driving in Vientiane.
- Valet parking: Available.
I spent one glorious afternoon bartering for a ride on a Tuk-Tuk. The ride was so close to an adventure that I wanted to hop out and walk most of the way.
For the Kids: Families Welcome (Mostly)
- Family/child friendly: Seemed fine. I didn’t see tons of kids, but the hotel had amenities like babysitting available.
The Verdict: Unbelievable Views, Unpredictable Experiences
So, "Unbelievable Views! That Luang's BEST Hotel Awaits"?
- The Good: The view (duh!), the pool, the spa, the staff (mostly helpful).
- The Bad: The Pad Thai, the occasional accessibility issues, room soundproofing.
- The Verdict: I'd probably stay there again, but next time I'll be sticking to the breakfast
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into… well, let's call it a "Vientiane Wanderlust." My trip, my rules… and my complete lack of organization. So, here's the (attempted) chaos, centered around the lovely, and hopefully not too noisy, ThatLuang View Hotel. Don't judge me on the itinerary… I'm going with the flow, baby! (Mostly because I haven't planned anything properly.)
Day 1: Arrival – Humbling Humidity and Questionable Fried Noodles
Morning (or, well, whenever I actually wake up): Land in Vientiane. "Oh, the humidity!" My first thought, after, you know, actually thinking a thought. It's like wrapping yourself in a warm, slightly damp towel. Delightful. Taxi to the hotel. Hopefully, the driver understands "ThatLuang View Hotel" and doesn't take me to a pig farm. (Fingers crossed.)
Afternoon: Check-in. Room is… well, let's say "functional." View of something… probably a bunch of other buildings. Decide to wander around. Find a local market. Get immediately overwhelmed by the smells (good and… less good). Attempt to order some fried noodles. The vendor barely speaks English. I barely speak Lao. End result: noodles. Questionable, but edible. Feel a sudden, intense craving for a cold BeerLao.
Evening: Sunset over the Mekong River, hopefully. Find some sort of rooftop bar. Watch the colours bleed across the sky. Contemplate the meaning of life (or at least, the meaning of "this suspiciously cheap beer.") Might attempt a conversation with a local. Probably embarrass myself. But hey, that's the charm, right? (Right?)
Day 2: Temples, Temples Everywhere and a Near-Death Experience with Durian
Morning: Okay, culture time! Visit That Luang Stupa (obvious, I know). Try to be respectful. Take a thousand photos. Get shooed away by an overly zealous guard for… well, probably something stupid. Maybe I'll accidentally step on a monk's robe. Karma, you know? After that, visit Patuxai. It's this massive arch, modeled after the Arc de Triomphe. It's pretty impressive, until you see the actual Arc de Triomphe and realize, "Oh, it's a copy." Still, a good photo op.
Afternoon: Lunch. Find a recommended restaurant. Order something exotic. Regret the decision. Seriously, I'm talking about that durian. Seriously, I think I almost died tasting it. It was a flavour explosion, but it was the flavor of feet.
Evening: Explore the night market. Bargain like a pro (or, more accurately, try to bargain and fail miserably). Get lost. Buy a suspiciously cheap t-shirt. Eat more street food, probably. Maybe stumble upon a traditional Lao dance performance – if I'm lucky, and not, you know, too busy being lost.
Day 3: Coffee, Cooking Classes and a Questionable Massage
Morning: Coffee! Vientiane coffee is supposed to be amazing. Find a cute café. Sip slowly. Contemplate writing a novel. Write maybe three sentences. Get distracted by a particularly fluffy cat.
Afternoon: Cooking class! Learn to make Lao food. Burn at least one thing. Probably the rice. Laugh a lot. Eat all the food I made (even the burnt stuff). Feel vaguely like a culinary genius.
Evening: Massage. This is where things get… interesting. I'm notoriously ticklish. Pray the masseuse doesn't find that amusing. Actually, cancel that prayer. They probably will find it amusing. Try to relax. Fail miserably. Tip generously to avoid being the subject of local massage parlor gossip.
Day 4: The Long Walk, and the Longest Boat Ride
Morning: Big hike down to the Mekong! Get lost. (Again!) Find some hidden temples. Take some pics. Probably the most beautiful views.
Afternoon: Boat ride down the Mekong River. This is going to be… long. Prepare for potential boredom. Pack a book (that I won't read). Snacks. Battery pack. Maybe even a tiny, inflatable raft, just in case.
Evening: Hopefully, some of the most beautiful views from the boat ride. If that sounds good to you you are so wrong. I love the river! I am thinking of doing it again tomorrow, this time maybe with a friend.
Day 5: Departure – Sadness, Souvenirs, and a Resolve to Return (Eventually)
Morning: One final sunrise over the Mekong. Try really hard to remember everything. Go to the market and buy all sorts of souvenirs.
Afternoon: Breakfast. One last walk around the hotel.
Evening: Head to the airport. Reflect on the adventure. Feel a pang of sadness for leaving. Promise myself I'll return. Probably forget all of this within a week. But hey, the memories (and the photos) will last, right?
And, the inevitable: I probably missed a million things. There'll be unexpected moments. There'll be moments of glorious failure. My stomach will probably rebel at some point. But, that's the whole point, isn't it? It's about the mess. The unexpected. The delicious, slightly terrifying reality of travel. And yeah, I'll probably spend half the time wishing I'd planned better. Oh well. On to the next chaotic adventure!
Unbelievable Views! That Luang's BEST Hotel Awaits - Okay, Maybe Not *Best*, But This is MY Take!
So, like, is this *actually* the best hotel for views of That Luang Stupa? Because the marketing is, well... hyped.
What's the deal with the hotel's location? Is it actually close to the stupa? Because I have a terrible sense of direction.
Okay, so the view is cool, but what about the *hotel* itself? The rooms? The service? The… everything?
Service? Hit or miss, tbh. Some of the staff were incredibly helpful and sweet, always smiling, always trying to help with my insane requests. (Like finding a specific brand of Lao coffee). Others… well, let's just say their English wasn't exactly fluent. But hey, that's part of the charm! Trying to communicate with hand gestures and broken phrases is half the fun. Actually, there was this one guy at reception... bless his heart, he looked like he'd seen a ghost when I asked about laundry. After a lot of pointing and gesturing, it got sorted eventually. God bless him. But the service, as a whole, it's fine. It's not the Four Seasons, but you're not paying Four Seasons prices.
Oh, and the breakfast. Don't get me started on the breakfast. I’m a big eater, and even I had a hard time getting excited. I thought the pancakes looked sad, especially the texture I was expecting, this was an absolutely disappointing experience. Maybe I'm spoiled. But hey, they had fruit, and the coffee was decent. So, not the *best* hotel breakfast ever, but hey, it's fuel for your adventures. Mostly.
Is there a pool? Because let's be real, I need a pool.
Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Or should I just book a hostel?
They are so many good hotels, and you might be able to find something similar with a better breakfast. But, if the view of That Luang is a priority, and you're okay with a few quirks and a slightly underwhelming breakfast (that's okay, maybe it's better than I described), then yeah, I'd cautiously recommend it. I had a nice time. The Stupa view is worth it.
Honestly, it kind of depends. You, and whether you are too high-maintenance. Consider me your travel guide, and you can get the view for your holiday. Take a chance and maybe *you* will love it. Just don't expect perfection. And bring your own coffee. Okay, I think I might be recommending it. Or *am I*?
Okay, one last thing... What's the vibe? Is it romantic? Family-friendly? Party central?
