Where to stay: Laos hostels & hotel for solo female travelers

Here’s a list of hotels and hostels that I stayed in while traveling in Laos in October 2023. I’ll update this post with more hotels whenever I go back to visit Laos.

Things to note:

Since prices change so frequently I haven’t bothered to note what I paid for each room, but in general I stay at $30 USD or less per night.
I stay in a mix of private rooms and dorms, but more heavily dorms. That usually includes access to shared bathrooms, kitchens, common areas, and so on.
I use Booking.com, Agoda, Hostelworld, AirBNB, and Google Maps to search for places to stay, and I make sure to check my major credit card’s travel portal in case I can use CC points to save a bit of money.

Places with a little ♥ in front of them are highly recommended.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and buy something, I get a small percentage of that at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.)

Check out where to stay in Thailand and Malaysia.

Table of Contents

Huay Xai & Pakbeng (part of the slow boat to Luang Prabang route)

I don’t know that I’d bother staying in either town as a regular tourist, but for one-night stopovers along the Chiang Rai-Luang Prabang by slow boat route, they’re good enough. Plenty of restaurants, cheap guesthouses, and bars (if that’s your thing) to explore before taking the boat.

From Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang by bus and slow boat

Everything you need to know about taking the slow boat from Thailand to Laos: where to get tickets, how much they cost, what the boat is like, where to stay, and more!

Sabaydee Guest House (Huay Xai). Private room with ensuite and air conditioning. Very basic, really only good for one night’s stay (which is all I did). Located on the main strip, within 10-15 minutes walking from the boat pier. For SIM cards and ordering food for takeaway, I’d recommend visiting one of the hostels down the street.

Here’s a room tour video:

Sivongsack Guesthouse (Pakbeng). Private room with ensuite and air conditioning. Fairly run down and basic. The air con turned off at midnight and I couldn’t get it back on, but the ceiling fan worked well enough that I was able to sleep– at least until the roosters started going off around 4:00 am. Breakfast and takeaway food available at extra cost.

Here’s a room tour video:

Luang Prabang

Barn Laos Luang Prabang Hostel. 6 bed female dorm with ensuite bathroom, free breakfast. Located somewhat far from the “main” part of town (night market area), about 20 minutes walking. Very quiet street, except in the early mornings when the monks come for their daily alms. Comfortable bed with air con in the room. There are lockers just outside the room which I’d recommend using, because the windows open right out to the patio and don’t seem to lock properly.

Tony Central Hostel. Centrally located near the night market area and close to where the tuk tuks from the slow boat pier drop you off. I stayed in a 14 bed mixed dorm with NO curtain– my LEAST favorite kind of dorm– but it was only $4 USD/night including (excellent) free breakfast, so I tried it. The hostel wasn’t that bad; the showers were fairly clean and the beds were fine, but the other people in the room drove me crazy.

Phonsavan

♥ Pukyo Belgian-Lao Bed & Breakfast. Run by a Belgian expat married to a local; very nice European-style bed and breakfast with pretty rooms and good food. The owner was very kind and will drive guests into town for dinner– necessary to do as the B&B is a little out of the way and there aren’t many Grab/tuk tuks in the area.

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng Rock Backpackers Hostel. I stayed in a private room with an ensuite and air conditioning. A little worn in places, but with an old school backpacker vibe that was fun. The owner is very friendly and will book tours/buses/etc. for you, or give tips for getting around town. Free fresh-cooked breakfast and a welcome drink when you check in. It’s on the main road so it’s a little noisy at night, but the windows were double-paned so it wasn’t TOO loud.

Here’s a room tour video I took:

Vientiane

♥ Barn 1920s Hostel. Stayed in a 14 bed female dorm which was almost completely empty when I went; with air conditioning, free breakfast, paid laundry service, and luggage storage in a securely locked room. The bottom floor has a cafe with EXCELLENT coffee, and hostel guests get a free coffee coupon!

Barn Laos Vientiane Hostel. Not related to Barn 1920s but IS related to Barn Luang Prabang. I stayed in a private room with shared bathroom, with air con and free breakfast. Overall a good room, though there wasn’t anywhere to hang clothes or put my stuff, really. The common area was huge and beautiful, but super hot. Set down a side street that’s a little difficult to navigate at night, but within walking distance to lots of good restaurants.

♥ Phongsavath Boutique Hotel. Private room with ensuite bathroom and air conditioning. I splurged on this because I was sick and wanted a nice hotel room for once. VERY comfortable bed, nice bathroom (though the showerhead pointed straight at the wall and couldn’t be adjusted), truly excellent free breakfast and wonderfully kind staff. Room came with a hot water kettle and a mini fridge as well. Located down a small side street just off the main road.

Here’s a room tour video I took:

♥ Sailoymen Cafe & Hostel. A really nice hostel with a cafe on the bottom floor. I stayed in a 6 bed female dorm with air conditioning and free breakfast. comfortable bed with curtains and big lockers in the room. A little far from the main part of town with all the restaurants, but it’s on the airport bus line which is convenient.

Here’s a room tour video I took:

TT Hostel. A basic hostel, really, though the dorms have good air con and curtains over the bunks which is nice. The shared bathrooms on the bottom floor seemed a little grimy and the common areas were fairly dark because the staff never turned the lights on for some reason. 😛