My husband and three year old son and i booked the Vansana Hotel as it was close to where my brother was living with his family. I have stayed in the centre of town before but found the Vansana and its surrounding suburb a welcome contrast to the backpackers hostel/bar/resturant sence in the temple district.
The staff were friendly and very accommadating, especially to my son, and we also chose to stay in their sister hotel in Veng Vieng(which has an outstanding view of the local scenery and river).
The suite at the Vansana (US$40) had a full kitchen, dining area, lounge, TV area, and double bed with ensuite. The pool area and resturant were great areas to socialise with my family and their friends and no extra charges were asked for.
A 10 to 15 minute ride was needed to get into town but this was a great sourse of entertainment for my son and at no time was there not a tuk tuk waiting out the front.
If you are after a more authentic stay in the capital, somewhere you cannot buy pasta and watch CNN on large TVs this is the place.
- Vansana Hotel Vientiane
