More about hotels in Champasak
About Champasak accommodation
Champasak is a riverside province in southern Laos where the Mekong widens out and scatters into hundreds of islands, so choosing where to stay usually means picking between a quiet river town, a laid-back island, or the regional hub of Pakse. Accommodation here ranges from simple fan-cooled guesthouses to boutique riverside lodges, with plenty of options in between.
Most travellers base themselves near Champasak town for easy access to Wat Phou, or head further south to Don Det and Don Khon for an even slower, island-hopping pace. Wherever you land, expect a relaxed, low-rise setting built around the river rather than big resort strips or nightlife.
Where to stay in Champasak
- Champasak town, near Wat Phou: riverside guesthouses and mid-range lodges within a short tuk-tuk ride of the temple, a good base for exploring the ruins at a relaxed pace.
- Don Det: the backpacker-friendly island with the widest spread of budget bungalows and guesthouses, many right on the water.
- Don Khon: quieter and slightly more upmarket than its neighbour, with a handful of boutique stays near the old French-era buildings and Khone Phapheng Falls.
- Pakse: the region's transport and dining hub, with more hotel choice and a wider range of price points, useful if you're arriving or leaving by air.
How much is Champasak accommodation?
- Budget: AU$15-35, a fan-cooled room or simple guesthouse, often with a shared or cold-water bathroom.
- Mid-range: AU$45-90, an air-conditioned bungalow or riverside lodge room, sometimes with a pool or garden setting.
- Luxury: AU$120-220, a boutique riverside resort with a pool, restaurant and tours arranged for you.
What Champasak is known for
- Wat Phou: a pre-Angkorian stone temple complex built up the slope of Phou Kao mountain, with terraces, causeways and shrine structures that make it one of the best-preserved ancient Khmer sites in the region, and a UNESCO World Heritage listing to match.
- Si Phan Don, the 4000 Islands: a stretch of the Mekong scattered with hundreds of river islands, best known for a slow hammock-and-bicycle pace, with Don Det and Don Khon the two main islands to base yourself on.
- Khone Phapheng Falls: the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia, a wide, thundering set of rapids and cascades on the Mekong.
- Irrawaddy dolphin watching: boat trips near Don Khon, close to the Cambodian border, offer a chance to spot the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins that live in this stretch of the river.
Top-rated hotels in Champasak
- Champasak Grand Hotel: a riverside hotel in Pakse, handy for arrivals and departures with easy access to the region's sights.
- La Folie Lodge: stilted bungalows on Don Daeng Island with a pool, set up for cycling, kayaking and birdwatching around Champasak.
- Sala Done Khone: a restored former French trading post on Don Khon with garden bungalows, close to Khone Phapheng Falls.
- The River Resort: a riverside stay near Champasak town with garden grounds, a relaxed base for visiting Wat Phou.
- Little Eden Guesthouse: a popular budget pick on Don Det, an easy option for travellers island-hopping through Si Phan Don.
Travel tips for Champasak
- Visit in the dry season, from November to April, for the most comfortable temple visits and easier travel between islands.
- Bring enough cash, there are no ATMs on Don Det or Don Khon, and not every guesthouse takes cards.
- Rent a bicycle to get around Don Det and Don Khon, a bridge connects the two islands and most of the sights are an easy ride apart.
- Head to Wat Phou early in the morning to beat the heat and have the terraces to yourself.
- Allow at least two nights in the area to fit in the temple, the islands and Khone Phapheng Falls without rushing.
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