Lonely Planet Review

Billing itself as the 'modern guesthouse', Dragon Lodge has a swish selection of rooms, some with fan, some with air-con. Either way, there's a cool vibe to the place thanks to a popular bar downstairs and the extensive silk and sculptures bring a spiritual touch to the upstairs areas.

The rooms are spotless and all include hot water bathrooms and anything from one to four beds. Unfortunately, not all the rooms have windows, which is no fun in a new town. But the location is very central, with the National Museum and Nam Phu fountain just a short stroll away and many leading restaurants and bars nearby. Speaking of bars, one of the town's liveliest is downstairs, with lavish Chinese decor, ultra-hip lighting and good tunes. It draws a lot of travellers passing through town and has a reliable information board with tips and insights on travel around Laos. The rates don't include breakfast. It is possible to pay for rooms by credit card with a commission of 3%.