La Folie Lodge, Don Daeng, Champasak, Laos - Explore & Book
"The isolated La Folie Lodge sits on Don Daeng, an island slumbering in the Mekong River, a short hop from Champasak in southern Laos. Owned by a French count, the lodge and its 26 stilted wooden bungalows plus a separate 2-bedroomed villa nestled among a lush tropical garden.La Folie pivots around its restaurant, which is dotted with carved elephants and looks out onto the inviting royal-blue pool. Sit with a cold drink and enjoy the tranquil sunset and mesmerising skyline, particularly the natural linga-topped mountain, Linga Parvata. Beneath this auspicious spot, the pre-Angkorian Khmer kings chose to build the magnificent Wat Phou temple. This Unesco World Heritage Site of stepped ruins complete with carved asparas and shivas, sprinkled by holy water and shrouded in the falling flowers of frangipani, is a beautiful spot. And you couldn't be better placed to visit; La Folie is just a short boat and tuk-tuk ride away. After a trip to the ruins, borrow one of the hotel's bicycles and tour around the 10km-long Don Daeng, past paddies, wats and baby buffaloes. Highs The double-hull catamaran boat ride from the mainland over to the lodge; you sit on wicker chairs and hold parasols Lovely light rooms face the river and the quaint town of Champasak, with bright Lao textiles, blackout curtains and private balconiesThe team are friendly and extremely helpful, always willing to please in the traditional Lao fashion.Small island setting allows glimpses into rural Mekong lifeEgrets and swallows dancing off the surface of the sparkling pool - a rarity in LaosHelpful bicycle map, plus markers on the island which help guests to visit the highlights, including the ruined Tomo temple Lows Due to the style of the bungalows, there is an issue with sound proofing, but we have since been assured that insulation work has slightly improved this issueThere are currently no minibars in the roomsThe restaurant is slightly pricey for the area, but supplies have to be shipped here and the portions are generousThe beach at the front of the hotel is a nice spot for a stroll, but best to keep the swimming and sunbathing at the pool" - Claire Boobbyer
