Patrick R
Google
We (couple in our early 30s, from the US) would highly recommend La Folie to anyone traveling to southern Laos! The arrival alone is a memorable experience - crossing the mile-wide Mekong on the lodge’s beautiful wooden ferry is quite special - and then it gets even better once you are there. The centerpiece of the property is a gorgeous, open-air wooden lodge which was perfect for watching the sunset across the mountains, enjoying our meals and relaxing during a rainstorm. The pool shares a similar view. The island is large enough that you can easily spend a full day or more exploring, and it has a diverse mix of villages, forest and agriculture to see on bike or foot. There is also a lot to explore on the mainland nearby, including the country’s oldest temple, Vat Phou, local artisan workshops, and more.||During our four nights at the property, we truly felt like VIPs. Hotel staff, especially the manager Alom, were so attentive and helpful. The staff kindly arranged all the travel and logistics we needed, which included finding a family from which to rent a scooter from in Champasaak, off-road transport to Kingfisher Ecolodge and a taxi across the border for our flight from Ubon Ratchathani. The hotel also has excellent WhatsApp communication, which we found very helpful planning for the trip and arranging ferry rides to and from the property.||We were treated to multiple massages and would highly recommend their spa services (especially the Four Hand). The menu at the restaurant is well curated, with many tasty Lao dishes, as well as some more western-friendly options.||The rooms are well appointed, and like the lodge, feature solid, dark wood and high ceilings, along with covered decks from which to enjoy the view rain or shine. The beds are comfy, and the rooms have AC and ceiling fans (we found the ceiling fan alone was sufficient most of the time). In the room is a thoughtful guidebook about experiences on- and off- the island, as well as an explainer of how La Folie impacts the island economy, including hiring almost exclusively from the island. ||We loved staying here in the green season, and would love to comeback again!