La Folie Lodge
Don Daeng, Champasak, Laos New!
Secluded Mekong island lodge near Champasak, set in the shadow of a Khmer spiritual mountain and opposite Wat Phou temple
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 nestle among a lush tropical garden that's tended
by the efficient manager, who once managed a private estate in
Berkshire.
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.
Reviewed by Claire Boobbyer
Last updated 10 May 2012
Highs
- The double-hull catamaran boat ride from the mainland over to the lodge; you sit on wicker chairs and hold parasols
- Lovely rooms which face the river and the quaint town of Champasak: spacious and light, with bright Lao textiles, blackout curtains and private balconies
- Small island setting allows glimpses into rural Mekong life
- Egrets and swallows by the sparkling pool - a rarity in Laos where much of the wildlife has been eaten
- Helpful bicycle map, plus markers on the island which help guests to visit the highlights, including the ruined Tomo temple
Lows
- Service is sometimes patchy because not all staff are fluent in English (and there are some complaints of a culture clash), but we found everyone very friendly and helpful
- The restaurant is expensive for Laos, and there are no real alternatives on the island
- The fuse box above your bed means you go to sleep (or not) to the hum of electricity
- Power points are badly positioned in the room
