Leave behind the crowded bus station, steamy noodle stalls and beeping tuk-tuk drivers, and enter Green Park, a serene bolthole on the outskirts of Vientiane. In doing so, you retreat into a world of calm, order and comfort, without sacrificing local charm. With traditional architecture and overhanging tiled roofs, Green Park is one of the few hotels in Laos' capital to retain its original style.
The hotel aims to please the senses: eyes will love the symmetry of the smart white stucco and teak buildings, woven neatly around the tropical gardens, while your taste buds will relish the authentic Lao cuisine on the restaurant's terrace. The lush palms and climbing bougainvillea add colour, whilst tinkling fountains create a peaceful soundtrack. The 33 rooms have sumptuous beds, antique furniture and balconies overlooking the centrepiece: a shimmering pool surrounded by overhanging frangipani trees that drop fragrant flowers into the jade water. At dusk, softly spoken staff, dressed impeccably in gold-trimmed sarongs and matching sashes, adorn branches with lanterns and line pebble paths with oil lamps. It’s near on impossible to leave.
Highs
- The authentic style of the hotel: Lao wooden furniture, ethnic artwork and traditional architecture
- Very quiet, especially in the rooms - an undisturbed night’s sleep is guaranteed
- There's plenty to do, from a morning watching fishermen on the misty Mekong River to an enlightening afternoon at the Wat Si Saket with its 2,000 Buddha sculptures
- Polite and unobtrusive service, typical of Lao hospitality
- The stunning pool area: by day refreshing and atmospheric at night
Lows
- A good 25-minute walk from town, so make use of the free shuttle bus to the city centre (every hour until 10.30pm), or borrow a bike (complimentary)
- Mosquitoes are prevalent; the hotel does supply nets but bring plenty of repellent
- Drinks are expensive, especially the overpriced Beer Lao
- Some may find the peaceful communal areas too quiet, especially in the evenings
- Popular with business types, but this means the pool is often empty!
Best time to go
September to March is the dry season, which means cooler temperatures and sunny days, although more people travel during this time, particularly in December. February is also busy during the annual water festival. April to August is wet season.
Our top tips
Pack long, loose clothing to keep you cool during visits to temples, and deter the mosquitoes at night.
- Boutique Hotel
- 33 rooms
- Restaurant + bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
The 33 rooms are housed in wooden 2-storey buildings set proudly around the pool. They all have delightful balconies furnished with cushioned wooden chairs, which make a great spot for a pot of morning tea overlooking the lush gardens and pool.
Interiors are smart and comfortable with beautiful polished wood floors and teak furniture. Light streams in through floor-to-ceiling windows, which open up onto the balcony. Huge beds are made up with crisp cotton sheets; dashes of colour come from embroidered fabric bedspreads and cushions while gold-trimmed artwork nods to Lao Buddhist culture. Bathrooms are roomy with a luxurious tub, fluffy towels, dressing gowns and slippers.
The Deluxe rooms have a small sitting area with a table, 2 chairs and a TV, and in the bathrooms, tubs have a glass panel behind, which looks onto a rather pleasing selection of potted plants and Buddhist statues. We found our Deluxe room to be spacious and stylish, and more importantly, very quiet and dark in the morning.
Deluxe and Executive Suites up the furniture stakes dramatically: stunning dark-wood pieces such as carved chaise longues and high-backed chairs plump with stylish cushions are dotted around the spacious living areas. You also get a dining table and chairs in these rooms, too. Both have a more luxurious, spacious bathroom, with a raised tub accessed by wooden steps, and a lovely little garden backdrop. The Executive Suites work well for small families as they have a second bedroom with a single bed and an ensuite shower bathroom.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Iron
- Minibar
- Mosquito net
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
The restaurant is located above the lobby bar (Luna Bar and Lounge, which aslo serves a range of snacks), and has a superb view over the marshy Nong Chan Park, hence its name Sala Nongchanh. Although you can eat inside, the tables on the terrace are great for an alfresco meal, especially as you can spot fishermen throwing their nets in the water.
Breakfast is buffet style. Outside is a fresh fruit smoothie station and a friendly chef ready to take orders for eggs, pancakes or whiz up a juice. We found the Lao-style omelette delicious, sprinkled with chopped peppers, onion and mushroom. Inside, the buffet snakes around with a mix of Lao and international dishes. Rice congee porridge or dim sum will satisfy any Asian craving whilst crusty baguettes, croissants and a cheese board hark back to French influences. Fresh fruit, yoghurt and cereals are also available plus hot plates containing all the ingredients for a fry up, if you have room.
Lunch and dinner use the same menu. We enjoyed a quiet meal of Mekong fish with a creamy vegetable sauce served with a bamboo basket filled with sticky rice. Other Lao specialities include spicy shrimp salads and Laap, a minced chicken dish, although these were significantly less spicy than similar dishes we tried in Vientiane. International meals such as New Zealand lamb and Norwegian salmon can be ordered.
There are numerous places to eat out in Vientiane, we liked Khop Chai Deu, a garden bar, for its bustling atmosphere and mix of locals and tourists. Those wanting to experiment can try the Ban Anou night market to taste boiling noodle soups, barbecued meat kebabs and corn on the cob.
Features include:
- Bar
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Hire a tuk-tuk to the golden stupa Pha That Luang, an impressive symbol of Buddhism, best seen at sunset
- Admire the oldest temple in Laos: Wat Si Saket houses over 2,000 images of Buddha arranged around the cloisters. Remove shoes and don a sarong to enter the sanctuary filled with candles and incense
- Learn about the country's past at the Lao National Museum - includes an interesting outlook on Communism and the US bombings during the Vietnam war
- Catch a colourful sawngthaew taxi to Buddha Park (25km) to see Buddhist and Hindu sculptures
- Don your slippers and head to the hotel’s spa for a relieving Traditional Laos massage, based on pressure points
- Relax in the shade by the pool and drink in the scent of the overhanging frangipani trees
- Buy craft at the Talat Sao market, 10 minutes from the hotel. Have fun bargaining for silks, textiles and teak
- Taste some local flavour at the Ban Anou night market such as spicy Laap salad and fresh spring rolls
- The hotel can arrange a full or half-day city tour with driver and guide, or a cooking class (min 2 people required), see Rates
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
Kids
Families are welcome at Green Park.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
All room types are able to fit an extra bed and baby cot, but we'd recommend the Executive Suites which have an additional single bedroom and bathroom, plus living and dining areas
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Babysitting:
Available on request
Baby equipment:
Baby chairs are available in the restaurant
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
There is a children’s menu at breakfast and special requests can be accommodated for lunch and dinner
Kids Activities nearby:
- Buddha Park is fun for kids, on the way back visit a weaving centre
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Green Park Boutique Hotel is located on the outskirts (10 minutes' drive) of capital city Vientiane, located in the south of Laos. The hotel is on the Khouvieng Road but set back from the main road, maintaining an air of calm within the gardens of frangipani, bougainvillea and palm trees. The hotel adjoins the Nong Chan Park, a marshy wetland of lagoons and flora, and home to diverse birdlife, which can be observed from the restaurant.
By Air:
Fly to Vientiane's Wattay International Airport. Click on the links below for a list of airlines which serve this airport.
From the Airport
Green Park is 15 minutes by car from the airport. Arrange a pick up from the hotel (see Rates), or take a taxi.
By Bus:
If travelling within Laos, buses are a good way to get to Vientiane. An overnight bus runs from both Pakse (south) or Luang Prabang (north). The bus station is 10 minutes by tuk-tuk from the hotel.
Getting Around
The hotel has a free shuttle bus service to get you in and out of town (which runs every hour until 10.30pm). Or you can take a tuk-tuk. There are also complimentary bicycles to borrow.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com
More on getting to Laos and getting around
Airports:
- Wattay International Airport 7.0 km VTE
Other:
- Beach 450.0 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 2.0 km