Nice spacious hotel. Conveniently located near good restaurants and free bicycles for hotel guest. 5 minutes by bike to the Mekong and more food places. Staff was polite and service was good. Will be back if I visit again.
Upon arrival at the airport there was no airport pick-up as promised by the hotel even though we had emailed our flight and pick-up times. The Front desk person appeared confused and indicated they did not do complimentary airport pick-ups and drop offs even though it is advertised on their web site. Yet within minutes of check in we would get an email from the hotel’s general manager – His ultimate concern was that we would write a good review on Trip Adviser. We had booked an exclusive suite that included certain posted amenities on the web site such as: Welcome drink at the pool bar and happy hour munchies, complimentary airport pick-up and drop off, complimentary mini-bar, four bottles of water in the room along with many other amenities still posted on the web site. The room was uniquely furnished in a funky way and appeared to be what we had booked. However, the mini bar had one bottle of water in it and no one knew about the free mini bar, the 4 free water we were entitled too or the promised fruit basket. The pool area is small and was full of patron’s chain smoking and whom we overheard talking about how they were staying at a hostel close by. Unable to stomach the smoke we left the pool area perplexed as to why the hotel would permit outside guests to use such a small area and drive paying guests away by allowing smoking in such an intimate setting. Later we visited the pool bar where we had been told to go for our happy hour complimentary drink and munchies. The bartender knew nothing about the drinks or the munchies and at our urging to call a manager, he then supposedly called the front desk who he proceeded to inform us also knew nothing about this benefit. On our way out of the hotel to find a drink and something to eat we replied to the GM’s welcome email and received the response that the mini bar, water and fruit must have been missed and that the person who usually served the free drink amenity at the pool bar was on their day off – He could see to the missed room amenities and arrange for a drink when we arrived back at the hotel. Back at the hotel nothing had been done, there was no free drink and no one knew about it. The mini-bar sat empty and still no fruit in the room. We did let the GM know via email. His response led us to believe he was not concerned and our issues were bothering him. Upon check in we noted the room had been made up with a feather mattress cover and feather comforter against our express request for a non- allergenic room on our reservations. We were promised that would be rectified shortly. After dinner the bed had still not been switched to feather free – Another email and we were told the room amenities would now be sorted at turn down. At 9:00 PM we called the front desk and got the message that the feather free bed would be taken care of at turn down. Just after 10:00 PM we called and asked for the duty manager. The duty manager came to our room and appeared confused indicating there was no “Turn Down Service” and that all house keeping staffs had gone home long ago. Being severely allergic to feathers there was no way we would consider risking sleeping on feathers – We were left with no options but to check out of the property and find a safe place to stay. The General manger was again contacted. Again, we explained the whole situation to him including the mini-bar and all the other laps in service promises. Through the duty manager the General Manager conveyed he would cover the cost of transporting us to another hotel of our choosing. We booked this property based on the high “Trip Adviser” rating and after being at the property we realize that the only priority is for the General Manager to receive a high Trip Advisor rating. How we do not know. However, we believe the rating has been manipulated somehow! Nothing promised in the exclusive rooms amenities list exists. All that is promised is a mirage. If it was a real amenity, then surely staffs would know about it. Even turn down was a mirage Should one decide to stay here, be aware of the big sell and the High Trip Advisor ratings are not indicative of what will actually be ones stay experience. It is with deep regret that we booked a stay here – It is a lesson learned that not all is as it appears in life!…
3 nights here at this fantastic hotel was a wonderful start to our holiday in Laos. It had style, atmosphere, location, friendly and helpful staff, delicious breakfasts, great rooms...and that rooftop pool and bar overlooking the city! After a day out exploring, it’s a very welcome place to relax, cool off and enjoy a cocktail or beer. Definitely recommend the Lao Poet hotel.
Central location in walking distance of all important spots and lots of nice restaurants. Large and clean rooms and bathrooms, nice rooftop bar and pool. Excellent breakfast. Very friendly staff and charming general mother/manager. Wifi not excellent but ok
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