La Folie Lodge

Rooms

There are 13 stilted wooden bungalows threaded through the flower beds and well-tended gardens of the lodge. Each houses 2 identical rooms, most of them Superiors which face west across the main tributary of the Mekong, and have a private balcony with two chairs. The 2 Standard rooms face onto the garden and are thus considerably cheaper.

Rooms are spacious with polished wooden floors, fresh flowers attractively draped on the beds (doubles or twins). Continuing the pachyderm theme, the wardrobe has 2 small elephant-head knobs. Lamps provide soft lighting and there are 2 small chairs, a desk and a table in the corner of rooms. Unexpectedly, the legs of the wooden corner table are carved in the shape of human feet. Old black and white European prints adorn the walls.

Ensuite bathrooms feature useful bamboo ladders for towels and loo rolls, plus a welcome supply of soaps, shampoos and bundles of fluffy white towels. You also get a hairdryer, and gushing hot water in a corner shower unit.

For those seeking a more upscale accommodation experience, you'd be advised to book the spacious 2-bedroomed neo-colonial The Residence, which has a stylish lounge area with kitchenette and honesty bar. French windows open out onto a wide veranda which overlooks the Mekong River. Additional amenities include an LCD TV and DVD player, CD player and air-con (there are a collection of DVDs to choose from). The Residence also benefits from full housekeeping services plus a security guard on patrol at night.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

The majestic open-sided restaurant has superb views over the pool deck and river. It offers a daily changing menu of Western and Lao dishes. With 3 platters on the set menu we went for this option, as a single a la carte dish costs nearly as much (we felt the charges a little pricey for the area, but all produce is brought over by boat daily).

There's an eclectic choice on the so-called 'afternoon snacks menu': spaghetti with tomato sauce, pork fillet in mustard sauce and beef tenderloin with juniper berries. The pisaladiere topped with anchovies, black olive and onion strands was suitably salty; the tomato salad with viniagrette was tart. The best option was the tilapia fish fillet with lime jus and green onion.

After dinner, sip a cocktail or glass of wine at the bar or retire to the open-sided lounge and chill out with books and magazines. Filtered water is freely available at all meals.

Breakfast is a hearty affair, ideal for those going on a bike ride: expect eggs, fruit salad, bread and a tasty plum jam. A limited breakfast service can be arranged in The Residence. Its kitchenette is set up with everything needed to make breakfast or light snacks (microwave, coffee machine, kettle, toaster, pots, plates and cutlery). It also has an honesty bar and there's a small supermarket a short bike ride away.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Recline by the pool with a cocktail in-hand, especially at sunset for the warm pink skies above Linga Parvata mountain
  
• Or fully unwind at the spa with one of the heavenly massages or facials
  
• Boat over to Champasak then take a tuk-tuk to the UNESCO site of Wat Phou. Visit the pre-Angkorian ruins with their original Siva temple and remarkable carvings early in the morning to avoid the crowds and beat the sun; the site is steaming by 9am
  
• Cycle to the village of Ban Dan Thip and hire a boat, then cross to the temple of Tomo, a 6th-century ruin buried and disintegrating in forest and littered with naga carvings
  
• Explore Don Daeng island itself on foot or by hotel bicycle (you get given a helpful map detailing cycle paths and local villages) through shrubby landscape and rice paddies, catching glimpses of birds and waving at friendly locals (bring a hat, there's not much shade on the cycle paths). In the dry season (Nov-March), a large sand beach is exposed in the Mekong river just off the island, perfect for sunbathing
  
• La Folie organises traditional ceremonies (baci) to commemorate Laotian celebrations; explore local villages to discover more about local customs and traditions such as sacrificing buffaloes

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Plantlife / flora
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures

Kids

Children are welcome, thought this feels more like an adult's retreat as there's not much for little ones to do. One child under the age of 5 is free of charge when staying in parents' bed. Baby cots and extra beds are available for a supplement.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

We'd recommend The Residence which has 2 double or twin rooms and can fit an extra bed or baby cot, it also has a basic kitchenette (microwave, coffee/tea making, and a toaster). Both the Standard and Superior Rooms can fit an extra bed or baby cot, too.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

La Folie Lodge is on Don Daeng island, in the Champasak province of Southern Laos. The nearest town is Champasak, about 40km from Pakse, and the nearest village is Ban Muang. It's a short drive from the cool highlands of the Bolevan Plateau, the tranquil 4000 Islands area, and the Cambodian border.

By Air:
Fly to Pakse International Airport which has connections to Siem Reap, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Bangkok and a new link to Ho Chi Minh City. Pakse is 40km (one hour) from the nearest village of Ban Muang. Click on the links below for more information about airlines which fly to this airport.

From the Airport
Transfer from the airport is via the village of Ban Muang. The hotel can arrange a transfer in a minibus with an English-speaking driver, see Rates. Or you can take a private taxi.

By Bus:
Guests can also take the sleeper bus from Vientiane to Pakse, again the hotel can arrange a transfer from the bus station in Pakse to Ban Muang, see Rates.

By Boat:
From Ban Muang or from Champasak to Don Daeng it is an additional 20-30 minutes by gondola boat, which is included in your room rate. Lifejackets and parasols are provided. A tractor cart will meet you off the boat and transport your luggage to the lodge.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Laos and getting around