FoRest Hotel – Pakse, Laos

The sun has risen a good hour ago and we’re still at Chitpasong bus terminal in Pakse. We didn’t know what to do and where to go. After a while, we realized that we didn’t have a place to stay. Lugging our heavy backpacks, we walked around to check out our lodging options. Two blocks away we saw FoRest Hotel with its refreshing white finish and glass walls.

Coffee shop in front of FoRest Hotel

Me and my buddy lounged on a wooden bench right outside the hotel. We’re beyond tired, we’re lifeless. The 10-hour sleeper bus ride from Vientiane to Pakse made us lightheaded. Confused and lost, we were given some thirst-quenching iced tea by a hotel staff and asked if he can offer anything for us. Surprised, I guzzled the drink, finished it to the last drop and asked for the room rates. Right before he was able to disclose it, a certain guy, Mr. Emmanuel, happily greeted us in our own language (Filipino) and welcomed us as if we were some long lost friends from the Philippines. Apparently, he was the Marketing Manager of the hotel.

After a little getting-to-know stuff, he introduced his lovely wife to us, Ms. Mina, the General Manager of the hotel. Heaving a sigh of relief, I instantly knew that this will be home for us (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Luang Prabang).

Reception area cum Japanese restaurant

Japanese Mini Mart

With no effort on bargaining and further checking, they immediately offered a room for us with a discounted price. They have dorm-type rooms but we chose a private one (check room types and rates). They had an ongoing promo because FoRest Hotel just underwent a full revamp. With no time to waste, they ushered us to our room for we-dunno-how-many-nights.

The Standard Twin Room was spacious with single-sized and double-sized beds. The clean white finish was adorned with mustard yellow drapes. A separate work station, TV, individually-controlled air-conditioning, electric-powered fan, mini fridge, coffee and tea-making facilities and bottle drinking waters were available.

Standard Twin Room

The en suite toilet and bath was well-equipped with hot and cold shower, shampoo, shower gel and bath towels.

Complimentary WiFi connection was also available. We used this in plotting our itineraries around the province.

We settled in and dozed off on what supposedly just a quick nap; we ended up sleeping the whole day.

View from our window

Sleepy Pakse at daybreak

We didn’t have the energy to look for a dinner place that night so we dined on the in-house Japanese Restaurant on the first level of the hotel. We specifically wanted it al fresco with tatami mats and low tables.

Our chill spot

Hotpot was served with our chosen meat and veggies. It was so good that we asked for some steamed rice to fulfil our carbo needs. It was nice chatting with the local staff and our newfound Filipino friends. Stories from home and the struggles of working abroad were the focus of our chitchats. Our regular beer sesh followed after.

Hotpot

Breakfasts were usually a choice of Japanese dishes. The legit chef from Japan served us great meals every morning with their standard fresh iced tea.

One of our Japanese breakfasts

What was supposedly just a few days of stay ended up on a weeklong stop on this side of Laos. The staff assisted us on renting a motorbike that we used during our sidetrips to Bolaven Plateau, Paksong and other parts of southern Laos.

Our last stop during the Laos leg of our two-month backpacking trip around Southeast Asia was the capital city of Laos - Vientiane. We were, again, assisted by the great staff of FoRest Hotel on securing a sleeper bus ticket to the city.

Steam bath

Leaving was not easy, as expected. We made great friends around the city and leaving meant that we needed to say goodbye to each and every one of them with a promise of coming back again sometime in the near future. FoRest Hotel, with its perfect location, provided a good base camp for our Pakse adventures.

FoRest Hotel – Pakse, Laos (book online)

Ban Taasalakham Mueng, Xe Don Riverfront,

Pakse, Champasak, Laos

Contact Numbers: (+856) 205.865.2620 | (+856) 205.593.8229