Mandala Ou

Mandala Ou is a small, simple and attractive little hotel that sits high on the banks of the glorious Nam Ou River in Nong Khiaw. The views of the rugged lime-stone karst scenery really make up for the lack of frills and luxury at the property; they are breathtaking. There are ten simple but comfortable bungalows that are clean and tastefully decorated with brightly colored fabrics. Of these, 6 have direct Nam Ou river views, and 4 overlook the fountain in the garden.

At the edge of the property is a cool contemporary swimming pool, the only one in town. It looks out to the river and luminous jungle greenery and we think it's a real highlight of the hotel. Food is served during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Expect fresh coffee, croissants, eggs and toast for breakfast and a selection of Lao and Western dishes for both lunch and dinner.

Mandala Ou is located just on the edge of Nong Khiaw, a sleepy village that's a fantastic base for trekking, cycling and kayaking. The town is approximately two hours (152km) north of Luang Prabang at an altitude of 400m. This makes the area beautifully cool and a welcome respite from the lowland hills. The area is home to numerous hill-tribe villages, such as Khamu and Hmong, making it a fascinating introduction to northern Laos and its distinctive culture.

Whilst Mandala Ou is very simple, we feel it's the best option in Nong Khiaw, providing a good place to rest after a day of adventurous activities. It's ideal for outdoorsy couples and adventurous families that just need a clean and comfortable place to rest.

Despite welcoming all children, we feel that Mandala Ou is mostly suited to older children who can enjoy the adventurous activities on offer in the area.

There's a lovely pool, free bicycle hire, a traditional Lao herbal steam sauna, a restaurant, open sided fire place and plenty of board games to keep guests entertained.

Laos enjoys a warm, tropical climate year-round. The cooler, drier months of the year are from November to March; however, temperatures rarely drop below 22°C during the day. Humidity is highest between May and September, when sunbursts follow tropical downpours and temperatures can climb to 35°C. However, the average year-round temperature is a pleasant 25°C.