I have recently returned home from an extended stay at the Lani Guesthouse and would highly recommend it to other travellers. It is quiet, relaxed, and friendly. It is not the cheapest guesthouse in Vientiane, but it is certainly one of the best. It is a much higher standard than backpacker accommodation and superior to many hotels you will find in town. If you want no frills, dirt-cheap accommodation, look elsewhere. But if you are after a place where you can put your feet up at the end of the day, with a bit of privacy, (with no TV noise to distract you) then stay at the Lani.

The guesthouse has 12 rooms with those in the main building a little larger in size. If you want to ensure that you get one of these rooms, book ahead and ask for a room in the main building. The other rooms are OK too, but a little smaller in size. I used email to book my room, got a prompt reply and there were no problems booking in. All rooms are air conditioned and have a ceiling fan. Rooms and bathrooms are cleaned daily and are quite well furnished and decorated. The woven silk bedspreads are a treat. All rooms have an ensuite bathroom (with shower and toilet) and a refrigerator. A same-day laundry service is available (ask the manager for the prices as it varies depending on the garment).

Breakfast is included in the tariff. It is a standard choice of fresh eggs, bread, tea (or the wonderful Lao coffee), juice and jams. No fuss, quick service, and delicious. It was very pleasant to start the day having a relaxed breakfast on the verandah, reading the paper or meeting the other guests.

The staff of the Lani are fantastic - very friendly without being intrusive, and are so helpful. Everything seems to be done with a minimum of fuss. The day staff speak very good English and the night staff are pretty good too if you are patient (an extended stay in Laos will force you into patience you never knew you had) and don't fire off a hundred questions at once.

The Lani is very central, and being off Setthathirat Road at the end of a laneway and next to Wat Hai Sok, it is very quiet - even the gong at the Wat seemed to be quiet at 6 am! Internet cafes and good restaurants are nearby, and the Mekong is a few minutes walk away. Try to catch the sunset over the Mekong - it is one of the truly memorable experiences. If you hanker for some decent French cuisine, try La Vendome which is near the guesthouse.

When in Vientiane, take some time to visit Carol Cassidy's studio. The weavings are very impressive. Phaeng Mai Gallery in the Sikhottabong District of Vientiane is also worth a look. The silk weavings are excellent quality and very reasonably priced. They also have a range of silk clothing. In both places, you can see the weavers at work and it is worth the trip for that alone. If you are going to be in Vientiane for a few days, the tailors in Pangkham Road will make you a quality suit, on site, for a very reasonable price. There are several tailors in the one street and all display samples of their work so you can choose the one you think has the best quality and price - they are all pretty good. I've had jackets made in Bangkok and Hong Kong and the ones I had made in Vientiane are far superior in quality and price. If a suit is not your thing, just around the corner from the Lani guesthouse on Setthathirat Road is a dressmaker who will sew you a quality, made-to-measure garment quite cheaply. I had four sins (traditional Lao skirts) finished (waistband, darts and lined) and the work was excellent and very reasonable in price. The owner speaks very good English and is a delightful person. There are great little businesses like this all over town - it is one of the undiscovered (unpublished) joys of Vientiane. Please support small businesses like these where you can in Laos - it makes such a difference to so many people (and they do good work).