The Boat Landing, northern Laos
Where is it? By the Nam Tha River, close to the Nam Ha protected zone. You can reach it by road, boat (up the Mekong River) and plane (from Vientiane three times a week). The border with Yunnan is 7km away.
What's so special about it? It is the only eco lodge in Laos and as such is recognised by the International Ecotourism Society. Its management is committed to minimising environmental impact and helping the tourist dollar stay local.
What's the place like? It is one of the finest hotels north of Luang Prabang and has one of the best Laotian restaurants in the country. All the rooms have superb views of the Nam Tha River and you can easily spend an afternoon on the restaurant verandah watching the world go by. Each guest receives a gift bought from the village nearby to ensure the economic benefits of tourism reach 'villagers who may otherwise only see tourists pass by in a mini-van', says the hotel's marketing director. Activities organised by the hotel include bird watching, kayaking, mountain biking and trekking to ethnic-minority villages.
Tell us more. The property was built using local labour and materials. All staff come from surrounding villages and represent several ethnic groups. At the working boat landing next door, boatmen load salt, fuel and other goods for the journey downstream; on their return they unload rice, livestock and handicrafts. The property features a beautifully manicured garden and 10 bungalows on stilts built in traditional Laotian style. Hot water is provided through the use of solar panels.
What's on the menu? Jams, juices, Laotian green tea, wine and sugar palm beer are made by a company called Lao Farmers' Products. The coffee comes from the south of the country and all food prepared and served at the restaurant is bought at the local market. Dishes include pickled bamboo soup, sa (a northern minced-meat dish made with banana flower, lime juice, mint, basil and other local herbs) and a soup containing vegetables mixed with roasted ginger, galanga and sesame seeds.
Anything else we should know? Prices, which include breakfast, range from US$25 to US$35 a night in low season to US$30 to US$45 in high season. The hotel is also open to non-residents for lunch and dinner.
The Boat Landing Guest House, Ban Kone, Luang Nam Tha District, Laos, tel: 856 86 312 398;
