LAOS - Destinations & Hotels

Champasak Province & Wat Phou

Kingfisher Lodge | $$$
Eco-friendly, Remote location

This lodge is a family run business owned and managed by Massimo from Italy and his wife On, a Lao native. It is an eco-lodge in the true sense, as they run the business in a sustainable way, trying to set an example for others to follow. They demonstrate that it is often easy to change everyday habits in order to better serve and sustain the environment as well as to help people that still lack the basic needs such as quality health care, potable water and basic education just to mention a few. The lodge itself is located approximately 60kms south of Pakse and 40km from Champasak in a very remote spot overlooking a picturesque wetland reserve.

The Lodge “Comfort Bungalows” have been constructed based the ideas of designer Vincent Fischer Zernin, where traditional building materials and workmanship have been blended with modern concepts and architecture. The front wall of the rooms is entirely built by glass to give the opportunity to guests to admire the landscape and the surrounding nature at any moment and feel a sense of spaciousness. The hot water (solar powered) shower room, which is separated from the toilet area, is built to give the possibility to have a view through the front wall in the deep green and blue colour shades of the wetland. The bungalow's lighting is supplied by an individual solar system. All rooms have a ceiling fan and electrical plugs. Thankfully there are no televisions or music systems available, although it is possible to connect to the internet and make international phone calls from the reception.

The open two storey restaurant, where Lao and western dishes prepared mainly with organic food are served, is set up directly over a pond and overlooks the wetland area. The main reason to visit the lodge is to partake in their activities, these include elephant treks, hiking treks, mountain biking and bird watching all in a pristine wilderness environment. You can even take a day course in how to ride an elephant single handed! Please be sure to book any activities with Oasis Travel well in advance as the lodge activities are used by outside agents as well and can get booked up early.

In our opinion the Kingfisher Eco-lodge is ahead of its time, especially for Laos. Great care has been taken to ensure that minimal impact has been made on the environment and maximum benefit imparted to the local community and unlike some of the other so called eco-lodges Kingfisher does not mean you have to give up on your comfort!

Please note that Kingfisher Lodge will be closed between 01 May - 30 June 2010. It will re-open on 01 July 2010.

This is just one of the hotels that we recommend in this area. If your favourite is not featured just let your consultant know - we will be happy to book it for you!

Other Champasak Province & Wat Phou Hotels