Dondet Islands

• River Garden
  (856-20) 770-1860, email. Gay-owned guesthouse and restaurant located in the 4000 Island region (Champasak province) and offering a relaxed and homey atmosphere. Riverside bungalows have hammocks and big windows to view the Mekong River and Donkon. Enjoy the quiet and relaxed atmosphere, ride or walk through rice fields to impressive waterfalls, or take a boat to see rare fresh water dolphins. The lovely hardwood bungalows have nice, clean bathrooms. Friendly owner, Mr. Aek, will tell you stories about the local people. The Cambodian border is only 10km away. Very inexpensive!

LUANG PRABANG -- area code (856-71)

3 Nagas 252-079, FAX 252-384, email. Ideally located on the main road in the center of the old town, two doors down from the Villa Santi, with restaurant and garden. This refined 4-star boutique hotel offers superior rooms and suites designed in an elegant Asian style that accentuates the heritage buildings, some over 100 years old, which comprise the hotel compound. All rooms are large, with air-con, deluxe full bath, exotic hard wood and silk decor, private balcony or garden lounge area. In-room Internet access. Utopia Member Discount

• The Apsara
  Kingkitsarath Rd, Baan Wat Sene, 212-420, email. Right in the heart of the old city, on the banks of the Nam Khan river (the quiet side of the peninsula). The Apsara offers seven rooms, all with air-con, fan, bathroom and terrace with a view to die for. Also has a restaurant serving modern European and Asian food and the driest Martinis in town. Low room rates include continental breakfast.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "There are oodles of guesthouses in the old city with rooms starting as low as US$3 per night..." -- M., Oct 6, 2005

Vangvieng -- area code (856-23)

• Babylon Guest House
  Main Rd, 511-047, email. A gay-owned, 3-story guesthouse with ensuite bathrooms (hot showers) in each room. In the heart of the town in a quiet spot, yet still only 20 yards from Internet café, shops and local bars. Communal area with cable TV and 200 DVDs. Restaurant on premises serving Lao organic foods as well as western cuisine. There is also a bar with pool table. Roof terrace views of the whole town as well as spectacular sunsets over the mountains. English-speaking staff and immaculately clean rooms. Utopia Member Discount

VIENTIANE -- area code (856-21)

Comments from Utopians:

"There is nothing remotely gay-friendly about Dragon Lodge Guesthouse. I was told that if I take a friend back to my room I would have to pay the double rate for an air-con room - even though I was in a fan cooled room. There was no hot water in my room and noone seemed interested in fixing it. The rooms were indeed clean, but very small and dark. The staff speak very liitle English are really not that helpful. There are better places to stay that have better location and just as gay friendly. Saysouly Guesthouse (close to the Mekong) is a much better deal - and no issue bringing a friend back for the night" -- mark_in_seou, Jun 6, 2007