La Folie Lodge Champasak Laos

The Mekong View Bungalows (24 units)

At approximately 37sqm the Mekong View Bungalows are set with either Twin Single beds or a King bed and can comfortably sleep up to 3 guests with the addition of an extra bed (chargeable). The bungalows are built in a traditional Laos style, using local materials and design touches to create a wonderful sense of place for guests. Each bungalow is fitted with air-conditioning and has a private en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower and eco-friendly bathroom amenities made by local artisans. The terraces of the Mekong View Bungalows face the Mekong River sharing beautiful views of the river and sacred hills of Vat Phou beyond. Room amenities include in-room safe, complimentary WiFi, tea and coffee set, hair dryer, bathrobes and eco-friendly bathroom amenities.

Ban Lao Suite

The Ban Lao Suite is a traditional Laos house saved by the team at La Folie Lodge and repurposed as a luxurious suite for two, and conserves some of the local Laos architectural heritage in the process. At 45sqm the now air-conditioned house comfortably sleeps 2 people with the bedroom set with a Queen bed, the en-suite bathroom is set with walk-in shower and eco-friendly bathroom amenities made by local artisans. The Ban Lao Suite also shares a private terrace with river views and a private garden shaded by Mango trees. Room amenities include complimentary mini-bar with daily refill, in-room safe, complimentary WiFi, tea and coffee set, hair dryer, bathrobes, and eco-friendly bathroom amenities.

The Residence

The Residence is a large air-conditioned 160sqm 2-bedroom private villa complete with a 50sqm terrace that runs the full width of the villa offering truly stunning panoramic Mekong and Mountain views. Each of the 2 bedrooms is set with either a Queen bed or Twin Single beds and a private en-suite bathroom for each bedroom with walk-in shower. The Residence comfortably sleeps 4 adults or a maximum occupancy of 4 adults and 2 children (with the addition of extra beds, chargeable). The villa also shares with guests a large lounge, set with a sofa and chairs, that is beautifully decorated with local objet d’art and antique pieces, and a private garden. Room amenities include 32-inch flat screen LCD monitor with DVD player and a selection of DVDs, complimentary mini-bar with daily refill, in-room safe, complimentary WiFi, tea and coffee set, hair dryer, bathrobes, and eco-friendly bathroom amenities.

The Lodge is involved in a variety of community projects that have supported the people of the island and the environment since we opened in 2007.

Our Goals from the outset were:
– To contribute to sustainable development of the island and welfare of its inhabitants
– To ensure and encourage the protection of the rich local culture and natural environment

We worked closely with the local community to build the boutique hotel, with local artisans recruited for the design and build of the property. We assisted the island community in bringing electricity to our island home. The hotel team was recruited exclusively from our island community and still today account for 98% of the team.

Community Projects:
On all of the projects we work as a team, with the hotel staff, people from the local community and often support from our guests too. Often the hotel and guests provide the funding for materials and equipment, while the villagers bring the manpower, with the whole project being followed through by the Lodge’s management and local leaders.
Our guests are always welcome to support the projects and perhaps visit them while cycling around Don Daeng.

A snapshot of some of our actions and projects:
- Financial and technical help to the community after extreme weather events (Hurricane Ketsana in 2011, 2018 floods, 2019 floods...).
- The Lodge provides employment and training for more than 50 people, exclusively from the island, year-round.
- All staff, and their families, are supported by the Social Security Organization.
- The Lodge offers interest-free loans to staff and often contributes to medical fees when required.
- Occupational and safety training programs are conducted every year: Fire Safety, First Aid, English Language, Kitchen and Restaurant training.
- Community projects we have contributed to include renovations of local schools, dispensary refitting, repairs to local roads and infrastructure.
- The team at the hotel work with the local community on environment protection and keeping the island litter free.
- Protection of the island’s embankment from erosion by planting protective bushes.
- The hotel supports traditional crafts and artisans by offering a selection of products exclusively made in Laos from various ethnic villages in our boutique.
- Various products are sourced locally from fair-trade companies in the Bolaven Plateau.
- The Lodge does not use any palm oil product and does not use MSG in any dish. Paper, plastic, metal cans, glass are recycled.
- All organic waste from the kitchen is composted in the kitchen gardens.
- Produce is grown on the island organically without the use of chemical pesticides.