Escape to Paradise: Laos Skyway Hotel Awaits!
Escape to Paradise? More Like a Chaotic Tango of Bliss and Blunders at Laos Skyway Hotel!
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I've just emerged from a week-long wrestling match with the Laos Skyway Hotel. And let me tell you, it was less a relaxing escape to paradise and more… well, a thrilling, unpredictable adventure. Did I love it? Partially. Did I want to scream into a pillow at several points? DEFINITELY. Let's get into it, shall we?
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag of Blessings and Bureaucracy
First things first: accessibility. This is a big one for me (and should be for anyone who, you know, needs it). The hotel boasts facilities for disabled guests, which is a HUGE plus. The elevator was a godsend, and navigating the main areas like the lobby and the restaurants (more on those later) was mostly smooth sailing. However, I’d heard conflicting reports of wheelchair accessibility in the rooms. Turns out I was wrong. It wasn't really wheelchair accessible. The lobby was fine. The pool was fine. But the rooms and the path to the spa? NOT fine. Narrow doors, tight corners. The staff? Bless their hearts, they tried. They really, REALLY did. But it was a constant struggle, and I felt a bit like a misplaced piece of furniture. Accessibility: 6/10. Needs serious improvement in the room department.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Sort of…ish?
Yes, the restaurants were technically accessible. But "accessible" in Laos, I learned, means a lot less than it does in, say, New York City. The pathways were sometimes bumpy, and navigating the tables with a walker or wheelchair was a delicate art. I’m not going to lie; there was one particularly chaotic breakfast where I almost ran over a small child while trying to maneuver around a buffet table overflowing with Asian breakfast delights – which was, by the way, a delicious, albeit high-stakes, experience.
Internet and Tech Terrors:
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – Sounds glorious, right? Well, in theory, yes. In reality? Let’s just say the internet connection was as reliable as a politician's promise. When it was working, it was great, and it's a genuine relief that it was free Wi-Fi and internet in all rooms. The internet [LAN] however, was a ghost, or a myth. The main thing is that if you’re relying on it for work or streaming, pack your patience (and maybe a portable hotspot). The hotel did offer internet services, but the speed left something to be desired. I'm pretty sure I aged a decade during one particularly frustrating attempt to upload a photo.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Paradise Found, Eventually…
Okay, the good stuff. The Skyway Hotel knows how to pamper you. Seriously. Body scrubs, body wraps, massages, spa, spa/sauna, sauna, steamroom, foot bath, and a pool with a view. I practically lived in the spa. The masseuses were incredibly talented, and the treatments were heavenly. The swimming pool [outdoor] was gorgeous, overlooking the stunning Laotian landscape. (Just watch out for the rogue banana leaves that inevitably end up in the water.) The Fitness center was there, but honestly, after a day of sightseeing, all I wanted to do was eat, sleep, and get another massage.
My absolute highlight? The Poolside bar. Picture this: a tropical cocktail in hand, the sun setting over the lush hills, and a gentle breeze rustling through the palm trees. Pure bliss. The Happy hour was a great deal too, a perfect accompaniment to the Poolside bar and Restaurants, but the drinks weren't as good as the service!
Cleanliness and Safety: Trying Their Best in a Post-COVID World
The hotel absolutely tried to be clean. They had a lot of Hand sanitizer everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas and the staff wear masks. They also had Anti-viral cleaning products, and even a Room sanitization opt-out available. The rooms themselves were clean, but I did find a rogue hair dryer in the bathroom that I suspect was a hair from a prior hair-do or a rogue head. It wasn't awful but it wasn't what I expect either.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (with a Few Stumbles)
The food, oh, the food! This is where things get interesting.
- Restaurants: There are multiple restaurants. You can get Asian cuisine in restaurant. You can get International cuisine in restaurant. You can get Western cuisine in restaurant. You can also get Vegetarian restaurant (but beware, the options are somewhat limited). If you are an Asian breakfast person, they have Asian breakfast. If you like breakfast, they also had a Breakfast [buffet]. But if you’re a discerning foodie, be prepared for some inconsistencies. Some dishes were absolutely incredible (the Laotian curries were to die for!), while others… well, let’s just say they were adventurous.
- Breakfast: The Breakfast service was a bit hit-or-miss. The Breakfast in room was a nice touch, but the quality varied.
- Room Service: Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver after particularly exhausting days. The Bottle of water delivered was a lifesaver.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Always good.
- Desserts in restaurant: Hit or miss.
- Snack bar: A convenient option.
- Poolside bar: The drinks were delicious, and it served Salad in restaurant.
- A la carte in restaurant: Always a good option.
- Buffet in restaurant: The buffet was very popular but be prepared because during breakfast, there were a lot of people and sometimes empty dishes.
Side note: I ordered a soup one evening that tasted suspiciously like dish soap. Not the hotel’s finest moment. I opted for a Soup in restaurant after the mishap. They offered an Alternative meal arrangement, but after the dish soap incident, I kept on sticking to safe foods.
Services and Conveniences: Helpful Staff, Occasional Hiccups
The staff at the Skyway Hotel were generally lovely and genuinely helpful, even if they sometimes struggled with English. The Front desk [24-hour] was always there, and the Concierge did their best to assist. Air conditioning in public area was a blessing. The Daily housekeeping was efficient. They had Cash withdrawal too, which was convenient. They even had a Convenience store. Facilities for disabled guests were mentioned before.
- Cashless payment service: Convenient, always a bonus.
- Laundry service: Efficient and reasonably priced.
- Currency exchange: Helpful if you need it.
- Luggage storage: A lifesaver.
- Coffee/tea maker: Important!
- Mini bar: A nice bonus.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always good to have.
- Ironing service: Helpful.
- Business facilities: Available, but the Wi-Fi issues would be frustrating.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: If needed.
- Doorman
- The Elevator was a bonus for accessibility.
Rooms: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Crumbling
My room was… well, it was a room. Air conditioning, thank goodness. Free bottled water (essential!). TV with Satellite/cable channels, but the viewing options were a bit limited. The Bed was comfortable, although the Extra long bed seemed unnecessary. The Bathroom was functional, but the water pressure was sometimes… a trickle. The Bathtub was great, but just one of the bath soaps fell and broke. Minor inconveniences really. There was a Refrigerator, Coffee/tea maker, Mirror, Desk, Closet and a Seating area. The Soundproofing was adequate. The Balcony was the best detail of the room.
For the Kids:
The hotel is listed as Family/child friendly, and they offered a Babysitting service, but I didn't observe much in the way of dedicated Kids facilities or Kids meal, but I saw a couple families enjoying the pool.
Getting Around:
They offered an Airport transfer, Taxi service and Car park [free of charge]. This was convenient.
The Imperfections: The Honest Truth
Okay, let's get real for a moment. The Laos Skyway Hotel isn't perfect. It's a little rough around the edges. There are some things to note:
- The Hotel chain status felt a little impersonal.
- On-demand movies,
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a Lao Skyway Hotel itinerary, and let me tell you, it's gonna be a wild ride. Forget perfect, forget polished. This is the real, messy, slightly-hungover travel log of yours truly.
Lao Skyway Hotel: My Attempt at Paradise (And Likely Failure)
Day 1: Arrival, Arrival…and Utter Chaos
Morning (or, What I could salvage after the 3 AM flight):
- Land in Vientiane. Okay, first hurdle: actually finding my luggage. Apparently, "fragile" means "yeet it into the back of the plane with all the other bags." It arrived, miraculously, but smelling faintly of durian (more on that olfactory assault later).
- Transportation: Taxi to the Lao Skyway Hotel. The driver, bless his heart, seemed to think the meter was optional. Negotiation skills activated! I think I won…kind of. Mostly, I’m just happy to be alive after the motorbike-dodging journey.
- Check-in: The lobby is…nice. Really nice. Too nice, if I’m being honest. Makes me feel like I should be wearing a silk robe and sipping something with a tiny umbrella in it. I'm in a t-shirt covered in airplane food crumbs. But the staff is incredibly charming! I’m already feeling the effects of Lao hospitality. I told the front desk guy about the durian experience and he laughed. Very good.
Afternoon: The Room, the View, and the Existential Dread
- The Room: Okay, the room is NICE. Like, really, REALLY nice. So nice that I'm slightly intimidated. It's got a balcony (YES!) overlooking…well, I don’t know yet. I’m too scared to look. I'm just gonna lie on this bed and try to remember how to breathe.
- Lunch: I’d planned on adventurous street food. Instead, I panicked and ordered room service – a very bland club sandwich. The only excitement was when a rogue ant decided to take up residence in my fries. Defeated, I just let it have one.
- The View: Holy. Moly. Okay, fine. I looked. From my balcony, the view stretches across Vientiane. Greenery, temples, and the suggestion of a river in the distance. Suddenly, I understand why people retreat to meditate. This is ridiculously calming. Maybe I’ll become a monk. Or at least learn how to not spill coffee on myself.
Evening: Temple Hopping (And Maybe a Meltdown)
- Activity: Tried to go to the temple (Wat Si Saket), but it's closed. It's 5 PM. I am furious. It's supposed to be open until 6 pm. How about that? I am being screwed by a temple. I'm pretty sure I saw a monk laughing at me.
- Dinner: After the temple incident, I went and sulked in the hotel restaurant. Ordered the most expensive thing on the menu – a grilled fish. It tasted like heaven. I think I need a massage. I'll book that for tomorrow.
Day 2: Adventures in Laziness (And Coffee!)
Morning: The Pursuit of Happiness…and Coffee
- Breakfast: The hotel breakfast is a feast. So many options! I’m pretty sure I ate my weight in fruit. Then I had three cappuccinos. I might have a problem.
- Activity: Spent approximately three hours on the balcony, reading and staring at things. This is peak vacation. Pure bliss. And then, the coffee kicked in, and I realized I needed to DO something.
Afternoon: That Massage…and Then, the Food Cravings
- The Massage: Hands down, the best massage of my life. The therapist was tiny but unbelievably strong. I nearly fell asleep, but I was trying to pay attention to what was going on.
- Lunch: The massage sent me into a food coma. I woke up with a craving for sticky rice and something spicy. Found a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place a few blocks from the hotel. It was glorious. Like, life-altering glorious.
- More temples: Second attempt to see the temples, and I succeeded! It’s a beautiful, and historic temple. Definitely worth it.
Evening: Night Market Mishaps and Midnight Snacks
- Activity: Went to the night market. It was a sensory overload in the best way possible: street food, bright light, and people everywhere! Had to be careful. I'm still afraid I will be robbed. I took the most basic precautions that I had. Did I get robbed anyway? Find out tomorrow!
- Dinner: Couldn't resist trying some street food. Big mistake? Did I get food poisoning? Find out tomorrow!
- Midnight Snack: Okay, I confess. I ordered room service for a second time. This time, it was a club sandwich.
Day 3: Departure (Maybe a Little Sooner Than Expected…)
Morning: Well, I'm still alive. The street food didn’t kill me. But. I had a bad night. The room service came in handy.
Check-out: I decided to leave a day early. The hotel staff were very nice. They apologized, even though the food poisoning, or whatever it was, was totally not their fault. I was just ready to go back to civilization.
Departure: Taxi to the airport. I'm ready to go home! I had a strange experience. I'm glad I did it, but, I think this city and I were not made for each other.
Final Thoughts:
- Overall: Lao Skyway Hotel is AMAZING. The staff is amazing. I kind of wish I had spent more time there.
- Regrets: Not being brave enough to try more adventurous food. But hey, there's always next time (maybe).
- Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time, I’m bringing a friend to keep me from accidentally ordering room service every night. And maybe a hazmat suit, just in case of durian.
So there you have it. My messy, imperfect, and entirely honest take on a trip to Lao Skyway Hotel. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find some more coffee. And maybe lie down. Just for a little while…
Escape to Fairytale Germany: Wolf Hotel zur Linde Awaits
Escape to Paradise: Laos Skyway Hotel Awaits! ...Or Does It? (An FAQ, Probably)
Okay, so... What *is* the Laos Skyway Hotel, and is it actually paradise? Because honestly, my expectations are HIGH.
Alright, let's address the elephant in the room (or, the water buffalo in the rice paddy, depending on your view). The Laos Skyway Hotel... it's a hotel in Laos. Duh. Seriously though, think remote, think... adventurous. Paradise? Well, that depends. They *say* paradise. They also say "luxury." I've learned to *never* trust the "luxury" claim. It's usually code for "slightly nicer than a hostel, but still questionable water pressure." I'll be honest, when I booked, my brain definitely equated "skyway" with "gliding gently through the clouds." Spoiler: There's no actual gliding happening...yet. I’m still holding out hope though. Picture this: you're nestled somewhere in Laos, maybe with a view, maybe with questionable Wi-Fi. That's the *potential*. The *reality*... well, that's what we're here to find out, aren't we?
How do I even *get* to this "paradise"? Seems like a logistical nightmare. Flights? Elephants? Magic carpets?!
The journey, my friend, is part of the... *charm*. (That's code for "prepare to sweat"). Flights are the obvious starting point. Then? That's where the fun begins. Likely a smaller local flight, a hair-raising taxi ride, a questionable bus journey, or maybe, *maybe*, a boat trip down a river…where the water is probably...well, let's just say, brown-ish. I'm planning on a combination of everything, if I get to go. My travel agent told me it would be seamless. "Seamless" in this context? Oh, it meant "you might be praying to the travel gods by the end." Pack your patience, your Dramamine (seriously), and a strong will to live. Oh , and download your podcasts, because internet connectivity in the middle of nowhere... yeah.
What kind of room should I book? Standard? Deluxe? Presidential Suite (if it even *exists* in this remote location)? I need options!
Okay, this is where things get complicated. The "deluxe" might be... well, slightly less leaky than the "standard." I'd err on the side of "best available." Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, roll the dice! I'm a sucker for an upgrade. Imagine the thrill of opening the door to find... a slightly larger mosquito net! Picture this: You get to your room after a long, arduous journey to a "deluxe" room and… the mini-frig is broken. The *horror*. My advice? Check those reviews. And don't expect a fully stocked minibar. Pack snacks! And maybe a power strip. Because outlets are like gold in these parts.
The Food! Tell me about the glorious, exotic food. Is it all delicious? Will I regret everything I eat?
Oh, the food! Let's be real. Laotian cuisine? Potentially *amazing*. Hotel food? Varying degrees of... "interesting." You're hoping for authentic, fresh, flavorful. You might get... something that *resembles* food. I hear a lot of rice, a lot of noodles, and depending on your bravery, a lot of things on sticks. My biggest concern? The water. I’m a sucker for street food, but I'm also a sucker for not getting violently ill. So, I'll probably stick to bottled water and prayer. The hotel restaurant? Well, that's a gamble. They *might* have decent Western food, you know, like a burger that doesn't make you question your life choices. Or it might be a culinary adventure you never asked for. But hey, at least you’ll have stories!
What activities are there? Because being bored on a "paradise" vacation is the WORST.
Activities! This is where the *adventure* kicks in! River trips? Probably. Trekking? Likely. Visiting temples? Almost certainly. Massages? Fingers crossed! (Good massages are essential). I'm picturing myself, slightly sunburnt, covered in insect repellent, exploring ancient ruins, and then collapsing into a hammock with a cold beverage. The key is to embrace it. Don't expect a Disneyland experience. Embrace the unexpected. Prepare for mud, sweat, and possibly tears (from the spicy food). This is a chance to disconnect, *actually* disconnect from the digital world. If you're lucky , you'll meet friendly locals, learn a few phrases, and come home with a story or two. And maybe a souvenir, like a weirdly-shaped rock you found on the riverbank. Those are the best souvenirs, I think.
Okay, let's talk about the pool. Is there a pool? Is it Instagrammable? Is it chlorine-filled bliss or a swamp of algae?
THE POOL. This is crucial. The *pool* often defines the luxury level, or lack thereof. Is there a pool? Maybe. Hopefully. If there is, what state is it in? This is a vital question. Is it sparkling? Or is it green? I've seen some hotel pools that look suspiciously like ponds. Don't expect infinity pools with swim-up bars. (Though a girl can dream). The real questions are: Is it clean? Is it inviting? Does it have *actual* pool chairs? (Important). Because after a long day of... whatever adventure you're undertaking, you *need* that poolside time. That's the reward. I'm praying for a glorious, clean pool. Because a good pool can make or break a trip. I'll keep you posted. If I find a decent pool, I will send photographic proof! If not, I may just curl up and weep quietly in my questionable room.
What’s the Wi-Fi situation going to be like? Because I am addicted to the internet.
The Wi-Fi. Ah, yes. Prepare yourself. Because…it’s probably not going to be good. Like, genuinely not good. I’m preparing myself mentally for a full digital detox. That means no streaming, no constant updates, no scrolling through Instagram. It’ll probably be like the stone ages. You'll need a good book or two, and probably a backup plan to download movies or something. I'm thinking of a satellite phone just in case. I *have* to check in on loved ones. Maybe. Likely not. I do not want to be disconnected, but I also want this paradise to be paradise. Okay, fine, I'll embrace the disconnectedness! Maybe. Let's face it. You're in a remoteGermany's Hidden Gem: Hotel zur Post - Unforgettable Stay Awaits!
