As flashpackers on a 5 month trip we thought we would follow the reviews listed and treat ourselves to the Elephant Crossing. Yes its in a great location but there is serious building work infront of the property which we were not advised about. We paid the top price for a beautiful deluxe corner room. What looking at 8 Thai builders all day hammering and drilling and completely blocking the view. The room was ok but the bathroom was dirty with damp and exposed pipes. The owner then explained we had to move next day as she had sold our room to a long term guest sorry if you don't like it check out! Unbelivable. We moved to the other end of the hotel so we could then be disturbed by the more builders hammering and drilling on a new restaurant again to block the views which we all go there for! Breakfast was a random arrangement and each morning they ran out of food and juice which perhaps was restocked or perhaps never was. Even then the bread was stale.

We wanted to pay more, we realise the standards are not the same as Europe but the owner's attitude of if you don't like it move I have a queue of customers. Well thats what makes or breaks a hotel and its breaking this one bad. Don't pay the overinflated prices for staff who couldn't care less about you only your dollars...

Fantastic place, unrivaled views, great to watch life on the river, while enjoying the sunset.

Very comfortable rooms with powerful hot showers (very welcome after a day of activity on the river)

I have to agree 100% with all other reviewers - the staff are the friendliest and most helpful I have encountered in Laos.

An added bonus, if you are traveling with a laptop, they have a reliable WiFi Internet service available.

The hotel is located right on the bank of the Nam Song and overlooks rice paddies and Karst mountains that abound in around Vang Vieng. Waking up every morning and looking out across the river and then to the mountains beyond was a great way to start the day!

The rooms are clean and comfortable. All of them have air-conditioning. The hotel has a variety of rooms including Family, deluxe, doubles and singles so there should be something to suit every ones budget and taste. I stayed in a variety of rooms and can say they were universally good.

The restaurant was undergoing refurbishment while I was there but despite this the food was always great. I never had a bad meal while there. The restaurant provides both Laoation and western foods. Sometimes it is nice to have a change and taste a bit of home. Breakfast consisted of fruit, cereal, coffee, bacon or ham, eggs and toast and was invariably good. You were able to mix and match to your taste as well.

The owners, Rachel and Somphan, and their staff are helpful and friendly. They also have a great knowledge of activities that you can do in Vang Vieng and its surrounds. They can help book activities such as Kayaking down the Nam Song, treking, caving and tubing. They can also help book transport to other parts of Laos. While in Vang Vieng I suggest you make a visit out to the Organic Cafe. The mulberry tea is great.

Overall, I found The Elephant Crossing a really great place to relax, unwind and de-stress. Vang Vieng offered a variety of activities to keep you occupied so you weren't bored. I hope to be able to go back there next year if possible.

Chose this based on other reviews here so we had made an email booking, though its as easy just to turn up and stay. Good value for rooms with a view over the river and limestone mountains as you can watch the rafters and water tubers coming past the hotel. Breakfast is reasonable and the friendly staff and owner are knowledgable about the various activities available nearby. A good tour company is VLT just 2 minutes away. Rooms are clean though a little dated but bathrooms have a bath and shower. The busy part of Vang Vieng town is a 5-7 minutes walk away.