Hotele z: breakfast w Luang Namtha, Laos

Staying at Zuela was ideal before doing a 3 days trek nearby. It was clean, spacious, convenient, good breakfast and the front desk staff was helpful. Was surprised to see all the negative reviews before booking and almost didn’t book as a result, but there is really nothing to worry about. If you are here most likely you are going to explore nature and stay in much more rural conditions, so better adjust your expectations or choose somewhere else to explore if you expect a 5 star luxury resort. Zuela also offers laundry service (and other services like transportation) if you need it. If you do like to have shampoo and conditioner then bring a small bottle but there is basic soap to use. Would definitely stay again if back in Luang Namtha.

Stayed for a night on a business trip, the location is not mentioned, because it is too small, there is no city center or city center, downstairs is full of food and play, including the kind you want to play, there is a big supermarket next door, I saw a few bad reviews before, maybe the peers are spoofing, The Lao waiter in the room was very serious. I also tipped. She was not surprised. The front desk service was also very good. The driver was a bit dry and dry. He asked him not to sit at the front desk in the future. In short, a sentence is worth recommending, rest assured to stay!

This stay was incredibly good value for money! I originally booked a standard single room, and when I checked in, the front desk said they were fully booked, which made my heart sink a little. But then, the lovely front desk staff upgraded me to a deluxe room for free! I didn't even have to pay extra, which was a really nice gesture. Once I entered the room, it was super clean and cozy. The bedding was comfortable, and the lighting created a great ambiance. When I drew the curtains at night, the city view was absolutely stunning! It was so brightly lit up, and any photo I took looked like it belonged in a magazine. Before coming, I'd heard many celebrities had stayed here and filmed on location. The last time Yu Minhong from New Oriental was on his Southeast Asia trip, he did a live broadcast right outside, with this very hotel, Huilan Hotel, in the background. I'd also heard about it in my self-driving group, as Thai and Malaysian car teams often choose this as their starting point for rallies. It definitely makes for great photos – highly recommended for anyone who loves taking pictures! 👍👍 In the lobby the next morning, I met an elderly gentleman in a traditional Chinese red outfit. He was smiling and tied a red string on my wrist. I asked about it and learned it's a Lao tradition where elders tie strings on younger people for protection against evil and to ensure safety. It turned out the grandpa was Chinese, over 70 years old, and in excellent spirits! Later, I saw several self-driving teams from Thailand lining up for this ritual before they set off. It's like receiving blessings even before the wheels start turning – this cultural ceremony felt so genuine and heartwarming. Breakfast on the second floor had a wide variety of options, and everything looked healthy and delicious. There were fresh fruits and freshly cooked dishes – very satisfying. The most unexpected find was the self-service laundry on the rooftop, complete with a dryer that had English, Chinese, and Lao language options! When traveling in Southeast Asia during the rainy season, the biggest fear is not having dry clothes, so this amenity is incredibly thoughtful for self-driving travelers. The multi-language interface makes it easy for international guests too. On the second morning, a car team was leaving, and the hotel staff lined up to wave them off, even interacting with guests with high-fives. It wasn't just a formality; their enthusiasm was genuine. From the free upgrade upon arrival to the smiling farewell, I felt truly cared for throughout my stay. I highly recommend this hotel to self-driving groups, photography enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a unique cultural experience. The facilities are top-notch, the service is heartfelt, and the exclusive Lao string-tying ceremony is an experience unlike any other. Once you've stayed here, you'll understand why so many car teams choose it as their starting point. Next time I'm on a self-driving trip in Southeast Asia, I'll definitely stay at Huilan again! 😍😍

Let's start with the positives: the room was clean and tidy, but also completely overpriced. We had booked 3 nights through Trip.com and were told we'd have to switch rooms after two nights because they were fully booked. We were also told we could cancel the last night if we didn't want to stay. We wanted to check out the hotel first and said we'd get back to them. The odd thing was, we were the only guests. We ended up checking out a night early. We were told to cancel via Trip.com, and of course, a cancellation for the last night was not accepted. We also got the feeling they were glad to see us go. The supposed restaurant wasn't even open, so you have to go into the village. Incidentally, another reviewer was also fed the same story about the supposedly fully booked hotel. The breakfast was sufficient and the service was friendly.

This time, the elevator broke down for two consecutive days, which was inconvenient. Carrying suitcases down from the upper floors during checkout was tough. Going down wasn't too bad, but going up to the room via stairs was impossible. The shuttle service to the station and border was appreciated.　

We got a free upgrade to a huge apartment. Everything clean, ok WiFi, we also got a trolley for our luggage as the hotel is huge...

Comfortable option for Luang Namtha! Located just a short walk from the main street and night market. Everything you need is at arm's reach. Highly recommended. There's also a viewing platform on the roof accessible to all guests.