The Rainbow Hotel in Vientiane, Laos

I arrived from Thailand in April 2023 with the absolute minimum to sustain my life. Knowing one of the managers from previous trips, I naturally decided on a long-stay at the Rainbow Hotel. Staff members at this place are friendly, welcoming, helpful, and most of all … considerate. The hotel is a business. But that’s not all and everything. There is more to it. They make you feel at home.

It’s an old building. So there are still some things to repair and improve on a technical level. Staff and owners are working on it.

The front entrance and restaurant.
Hotel front and restaurant
Holiday makers.
Holidaymakers
The photographer.
The photographer
Sometimes one needs a nap.
Sometimes one needs a nap
Teachers waiting for their visa.
Teachers waiting for their visa
Young and less young.
Young and less young

The hotel is also a restaurant. The front part — which comprises the tables inside and the terrace outside — functions as a place to talk with other travellers, having a great though inexpensive Lao beer, to act out as a digital nomad, to be a philosopher aspiring to inspire, to find models for your next photoshoot and of course … to enjoy a delicious nutritious meal.

Oanh, the cook, is from Vietnam. Vietnamese, Laotian (Isaan), European, and Thai dishes. She does it all and fast.

I stayed at the Rainbow Hotel until early September when I finally could afford renting an apartment close to my new work place.