Sandwiching our almost week-long Luang Prabang blogger’s trip sponsored by Destination Mekong was a two-day jaunt to a rustic village three hours away. The town of Nong Khiaw is situated in a picturesque countryside on the banks of the Ou River, squeezed by saw-toothed limestone peaks. So where did our host billet us? Of course, in a water's edge property called Nong Kiau Riverside.

Laos / Nong Khiaw / Eco-Resorts

Where to Stay: Nong Kiau Riverside

By Marky Ramone Go • January 2019

The rustic wooden welcome gateway sign of Nong Kiau Riverside eco-resort — The inviting riverbank sanctuary.

Although I missed my temporary home in Luang Prabang, Satri House—where I stayed for four nights prior to this stop—I welcomed a change of scenery. What better way to do so than in a place with a veranda opening directly to the view of the mighty Ou River?

Scenic private wooden veranda overlooking the Ou River and limestone karst peaks in Laos — An unhurried space designed entirely for visual immersion.

Nong Kiau Riverside: Solitude with Nature

This riverside resort has fifteen bungalows spread along the river's ridge, each possessing a spacious forty-square-meter floor plan. All come with a private balcony and an amply-sized bathroom. The wooden interiors give a feeling of blending seamlessly with nature. There are no air-conditioned units—which is a good thing—and you won't need one, as the wind from the river is cool enough (there is also a fan you can use during the warmer summer months).

Inside the spacious wooden cottage room featuring a canopy bed and rustic furniture — The raw timber aesthetic of the eco-bungalows provides absolute zen comfort.

My bungalow was number twelve, so I had to walk a couple of hundred meters to reach it. I didn’t mind, though, as the walkway passes through a pleasant, flowery garden and towering trees, making it feel like hiking deep into the forest.

The lush tropical path winding through flowering gardens and tall trees towards the bungalows — The lush garden pathway leading to the private bungalows.

The nature-friendly atmosphere of Nong Kiau Riverside made me feel at home in an instant. It reminded me of my camping experiences from the old days, being so close to nature—only this time, instead of a tent, I was sleeping in a cozy room.

Hiking to the Mist-Veiled Mount Pha Daeng

I had a wonderful sleep, giving me more than eight hours to generate much-needed energy for our next day’s activity: hiking the nearby Mount Pha Daeng (you can read the narrative of that epic hike here).

The author relaxing on a wooden deck chair looking out over the Ou River valley in Laos — Unwinding on the terrace as the river current carries the afternoon away.

Aside from the guided trekking tour, the resort also offers river kayaking, town immersions, and cycling.

Things to Do in Nong Khiaw

We also visited the Pha Toke Cave situated two kilometers east of the town. This historic cave was where the Pathet Lao forces had their base during the Vietnam War—which spilled into Laos—during the late nineteen-sixties and seventies. Other activities include tube-rafting upstream on the Ou River, visiting local temples, fishing, and even watching a movie at a town cinema.

Panoramic perspective of the mountain ridges meeting the riverbanks from the resort property — The breathtaking view of limestone ridges meeting the river from the resort.

Overall, I found my experience at Nong Kiau Riverside very pleasant. The food was good—authentic Laotian cuisine rather than heavily westernized—and the service from the jovial staff, who always had smiles on their faces, was excellent. It is a place I wouldn’t mind staying in again, especially if given another chance to explore the northern part of Laos.