Aloune Mai Guesthouse

Signs from the main road point encouragingly down the dirt path that leads to the hidden treasure of Aloune Mai. Though it feels quite set apart from the rest of Muang Ngoi, it is less than a five-minute walk to the centre of town, leaving you with the best of both travel worlds convenient and central peace and quiet, though admittedly, in Muang Ngoi there is not so much to get away from. Indeed you feel worlds away as the path narrows and people become less frequent while chickens and butterflies become more so. When you finally emerge, your reward is an overflowing garden speckled with hammocks and a sweet little house. There s not much to recommend these rooms over any other in town as they re similarly outfitted with private bathroom and plank wood floors, but the location is a charming respite from the repetitive nature of the main road.

Price: £21.50 from Otel