Pomelo Restaurant & Guesthouse
020/03 Ban Hang Khone, Don Khone 16010 Laos
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#1 of 11 B&Bs / Inns in Don Khone
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Are you looking for a relaxing, clean and still adventurous place to stay? Located next to the historical french pier and the Irawadee Dolphins, Pomelo Restaurant & Guesthouse offers clean bedrooms each with a private living room and a stunning view over the Mekong River. Enjoy the familial hospitality and cuisine of us in this quiet area while spending your days swimming, visiting the waterfalls, kayaking or just enjoying life as beautiful as it can be.
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Family
56Reviews1Q+A3Room tips
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I stayed in the bungalow which was a very short walk away from the restaurant, close to the river, behind the houses of some local families. It's a rustic building built in local style, but very comfortable with a fan and surprisingly hot shower for Laos (once I worked out the controls, red is on and green is off...). Wifi occasionally reaches the room, but is really only available in the restaurant as they work off a sim card rather than a broadband connection.The balcony has a great view over the river, but it's only downside is that there's no shade during the afternoon. There's no lock box or safe, but I never once thought that anything was at any risk. They refresh the jugs of water as often as you want which was great as it meant that I didn't have to use any bottles, and the refills were necessary as try as I might, quite often the ants got in to whatever part drunk jug I had on the go :) Pomelo is at the other end of the island from the main guest house and restaurant area, but Don Khon is small so that's not much of a problem. I opted to walk to the Li Phi falls, then got a boat back to Ban Han Khone from near Khongyai beach. The following day I took the guesthouse's recommended trip to the Khon Long waterfall which was excellent, and made all the more so by the complete lack of other people. The guest house is close to the area where the Irawaddy dolphins live, and although I was doubtful about my chances of seeing them having read that they're functionally extinct, I hired a boat for a trip and there they were almost immediately. I had breakfast and dinner at the restaurant each day and found the food to be really good. They also have a good selection of drinks on offer at very reasonable prices considering the location away from the main hub.…
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Date of stay: March 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
An excellent place to stay, great homemade food including homemade bread and jams, and excellent help with arranging onward travel by boat. Beautiful bungalow overlooking the river, highly recommended
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
What a superb place! I wouldn’t want to stay anywhere else but here if I would be on the island again. It is a bit far from the hustle and bustle of the ‘centre’ but that turned out to add to the overall experience. We rented a scooter so getting around was no problem. The room we stayed in was amazing; in a house more than 100 years old. The room was big, with a separate living and sleeping area. Tastefully decorated. The restaurant was on a great deck, set around a pomelo tree and serves AMAZING food! Best green curry of my life. Filtered drinking water was always there for us to use for free and fill our bottles with (loved that detail as plastic bottles, as with every place in Laos, is a big problem) We had a wonderful swim with the local children every end of the day (on the outer tip of the island, 3 min walk from Pomelo) which was the highlight of our 4 year old son. Really enjoyed every minute here. Definitely recommend the place!…
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Date of stay: February 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from pomeloteam, Owner at Pomelo Restaurant & Guesthouse
Responded 13 Apr 2019
Dear Jasmijn, Thank you very much for your review. It was a pleasure to welcome you at Pomelo Guesthouse and we enjoyed to meet you. We wish you wonderful further travels. All the best, Pomelo Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A hidden gem in Don Khone. A highly elevated village experience in a stilted wooden bungalow. A view over the Mekong awaits as do the dolphins. Oliva is the hostess with the mostess replying immediately to any queries prior to staying and whilst we were there. Her wonderful team of local Lao women create authentic freshly prepared food all of which was quite delicious. We ate there every night. It is remote but tranquil. If a slow pace and chill is a factor this will certainly tick all the boxes!!
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Date of stay: October 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Communication prior to arrival was good . Details how to find etc. A very dark enviroment to spend what was intended to be a 5 night stay of which we cut short due to a number of reasons. Given we have been travelling for over 10 months now and this being our third week in Laos this guesthouse was our worse experience. The selling point is without doubt it's remoteness and excessibility to see the Dolphins, unfortunately that was about it for us. It is without doubt too far on the islands tracks to go into town during the wet season due to the roads, as such we had either the option of eating in the guesthouse or go next door which was considerably cheaper. The other restaurant close by was closed for the duration when we were here ( may be due to low season ) We did eat in the guest house and found the food average for the prices charged, given you also cannot see what you are eating it is dark with very dim candle light. Low lighting would be an advantage .On check in we were asked for money up front in full before even seeing the room, it rained very heavy but no consideration given to training shoes being left outside that got absolutely drenched. When showed the room, we can only comment on our room, there was no view at all, the room was extremely dark. Security when leaving the room was a concern as the open plan windows in the rear of the accommodation did not have shutters or glass to secure so anyone could enter through this area if they wanted to get in. It was not possible to secure the sitting area to the bedroom . With no atm on the island and cash only accepted in most places and no safe in the room we did feel vulnerable . The host did say her staff were fine but make sure we brought valuables into our bedroom at night ! The bed was comfortable , however the room was very hot , the fans did not cool it down much and on the last night no power due to a power failure (hotel can not be held responsible For this as it happens often ) wifi was very poor , again we were told that this could be an issue on check in. It is an important factor for us so would have preferred to have known before hand.Finally on checkout we couldn't leave until our room was checked.... There was nothing to steal or damage so our original feeling we felt was vindicated. The transport and tours suggested by our host were fine, however and unbeknown to us you can do the same tours from Don Det as there is an excessively bridge that connects both islands.…
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Date of stay: September 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from pomeloteam, Owner at Pomelo Restaurant & Guesthouse
Responded 21 Sep 2018
We are sorry to hear that our guesthouse did not meet your standard. We created the guesthouse in the idea for guests who like quietness, relaxing and enjoy the rural local life different from others on Khone island and not a luxury hotel. When you arrived we informed you that due to period of rainy season we have to let some trees in the garden grow which block part of the Mekong river view from the room you stayed. However during this periode you can enjoy the view from our sitting area and restaurant which are just 10 meters away from your room. We are sorry to hear that you did not feel secure with our large open window in the living room. The reason why to take your belonging close to the bedroom during this season is because of the storms. We do check the rooms before departure as it happens that guests forget some of their belongings. We’d like to thank you for your stay and that you took your time to write a review. We are always happy to get feedbacks and to hear about the experience of our guests to provide a better and more comfortable stay. We wish you enjoyed your stay in Don Det and your further travels.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you are looking for a more traditional Guesthouse to stay but still one with good standard; here is the place to stay. The wood houses/bungalows are very nicely made! It is super clean, you have lots of space, it is quiet and the bed is comfortable! As in traditionall housings you have open windows, so no A/C but 3 very good fans and a very good and big mosquito net for over the bed. The bathroom has modern standard and hot water. The location is in the very South of the Island. It is the only Guesthouse there and it only has 2 or 3 other restaurants besides the one in the hotel. The food they offer is amazing!! Lao/Thai cuisine for lunch and dinner and a big selection to chose from for breakfast. Perfect place to stay if you want to be at a quiet place with good service, good food and a nice view of the Mekong river. …
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Date of stay: September 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Oliva and her partner run a beautiful guest house. It is in a small, fairly isolated village, but that adds to the charm. The bar and restaurant area are very well designed, with a great view of the river. We had one of two new cottages that they have built and it was lovely. Beautifully furnished and appointed, again with a great view of the Mekong and Cambodia across the water. Very big and comfortable bed, good shower. Great food in the restaurant - there is no real passing traffic so the menu is limited, but beautifully cooked and incredibly tasty. It is a relaxing and calming oasis, but you can hire bikes or motorbikes nearby and get around the island safely and easily. As Oliva about the trip to Khon Long - ts definitely worth doing, and we were lucky to have seen the dolphins on two consecutive evenings. The journey south to Pnomh Penh was not much fun afterwards, but if that's the price you pay to see a stunning place, and stay in a wonderful gust house, it is worth it - even my wife agreed!…
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Date of stay: April 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
On both the islands this is really a nice place. Away from all the noise, close to viewing the dolphins( a few minutes by boat) and every evening fresh made food. Same for breakfast. The rooms are basic but with a good shower , good large bed and matras and muscito net. No airco since the rooms are in a traditional Lao house but ventilator and open windows give enough breeze to cool down and sleep well. It is run by a lovely Swiss lady Oliva and her partner.
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Date of stay: April 2018Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
The upside: lovely terrace for dining and a nice little floating raft with 3 chairs to watch the sunset. Breakfast was very good as were the fruit drinks. The location was ideal for river excursions to see the dolphins or head over to the shore to catch a vehicle for the short trip to see the largest waterfall. The room was just OK. Very, very dark bedroom. The front door didn't lock or close securely when we were inside and blew open a few times in the middle of the night. Our sleep was disturbed every night with scrapping dogs, roosters crowing, boat engines revving up... The "restaurant" in the name is a little misleading. They offer one main dish in the evening. It was hot and spicy with chilis. Very few vegetables appeared. For a night or two this might work but we were there for 9 days and our best option was to bypass the "restaurant" at Pomelo and bike 45 min into town during the day for a late lunch. We expected a more extensive menu with choices of appetizers, soups, desserts. We were disappointed. This was one of the rare places we've stayed we'd pass by on a future trip.…
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Date of stay: February 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from pomeloteam, Manager at Pomelo Restaurant & Guesthouse
Responded 22 Feb 2018
Thank you for your review and for staying at our guesthouse. We are sorry to hear that you got disappointed from what we offer after your expectations. We are a small guesthouse welcoming guests in our home. About the “restaurant”: We informed you that we serve daily dishes for lunch and for dinner. The menus vary from one up to three different options everything fresh prepared for our guests. As you did not eat meat we gave you everyday other options which was not on our menu – we prefer to have a small menu but fresh like at home! Either way there are two other restaurants next to us which also serve dishes during the whole day. If you were looking for a high standard restaurant & hotel then our place was definitely not what you were looking for. We wish you all the best for your further travels
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Very cousy and unique establishment owned by a French and a Thai. The location is beautiful with its own porch in the water. The cottages are special, big and with a great view of the river. You are very remote on the other side of the island. Only tuktuk can take you elsewhere. Pomelo serve nice food and breakfast. Bit expensive, but fair enough. Very nice place indeed
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Date of stay: December 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
US$22 - US$30 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
LaosChampasak ProvinceDon Khone
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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Frequently Asked Questions about Pomelo Restaurant & Guesthouse
Which popular attractions are close to Pomelo Restaurant & Guesthouse?
Nearby attractions include Tad Somphamit Waterfalls (4.0 km), Khone Phapheng Falls (6.5 km), and Old French Railway Bridge (4.0 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Pomelo Restaurant & Guesthouse?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Pomelo Restaurant & Guesthouse?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Pomelo Restaurant & Guesthouse?
Conveniently located restaurants include Mama Leuah Restaurant, Chez Fred et Lea, and Kea's Backpackers Paradise Restaurant & Bar.
Are pets allowed at Pomelo Restaurant & Guesthouse?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Are there any historical sites close to Pomelo Restaurant & Guesthouse?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Old French Railway Bridge (4.0 km).