Converted from a French colonial trading house, this is now a boutique hotel offering very simple, yet stylish accommodation in the remote town of Thakek. But we shouldn’t oversell it – it is essentially a fancy backpackers hotel.

Through the day the street-side cafe and bar, which features an open kitchen and a bohemian vibe, sits just off the end of the historical town square, which itself then borders the Mekong river and looks over to Thailand. This then becomes Sikhotabong Restaurant in the evening – recognised as the best in town and is the sister establishment of the famous Kop Chai Deu establishment in Vientiane.

The hotel itself comprises 12 air-conditioned rooms of minimalist, contemporary Asian design with flat-screen televisions and mini-bars in room. The two best rooms at the front boast balconies overlooking the road and on to the town square.