Much overlooked, Laos north central town of Oudomxai is surrounded by stunning scenery to view while enjoying good Laotian cuisine at The Charming Lao Hotel.
Oudomxai is a hub for the growing commercial importance of overland trade among Laos, Thailand, China and Vietnam. An overland journey to Oudomxai winds in switchbacks for miles through lush tropical mountains past villages, rice paddies and sugar fields. Downtown sports several new commercial building developments, wide streets and at least one oasis of comfort, the Charming Lao Hotel.
Housed in a modern white building, the Charming Lao Hotel has an artistic interior especially with lighting fixtures that work as sculptures. Lunch and Dinner is served in a lush tropical garden with rock walls dripping water and orchids and a live acoustic duo singing Lao favorites in the evening.
Lunch started with light steamed spring rolls stuffed with sprouts, greens, basil, cilantro, mushrooms and carrots accompanied by a not too sweet vinegar & chili dipping sauce. Both a stir fry with vegetables and shrimp and fried rice with mushrooms were light on the frying and freshly seasoned with herbs, garlic and green onions. Lunch was a very good presentation of traditional Lao dishes, under salted, fresh al dente stir fry and heavy on fresh basil, cilantro and local greens.
Dinner proved that this hotel kitchen was equally adept at fine Laotian cuisine. Shrimp in Cherry Brandy was an array of large plump tiger shrimp artfully garnished with greens and herbs and napped with a dried cherry brandy sauce with hints of ginger and garlic and a slight burnt sugar aftertaste. The flavors worked well with the rich shrimp.
A whole steamed Pesa Fish came topped with julienned vegetables and herbs sitting atop its own brazier in a broth with spices and its own juices.
A dish of simple Stir-fry Cabbage was crisp and full of fresh flavor in a light sauce of garlic and chili.
Bar service is available with a modest selection of wines, beers and spirits and on Saturday evening entertainment was provided by a talented duo, Max and Miss Vanhsouk, playing acoustic instruments and singing popular Laotian music.
After an enjoyable night in the Charming Lao’s comfortable beds, breakfast was served in the hotel’s third floor glass walled dining room. The vista of the surrounding mountains, mist shrouded that morning, over the tops of modern Oudomxai, was a pleasant start to the day. The made to order eggs and other components to the traditional Western breakfast were served hot, the orange juice fresh squeezed and the tropical fruit salad fresh and sweet.
Lunch and dinner for two with drinks were both in the less than US$25 range. Breakfast for two and one complimentary spa treatment were included in the room rate.
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