Riverside Garden Hostel

I really don't understand the 5-star reviews with "exceptional place". Cheap doesn't mean you can accept anything, even out of respect for those structures present in Laos (so I don't make the comparison with other countries) where I found commitment, dedication and care. Let's start with the access: a bridge of wooden beams attached as best as possible on an old concrete scaffolding in the middle of abandoned rustic buildings above garbage and smelly water. The structure: in general it would also be a nice place but it is absolutely neglected and left to go. There is garbage left there for days everywhere (even organic). The furnishings are old, broken or rusty and often dangerous. The mattresses are old and worn and if I think of having slept on one of the mattresses that are left stacked in the rain around the structure I feel sick. The rooms are dirty and lacking in any hygiene. There is mold in many corners. The bathrooms are never washed. In my room, the waste water from the air conditioner leaked from the walls, often creating a lake that then turned into mold (in other rooms I heard complaints that when it rained, water seeped from the ceiling onto the beds). There are many dogs (I love animals) that leave their needs everywhere (even on the sofas in the common area). I heard many people complain about not finding their clothes after the laundry and the clothes are piled up without any care. The swimming pool has many broken tiles, the volleyball net broken, the water is not very clean, often the bottom was slippery. The billiard table has almost all the bats broken. The deck chairs are broken or rusty. The deck chair mats are dirty or eaten by dogs. Vang Vieng has many structures that are in even worse conditions but beyond what may be the personal tastes of someone in traveling, I think that the descriptions should be more objective. If there is a beautiful view in front of the swimming pool it is not due to the structure.

The hostel is very popular with the English and Europeans. To get there you will need to cross a barely alive bridge with all your luggage, it is not very convenient, but that is the whole city. I personally did not like the hostel itself because it was uncomfortable, the toilet is connected to the room and you can hear everything, other toilets are outside and there are a lot of insects inside. There is a swimming pool and territory. But I repeat, I did not like it specifically. Inconvenient, uncomfortable from start to finish. Even the reception is outside, no air conditioning, etc. Basically, like living in a street camp.