Budget
Friendship Guesthouse
Is a great family run guesthouse located in the central strip of town. rooms are available as double or single and all have private bath with hot water. the building's tiled rooftop balcony provides panoramic views of the city and neighboring chiang khong across the mekong river, making for a great place to read a book during the day or have a cup of tea at night and watch life pass by, albeit slowly. room rates range from usd4-7/night. make sure that you book a room that is close to the street front as the rear rooms lack natural light. no internet/wifi. room rates gone up dramatically december 2011, expect to pay at least 70000 kip for the cheapest room which is crap, on the back, without daylight. also make sure you're clear about the rate. for example, at least one traveller reported expecting to get a 10000 kip key deposit back when checking out, but being told suddenly that there is no key deposit.
Oudomphone Guesthouse 2
Has double-bed rooms with spotlessly clean floors and hot-water showers from usd10/night. it's a 3-minute walk north of the bap guesthouse, on the right-hand side of the road. there is a good, cheap restaurant and a small convenience/souvenir store on the premises.
Sabaydee Guest House
Is opposite oudomphone guest house and is of a good standard. rooms are 90000 kip december 2011.
Manirath Guesthouse
Right next to the soi that goes to the ferryboat to thailand. doubles with attached bathroom from 160 baht/40000 kip. clean and good value.
BAP Guesthouse
Has wound up to be somewhat of a travellers' hangout. unfortunately, the rates are not the cheapest in town and staff are unfriendly and have a reputation for overcharging. not only overcharging occurs here, there is a real effort by the management to get as much money out of you as possible. seriously, avoid this place. booking a bus here to chiang mai may very well leave you stranded in chiang khong overnight.