The Rim Riverside Guest House is a great budget guest house option situated next to the Mekong in Nong Khai, Thailand.
Rim Riverside
700 - 1000 THB
Pros
- Location
- Owners so helpful and friendly
- Value for money
- Great coffee shop
- Nice view from room
Cons
- Would like a kettle in the room for making hot drinks
I stayed here on my last visit to Nong Khai (on a visa run to Vientiane). The reviews was so positive at booking.com and other hotels i wanted to try was fully booked so i gave the Rim Riverside a go and booked a room.
There are many other budget options in Nong Khai priced up at around 1000 THB and less but this one ticked a few boxes for me and as mentioned the online reviews was very good. The stay turned out to be perfect and much better than expected.
Hotel – Rooms & Surroundings
The Rim only has 3 rooms so booking in advance is a good idea. The three rooms are basic with a TV, air con, fridge and everything is clean. The front room is the best with a large balcony and a great view of the Mekong river.
I stayed in the front room and in one of the back rooms. The back room further back from the street i stayed at still has a view of the river and is larger than the front room.
The area of the Rim is lovely and peaceful and only 5 minutes walk from the river promenade, and close enough to everything else.
The Rim is not well known around Nong Khai which can be an issue when getting a taxi or tuk tuk there. Everyone knows Mut Mee guest house which is very close that’s best to tell the drivers when they don’t know the Rim. If you have a mobile with a Thai sim and credit you might want to take the owners number as he may pick you up if you are coming from the border.
A coffee shop named coffeeholic is at the Rim and the coffee is great. Many locals and expats stop off here for a coffee.
There’s no kettle kit in the room which i would like, but maybe they don’t one because they want to sell coffee.
Just around the corner there is a laundry if you need to get clothes washed.
Staff & Transport
This is a family run business and the boss and wife are very helpful in many ways. They will welcome you and offer any help they can.
The boss (Duan i think his name is) speaks perfect English and can help out with driving for tours or any local transport needs. He still needs paying but less than using other taxis etc.
One of the high lights of my trip was a day tour to three temples which included Wat Pa Phu Kon & Wat Pha Tak Suea (skywalk). This was for a full day and cost 2000 THB, but well worth it.
Basic bikes can be hired as well at the Rim for 50 THB a day. I used a bike every day locally and to ride the length of the river promenade and beyond.
Worth Staying a Night or Two?
Definitely worth staying at the Rim if your budget is around 700 – 1000 THB (front room with balcony) and what i have mentioned above meets your needs.
If you wish to get around Nong Khai or take any tours then the help from the boss at the Rim should beat anything else, especially as the owner speaks English so well.
The only problem i had was with an older guy that stays there long term who complained about my Buddhist chanting (always at reasonable hours). It was resolved with the boss as i moved to the much better front room (not resolved with him…he just called me a moron and stormed off). Miserable old git sums the poor guy up.
On the whole a great stay and made much better than expected with the assistance from the owners.
