We enjoyed staying at the Golden Lotus Place. It's a lovely authentic hotel in the heart of the old town, very close to the National Museum, Phousi mountain, the night market and the morning market. The delicious breakfast was lovely in the courtyard outside, with morning market stalls right there in front of us :). The staff were very welcoming and super-helpful, speaking both English and Vietnamese for our bicultural family, recommending places to go and helping with shopping suggestions, and ordering a taxi to the airport when we left. Very recommended for a genuine Lao experience.