Royal Mekong Nongkhai Hotel — a big riverside hotel with a Mekong-side pool, near the Friendship Bridge
If you'd like to wake up, open the curtains and find the Mekong flowing past with Laos on the far bank — Royal Mekong Nongkhai Hotel is a large hotel of over 200 rooms set directly on the Mekong on Kaeo Worawut Road, about 800m from the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. The draw is an outdoor pool right on the river's edge, spacious rooms, and a Mekong view that's hard to find at this price. From approx. THB 1,200/night. This review is drawn from real guest voices — the good and the things to accept.
Royal Mekong Nongkhai Hotel sits on Kaeo Worawut Road, on the Mekong riverfront in Mueang Nong Khai. What sets it apart from most stays in town is that it's a large hotel of over 200 rooms standing directly on the Mekong — not just near the river. It's about 800m from the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, making it well placed for anyone crossing over to Vientiane or using Nong Khai as a stopover before the Laos-China railway. It's a long-standing fixture in Nong Khai that locals and cross-border travellers know well.
What guests talk about most is the outdoor pool set right on the Mekong riverfront. Swimming while the river drifts past and Laos sits on the far bank is an atmosphere you won't get at an ordinary in-town hotel. Many rooms are river-facing, generously sized, with comfortable beds, and plenty of reviews say they're good value for the price. There's an on-site restaurant, a bar and free parking — handy if you drive in or rent a car to tour the province.
"Opened the curtains in the morning to the Mekong flowing past the room, then went down for a swim at the riverside pool — a view like that for this price is more than worth it."
Rooms range from Superior and Deluxe up to rooms that face straight out onto the Mekong. Most are spacious, clean, with soft beds and a good night's sleep — a consistent point of praise. The recurring caveat, though, is that the building and decor are starting to show their age, with parts due a refresh. If you want a river view, specify a River View room when booking, as not every room faces the water, and some lack a balcony despite the riverfront setting.
Breakfast is where reviews clearly split. Some find it fine to start the day, but many feel the choice is limited and the taste ordinary — it isn't the hotel's strong point. Where guests agree more is on the staff, who are friendly and helpful, especially with arranging the crossing into Laos. If you want a real meal, head out to the riverside eateries or the Tha Sadet market, which isn't far.
Location is the trump card for cross-border travellers. The Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is about 800m away, while Tha Sadet market and the old town are a short drive. It's ideal if you're catching the Laos-China train or touring Nong Khai with your own wheels. The caveat is that the hotel isn't right on the central riverside walking street, so without a car the night market is a fair way off — you'll want a songthaew or motorbike taxi.
To be honest, the thing to accept is that this is a big older hotel whose charm is its riverside location, the pool and the spacious rooms — not newness or design. Parts of the building are due a refresh, breakfast is ordinary, and without a car you'll feel a little stuck for getting out. But if what you're after is a roomy stay on the Mekong, a pool on the river's edge, free parking and a spot near the Friendship Bridge at an accessible price — Royal Mekong is still a solid-value way to stay on the river.
A tip from following the reviews here for a while: specify a River View room or a higher floor facing the water when booking, since the Mekong view is the real draw and the price difference is small. Leave time to swim in the riverside pool at first light or dusk for the best atmosphere and light. And if you're crossing to Vientiane, ask the staff about transport and the border process in advance — they make it much easier.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Directly on the Mekong riverfront, many rooms with river-and-Laos views
- ✓ Outdoor pool right by the river, lovely atmosphere
- ✓ Spacious rooms, soft beds, good value
- ✓ Near the Friendship Bridge with free parking, great if you drive
- ! Building and decor are starting to show their age, parts due a refresh
- ! Not every room faces the water, and some lack a balcony
- ! Without a car, the central night market is a fair way off
- ✓ The Mekong view and riverside pool are the standout features
- ✓ Friendly staff who help with crossing over to Laos
- ✓ Spacious, clean rooms at an accessible price
- ✓ A good base before crossing to Vientiane or taking the Laos-China train
- ! Limited, ordinary breakfast — not a highlight
- ! An older hotel; some rooms and common areas are due a refresh
- ! Set away from the central riverside walking street
- 💡If you expect crisp, modern rooms or design — Royal Mekong is a big older hotel with parts due a refresh → if newness matters most, consider a more recently opened boutique on the river.
- 💡If you want a Mekong view from your room — not every room faces the water and some lack a balcony → specify a River View room at booking for the full river view.
- 💡If you don't have your own car — the hotel is away from the central riverside walking street and night market → plan for a songthaew/taxi, or choose an in-town stay if you want to wander at night.