Savan Resorts Laos
If you’re fortunate enough to find yourself in the mountainous and lovely country of Laos, then there’s a hidden gem on the boutique casino trail that’s worthy of a stop-over, and that’s the Savan Resorts. It’s no Altira Casino (Macau) on the height front, but what it does lack in size it makes up in charm.
This casino hotel is in Savannakhet Province, in the south of the country, very close to the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge and the Thai border. Here, tucked away in luxury, is the five start hotel and casino spot that boasts some striking architecture and some top rate service to match.
Savan Resorts is a place which offers a good choice for the roulette player who like to play on a traditional roulette wheel, and also for those fans of the electronic roulette games too.
The gambling takes place in a hall and the décor is pretty standards with the obligatory loud carpet that is found in casinos around the globe! You can gamble here 24/7 so it’s handy if you fancy a game at any point during your stay or even if you’re passing through.
There are professional croupiers here and the tables feel well run with 80 gaming tables – so it’s not a tiny place. It didn’t quite make our Top 10 Casinos in Asia list, but then again, we love Laos anyway so we’d be more than happy to go!
As you’d probably expect, the roulette game on offer at the Savan Resorts is American roulette, rather than the European variant. This is a casino resort that does also offer other table games including baccarat and poker, and of course popular Asian games like Dragon Tiger and Sicbo.
If you’re a slot fan on the side then there are 400 electronic games on offer although many are in Chinese icons, as you’d expect in Asia.
While you take a break from trying to make a packet at the roulette wheel, you might be tempted to try one of the restaurants which offer some top notch local cuisine including the high end Romsai restaurant which has an a la carte menu too, if that takes your fancy, or there’s Chopsticks, an Asian themed place. It does’t quite hit the heights of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas, but if you like Asian food you’ll love it.
If formality is not your bag then there are slightly less posh spots to re-fuel including Legends Café which offers pretty much anything you fancy including a good cup of coffee! There are also two bars one of which is Elephant Bar in the heart of the gaming hall, so you won’t have far to wonder for refreshment and to watch the other gamblers play- the people watching is pretty good.
If you’re been bitten by the Asian bug for karaoke there’s even somewhere for you to belt out a classic ballad after you’ve made a mint at roulette or just book a visit to the special spa! This is a resort where the whole package of what gamblers might desire has been considered although not all of the staff are English speaking, which can be tricky at times, but my experience of service was good.
The rooms are pretty standard but this is a border area and people are here to move between countries and enjoy a flutter in the reasonably sized casino along the way. There is a currency exchange here but expect to gamble using Baht.
If you’ve forgotten that all-important memento along the way then you’ll have the chance to visit the Duty Free shop!
All in all, this place is clean, welcoming and professional. Savan Resort has enough of the table games and slots to keep me distracted and having some roulette fun. The chill out facilities like the dining and spa are good and it has just the right mixture of at the wheel and downtime entertainment to make for a good break. A gem tucked away in far-flung Savannakhet.