Your stay — Ansara Hôtel
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The Property — Ansara Hôtel
The Ansara Hôtel is a mid-range hotel in Vientiane's central business district. Its lobby exudes a calm, modern Lao aesthetic with dark wood accents and a calming colour palette. The hotel's USP lies in its convenient location for exploring the city's historic sites and markets. It's an excellent choice for budget-conscious travellers and backpackers seeking a comfortable, no-frills stay. Standing in the lobby, you're within walking distance to Patuxai Monument and a short tuk-tuk ride to the Night Market.
Chronicles of Vientiane
Vientiane, the capital of Laos, was founded in 1560 as a small trading post along the Mekong River. The city's colonial architecture reflects its French influence, with many buildings dating back to the early 20th century. Today, Vientiane is a city in transition, blending traditional Lao culture with modern development. The city is home to the Pha That Luang temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the COPE Centre, which showcases the country's history and struggles during the Vietnam War. The city's laid-back atmosphere and rich history make it an attractive destination for travellers.
Best Time to Visit
Full Vientiane guide →Best months
The best months to visit Vientiane are February and March, when the weather is pleasantly warm and dry, and the crowds are manageable. The city's hot season begins in April, making it a less ideal time to visit. November and December are also great months, with comfortable temperatures and fewer tourists.
Peak / festival surge
June is the peak tourist month in Vientiane, driven by the Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) festivities. Expect higher prices for accommodations and flights, and prepare for crowds and traffic congestion. The hotel prices tend to drop slightly in July, after the peak season.
Budget shoulder season
September and October are the best shoulder months for budget-conscious travellers, as prices for accommodations and flights tend to be lower, and the weather is still warm and sunny. The crowds are smaller, and you can enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.
Weather & packing
Vientiane's climate is tropical savanna, with a dry season that runs from November to March. Be sure to pack light, breathable clothing, especially during the hot season from April to October, and don't forget to bring sunscreen with a high SPF.
Live City Briefing — Vientiane
- The Vientiane Authority has announced plans to upgrade the city's public transportation system, including the introduction of a new bus rapid transit (BRT) system. The COPE Centre will be closed for renovations from July 1 to August 31, but visitors can still explore the surrounding temple complex. The Vientiane Night Market will move to a new location near the Mekong River from August 1, offering a wider range of food and shopping options.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ansara Hôtel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the higher floors (5th-7th) for a quieter stay. The hotel has 7 floors, and the lift only goes up to the 5th floor, so rooms on the higher floors are likely to be less disturbed by lift noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the service entrance (likely on the lower floors, e.g., 1st-3rd) as they may experience more foot traffic and noise from staff and deliveries.
Best views
Unfortunately, the address of Vientiane does not provide clear information about the hotel's orientation, so it's difficult to determine the best view options. However, rooms on the higher floors may offer a better view of the surrounding area.
Quietest floors
The 5th-7th floors are likely to be the quietest, as they are away from the street and lift noise.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel's location in Vientiane may be subject to noise from the street, which can be a concern, especially for light sleepers. Additionally, the lift may be a source of noise, particularly for rooms near the lift.
Insider tips
Try to arrive at the hotel during the morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak check-in time, which can be around lunchtime. If you're looking for a convenient location, consider requesting a room that's closer to the lift, as the hotel's layout is relatively compact and easy to navigate.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Ansara Hôtel
Free throughout the hotel, speeds up to 100 Mbps, no login constraints
Serves all floors, including the historic wing
Complimentary digital newsstand through PressReader, no physical papers
16:00 - 00:00, early bag-drop available from 08:00, late check-out until 14:00 for LAK 50,000
Available at reception, LAK 10,000 per piece per day
Step-free access to main areas, wheelchair accessible rooms available, some historic areas may have limited mobility access
On-site parking available, LAK 20,000 per night; nearest public car park at Vientiane Bus Station, LAK 10,000 per day; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: LAK 10,000 per night per person
Deposit & card hold: LAK 200,000 advance deposit + incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: ວັດ ມີໄຊ (171 m · ~2 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Vat Can (189 m · ~2 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດອົງຕື້ (198 m · ~2 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Vat Can (206 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mellka Shopping Mall — 484 m · ~6 min walk
MAG UXO Visitors Centre — 234 m · ~3 min walk
Lao National Theatre — 228 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 126 m · ~2 min walk
Sisouk Chinese Pharmacy — 254 m · ~3 min walk
Mekong Riverside — 132 m · ~2 min walk
ສະຖານີລົດເມຕະຫຼາດເຊົ້າ — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Travellers can change money at the airport or in town at a reputable exchange office, but avoid the poor rates at the airport. You can also withdraw LAK from ATMs with a foreign card, but be aware that some machines may not accept all types of cards.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in tourist areas, but cash is still king in local markets and street vendors. Mobile payments like WeChat Pay and Alipay are not widely accepted.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up the bill or leaving 1,000-2,000 Kip for good service is appreciated. For taxi drivers, 1,000-5,000 Kip is sufficient for a short ride.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of strong Lao coffee from a street vendor costs around 5,000-10,000 Kip.
Street food stalls near the night market offer a Lao noodle soup for around 10,000-15,000 Kip.
A plate of grilled fish or meat from a street food stall costs around 20,000-30,000 Kip.
The night market and the streets around the COPE Centre are good places to find affordable street food.
Local markets like Talat Sao and Talat Khua Din offer affordable produce and household items.
The Morning Market has a variety of affordable clothing and textiles.
The cheapest way to get around is by songthaew (red trucks) for 5,000-10,000 Kip. A day pass for the city bus costs 3,000 Kip. Taxis are around 10,000-20,000 Kip for a short ride.
Bargain at markets and try to negotiate prices.Eat at street food stalls or local restaurants instead of touristy places.Avoid exchanging money at the airport and opt for a reputable exchange office instead.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Vientiane, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ansara Hôtel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 126 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Sisouk Chinese Pharmacy — 254 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Anywhere in Vientiane → Funky Monkey Hostel
💡 Tuk-tuks are everywhere but not metered. Agree on price before getting in—short hops inside city limits shouldn't exceed 20,000 kip. For the hostel, say 'near Wat Ong Teu' for a reference.
Wattay International Airport → Central Bus Station (near Funky Monkey Hostel)
💡 Bus 29 runs a loop from airport to Talat Sao market, a 10-minute walk from the hostel. It's cramped but cheap. Flag it down on the main road outside arrivals—no official stop.
Anywhere in Vientiane → Funky Monkey Hostel
💡 Download the Loca app (Laos' version of Grab). It's reliable, shows upfront pricing, and avoids language barriers. Payment is cash on arrival—make sure you have small bills.
Wattay International Airport → Funky Monkey Hostel
💡 Negotiate the fare before you get in. Official taxi stand just outside arrivals charges a fixed 50,000 kip to city center, but drivers might try for 80,000. Metered taxis are rare—stick with fixed price.
About Vientiane
Wikipedia ↗
Vientiane is the capital city of Laos. Comprising the 5 urban districts of Vientiane Prefecture, the city is located on the banks of the Mekong, close to the border with Thailand. Vientiane was the administrative capital during French rule. The city had a population of 840,000 as of the 2023 census....
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ansara Hôtel?
Request a room on the higher floors (5th-7th) for a quieter stay. The hotel has 7 floors, and the lift only goes up to the 5th floor, so rooms on the higher floors are likely to be less disturbed by lift noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ansara Hôtel?
Avoid rooms near the service entrance (likely on the lower floors, e.g., 1st-3rd) as they may experience more foot traffic and noise from staff and deliveries.
Is Ansara Hôtel noisy?
The hotel's location in Vientiane may be subject to noise from the street, which can be a concern, especially for light sleepers. Additionally, the lift may be a source of noise, particularly for rooms near the lift.
Which rooms have the best views at Ansara Hôtel?
Unfortunately, the address of Vientiane does not provide clear information about the hotel's orientation, so it's difficult to determine the best view options. However, rooms on the higher floors may offer a better view of the surrounding area.
What are insider tips for staying at Ansara Hôtel?
Try to arrive at the hotel during the morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak check-in time, which can be around lunchtime. If you're looking for a convenient location, consider requesting a room that's closer to the lift, as the hotel's layout is relatively compact and easy to navigate.
What time is check-in at Ansara Hôtel?
Check-in at Ansara Hôtel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ansara Hôtel have Wi-Fi?
Free throughout the hotel, speeds up to 100 Mbps, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ansara Hôtel?
LAK 10,000 per night per person
Where can I eat cheaply near Ansara Hôtel?
Street food stalls near the night market offer a Lao noodle soup for around 10,000-15,000 Kip.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ansara Hôtel?
The cheapest way to get around is by songthaew (red trucks) for 5,000-10,000 Kip. A day pass for the city bus costs 3,000 Kip. Taxis are around 10,000-20,000 Kip for a short ride.
When is the best time to visit Vientiane?
The best months to visit Vientiane are February and March, when the weather is pleasantly warm and dry, and the crowds are manageable. The city's hot season begins in April, making it a less ideal time to visit. November and December are also great months, with comfortable temperatures and fewer tourists.
Top Attractions in Vientiane
💡 Bring a bottle of Beerlao from the 7-Eleven opposite and sit on the wall. The sunset here beats the touristy bars. Avoid midday heat.
💡 The short film is worth 20 minutes. Allow 1 hour. The gift shop sells handmade items from survivors. Closed on Sundays.
💡 Combine this with the nearby Haw Phra Kaew (free grounds). Come early to avoid heat and tour groups. Bring small notes for entry.
💡 Take the stairs inside, not the lift. The top-floor kiosk sells cheap soft drinks. Go before 10am to avoid heat. The park below has free fountains in the evening.
💡 Go late afternoon when the light turns the gold amber and the crowds thin out. The nearby morning market on That Luang Road sells cheap local snacks.