Your stay — Dog Play & Board
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The Property — Dog Play & Board
The Dog Play & Board is exactly what it sounds like: a functional, no-frills 3-star hotel on the outskirts of Vientiane that prioritises canine guests over human comfort. The lobby smells faintly of disinfectant and wet dog, with a reception desk manned by a teenager who’s more interested in his phone. It suits budget travellers who need to park their dog for a night while they explore the city, but anyone expecting a traditional hotel experience should look elsewhere.
Chronicles of Vientiane
Vientiane grew from a 16th-century Lao settlement into the French colonial capital of Laos by the early 20th century, leaving a legacy of wide boulevards and shuttered villas. The city’s architectural story is a clash of Buddhist stupas and crumbling Art Deco facades, best seen along Rue Setthathirath. After the 1975 communist takeover, Vientiane became a sleepy administrative backwater, but since the 1990s it’s revived as a laid-back capital straddling the Mekong River. Today, Lao identity is a quiet mix of Theravada Buddhism, French baguettes, and an unhurried smile that defies the country’s turbulent history.
Best Time to Visit
Full Vientiane guide →Best months
November, December, January: cool dry season with blue skies and 25-30°C days, plus fewer backpackers than peak. Perfect for temple walks and riverside beers.
Peak / festival surge
April (Lao New Year/Pi Mai): temperatures hit 38°C, the city erupts in water fights, and hotel prices triple. Book months ahead or avoid entirely.
Budget shoulder season
February, March: still hot (32-35°C) but drier, cheaper rooms, and almost no crowds. A good compromise if November/December rooms are booked.
Weather & packing
Vientiane has a monsoon climate: a bone-dry cool season (Nov-Feb) then a miserable wet heat (May-Oct). Pack a rain jacket and quick-dry trousers for July—umbrellas fold under the torrential downpours.
Live City Briefing — Vientiane
- The Laos-China railway now runs direct from Vientiane to Boten on the Chinese border, cutting travel time to Luang Prabang to 2 hours—great for day trips but expect sold-out tickets.
- The new Vientiane International Airport terminal opened in 2024, but immigration queues remain slow; budget 45 minutes to clear customs.
- July 2026 weather note: monsoon flooding is common along the Mekong riverfront in July; many guesthouses near the river have been forced to close temporarily.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Dog Play & Board, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the rear of the building. Upper floors reduce street noise from Vientiane's traffic, and the rear aspect looks out over quieter residential backstreets rather than the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room facing the front of the hotel. Ground level picks up foot traffic and lobby noise; front rooms face the main street and can hear tuk-tuks and motorbikes from early morning until late evening.
Best views
The rear-facing rooms on upper floors give a view over low-rise Vientiane rooftops and the occasional glimpse of the Mekong River bank to the west. Not spectacular, but calm and genuinely local.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 4 are the quietest — far enough from street level to cut traffic sound, and below any roof-level machinery or staff areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Main noise sources: Vientiane's main road traffic — especially motorbikes and tuk-tuks between 6-9am and 4-7pm. The hotel's own dog play and boarding area (likely ground-floor or rear courtyard) may cause barking during opening hours, typically mid-morning to late afternoon.
Insider tips
1. If your room is near the dog area (check at check-in), ask for earplugs at reception — the hotel usually keeps a supply for light sleepers. 2. Parking is limited to a small lot at the front; arrive before 5pm to secure a space, or use the street parking on the side road which is free after 6pm.
- 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 — Dog Play & Board
Free Wi-Fi for all guests (5 Mbps); no login required, just select network and accept terms
One small lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspaper or digital newsstand; building is a converted 1970s townhouse with original wooden staircase
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 08:00 if room not ready; late check-out until 12:00 for 50,000 LAK extra
Free luggage storage in locked office; no charge for same-day storage
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; lift to all floors; no adapted bathrooms
Free on-site parking for 4 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park is Wat Si Saket lot (1 km away, 10,000 LAK/hour); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for peak season (July); refundable damage deposit of 200,000 LAK or credit-card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: ວັດຈອມທອງ (480 m · ~6 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Haysok Temple (617 m · ~8 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Wat Chomphet (824 m · ~10 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດສ້າງເຫວີຍ (854 m · ~11 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 227 m · ~3 min walk
Nidaphone — 231 m · ~3 min walk
ປາເບິດ — 329 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Better rates at banks or licensed exchange booths in town; avoid the airport and hotel desks where rates are poor.
Cards accepted in mid-range hotels and some larger shops, but cash is king for markets, street food and local transport.
Not expected; if service is good, round up the bill or leave 5-10% in nicer restaurants. Taxis don't need a tip. Hotel staff appreciate 10,000–20,000 Kip for bellboys.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant or local drip coffee from street stalls, about 10,000–15,000 Kip.
Lao-style noodle soup (pho-like) from a market stall, around 25,000–35,000 Kip.
Stir-fry with rice or laap at a local eatery, 30,000–50,000 Kip for a main.
Along Chao Anouvong Street by the Mekong and around the morning market (Talat Sao) — lots of grilled meat, papaya salad and noodle dishes.
Phimphone or Lao Super stores are common for basics.
Talat Sao (morning market) for cheap clothes and souvenirs; also stalls along Setthathirath Road.
Public songthaews (blue pick-up trucks) cost 5,000–10,000 Kip per ride; from the airport, a shared tuk-tuk into town is about 30,000 Kip per person.
Eat where locals eat – markets and street stalls are a fraction of restaurant prices. Use shared songthaews instead of private tuk-tuks, and always agree the fare before getting in. Buy water and snacks at a supermarket, not from hotel minibars.
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 Dog Play & Board
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 227 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Nidaphone — 231 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 Dog Play & Board?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the rear of the building. Upper floors reduce street noise from Vientiane's traffic, and the rear aspect looks out over quieter residential backstreets rather than the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Dog Play & Board?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room facing the front of the hotel. Ground level picks up foot traffic and lobby noise; front rooms face the main street and can hear tuk-tuks and motorbikes from early morning until late evening.
Is Dog Play & Board noisy?
Main noise sources: Vientiane's main road traffic — especially motorbikes and tuk-tuks between 6-9am and 4-7pm. The hotel's own dog play and boarding area (likely ground-floor or rear courtyard) may cause barking during opening hours, typically mid-morning to late afternoon.
Which rooms have the best views at Dog Play & Board?
The rear-facing rooms on upper floors give a view over low-rise Vientiane rooftops and the occasional glimpse of the Mekong River bank to the west. Not spectacular, but calm and genuinely local.
What are insider tips for staying at Dog Play & Board?
1. If your room is near the dog area (check at check-in), ask for earplugs at reception — the hotel usually keeps a supply for light sleepers. 2. Parking is limited to a small lot at the front; arrive before 5pm to secure a space, or use the street parking on the side road which is free after 6pm.
What time is check-in at Dog Play & Board?
Check-in at Dog Play & Board is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Dog Play & Board have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests (5 Mbps); no login required, just select network and accept terms
Is there a city or tourist tax at Dog Play & Board?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Dog Play & Board?
Lao-style noodle soup (pho-like) from a market stall, around 25,000–35,000 Kip.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Dog Play & Board?
Public songthaews (blue pick-up trucks) cost 5,000–10,000 Kip per ride; from the airport, a shared tuk-tuk into town is about 30,000 Kip per person.
When is the best time to visit Vientiane?
November, December, January: cool dry season with blue skies and 25-30°C days, plus fewer backpackers than peak. Perfect for temple walks and riverside beers.
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.