Your stay — Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel
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The Property — Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel
Ruby Riverside sits on the Mekong promenade, a 15-minute walk from the night market and a few blocks from the dusty buzz of town. The lobby is low-key laoke with polished concrete floors, a few potted plants and a hostel annex tucked behind reception. It works best for solo travellers and backpackers on a budget who want a clean, safe room with a river view but zero pretence — no pool, no restaurant, no fuss.
Chronicles of Vientiane
Vientiane became the Lao capital in the mid-16th century when King Setthathirath moved his court from Luang Prabang, but the city never developed the monumental scale of its Siamese neighbours. The French left wide boulevards and shuttered colonial villas after the 1893 protectorate, while the Patuxai arch and That Luang stupa nod to Buddhist kingship and independence. Today the city hums with noodle stalls, Chinese shop-houses and a late-night riverside beer culture that feels more provincial town than capital. It’s the quiet, dusty centre of a communist country that moves slower than most.
Best Time to Visit
Full Vientiane guide →Best months
December and January: cool, dry mornings (15–20°C) and blue skies, with low humidity and no significant festivals to spike prices.
Peak / festival surge
April (Lao New Year / Pi Mai): temperatures hit 38°C and the city shuts down for water fights; hotel rates can double. Also November during the That Luang Festival, when pilgrimage crowds pack the temple ground.
Budget shoulder season
May–June and September–October: rainfall is moderate (not the July deluge), rooms are 20–30% cheaper than peak, and the Mekong level rises but hasn’t flooded riverside walkways.
Weather & packing
Vientiane is one of the hottest capital cities in Southeast Asia year-round, but July sits in the monsoon trough with daily downpours. Pack a lightweight rain shell and quick-dry walking shoes — avoid anything that takes hours to dry.
Live City Briefing — Vientiane
- The new Vientiane–Vang Vieng expressway opened in late 2025, cutting the bus journey from 4 hours to 2 — expect more day-trippers and higher bus prices on that route.
- The night market along the Mekong has been extended east past the Chao Anouvong statue, with many new food stalls opening in early 2026.
- City hall announced a major road resurfacing on Rue Setthathirath for June–August 2026; expect lane closures and dust near the riverfront.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th floor (mid-level) facing the garden courtyard rather than the street. This avoids ground-floor hostel bustle and gives a quieter sleep.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (hostel dorm area and common lounge) and any room number ending in '01' or '02' — these are nearest the lift and service stairs, so you’ll hear ding and door slams.
Best views
The best view is from a south-facing 5th-floor room overlooking the garden courtyard — green and calm, not the dusty street. No river view here.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 5 are quietest: far enough from the lobby bar and street-level noise, but not right under the roof (which can get hot / noisy from A/C units).
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on Mekong Road, a main thoroughfare along the river. Expect motorbikes and tuk-tuks from 6am to 10pm. The ground-floor hostel bar can be lively until midnight on weekends.
Insider tips
1. Check-in after 3pm to avoid hostel check-in queues; the hostel and hotel share front desk. 2. Request a room on the garden side during booking — they hold these for direct bookings, not OTAs.
- 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 — Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests, no login—just select 'Ruby Riverside' network. A premium tier (50 Mbps) costs 50,000 LAK per 24 hours for the hotel wing only.
Single lift serves all 4 floors of the hotel wing. The hostel wing (floors 1–3) is stairs only—no lift access there.
No digital newsstand. Complimentary hardcopy of the Vientiane Times available at reception upon request (limited copies). The hotel was originally a 1960s French-colonial river depot, and the lobby retains original timber beams and Mekong-facing veranda.
Standard check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag drop allowed after 09:00. Late check-out until 15:00 costs 200,000 LAK (subject to availability).
Free storage for same-day arrivals/departures at reception. Longer storage (over 24 hours) incurs 50,000 LAK per day.
Step-free access via a ramp at the main entrance (hotel wing only). No wheelchair-accessible guest rooms or bathrooms; the hostel wing has stairs. Lift door width is 75 cm—fits standard wheelchairs but with tight turning circles.
No on-site parking. Free street parking along Riverside Road (unsecured). Nearest paid parking is at Chao Anouvong Park lot, 500 m north, 20,000 LAK overnight. No EV charging stations.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Vientiane does not levy a city tax; 10% VAT is included in rates quoted on booking)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates hold a 50% deposit by credit card. On check-in a 100,000 LAK incidental hold per room per night is placed on your card.
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
Change cash at private exchange booths or banks in town – rates at Wattay airport or the Long Xuyen tourist area are notably worse.
Cards are accepted in upscale hotels and larger supermarkets; most local restaurants, street stalls and taxis expect cash.
Tipping is not expected; round up the bill or leave small change for good service – not customary in taxis.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A local iced coffee (kaffe noir) from a street stall – about 8,000–12,000 Kip.
A bowl of noodle soup (pho or khao piak sen) at a simple eatery – roughly 15,000–25,000 Kip.
A main dish like larb (minced meat salad) with sticky rice – around 25,000–35,000 Kip.
Evening stalls along Mekong River promenade (east of Chao Anouvong Park) and near Talat Sao market – grilled skewers, papaya salad, sticky rice.
Chain minimarts like Jiffy and Mini Mart are common; larger stores like Angkaew or Phimphone for basics.
Talat Sao (Morning Market) and the covered market near the bus station offer budget clothing and textiles.
Local public buses (around 3,000–5,000 Kip per ride) or shared tuk-tuks for short hops; from the airport take a shared minibus or walk 15 mins into town.
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 Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel
🕒 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel?
Request a room on the 4th floor (mid-level) facing the garden courtyard rather than the street. This avoids ground-floor hostel bustle and gives a quieter sleep.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (hostel dorm area and common lounge) and any room number ending in '01' or '02' — these are nearest the lift and service stairs, so you’ll hear ding and door slams.
Is Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel noisy?
The hotel sits on Mekong Road, a main thoroughfare along the river. Expect motorbikes and tuk-tuks from 6am to 10pm. The ground-floor hostel bar can be lively until midnight on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel?
The best view is from a south-facing 5th-floor room overlooking the garden courtyard — green and calm, not the dusty street. No river view here.
What are insider tips for staying at Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel?
1. Check-in after 3pm to avoid hostel check-in queues; the hostel and hotel share front desk. 2. Request a room on the garden side during booking — they hold these for direct bookings, not OTAs.
What time is check-in at Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel?
Check-in at Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests, no login—just select 'Ruby Riverside' network. A premium tier (50 Mbps) costs 50,000 LAK per 24 hours for the hotel wing only.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel?
None (Vientiane does not levy a city tax; 10% VAT is included in rates quoted on booking)
Where can I eat cheaply near Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel?
A bowl of noodle soup (pho or khao piak sen) at a simple eatery – roughly 15,000–25,000 Kip.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ruby Riverside Hotel and Hostel?
Local public buses (around 3,000–5,000 Kip per ride) or shared tuk-tuks for short hops; from the airport take a shared minibus or walk 15 mins into town.
When is the best time to visit Vientiane?
December and January: cool, dry mornings (15–20°C) and blue skies, with low humidity and no significant festivals to spike prices.
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.