🇱🇦 Vientiane, Laos
Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel
📍 Saylom Road, Vientiane
Your stay — Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel
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The Property — Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel
The Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel is a budget-friendly spot in central Vientiane, blending a casual cafe with clean dorm and private rooms. Its USP is the in-house cafe serving decent Lao coffee and simple Western dishes, making it a practical base rather than a destination itself. Standing in the lobby, the vibe is low-key and functional: tiled floors, a few sofas, and a mix of backpackers and solo travellers checking maps. It suits travellers who prioritise location and price over character or amenities.
Chronicles of Vientiane
Vientiane became the capital of the Lao kingdom in the mid-16th century under King Setthathirath, who moved the court from Luang Prabang. French colonial rule from 1893 left a legacy of boulevards, villas and the iconic Patuxai monument, though many temples like Wat Si Saket survived. The city saw decline during the Lao civil war but rebounded after peace in 1975. Today its identity is a sleepy, dusty blend of Buddhist heritage, French architecture and a slow-paced, non-rushed atmosphere. Unlike Bangkok or Hanoi, Vientiane retains a provincial small-town feel despite being a national capital.
Best Time to Visit
Full Vientiane guide →Best months
November to February: temperatures 15-28°C, low humidity, clear skies. Crowds are moderate, peaking around Christmas but never overwhelming.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are peak: cool, dry weather draws tourists for That Luang Festival (typically November) and general holiday travel. Hotel prices rise by 20-30%; hostels like Sailomyen may fill fast.
Budget shoulder season
March and October offer discounts of 10-20%, fewer tourists, and still-pleasant conditions, though March gets hotter and October can see late-wet-season rain.
Weather & packing
Vientiane in the wet season (May-October) gets sudden, intense downpours that can flood streets for an hour. Pack a lightweight raincoat and waterproof sandals; leave jeans behind.
Live City Briefing — Vientiane
- The Patuxai monument has resumed public access to its roof terrace after repairs; it offers a decent view of the city for 3,000 LAK (~£0.12).
- Bus services to Vang Vieng have been upgraded with new air-conditioned minibuses running three times daily from the Southern Bus Terminal, avoiding the old bumpy route.
- Several coffee shops near the Mekong riverfront have opened since 2025, adding evening options along the sunset promenade.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 3rd floor or higher above the cafe. The upper floors distance you from cafe bustle and street-level noise on Saylom Road. Try for a room at the back of the building (opposite the street side) for better quiet.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 2nd floor directly above the cafe—you'll hear scraping chairs, music, and conversation until closing. Also skip any rooms facing Saylom Road at lower floors (1st or 2nd floor) due to motorbike and tuk-tuk noise
Best views
Rooms at the front of the building (Saylom Road side) get a view of the street with local life and maybe a sliver of the Patuxai monument if you're high enough. The back side overlooks neighbouring rooftops—less interesting but quieter
Quietest floors
3rd floor and above
🔊 Noise notes
Saylom Road is a busy city artery: motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and occasional trucks from early morning until late evening. The hostel's own cafe generates clatter, music and chatter from around 7am to 10pm. Air conditioning units on the roof may hum at night on top floors
Insider tips
Check in after 2pm when the cafe lull starts, so you can scout your room before committing. If you're a light sleeper, ask for a room at the back and bring earplugs—street noise on Saylom Road is persistent until midnight
- 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 — Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; speed adequate for email and browsing (approx. 5-10 Mbps). Login: select network, no password. No paid upgrade.
No lift; guest rooms and dormitories are on the first and second floors via stairs only.
No digital newsstand or physical newspapers provided. A small shelf of used travel magazines in the common area.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop from 08:00 free. Late check-out until 12:00 costs 50,000 LAK; after 12:00 charges half-night rate.
Free luggage storage for same-day arrivals and departures; no overnight storage.
No step-free access; main entrance has a single step and staircase to all rooms. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
No on-site parking. Nearest free street parking along Saylom Road (limited, first-come, first-served). Pay public car park 200 m north at Chao Anouvong Park: 10,000 LAK per overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no separate tourist tax; 10% service charge + 7% VAT included in quoted rate)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for private rooms; incidental hold of 200,000 LAK (cash only) at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Thāt Dam (444 m · ~6 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດ ທົ່ງຂັນຄຳ (685 m · ~9 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດ ທົ່ງຂັນຄຳ (687 m · ~9 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດ ພະທາດພູຊວງເທບນິມິດ (741 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Talat Sao Mall — 620 m · ~8 min walk
ສວນ ປະຕູໄຊ — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
MAG UXO Visitors Centre — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
ຫໍວັດທະນະທຳແຫ່ງຊາດ — 884 m · ~11 min walk
Funderland — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
JDB — 180 m · ~2 min walk
ກໍາຊະຫວາດ — 121 m · ~2 min walk
Thippaphone — 360 m · ~5 min walk
BRT - ຕະຫຼາດເຊົ້າ — 711 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Change cash at gold shops or banks along Saylom Road for better rates; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux, which offer poor rates.
Cards accepted in mid-range hotels and some restaurants, but cash (LAK) is essential for street food, local transport, and small shops; contactless is rare.
Not expected in local eateries or taxis; round up the bill in nicer restaurants; hotel staff appreciate small change (5,000–10,000 LAK) for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A iced black coffee from a street stall costs about 8,000–12,000 LAK.
Lao-style noodle soup (pho) or larb with sticky rice at a local food stall, around 15,000–25,000 LAK.
Grilled meat and papaya salad at a night market, main around 20,000–35,000 LAK.
Along Saylom Road itself and at the nearby morning market; evenings focus on grills and noodle carts.
MM Mart and Joemart are common budget supermarkets in the area.
Talat Sao (Morning Market) near Saylom Road for cheap clothing; also local street stalls along the road.
Tuk-tuk rides around town cost 10,000–20,000 LAK per trip; from Wattay Airport, take a shared jumbo truck for 30,000 LAK (versus private taxi 50,000+).
Eat at food stalls for the best value; negotiate tuk-tuk fares before getting in; avoid touristy bars near the river for overpriced drinks.
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 Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · JDB — 180 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · ກໍາຊະຫວາດ — 121 m · ~2 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 Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel?
Request rooms on the 3rd floor or higher above the cafe. The upper floors distance you from cafe bustle and street-level noise on Saylom Road. Try for a room at the back of the building (opposite the street side) for better quiet.
Which rooms should I avoid at Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel?
Avoid rooms on the 2nd floor directly above the cafe—you'll hear scraping chairs, music, and conversation until closing. Also skip any rooms facing Saylom Road at lower floors (1st or 2nd floor) due to motorbike and tuk-tuk noise
Is Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel noisy?
Saylom Road is a busy city artery: motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and occasional trucks from early morning until late evening. The hostel's own cafe generates clatter, music and chatter from around 7am to 10pm. Air conditioning units on the roof may hum at night on top floors
Which rooms have the best views at Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel?
Rooms at the front of the building (Saylom Road side) get a view of the street with local life and maybe a sliver of the Patuxai monument if you're high enough. The back side overlooks neighbouring rooftops—less interesting but quieter
What are insider tips for staying at Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel?
Check in after 2pm when the cafe lull starts, so you can scout your room before committing. If you're a light sleeper, ask for a room at the back and bring earplugs—street noise on Saylom Road is persistent until midnight
What time is check-in at Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel?
Check-in at Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; speed adequate for email and browsing (approx. 5-10 Mbps). Login: select network, no password. No paid upgrade.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel?
None (no separate tourist tax; 10% service charge + 7% VAT included in quoted rate)
Where can I eat cheaply near Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel?
Lao-style noodle soup (pho) or larb with sticky rice at a local food stall, around 15,000–25,000 LAK.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel?
Tuk-tuk rides around town cost 10,000–20,000 LAK per trip; from Wattay Airport, take a shared jumbo truck for 30,000 LAK (versus private taxi 50,000+).
When is the best time to visit Vientiane?
November to February: temperatures 15-28°C, low humidity, clear skies. Crowds are moderate, peaking around Christmas but never overwhelming.
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.