Your stay — SP Apartments
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The Property — SP Apartments
SP Apartments is a no-fuss, self-catering option in central Vientiane, aimed at travellers who want a kitchenette and space over frills. The lobby is tiled and functional, with a small reception desk and a noticeboard of local tuk‑tuk numbers. It’s best for budget-conscious longer stays or anyone needing a washing machine and fridge for a few days. The vibe is practical, not polished.
Chronicles of Vientiane
Vientiane became the capital of the Lao kingdom in the mid-16th century, replacing Luang Prabang. The French colonial period (1893–1953) left grid‑like streets and shuttered shophouses, most visibly along the Mekong riverfront. After decades of conflict and the 1975 communist takeover, the city’s architecture mended slowly, with Buddhist temples and concrete block buildings standing side by side. Today its identity is a relaxed, one‑time capital, quieter than its neighbours, where baguettes are as common as sticky rice and the main draw is a slower pace of life.
Best Time to Visit
Full Vientiane guide →Best months
November to February. Cooler and drier, with daytime highs around 28–30°C. Crowds are moderate, the riverfront is liveable, and Walking Street markets run reliably.
Peak / festival surge
Peak falls in December and January for the cool season and Buddhist Lent end (Boun Ok Phansa) in October, which draws processions and boat races. Hotel prices can double in December. February’s That Luang Festival also spikes demand.
Budget shoulder season
March and October. March is hot but before the monsoon rains; October sees the tail of rains and the Ok Phansa festival. Rooms are discounted 20–40% versus peak.
Weather & packing
July sits squarely in the wet season: torrential afternoon downpours and high humidity. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or umbrella in your day bag — always, even if the morning is clear.
Live City Briefing — Vientiane
- The Vientiane–Nong Khai railway extension now links directly to the Chinese network; trains run daily from Khamsavath station, making cross‑border travel much simpler than the Friendship Bridge bus alone.
- Patuxay Park has been revamped with a new fountain and walkways, completed in late 2025 — worth a look for a quieter evening stroll.
- Heavy monsoon rains in July often cause the Mekong to rise, flooding riverside bars and restaurants; check the evening high‑water level before booking a table on the sandbanks.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to SP Apartments, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on floors 3 or 4, facing away from the main street (likely Samsenthai or similar) for reduced traffic noise. Mid-level floors avoid street-level bustle and lift motor hum.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms — nearest to street noise and foot traffic. Also avoid top-floor rooms if the lift machine room is overhead (common in budget hotels). Rooms facing the front directly overlook Vientiane's main roads, which can be busy with tuk-tuks and motorbikes until late.
Best views
Rooms at the back or side offer views over neighbour roofs and trees — typical Vientiane cityscape. Front-facing rooms may have a view of the street but with more noise. No river or landmark view at this 3-star address.
Quietest floors
Floors 2–4 are generally quietest, provided they are not directly above the lobby or bar area. Request a rear-facing room on these floors.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from motorbikes and tuk-tuks is the main issue. Vientiane is generally quiet by 10pm but early morning traffic (6–7am) can be loud. Lift and corridor noise on floors near the lift shaft.
Insider tips
1. Check for a free breakfast — many 3-star hotels in Vientiane include it, and it saves wandering for morning food. 2. Request a room at check-in if possible; the front desk may offer a quieter back room if you ask politely, even if your booking is standard.
- 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 — SP Apartments
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms; speed roughly 10 Mbps. No login, just connects.
No lift – three-storey walk-up only.
No newspapers. Some rooms have a small safe. The building is a converted 1970s shophouse with original wooden stairs.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available from 08:00. Late check-out until 12:00 for 100,000 LAK extra.
Free storage at reception on check-in/out day.
No step-free access. Front door has a step; no ramp or wheelchair entry.
No on-site parking. Free street parking nearby, but spaces fill by 09:00. Closest public car park is 500 m at Lao Plaza, 10,000 LAK/night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full payment due at booking; a cash deposit of 200,000 LAK is required at check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Nagas Shrine (732 m · ~9 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດສີອຳມຜອນ (785 m · ~10 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ວັດນັກ ວັດນັກ (858 m · ~11 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Vat Nak Noy (927 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
COPE Visitor Centre — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
Kids Paradise — 528 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
bfl — 752 m · ~9 min walk
Ketnaly — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Pavina — 256 m · ~3 min walk
Central Bus Station (CBS-2) — 3.1 km · ~39 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Lao Kip, LAK
Banks and gold shops along Rue Samsenthai give fair rates; avoid the airport and hotel exchange desks which take a heavy cut.
Cards work in mid-range hotels, bigger restaurants and supermarkets, but cash is king at markets, street stalls and local eateries; contactless is rare.
Not expected or necessary. Rounding up the bill or leaving a few coins for good service is appreciated but never demanded.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small cup of Lao-style black coffee from a street cart costs around 5,000–8,000 LAK (usually with condensed milk unless you say 'black').
A bowl of noodle soup (pho or khao piak sen) from a local shop costs about 15,000–25,000 LAK.
A main dish of larb or fried rice in a basic restaurant runs 30,000–50,000 LAK.
The Chao Anouvong Park riverside and the strip near the Morning Market (Talat Sao) are reliable spots for grilled meats, papaya salad and noodle plates in the evening.
Phimphone Market and smaller local minimarts cover basics; for a proper supermarket try Phimphone Minimart or the bigger stores near the Talat Sao area.
Talat Sao (Morning Market) and the small shops along Rue Hengboun have cheap T‑shirts, sarongs and knock‑off sportswear.
Local songthaews (shared pick‑ups) charge about 10,000–20,000 LAK per ride within the city; from the airport a tuk‑tuk into town costs around 40,000–60,000 LAK.
Eat at the food stalls or local noodle shops instead of tourist‐facing restaurants; haggle politely at markets and tuk‑tuk drivers always quote too high – agree a price before you get in; buy bottled water and snacks from minimarts not 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 SP Apartments
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · bfl — 752 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Ketnaly — 1.0 km · ~13 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 SP Apartments?
Request rooms on floors 3 or 4, facing away from the main street (likely Samsenthai or similar) for reduced traffic noise. Mid-level floors avoid street-level bustle and lift motor hum.
Which rooms should I avoid at SP Apartments?
Avoid ground-floor rooms — nearest to street noise and foot traffic. Also avoid top-floor rooms if the lift machine room is overhead (common in budget hotels). Rooms facing the front directly overlook Vientiane's main roads, which can be busy with tuk-tuks and motorbikes until late.
Is SP Apartments noisy?
Street noise from motorbikes and tuk-tuks is the main issue. Vientiane is generally quiet by 10pm but early morning traffic (6–7am) can be loud. Lift and corridor noise on floors near the lift shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at SP Apartments?
Rooms at the back or side offer views over neighbour roofs and trees — typical Vientiane cityscape. Front-facing rooms may have a view of the street but with more noise. No river or landmark view at this 3-star address.
What are insider tips for staying at SP Apartments?
1. Check for a free breakfast — many 3-star hotels in Vientiane include it, and it saves wandering for morning food. 2. Request a room at check-in if possible; the front desk may offer a quieter back room if you ask politely, even if your booking is standard.
What time is check-in at SP Apartments?
Check-in at SP Apartments is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does SP Apartments have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms; speed roughly 10 Mbps. No login, just connects.
Is there a city or tourist tax at SP Apartments?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near SP Apartments?
A bowl of noodle soup (pho or khao piak sen) from a local shop costs about 15,000–25,000 LAK.
What is the cheapest way to get around from SP Apartments?
Local songthaews (shared pick‑ups) charge about 10,000–20,000 LAK per ride within the city; from the airport a tuk‑tuk into town costs around 40,000–60,000 LAK.
When is the best time to visit Vientiane?
November to February. Cooler and drier, with daytime highs around 28–30°C. Crowds are moderate, the riverfront is liveable, and Walking Street markets run reliably.
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.