Laos's capital is small but surprisingly spread out, so picking the right neighbourhood matters more than you'd think — especially on a two- or three-day visit. The latest guide from Destinationless Travel breaks Vientiane into three practical bases, each with hotel picks across budgets.

The overall favourite is Ban Haysoke and the City Centre, and it's easy to see why. Restaurants, cafés, markets and the Mekong riverfront are all within walking distance, along with major sights like Wat Sisaket, Haw Phra Kaew and the Presidential Palace. Patuxai Monument is a short tuk-tuk ride away. It's not the prettiest part of the city — traffic is real and the architecture is forgettable — but for first-timers the convenience wins. Top pick here is the Lao Poet Hotel, a stylish black-faced property with a rooftop infinity pool and rooms from about $120 a night. Splash-out option: the Settha Palace Hotel, an Indochine-era classic with marble bathrooms and airport transfers in a vintage London taxi, from around $160. Budget travellers can look at Xaysomboun Hotel & SPA, with a rooftop pool and sky bar from roughly $50 including breakfast.

Second option: the Riverfront. This stretch along the Mekong is at its best in the evening, when the night market, street food stalls and riverside park fill up. It's a romantic, lively base, though sunset hours get crowded and market-facing rooms can be noisy — check your room's orientation if you're a light sleeper. The Amari Vientiane is the standout here, a huge five-star with an infinity pool, five restaurants and a 15th-floor club lounge, often between $90 and $110 a night. The mid-range Eastin Hotel adds a free shuttle into the centre, while La Seine Boutique Hotel suits couples who want a wine cellar and jazz lounge next to the night market.

Third: Sikhottabong, near Wattay International Airport. This one's for travellers who'd rather have a spacious, upscale hotel than be steps from the sights — the Champa Phan Boutique Hotel has a pool, garden and sauna, and sits about 3km from the airport.

A few logistics worth noting. Tuk-tuks are everywhere and cheap for short hops, but anything beyond the centre needs transport. Buddha Park, one of the region's strangest and most photogenic sights, is about 25km out — reachable by public bus, tuk-tuk, taxi or tour. Some hotels run free shuttles to the centre and airport, so ask before booking. Best months for sightseeing are November to February, when the weather is comfortable but rooms go fast.

The guide's sharpest advice: Vientiane punishes last-minute bookers. Good hotels sell out months ahead, leaving the overpriced dregs for late planners. The sweet spot is booking three to four months in advance — early enough to lock in a rate and a decent room, without committing absurdly far out. If you're eyeing somewhere specific like the Lao Poet or Settha Palace, that timing is the difference between a great base and a compromise.