Vientiane · Laos
Vientiane Ruby Backpackers Hostel
Bed bug reports
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Confirmed Hostelworld
Warning: Bedbugs in roomGood location, but wouldn't stay again. We checked out early because of bedbugs. I had many bites and we found traces on the mattress. Previous guests even wrote a warning in the locker. The vibe was uncomfortable with mostly drunk older men around, not a typical social backpacker hostel. Staff offered other rooms, but we left due to hygiene. They refused a refund for our final night.
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Confirmed Booking.com
We had bed bugs in our first room and the ac didn’t work. The second room we were moved to the toilet seat was broken, the sink was clogged and the shower head kept screwing off when we were using it.
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Confirmed Booking.com
Asked to change bed sheets as there were stains on it. Clearly they havent changed it from guest to guest. Terrible shower stream, hot water not fuctioining well. Breakfast was a joke, almost nothing except fruits and bread with butter. a lot of mosquitos around it so it wasnt tempting. Overall definitly not worth the money for value.
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Vibe Analysis
Vientiane Ruby Backpackers Hostel sits in a handy central Vientiane location, close to the night market, Mekong, restaurants, and onward transport links. It can work as a cheap one-night transit stop when location matters more than comfort. Some beds are comfortable, and breakfast can be okay in a basic eggs-toast-rice-fruit way. There is a small pool, but its condition seems unreliable rather than a dependable perk. The rough parts are not tiny footnotes. Cleanliness, drainage, smells, room upkeep, and staff handling can be seriously weak. Rooms may be smaller or more basic than expected, sometimes without windows, and the place can feel more like a loose backpacker hostel than a polished hotel. The atmosphere is uneven and can feel uncomfortable, especially around the pool and common areas. This is a low-expectations pick for a short stop, not a place to bank on for sleep, security, or a clean reset.
Signals to check
- Bedbugs have been found in more than one room.
- Bathrooms can have mold, blocked drains, standing water, sewer smells, ants, cockroaches, and missing toilet paper or soap.
- Dorm doors and some room doors may not lock properly; lockers and security systems may be unreliable.
- Solo women may find the atmosphere uncomfortable or unsafe, especially with drunk older men and random people around common areas.
- The pool can be dirty, cloudy, smoky, or hard to use safely because of broken rails.
- Rooms may be much smaller than advertised, not match photos, lack windows, or have broken AC, lights, toilets, fridges, remotes, or showers.
- Staff handling can be rude, disorganized, or slow, with room moves, check-in delays, laundry problems, and weak follow-through.
- Payment and booking issues may include card surcharges, no Mastercard, odd exchange rates, overcharging, double charging, or sudden price changes.