I started counting and realized that in the past 18 months of traveling as a nomad, mostly in Southeast Asia, a full month of which was spent in Thailand, I’ve slept in no fewer than 157 beds, tents, hostels, guest houses, apartments, homes, home-stays, and even concrete beds.
That’s a lot of places to lay one’s head!
Thailand is the place I’ve spent the most time during my Southeast Asia travels, rounding out about 4 months there. I have a few places I always return to, and plenty that made a huge impression.
I base my ratings and reviews of hostels on three main things: cleanliness, social atmosphere, and staff. At most of the following hostels, I ended up meeting really amazing people, had a good experience with the staff, and found the rooms to be clean.
Please keep in mind that I’m a budget-oriented traveler, who likes a good value for my money, meaning I won’t go for the cheapest, dirtiest option just to save a few bucks, but I won’t spring for a luxurious suite either.
The booking links are in the title of each hostel:
Bangkok
I have mentioned that I’m not a big fan of Khao San road and would recommend that anyone traveling in Bangkok stay far and away from it. I am, however, a fan of LubD due to location: Siam Square, which is near great street food, a major BTS station stop, and a big mall with an excellent food court.
Chiang Mai
I’ve stayed at Deejai four times now, mainly because it’s huge and therefore provides tons of opportunities to meet other awesome backpackers. It’s also located very close to the Sunday night market, which is high on almost everyone’s list for things to see and do while in Chiang Mai.
It’s also located in the old town, which means it’s pretty much walking distance, or a 60 THB tuktuk ride to anywhere else in the old town, and it’s never too far from awesome street food.
Pai
I stayed at Spicy Pai for the first time in December 2012, then returned in November 2013. The first time around, it was a party atmosphere in a beautiful location. The second time around, it was clear the hostel wants to shed the party reputation, but it’s still a beautiful and peaceful setting, with good rates and plenty of opportunities to meet other travelers.
The best places to hang out in Pai are the outdoor bars, anyways, so meet a few amazing people in the bamboo dorm rooms, and head out to enjoy all of the wonderful things that Pai has to offer.
Sukhothai
Don’t let the name fool you – this isn’t a bougie resort but rather, a really nice guest house with amazing staff. I stayed here for two nights while exploring Sukhothai and was shocked to find that, just because I had booked ahead, a driver was waiting for me with a sign when I stepped off of the bus at the main terminal, saving me a tuktuk fare.
The same driver took me to the songthaew pick-up for the old town (where there are no hostels – one stays in the new town), and even drove me to the bus station when it was time for me to depart. The customer service and pretty grounds made this place a definite must-stay if you’re visiting Sukhothai.
Koh Phangan
Relax: Smile Bungalows
Koh Phangan isn’t all about the full moon party. In fact, you can get a completely secluded beach, generally only accessible by boat, far, far away from the party revelry. The owner is always smiling, and the bungalows are a wonderful place to sleep, while the deck over the beach is a wonderful place to chill out during the day.
Bottle Beach is the kind of place people return to over and over, staying for a while each time. It may not have WiFi nor electricity during the day, but that’s exactly what some people are looking for.
Party: The Beach Village
The full moon party fell on my birthday, so I simply had to check it out. The Beach Village has dorms, bungalows, and private rooms. Stay far, far away from the 20-person dorm if you can, but otherwise, the grounds are great. There’s a swimming pool, several bars, a beautiful beach, and a transport service to take you to the madness of Haad Rin.
This is brilliant Kristin! I’m hoping to get to Thailand either in November this year or sometime next year and it’s always nice to have recommendations from likeminded travellers, thank you 🙂
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Glad to help! November is a great time to be there 🙂
This is so helpful! I’m planning my first trip to South East Asia for early 2015 and it’s great to know there are decent reccomendations while I’m settling into new towns and cities 🙂 I am slightly worried that the time of year will affect the price as I’ve discovered January -March is the high season? I’d love to hear of any cheap options you’ve come across during high season too! especially for getting away from big crowds
P.s I love your blog! I’m addicted 🙂 great job
Cara
I’d say that high season starts closer to December, especially before Christmas. The prices will be higher but it will be across the board, so these are still recommendations I stick by in both high and low season. I’ve been in Thailand in both high and low season and the price difference for accommodation wasn’t that incredibly different but they booked up quicker, so booking ahead is a good idea.
I stayed at Spicy Thai in Chiang Mai during Yi Peng last year and loved it. A lot of people went to Spicy Pai afterwards. I think they are quite similar.
As for Bangkok I stayed on the Khao San Road the first few times but these days I usually choose a hostel somewhere near a BTS station as it is way more convenient to get around. But I have yet to find the perfect one!
I actually went with the Spicy Thai group to the Yi Peng festival. We were at the same place at the same time! How funny.
I can’t stand Khao San road anymore although as a newbie I stayed there too.
Hi!
I am currently in search for a hostel in Bangkok just for a night! This will be my first day in Southeast Asia, and kind of want to meet people as I am travelling alone! Should I just stick with my hostel on around Khao San rd for convenience or is it really bad? I’m just there for a night, then heading up to Chiang Mai!
Also, can you recommend anything to do in Bangkok, I have seven hours to kill from flying in, to getting into a hostel!
Thanks for any help!
You’ll find it easiest to meet people staying on Kao San road and if it’s your first time it’s not the worst place to spend just a day. The closest attractions are the Grand Palace and Wat Po.
Thanks for this post! I might try the hostels when I’m in Thailand:)
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Well, guess who this is gonna help out in November? This girl 🙂
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Excellent 🙂 I have a post about to go up on Cambodian hostels as well!
Planning on traveling to Thailand in the next year. Some wonderful suggestions and insights. Thanks!
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Glad to help! I love these places.
Thank you for this list, just what I have been looking for! I’m leaving Abu Dhabi to head back to Scotland tomorrow…that means my next trip is Thailand this summer! Probably too much info but I’m just so excited 🙂
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You should be excited it’s going to be awesome!
I’ll be checking these out when I visit for myself! Any recommendations for Bali? I’ve had trouble finding any with half decent reviews with a good location.
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Traveling from September to November, How is the weather? Thank you for your insights!
Still some pretty hot days but it’s always hot here so no worries. November is a nice time.
This is very helpful! I will be in Thailand this coming Month and I will be visiting some of the places listed here. Good thing that you made a reviews about those places. I can’t wait to be there.
Great! Such a helpful blog in here. Can’t wait to have a Thailand travel.=D
Hi Kristin! I’ve been using your website religiously to prepare for my 4 month backpacking trip to Southeast Asia this fall. One of the things that I definitely want to do is go to Chiang Mai for the Lantern Festival in November. I’ve read online that you should booked a place to stay way in advance but I’m hesitant to do that in case my plans change (meaning my arrival date may be earlier/later than expected but before November 6th). Do you agree with the internet that I should still book a room now or wait until I get to Southeast Asia which will be in September. Thanks!
September should still be OK, but the earlier the better for sure.
I am travelling around Asia with my friend for around 2 weeks with my friend at the end of July/start of August. We are 18 and I was wondering how safe it is for us to stay in hostels etc considering we are two young women? Any help would be appreciated.
Also, what kind of budget would you suggest for 10 days (minus visas and flights) We are very happy to live off local food and cheap accommodation. We are also planning on travelling via trains.
Thank you in advance 🙂
EllenX
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I never feel like hostels are dangerous. They’re always full of people which is great. Just go with ones that have good reviews. Here are my personal favorites:https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/best-hostels-in-thailand/
Here’s a budget breakdown for what I spent in Thailand: https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/thailand-budget/
Have fun!
I’ve stayed at Sila in Sukhothai before as well – the owner is a very nice man! The Wi-Fi wasn’t the best though … has it improved any in the past couple of years?
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I don’t think the Wifi was good but that’s pretty standard in SE Asia, really.
My favorite hostel in Bangkok Etzz Hostel near Lumpini Park. It is really easy to reach on public transit from both the airport and train station. Try it next time!
Also loving the new look!
Any suggestions for Ton Sai?
There wasn’t any Wifi when I was staying there so pre-booking wasn’t a possibility. I’d just show up and walk to whichever bungalows look good. Viking is one I’ve stayed in before and while the location is good, I woke up covered in ants one day. That wasn’t fun.
How funny! I stayed at the Lubd in Siam Square AND Deejai backpackers! Loved both places =)
Great hostels for sure.
Why would anybody stay in a Hostel in South East Asia when a Guesthouse (your own room, your own shower, a nice cafedownstairs) is cheaper? To see 18 year old Asutralians and a guitar? Go to a guesthouse, let the hostels for ignorant LonelyPlanet “tourists”.
Hostel and guesthouse are pretty much synonymous in Southeast Asia. If you ask for a guest house or hostel there, you’ll be pointed to the exact same thing. Most offer private rooms and group rooms. Same same, so you can step off your pedestal now 🙂
That is not true. A hostel can have private rooms, but specializes in having shared rooms where they can earn a lot more money per room charging backpackers for each bed.
A guesthouse in Thailand is a traditional low-price hotel, where you pay for the room, even when the bathroom can be shared or not. Guest-houses generally do not have dorms. In some touristic places part of the “banana-pancake trail” (Viang Vieng – Angkor – 4000 Thousand Islands – Phi Phi – Full Moon) guesthouses will have dorms, but we are speaking about travelers, not vodka-bucket destroyers (R.I.P.: Koh Lipe, you will be missed).
Did you actually read the post? By your definition I have both “hostels” and “guest houses” listed here. I spent 2 years traveling through Southeast Asia. I’ve had shared rooms in guest houses (which did have dorms from time to time), people smashing vodka buckets in guest houses, and have had private rooms in hostels. To me they are the same and for the purposes of not confusing anyone, this post just has the best “places” I liked to stay during my time in SEA.
If you don’t like the title of this post, you don’t have to read it. Simple as that. This is a silly argument.
Are you so afraid of “losing face”? Or somebody knowing that your attempt to monetize a little “gappy year or two” is not exactly professional? Read Travelfish, please. That´s my last comment from here. Way to confirm what I think of South Cali girls.
I do read travel fish. They’ve even linked to a post of mine before, which I guess means they agree I’m an authority on the subject of Southeast Asia. So, very sorry to see you go, Pablo.
I was surfing your website once again and came across this post (once again) annnd I HAD to mention Bunchun. The owner is this flamboyant, hilarious, friendly Thai man who grew up in San Fran. They take you out on outings, lady-boy cabaret shows, get you to mix and mingle. And they are super big on art (as you know, the rest of Chiang Mai is)! I found it a really great place to stay when I was new in SEA. It’s located right by the Chiang Mai Plaza (the big hotel sort of thingy). God it’s been almost 2 years =(
I love your blogs, they take me back! Keep it up, love!
Where’s that one? I haven’t heard of it but sounds fun!
Great suggestions! I’m heading to a lot of the same places in August/September, so I’ll make sure I check a few of these out!
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Great hostels listed here. I love to stay in a hostel rather than in a hotel. I appreciate the hostel culture very much, because there are a lot of things to learn from hostel life.
Hi Kristin! Just came across your blog, it’s very helpful, thanks! Quick question, my initial intinerary goes a little like this; 2 nights Bangkok, 3 nights Chiang Mai, 8 nights Krabi, 1 night Bangkok (we fly in & out of there), was just wondering if you recommend staying in Krabi for the full 8 nights… Do you recommend the hotels?
Thanks a lot!
take a boat to Railay or Tonsai from Krabi for at least a few of those days https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/tonsai/
Thank you so much.
Great job! This is really very useful since I am planning my vacation this year to Thailand. I was really worried about accommodation, since if it is not good it can ruin my entire vacation