So if your like me and absolutely love to read any and every review about somewhere you stay before you actually stay there then I hope that you'll find this handy. I spent most of my time booking accommodation through trip advisor, bookings or word of mouth from other travellers. This as you can imagine was a pretty simple process. I think I've had more access to wifi in Thailand than anywhere else I've ever been, and there was me thinking that I wouldn't be speaking to people much back home. (silly me I know)
Some of the places were slightly questionable and don't get me wrong trusting reviews are always based upon personal experiences, and some places might not be up to others standards! But these were my top 3 for my few months in Thailand.
1. Pakup Hostel - Krabbi
I found this hostel really clean, helpful staff and good recreational areas. I booked a few nights here before island hopping to Koh Phi Phi for a few days, and stayed back here on my return. Each room has a theme which I thought was a really personal touch. All the beds inside the rooms were named within the theme. Great idea whoever thought of that!
There's also a cash point across the road, which is really helpful if you have just come from another island and need to get cash out to pay for your room or food.
Down the hill from the hostel is the night market that I ate at most nights I was here. We found a crazy lady (not literally) who looked after us when we ordered our food and shouted rather loudly if anything was forgotten. But I tend to get on well with slightly odd people so I ate at her stall pretty much every night.
The beds in Pakup are so comfortable and a welcome haven from some of the metal, ricketty bunks beds I had become accustomed to. They each had a lockable drawer under the beds for personal belongings and large enough to fit your whole backpack in. Genius.
The bathrooms were lovely and clean and there was hot water, hooray! Another luxury I had gotten used to living without, and not being too upset if I didn't have it!
All in all I've put this at number one as I really enjoyed my stay, had everything you could possibly want out of a backpacker hostel. Thrown in with staff that were very helpful you can't go wrong. I would recommend the four island tour I paid around 500 Bhat for the day trip and it was worth it to avoid the crowds going direct to Railay beach.
2. NapPark - Bangkok
This was my very first hostel I stayed in fresh off the plane from the UK. As you can imagine having never been further than a three hour flight away from home, I didn't quite know what I was letting myself in for.
Arriving at Nappark about a half hour drive from the airport, which cost me about 500 Bhat, (I split this with another traveller) I was pleasantly surprised. It was a relaxed, informal hostel literally 2 minutes walk from Koh San Road. I stayed here twice, on my arrival and before I flew out of Bangkok to Australia.
The first time I stayed in the premium dorm and the second time in the 22 bed. As you can imagine the premium dorm was much more spacious and less noisy, but the 22 bed dorms weren't too bad considering. The only reason why I would go for the premium again is for the air con. The cheaper rooms get turned off around midnight, and I got very hot during the night, not a win win situation. With 21 other bodies breathing the same air as you!
Bathrooms and beds were clean and comfortable, and they offer a good shuttle service back to the airport if you don't want to spend the money on a taxi. Wi-fi use throughout the building and computers to use in reception with lockers in your rooms. All in all a good all rounder.
2. Deejai Backpacker - Chiang Mai
Click here for website
So this was one of the hostels that I spent most of my time in as I really fell in love with Chiang Mai. I spent around £2 a night to stay here, I know what a steal! As you can imagine you get what you pay for. The rooms weren't luxurious by any means, but you get a bed and bathroom. What more do you need! The staff were really helpful and if you wanted to book extra nights this could be arranged easily.
There was an on site communal area with food facilities. I wasn't able to connect to Wi-fi through the whole building but it was best in the communal area. If you are a social butterfly they host bbq's and bonfires at their communal garden area 1 minute walk just along the road. It was a great way to meet new people, and if you didn't want to go into the city for food then you could eat here. I have to say the food was amazing!
They also have a swimming pool, hammocks and a pool table available for people to use. This came in handy for the extremely hot afternoons after exploring the city.
If you want to be able to explore the night markets then its an easy walk from the hostel. We also hired bicycles from a nearby shop and cycled around the city for the day. Not the easiest thing to do, as you have to be quite brave with the traffic! The hostel also offers an onsite motorbike hire which we drove up to the mountain temple, again not for the faint hearted, and always make sure you have travel insurance that covers you for this!
Overall good value for money if you are straped for cash and don't want to dip too much into those valuable savings!
Happy hostelling!
Anyone else have their favourite hostels in Thailand feel free to comment below, I love to hear about other peoples experiences!
