to stay or not to stay?
HOSTELS - SOUTH EAST ASIA EDITION
As a backpacker, choosing the right place to stay can sometimes be a little challenging and as much as we say we aren’t going to leave it too late to book. Somehow it happens. No one wants to pay the earth only to discover the place they have booked into isn’t worth the money and nothing like what they expected. I’ve compiled a list of a few I stayed in from my trip in Feb-May. All ratings are based on my experiences and mine alone, in no way have I been asked to review any of these businesses.
I do wish to point out that this post does contain affiliate links which results in me getting a small commission every time someone books through one of these links, this is at no cost to the customer. All links are the titles of each hostel. I will only recommend services I have used and would use again for my own travels.
THAILAND
Bangkok – Kinnon Deluxe Hostel
Silom Soi 6 Silom Road, Suriyawong, Bangrak
Very cosy, small hostel but really comfy! Dorms are laid out nicely with a good amount of locker spare. Loved that each bed has a fold down desk and privacy curtain. Location is great with the skytrain only a short walk away and local night market pumping out great Thai street food!
Moo.2, Ko Tao
Only a short walk from the main ferry terminal. Predominantly a Spanish speaking hostel but open to everyone. If you wish to get your PADI open water certification, stay here and do it with them! Super friendly, clean and relaxing place to stay. A few cute cafes nearby. I’d recommend getting a bike if you’re staying here but wish to explore more.
Khao Sok – Khaosok Secret Hostel
192/12 Moo 6, Khlongsok, Phanom, Khao Sok
Really clean hostel with great opportunities to book to stay in the national park. Arrived with no plans and was booked in the very next day for a 2 day 1 night trip and accommodation for when I returned. The owner is very pushy for you to book with her. I experienced second hand how she treated people who hadn’t booked a tour with her but were using her accommodation and it wasn’t as nice as the treatment I received. But a nice location with lots of great Thai restaurants nearby.
Koh Lanta – Blanco Hostel@Lanta
Moo 3, T.saladan A., Koh Lanta
Nicely hidden off the main road. Two minute walk to the beach for sunset. Really nice place to stay. Scooter hire from them is reasonably priced. It’s a nice social hostel with events and friendly staff.
Koh Jum – Koh Jum Bungalow & Hostel
Possibly the only hostel on the island. I stayed in a private room to start and it was lovely. Super clean, full A/C and a very comfy double bed. The dorms however smelt of damp fabrics and mildew. Really uncomfortable, rock solid beds. Staff are lovely, friendly and super helpful. There’s bike hire, a shop next door and a great little restaurant across the road which does breakfast for 80 baht.
Panurat Road, Pak Nam, Amphoe Mueang Krabi.
Super clean capsule hostel. It’s a little way out of town but perfect if you have a flight out. They offer free shuttles at the weekend to the Night Market.
Great place to recoup and get some work done.
CAMBODIA
Angkor Night Market Street
Nice location away from Beer Street but still in walking distance. The hostel has two buildings and three pools, including a rooftop pool. Staff are super friendly. Would have loved it if the bunk curtain was bigger to cover the whole side of the bed, but that’s just a little thing. Lots of activities can be booked through reception, including buses to other cities and visits to Angkor Wat. All at a really good price! I did love that there was a bike park for anyone staying in this hostel and was manned 24/7 by a lovely team of security.
Street 242, Sangkat Chaktomuk, Khan Daun Penh
Great first location in a new country. This chain is known for its party style but they also host lots of cool trips and events. I booked onto their S21 and Killing fields day tour and it was very well organised. Also their Khmer family dinner night meant we could have a buffet of lots of traditional dishes which was great to start my two week trip here with as I had no idea about local dishes. Super clean and great staff. However the elevator was broken and walking three flights of stairs each day wasn’t fun in 38 degree heat.
Muoy Ouh Saphea Village
Great chain of hostels dotted around all the major backpacker cities in Cambodia. Really friendly, helpful staff. Walking distance to some nice restaurants and there’s an onsite cafe & bar. The pool is great but be quick getting a lounger and the bed curtains could have been bigger. Would definitely stay here again.
Saracen Bay
Beachfront hostel with a nice garden out the back. Fun and helpful staff. It’s a little pricey for the facilities but you’re paying for the remote island vibes and views. There are a few activities that can booked through reception as well as asking the staff for their recommendations. I stayed here over the Khmer New Year, so maybe the social aspect may have been more than usual.
VIETNAM
To Tich, Hoan Kiem
Really liked this hostel, so much so I booked a second stay when I revisited the city a few weeks after. Really clean, great location in the Old Quarter and each bunk has its own full curtain making it as private as you want it!
Ninh Binh (Tam Coc) – Banana Tree Hostel
Thai Vi, Tam Coc Rd, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu
Situated in the heart of Tam Coc. Lots of restaurants, karaoke buses in the square and great massage parlours nearby too. The hostel has lots of options to help you explore the area. It is a party hostel but it wasn’t as noisy as I expected it to be. The dorms have capsules and semi comfy beds.
An Thuong 2, My An, Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang
Nice little hostel, only a short walk from the beach and easy to get to the airport from. Unfortunately there were major construction works next door so the noise wasn’t great but hopefully once that’s finished it’ll be a chilled place to stay. Comfy beds and friendly staff. I only stayed for two nights.
Ho Chi Minh City – Toi’s Travel Home Central
Lê Thi Riêng, HCMC
Cute and cosy little hostel just off a main road. Great location to walk to all the tourist spots. Clean and friendly staff. A/C was incredible, the beds were super comfy and a full curtain for total privacy. They do have excursions with external companies, I booked through them to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels on an afternoon trip.
KUALA LUMPUR
Jalan Tun HS Lee.
Cute little hostel tucked away behind some of KL’s best, in my opinion, Indian restaurants. Walking distance to Central Market and Petaling Street Market. Not bad for a few nights in the city. I stayed in both a dorm and a small private room both quite clean and cosy. The walls are thin so you can hear everything and I did feel like I was in a coffin the capsule dorm bed. On the plus side there’s unlimited free tea and coffee in reception for all tenants.
Kuala Lumpur – Mingle @ Highstreet
Jalan Tun HS Lee.
Situated opposite the 1000 miles hostel. It’s a unique and quirky place to stay in the city. There is a pool located in the courtyard, however customers visiting the cafe attached can dine on pool side. The structure and layout inside the building is fun and playful. There is a small kitchen located on the top floor.
BALI & LOMBOK
Jalan Batu Bolong, X Gg. Bonton No.8
Absolutely loved this hostel! Super clean, very chic and relaxed vibes. The staff were super accommodating and helpful. The rooms are quite spacious and each bed has a full curtain for privacy, a safe deposit box and light. I found there was ample space in each bunk with a shelf at the tail of the bed and a ledge for water, as well as room to charge devices without them being on the bed with you. Location is nice, set back off the main road, walking distance to lots of nice cafes, restaurants and boutiques. Only downside was there weren’t enough lounges or beanbags to chill around the pool.
Jalan Mawun, Kuta Lombok
This is a new hostel tucked away a short distance from the main strip. It’s tranquil and calm, with a cute cafe style bar on the property and two warungs nearby. I did hire a scooter to make it easier to visit the town from here as it seemed a lot safer than walking. Another nicely done capsule hostel with double bed capsules for couples or for those who just want more space. Staff were really friendly and helpful. It wasn’t the most sociable hostel but it was perfect for what I needed.
