The 9 Best Hostels in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Find your perfect base in the heart of Thailand: a guide to the best hostels in Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai has long been a magnet for backpackers looking for culture, stunning landscapes and a thriving social scene. Amidst its ancient temples and night markets, the city boasts some incredible hostels that are more than just a place to rest your head. In the ‘land of smiles’, these are places to build connections and friendships to treasure long after you’ve eaten your last Pad Thai. Based on atmosphere, activities, design and cleanliness, these are the 9 best hostels in Chiang Mai.
1. Hidden Garden Hostel
Tucked away at the edge of Chiang Mai’s Old City, Hidden Garden Hostel is a haven for the weary travller. This hostel is loved for its lush courtyard garden, with a beautiful pool surrounded by greenery. The decor features cosy dormitories and private rooms adorned with linen textiles and handcrafted furnishings. The spacious common areas are beautifully designed with terracotta tiles, rattan furniture and a complimentary all day snack bar. It’s not a party hostel per se, but is still wonderfully social thanks to its open layout and group trips; take part in guided city tours and excursions, Muay Thai classes or cooking classes.
Dorms from: £11 / $14 per night
Location: Just outside Old Town
2. Hostel Lullaby
If free yoga classes, free Thai cooking classes, free Muay Thai boxing classes and a bottomless snack table sound up your street, you’ll love the award-winning Hostel Lullaby. The hostel explicitly states that they aren’t a party hostel, and instead, the focus here is on community and creativity. They regularly host live music nights, open mic sessions and art workshops, where you can connect with fellow travellers and socialise without the heavy drinking. Inside, the rooms are clean and spacious, with crisp white interiors and murals covering the walls. The lush courtyard garden is a favourite gathering spot, perfect for evening chats or morning yoga sessions.
Dorms from: £12 / $15 per night
Location: Old Town
3. Revolution Chiang Mai
With a slogan of ‘go hard, adventure hard’, tipsy bingo, pub quizzes and cheap cocktail buckets, this is the place to come for your party fix. A fun, sociable hostel with the emphasis on… well, both of those things! Let your hair down at one of their many social events, relax and have fun in the pool with inflatable flamingos, try your hand at a Thai cooking class or take advantage of the hostels excellent Old Town location – you’re just steps away from ancient temples and night markets. Inside, the rooms are simple, clean and modern, with pops of colour and rainfall showers. Revolution Hostel do warn you that things can get rowdy, so bring your best beer pong skills and let loose – party hostels don’t come better than this.
Dorms from: £8 / $10 per night
Location: Old Town
4. Give Me 5 Hostel
Trees festooned in fairy lights and an al-fresco courtyard greet you as you enter Give me 5 Hostel. Another hostel that avoids the traditional party atmosphere, here the emphasis is on helping you relax and unwind. Rooms are thoughtfully designed, with warm wood, crisp white linens and spacious layouts. After a long day of exploring, few things beat enjoying a craft beer from their on-site bar, sitting on the outside terrace beneath twinkling lights and listening to live acoustic music sessions. Make your own krathongs (candle-lit offerings made from banana leaves, flowers etc) for the annual Loy Krathong festival and enjoy the gentle, social atmosphere that lets you do what you want, when you want. There’s no crazy schedule to keep here – enjoy and savour your time.
Dorms from: £9 / $11 per night
Location: Old Town
5. Mad Monkey Hostel
The grandfather of all party hostels, few places know how to raise the roof quite like Mad Monkey does. Their ethos is about bringing people together and creating meaningful memories. The hostel itself is equipped with a large saltwater pool, a gym, a bar and restaurant, yoga spaces and more, while the rooms are clean and modern with all the amenities you need. The atmosphere is electric yet friendly, fostering a sense of community among backpackers from around the globe. What sets Mad Monkey apart is their daily roster of events and activities. From nightly pub crawls and themed parties to cooking classes and cultural tours, there’s always something exciting happening.
Dorms from: £8 / $10 per night
Location: Near Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and Tha Phae gate
6. Amaka Bed & Breakfast
Surely one of the most Pinterest-worthy hostels in Chiang Mai, Amaka is a place to soothe your soul and relax. One of the less social hostels we’ve featured, if you’re looking for somewhere quiet and private to rest your head, this is the spot. The rooms are handcrafted with pine wood and cosy taupe linens, giving it a warm, cosy atmosphere that’s just asking to be enjoyed with a coffee and a good book. Classes and excursions can be arranged and the cafe next door serves up delicious breakfasts every morning. They’ll also make a packed lunch for you, for those long days of exploring. Its location just outside the Old Town is ideal for temple hopping and street wandering too. A beautiful stay that offers a respite for travellers who need some alone time, without breaking the bank.
Dorms from: £11 / $14 per night
Location: Near Old Town
7. Entaneer Poshtel
Just a short walk from Chiang Mai Old Town, Entaneer Poshtel are seriously raising the bar for what a hostel can be. The beautiful interiors are thoughtfully designed, with warm wood, spacious rooms and lush greenery. The dorm rooms here are exceptional; with a maximum of 6 beds per dorm, each double bed is separated from the other by a wall and privacy curtain, making these feel more like private pods than your basic bunk bed. Equipped with storage lockers, personal plug sockets and a reading light, there isn’t much more you can ask for from a hostel. And yet, on top of that you have access to clean, hot showers as well as a delicious free breakfast each morning. While this isn’t a party hostel, the social vibe here is still strong, with a large communal area with TV and sound system, board games and on-site bar. Weekly activities include market trips, cooking classes and movie nights, so you’ll never be stuck for something to do. There’s a reason that reviewers say this is the best hostel they’ve stayed at.
Dorms from: £18 / $23 per night
Location: Near Old Town
8. Sylvis Hostel Chiang Mai
Located right on the edge of Old Town, Sylvis Hostel is a chic and sociable hostel that’s right in the heart of the action. The beautifully designed, open plan teakwood building has a huge common area housing outdoor courtyards and a cocktail bar, while the dorms and rooms are sleek and modern, with individual power outlets, reading lights, AC and high-speed internet. Their dorm room beds are comfortable and spacious, with Queen-size options available, built into the wall with curtains for excellent privacy. Take part in one of their many social events and don’t forget to try your free nightly ‘flaming rainbow shot’ from the excellent cocktail bar!
Dorms from: £10 / $13 per night
Location: Near Old Town
9. About a Bed Hostel
It’s pure Scandi vibes at this beautifully appointed hostel on the northern outskirts of Old Town. It’s a warm and welcoming sanctuary from the busy city outside, loved for its intimate atmosphere and exceptional service from the staff. Guests can relax in the spacious common areas, with bookshelves, bean bags and free tea and coffee all day. The dorm rooms are beautifully designed, with private beds built into the wall that include a personal socket, ambient lighting and free towels. There’s a chill atmosphere here, with enough social areas to help you connect and meet other travellers, but also enough space to find some downtime if you need it.
Dorms from: £9 / $12 per night
Location: Near Old Town
Things to Do
