{"id":265409,"date":"2024-02-20T09:15:37","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T14:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=265409"},"modified":"2025-08-16T13:38:58","modified_gmt":"2025-08-16T17:38:58","slug":"best-hostels-chiang-mai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/best-hostels-chiang-mai\/","title":{"rendered":"The 7 Best Hostels in Chiang Mai"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chiang Mai<\/a> is the most popular destination in northern Thailand<\/a>. It\u2019s a hub for travelers looking to go trekking in the jungle or visit the nearby elephant sanctuaries<\/a>. I love it here. I was there recently and glad to see that, even post-COVID, the vibe the city has remained the same (it’s one of the best places for food in the country).<\/p>\n As a popular travel hub, the city is awash in hostels. There\u2019s something for every travel type and budget. <\/p>\n To help you pick out of the hundreds of options available, below is my list of the best hostels in Chiang Mai. <\/p>\n If you don\u2019t want to read the longer list, the following are the best in each category:<\/p>\n While the dorm beds in the larger rooms are basic (simple bunks with no curtains), the mattresses are thick and quite comfortable. The smaller dorms also only have single beds so there are no bunks. You also get your own little alcove so it feels much more private than the standard dorm. (Note: while the smaller dorms have AC, the larger eight-person dorms only have a fan (it’s a personal fan though).) <\/p>\n This is the best hostel in the city. If you can find a room, stay here!<\/p>\n Stamps at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n The hostel also has a pool if you want to hang out and relax, as well as a rooftop terrace where you can take in the view. While breakfast is not included, they do offer free snacks all day. The bathrooms are all clean and well-maintained and the showers have decent pressure too. Located right on the southern outskirts of the Old City, it\u2019s super easy to get around the city from here.<\/p>\n Hidden Garden Hostel at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n Like most party hostels, the dorm beds are pretty basic (but still comfortable). There are lockers in each room and most beds have privacy curtains too (rare in party hostels). It\u2019s one of the cheapest hostels in the city too, making it the best choice for budget travelers who want to party.<\/p>\n Mad Monkey at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n The hostel itself is pretty no-frills. The dorm rooms aren\u2019t huge, but the beds are really comfy. There are individual reading lights, lockers, and privacy curtains for each bed as well. It\u2019s a chill spot with lots of free perks, offering budget travelers a ton of value.<\/p>\n Hotel Lullaby at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n The dorms aren\u2019t huge, but they have outlets, lockers, and AC. The dorm beds are super basic and only have thin mattresses and no curtains. However, the private rooms here are actually super comfortable and boast thick mattresses. It\u2019s a good hostel for budget travelers looking to splash out on a cheap private room.<\/p>\n Dozy House at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s also located right near the Chang Phuak Night Market, where you can find some of the best street food in the city, as well as the centuries-old Wat Lok Moli temple.<\/p>\n About a Bed at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n They also enforce a midnight quiet hour so you can still get a decent sleep. The dorms beds are quite comfy, with thick mattresses, privacy curtains, and individual lights and outlets. They beds are also pod-style, so you have more privacy. The shared bathrooms are large and well-maintained, with lots of space and great water pressure. <\/p>\n Sylvis Hostel Chiangmai at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n A lively hub of backpackers, expats, foodies, and digital nomads, Chiang Mai<\/a> is a must-visit stop on any trip to Thailand<\/a>. Stay in one of the hostels above and have a fun, affordable, and nice place to stay! My detailed 350+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guidebooks and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel around Thailand. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n Get all my best Southeast Asia travel tips & free planning guides sent straight to your inbox <\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
\nWant the specifics? Here\u2019s my breakdown of the best hostels in Chiang Mai and why I love them: <\/p>\n1. Stamps Backpackers<\/h3>\n

\nRight on the outskirts of the Old City, this is a super social hostel. They organize events every single night and there’s a bar on-site that’s open to the public so you can mingle with locals and travelers alike (they have a great happy hour). They also have a tour desk and they organize day trips from the city. What I especially found helpful was their blackboard where travelers can post their plans.<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n2. Hidden Garden Hostel<\/h3>\n

\nThis hostel is incredibly charming, with beautiful architecture and a minimalist design that features lots of exposed wood. It has a boutique feel to it, with large and spacious dorms that don\u2019t feel crowded. The dorm beds are super comfortable and feature individual lights, outlets, and curtains so you can get a good sleep. It\u2019s a social hostel, but not party centric. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n3. Mad Monkey Chiang Mai<\/h3>\n

\nStay here if you want to party. It\u2019s super lively, with lots of things happening every night, from bar crawls to drinking games. You get a free drink on arrival, which really sets the tone for the hostel. It\u2019s super easy to meet people here. There\u2019s a saltwater pool as well as a bar and restaurant on site as well as lots of common spaces, including a gym and yoga space. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n4. Hostel Lullaby<\/h3>\n

\nThis award-winning hostel offers tons of free perks, including free breakfast, free bike rentals, and free daily classes (such as Thai boxing or yoga). It\u2019s a laid-back hostel but not overly social (it\u2019s definitely not a party place). There are lots of communal spaces to hang out, both indoors and out as well. It\u2019s right in the middle of the Old City so it\u2019s super easy to get around from here.<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n5. Dozy House<\/h3>\n

\nLocated in the Old City (sense a them here?), this is a homely, comfortable hostel with a super friendly owner who is always happy to help make your stay enjoyable. There are colorful murals and art on the walls, and lots of laid-back common areas where you can hang out. It\u2019s not super social but is more of a quiet and low-key hostel perfect for budget travelers. It\u2019s one of the cheapest hostels in the city.<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n6. About a Bed<\/h3>\n

\nThis stylish, minimalist hostel has a boutique feel, with sleek dorms that have comfy mattresses, curtains for the pod-style beds, individual lights and outlets, and lockers. It has a friendly, calm atmosphere and the rooms have lots of natural light and feature light, natural tones. It\u2019s more of a hostel for quiet travelers or digital nomads looking to get work done. There\u2019s free coffee and tea available all day, as well as a small kitchen and pantry if you want to do some basic food prep. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n7. Sylvis Hostel Chiangmai<\/h3>\n

\nLocated right across the street from Stamps, this hostel has a really great cocktail bar that specializes in Thai drinks made from local ingredients. It’s another energetic hostel where it’s easy to meet people as they organize lots of events and have tons of common areas where you can hang out. They can help you book tours and excursions too. <\/p>\n\n
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