As a backpacker I've gotten well acquainted with bouncing from hostel to hostel every few days. I typically book online which costs another $1 or $2, and extend in person one day at a time if I like the place. Some travellers choose to show up and hope there's a room, which often works this time of year since it's low season.
If you go in expecting a Hilton, you will be disappointed. But if you adjust your expectations and consider what you're paying, hostels can be a great experience--and a bargain.
A typical setup is a dorm room with 10 or so bunk beds. No memory foam beds here...some mattresses can be pretty thin or firm. Beds will have a light, outlet, and maybe even a privacy curtain. How deep you sleep, and your neighbors, can determine how well rested you are in the morning, but I've had no issues sleeping without earplugs.
You can pay more for a private room or fewer bunks per room. Most have lockers to secure your stuff, and shared bathrooms. A/C is usually an option, though it may cost more than a fan or nothing at all, and be shut off during the day. If no A/C or open air, beds may come with a mosquito net. Open air places let you fall asleep to the sound of millions of insects or monkeys or a running river. Hot water is common but not a given, especially in bungalow-type places, but I've taken more cold showers by choice here than ever before.
Sometimes the owners will live onsite, so you'll see kids and family pets running around. Oftentimes there will be a bar/restaurant/common area serving up food and drinks. You'll pay a little more but it's convenient and a great place to meet other travellers. One had their own organic garden and from it whipped up one of the best green curries I've had. Some will have the bonus of a beach or jungle view.
The front desk often offers laundry service for less than $2/kg and will coordinate tours or transportation for a fee, or give free advice on what to do around town. They also organize their own outings and tours. My host in Chanthaburi pointed me to the best food spots and wrote his favorite dishes in Thai I could use to order with. All were excellent. Language is typically not a barrier, as English speaking guests are the most common. Some workers may be travellers themselves who get room and board in exchange for manning the front desk.
Chances are good a roommate will also be interested in an outing that you are. Even more likely is someone who has been where you're headed, and can tell you what's worth doing and where to (not) stay. I've gotten loads of advice from fellow travellers that I would take over an online review or guidebook any day. For any other needs you can go to that 7/11 across the street, because there's always one nearby in Thailand.
I've paid $7 and $12 per night in Bangkok, $7 in Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai, $10 in Chanthaburi, $3 and some change in Pai, under $6 for a national park tent (only $0.85 for some dirt if you pitch your own). My own private bungalow sitting on a river in the jungle, just outside a national park, ran me less than $9.
One of my most memorable stays was on a floating rafthouse on Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park.
Reachable only by a one hour longtail boat ride, inside was nothing more than a very firm mattress, bugs, and a mosquito net. Not even a light bulb.
But on my rickety doorstep were beautiful jungle and lake views and good swimming in emerald water. We could hear the black gibbons and cicadas as the great hornbills and hawks soared high above the water. Wet season weather cooperated for the most part and our group of 12 had the place to ourselves. I've never slept anywhere like it.
Other hostel perks I've enjoyed or heard off:
Free wifi at a hostel is almost a given, in fact even the most bare bones restaurants often have (and advertise!) wifi for their customers as any traveller without a local sim relies heavily on it.
Between tents, bungalows, dorms, and rafthouses, I've had no bad experiences so far. They've been safe, clean, and pretty comfortable places to sleep at night, or recharge in the afternoon.
And I haven't felt the need to splurge (like...$30!) for a hotel--yet.
If you go in expecting a Hilton, you will be disappointed. But if you adjust your expectations and consider what you're paying, hostels can be a great experience--and a bargain.
A typical setup is a dorm room with 10 or so bunk beds. No memory foam beds here...some mattresses can be pretty thin or firm. Beds will have a light, outlet, and maybe even a privacy curtain. How deep you sleep, and your neighbors, can determine how well rested you are in the morning, but I've had no issues sleeping without earplugs.
You can pay more for a private room or fewer bunks per room. Most have lockers to secure your stuff, and shared bathrooms. A/C is usually an option, though it may cost more than a fan or nothing at all, and be shut off during the day. If no A/C or open air, beds may come with a mosquito net. Open air places let you fall asleep to the sound of millions of insects or monkeys or a running river. Hot water is common but not a given, especially in bungalow-type places, but I've taken more cold showers by choice here than ever before.
Sometimes the owners will live onsite, so you'll see kids and family pets running around. Oftentimes there will be a bar/restaurant/common area serving up food and drinks. You'll pay a little more but it's convenient and a great place to meet other travellers. One had their own organic garden and from it whipped up one of the best green curries I've had. Some will have the bonus of a beach or jungle view.
The front desk often offers laundry service for less than $2/kg and will coordinate tours or transportation for a fee, or give free advice on what to do around town. They also organize their own outings and tours. My host in Chanthaburi pointed me to the best food spots and wrote his favorite dishes in Thai I could use to order with. All were excellent. Language is typically not a barrier, as English speaking guests are the most common. Some workers may be travellers themselves who get room and board in exchange for manning the front desk.
Chances are good a roommate will also be interested in an outing that you are. Even more likely is someone who has been where you're headed, and can tell you what's worth doing and where to (not) stay. I've gotten loads of advice from fellow travellers that I would take over an online review or guidebook any day. For any other needs you can go to that 7/11 across the street, because there's always one nearby in Thailand.
I've paid $7 and $12 per night in Bangkok, $7 in Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai, $10 in Chanthaburi, $3 and some change in Pai, under $6 for a national park tent (only $0.85 for some dirt if you pitch your own). My own private bungalow sitting on a river in the jungle, just outside a national park, ran me less than $9.
One of my most memorable stays was on a floating rafthouse on Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park.
But on my rickety doorstep were beautiful jungle and lake views and good swimming in emerald water. We could hear the black gibbons and cicadas as the great hornbills and hawks soared high above the water. Wet season weather cooperated for the most part and our group of 12 had the place to ourselves. I've never slept anywhere like it.
Other hostel perks I've enjoyed or heard off:
- Pool (swimming or table)
- Circus trick lessons
- Yoga
- Mountain views from the shower
- Bicycle/motorbike rental
- Hammocks with a sunrise view
- Free coffee/tea/snacks/drinking water
- Live music
- Rooftop with a view
- Free beer
- Free breakfast
Free wifi at a hostel is almost a given, in fact even the most bare bones restaurants often have (and advertise!) wifi for their customers as any traveller without a local sim relies heavily on it.
Between tents, bungalows, dorms, and rafthouses, I've had no bad experiences so far. They've been safe, clean, and pretty comfortable places to sleep at night, or recharge in the afternoon.
And I haven't felt the need to splurge (like...$30!) for a hotel--yet.