16 of Our Favorite Hostels in Southeast Asia
Backpacking is practically synonymous with “hostel-hopping.” The alluring combination of cheap dorm beds, sociable roommates, and prime location draws backpackers to hostels like animals to a watering hole. Some hostels also have an in-house bar, making them, quite literally, a watering hole.
But sometimes, you need a little more. Here’s a list of our absolute favorites, cream-of-the-crop, best hostels to stay in. For one reason or another, these hostels stand out above the rest. Exceptionally helpful staff, exciting social scenes, beautiful design, or even just a cozy feeling can really help make you feel at home on the road.
Ostic House - Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Helpful friendly staff
Beautiful artwork on the walls
Big, clean rooms
Comfy ass beds
Easy to book tours with the help of staff (thanks Saturday!)
Tipsy Tiger Hostel - Georgetown, Malaysia
PARTY HOSTEL, but with a great atmosphere
Incredibly outgoing staff
Free bar crawls (and free body shots)
Great location for exploring Georgetown
Cool mural of a Tiger on the side of the building
Loro Loco 2 - Koh Lanta, Thailand
Awesome outdoor space with a pool
Big kitchen
Really comfy beds
Across the street from the beach
Super friendly staff
Slumber Party Phuket - Phuket, Thailand
Best. Beds. Ever.
Bar crawls and a party atmosphere every night
Some rooms are across the street if you would prefer to sleep quietly away from the partying
Friendly, outgoing (peer pressuring) staff
“Housekeeping” brings free shots to your room at 8pm
Really clean rooms and bathrooms
Eighty8 Hostel - Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Awesome pool and outdoor bar area
Clean rooms and comfy beds
Great location for exploring the city
They offer a lot of activities and tours - try one of the food tours!
Bui Vien Hostel - Saigon, Vietnam
Perfect location right off of Bui Vien Walking Street
Funny, friendly owners
Privacy curtains and comfortable beds
Cheap lol
Wolf Pack Hostel - Dalat, Vietnam
Big, comfy beds
Delicious family dinners and free breakfast
Organized adventures
Really fun atmosphere
Trang An River Homestay - Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Tam Coc area is a great alternative to downtown Ninh Binh
It’s right on a calm winding river with a beautiful valley across the water
Amazing outdoor space, including a bamboo bridge and floating dock
Free breakfast and cheap food at the restaurant
Cheap bikes and scooters to rent
Big, comfy rooms and beds
Free pool table!
Babylon Gardens - Hanoi, Vietnam
BRAND NEW (April 2018)
Killer rooftop bar
Amazing beds with privacy curtains
Awesome location in the Old Quarter
Helpful staff for booking onwards transport
Free breakfast!
Ma Le Homestay - Ha Giang Loop, Vietnam
Rural location with beautiful surroundings
Incredibly generous hosts
Amazing home cooked food and as much rice wine as you can drink
Rustic sleeping accommodations - our room had a fire pit inside
Welcoming and adventurous atmosphere
Thunderbird Hostel - Chiang Mai, Thailand
Relatively new hostel with a fun, modern design
Great beds, big rooms, really great bathrooms
Helpful and welcoming staff
Coffee shop/bar/bakery on the ground floor with great baked treats
Amazing playlist
Convenient location in the old city near the Sunday Market
Jikko Harem - Pai, Thailand
Free breakfast
Really vibrant Moroccan-inspired design
Fun atmosphere, easy to meet people
Discounts at their bars in town
Really helpful staff
Ostello Bello - Old Bagan, Myanmar
Free pasta snack at 1, 7, and 9pm - just like mama makes it
Amazing atmosphere
Free daily tours
Cheap tours to other cool attractions, including a sunset booze cruise
Helpful, friendly staff
Multiple locations in Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake
One of the locations has a pool if you’re into that
Hop Hostel - Coron, Philippines
Incredible rooftop bar with amazing views of the sunset
Great, clean rooms with big beds
Helpful staff and available tours
Great food at the restaurant
Outpost - El Nido, Philippines
Amazing, fun atmosphere
Delicious, varied menu available at the restaurant and bar (including beachy drinks!)
Oceanfront location overlooking the sunset
Organize daily island hopping tours
Great beds and cool decorations
Jungle Vista - Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Remote but convenient location
Cheap organized tours of the nearby attractions
Friendly, inclusive atmosphere
Free breakfast, and cheap, home-cooked dinners
Big, comfortable beds - some of them are doubles!
Funky, homey, open-air design with plenty of hammocks to chill in
THE CUTEST DOG EVER:)
Pin Me!
