Looking for the best hostel in Chiang Mai? Keep reading!

Located right in the heart of one of Thailand’s best cities you’ll find a cozy spot that makes you feel right at home at one of the best hostel in Chiang Mai. Tucked away on a quiet side street, Haus Hostel is the perfect option for anyone traveling to Chiang Mai on a budget, not to mention one of the best hostels in Chiang Mai. Rooms are affordable without skimping on comfort and decor. During my stay I felt right at home on their comfy common room couches (eating their delicious free breakfasts)!

Over the past few months I have been lucky enough to stay at Haus Hostel on multiple occasions! During my latest visit to Chiang Mai I received a free stay in exchange for an honest review of the property. Having already stayed at the property on past trips, I was more than happy to review this incredible hostel!

THE LOCATION

Located just South of the Chiang Mai Old Town walls, Haus Hostel is the perfect base for visiting all that Chiang Mai has to offer! In just a few minutes walking you can reach a number of restaurants, street food markets, and local attractions. A few nearby highlights include:
– Chiang Mai Old Town (main tourist center for restaurants, temples, bars, massage parlors, etc)
– Wualai Saturday Night Market (Saturday nights from 5pm; souvenirs, street food, local goods)
– Chiang Mai Gate Food Market (open daily – farmer’s market by day, food stalls at night)

THE ROOMS

The hostel currently offers 4, 6, and 8 bed dorm rooms, with both mixed and female-only options available. Each bed is equipped with a personal reading light, charging outlet, privacy curtain, and large storage locker. I loved that the lockers were large enough for my big backpack, as it added an extra layer of security. The privacy curtains are a must for me as well, as they offer a sense of privacy in a shared space – something that is extremely important for many long term backpackers. Some of the rooms even include a personal window which is a great touch! The rooms were extremely clean and actually smell great (a big change from many of the hostels that I’ve stayed in in South East Asia)! Each room is equipped with an A/C that can be adjusted as you please.

Dorm bed prices range from $10-13 (price subject to change) depending on number of beds and type of room. While there are cheaper options available in the area, in my opinion the amenities at Haus Hostel are well worth the price!

THE PERKS

Haus Hostel’s light decor is both cozy and aesthetically pleasing with ample natural light due to the all glass front.

Free Breakfast

Many hostels offer “free breakfast,” when really you are offered only toast and coffee/tea, leaving a bit to be desired. The free breakfast at Haus Hostel is a bit more substantial, with options of cornflakes and eggs in addition to the standard toast with jam. Coffee, tea, and drinking water are also available free of charge at all hours.

Social Atmosphere

While Haus Hostel is definitely not a party hostel, it offers a social atmosphere, a serious qualification for best hostel in Chiang Mai. The comfy common area is a great place to meet fellow travelers, especially for those individuals who are traveling solo! Not to mention, the rooftop area is an added bonus! While I definitely found it easy to meet other travelers, I would have appreciated a bit more effort on the hostel’s part to create activities or events to encourage mingling.

Towels

It may seem like a silly perk but as a traveler who can’t be bothered to carry around my own towel, free towels at hostels is a major plus! The staff is super accommodating and happy to lend out travelers who are hoping to shower either before checking in or after checking out.

Friendly Staff

One of things that make Haus Hostel the best hostel in Chiang Mai is the wonderful staff! The staff at Haus Hostel is beyond friendly and willing to help you out with tips, advice, or bookings. When our cooking class pickup was running late they were happy to call and get everything sorted for us!

Quiet

The rooftop closes at 10pm and the social scene is moved to the local bars, which means that Haus Hostel is a great place to stay if you are looking for a solid night of sleep! As there are so many early morning activities in Chiang Mai, a good night of sleep in a quiet hostel is sometimes in order!

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Looking to take a day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok? You’ve come to the right place! As much as I love the hustle and bustle of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, it’s always nice to get a break from the big city. A perfect day trip from Bangkok, even for those with a limited amount of time, is a quick trip to Ayutthaya. The site was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1991 and offers a series of incredible temples to visit. The Ayutthaya temples are also considerably less crowded than many of those in the rest of Thailand. Ayutthaya was the former capital during the Kingdom of Siam.

A Guide to a Day Trip to Ayutthaya

How to Get to Ayutthaya

The city is easily accessible by train from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station. Ticket prices depend on the type of seat and trip length. Tickets can be purchased on the day of, however I recommend buying your return ticket as soon as you arrive in Ayutthaya as tickets do sell out, even in the low season. On our way there we opted for a standing ticket (or non-specified seat) on a hour train. This type of ticket costs approximately 20 baht ($0.60). For the way home we purchased a reclining seat as our train would take two hours, and the price increased to 65 baht ($2).

Getting Around the Ayutthaya temples

The most common method of getting around the temples of Ayutthaya is by tuk tuk. The going rate at the train station is 900-1000 baht ($27-30), however you can always bargain. For cheaper rates follow the street perpendicular to the train station, where you can hire a driver for 200 baht ($6)/hour. This price does not include entrance into the temples however. Although it is bit pricey, taking a tuk tuk allowed us to see a lot more than if we had rented bikes. Additionally, you can fit up to four passengers for the same price so bring (or make) some friends along for the journey!

What to Do in Ayutthaya

The tuk tuk drivers will present you with a list of the top temples to visit. The temples all cost 50 baht ($1.50 USD) to enter, with the exception of Wat Yai Chai Mongkon and Wat Lokayasutharam which are a bit cheaper. Here is a list of the Ayutthaya temples that should definitely be on your must-visit list:

• Visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
• Wat Phra Mahathat
• Explore Wat Phra Si Sanphet
• Wat Lokayasutharam

Where to Eat on a Day Trip to Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is known for both their king river prawns and their famous boat noodles. You’ll find numerous restaurants serving boat noodles. However, Klong Srabua Boat Noodle is claimed by many to be the best. You have the choice between beef or pork noodles, with both options priced at under $1 USD a bowl.