The Best Backpacker Hostels to Book in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The guitar available to guests is one of many quirky offerings from this endearing hostel on Ratchaphruek Road. If you don’t have the obligatory rendition of Wonderwall in your repertoire, you can instead grab your fill of the complimentary coffee, tea and snacks. Other handy freebies include parking, toiletries and a towel to use for the duration of your stay. Also, the friendly staff here can arrange airport transfers, day trips and motorbike rental. All in all, it’s an absolute steal of a deal.

The first plant-based hotel in Chiang Mai is near the north gate of the moated Old City. The ancient location belies Green Tiger’s modern sustainable practices, which include solar-heated showers, refillable shampoo bottles, energy-saving lights and a menu of locally sourced vegan cuisine. The massaman curry served with organic rice packs a punch, while Western dishes include sandwiches and pasta. A neat touch is the ground-floor shower provided for early arrivals, a veritable lifesaver if you’ve made the trip aboard a stuffy overnight bus.

Lurking among palm trees that create a shock of swaying green, this guesthouse north of the city is a tranquil treat to hang out in for a few days. Find a good book and relax on the outdoor swing chair, or feed the multicoloured koi to the sound of the running waterfall in the patio pond. The spacious rooms exude a signature Northern Thai style, with teak furniture, deep red decor and hardwood floors. Bike rental and gym use are free for all guests.

This friendly hostel is west of the Old City, a mere four-minute walk from Wat Phra Singh, a 14th-century Buddhist temple. The hostel’s two balconies deliver great views, and with red bar stools, they’re a prime spot to sit and chat with fellow backpackers. A well-stocked beer fridge, cafe menu and trinket-laden lounge area make it even easier to make new friends, but if it’s privacy you’re after, a twin room is available alongside the mixed-dorm options.

This breezy hostel in the Si Phum district taps into the laid-back demeanour of the Old City, with its bright white walls covered with quaint drawings of plants, caricatures and quotes. The intricate hand-drawn map of Chiang Mai in the dining room is particularly impressive, allowing you to plot your day’s stroll while tucking into a complimentary breakfast of fresh fruit, bread and pastries. A variety of room options include 10-bed mixed and six-bed female-only dorms.

The white bunk beds and white walls give these six-bed dorm rooms something of a funky space-station vibe. So, too, does the neat use of space, with each bed featuring night lights, an under-bed locker and privacy curtains. There’s lots of colour elsewhere in the hostel, especially in the living room, where the round rattan tables and vibrant seat cushions encourage communal gatherings. The hostel even organises free cooking and yoga classes for guests.

With two children of their own, the owners of this colourful guesthouse run a family-friendly set-up, with two rooms tailored to those arriving with younger guests. The family studio and the standard family room are equipped with a kitchenette and a range of kids’ toys and books. For the older crowd, the cafe serves Thai beers – Leo, Singha and Chang – along with cups of arabica coffee grown in the hills of Chiang Mai.

There’s a high-class feel about this elegantly furnished hostel, with its wood-panelled floors, exposed brick walls and red leather studded sofas. You’re also bound to appreciate the location, with some pretty cool views of Wat Saen Fang; it’s also an easy walk to the famed Pae Sunday Walking Street Market. Illuminated by fairy lights, the balcony is a great place to enjoy a cold beer on sultry evenings, and during rainy-season downpours, enjoy the PlayStation, dartboard and Netflix subscription.