Vongprachan Backpackers Hostel

The only thing this place has going for it is the location. The rooms felt like an army camp, dirty, neglected, and full of bugs. The swimming pool was more like a puddle, not even half full and incredibly dirty. Staff seemed not to care about anything, except they showed more energy when it was time for guests to pay. The breakfast staff had no manners and treated customers carelessly. A fully deplorable place.

The location is good and breakfast was good, but there are a lot of things to fix. The blanket was far too thin for such cold weather. The bathroom door had a big hole and no proper lock. They don't refill the water, so you have to keep buying it. None of the charging points worked for us, and each one was quite loose.

The rooms were shit, and the staff were moody and unfriendly. Paying guests were made to leave for no reason, just because they don't like their noses. The breakfast girls ignored you and seemed angry when you placed an order, as if you'd interrupted their Instagram scrolling. You feel like you have to walk on eggshells to avoid trouble with the owner. They also turn off the AC at high noon. The pool and rooftop area are nice, and the location is actually good.

The rooftop was a lovely place to unwind, with views of the mountain range. We even shared a few dance moves with the craftspeople working on the scaffold across the street. Breakfast was delicious, especially the banana pancake, which was filling, and there was endless coffee and tea. The atmosphere felt friendly and familial, but also tranquil. We loved it and found it hard to leave. We booked the dorm, scooter, bus, and train tickets without any trouble. Kevin at reception was the sweetest, answered every question, and has superb music taste. He beat us at chess every time except for one draw! We kept extending our 8-night stay by a night or two at the last minute, and after our Nong Khiaw trip we came back for one more night.