Born Free Hostel

BE AWARE: MANY BED BUGS. NO AC, IT’S HOT! A STAFF MEMBER TOOK A PHOTO OR VIDEO OF ME SLEEPING. I opened my eyes and saw a guy recording or taking a photo. I didn’t complain because at first I didn’t fully understand what was going on. EDIT: They say I “stayed for multiple days” but that they “took immediate action.” Does taking immediate action take multiple days? That makes no sense. It’s simply a lie. There are many bugs. Some are still hiding and may appear again when you least expect it, and you could take them home in your bag. I found them inside my backpack, which I always kept zipped closed. Yes, this is one-sided. I’m waiting for the bugs themselves to respond.

The staff are great, and the location is good. The rooms are okay too, and so is the hostel overall. There seems to be just one bathroom for two floors, with around 20 beds, and one of the bathrooms doesn’t even have a sink. Even in the rooms that have AC, they turn it off during the hottest part of the day, from 12pm - 4pm. In other reviews the hostel says it’s because most guests are out, but five or six people were still sleeping there when they switched it off, so it just seems like an excuse to cut costs.

It’s a good location, close to Khao San Road. I stayed for one night and found the atmosphere cozy, with a social area where it’s easy to meet other travelers. The dorm was decent, but there were no privacy curtains and not much space for luggage. The bathroom is outside the room, with only two per floor, and could have been cleaner.

The beds were comfortable and extremely clean. I stayed seven nights and didn’t see a single insect, and staff did regular inspections to keep things that clean. There are AC and fan dorms, and I think the small extra cost for AC is worth it. The relaxed, quiet atmosphere suits travelers who don’t want a party hostel, though Khao San Road is only a five-minute walk away if you do. I’ll definitely stay again on my way back.