Monkey Toe Guesthouse - Hostel

The owner is so kind, and I found the rooms clean and quiet. It was cheap for what you get. I liked the friendly social vibe and the people there, plus the free bananas and big pool table. My favorite hostel in Chiang Mai.

I felt at home here in a way I haven't at other hostels, and I really love the place. The owner, Noi, is top tier, and everyone is laid-back. It's tucked away enough to stay quiet at night, while still close to plenty of places. There's a 7-11 around the corner, along with free coffee, tea, and bananas. They also have a pool table.

The price and location are hard to beat for a budget traveler, but my experience with the owner was disappointing. I booked five nights and, after arriving, decided three would be enough while I found somewhere else. When I asked to shorten the stay, he refused, saying Booking.com would cost him money and giving other excuses. I got a bad feeling from the conversation. I later learned from Booking.com that I could have canceled even without showing up and paid for only one night. The owner had told me the booking was nonrefundable, though my attached photos show it was partly refundable. It felt like he lied. If he had been honest, asked why I wanted to leave, or maybe offered another room, things would have been okay. I should have stood up for myself, and I've learned from it. I'm sharing this so other travelers know they may be able to cancel early or stay fewer nights. You can :)

The staff were incredibly kind and made me feel at home. I stayed six days before heading to Pai, met lots of friendly backpackers, and I'm coming back for two more nights now that I've been there.