The Common Hostel

The free breakfast had a surprisingly good selection and quality. The bathroom was spacious, and I didn’t notice any bad smells or dirt. The hostel is in a convenient area near the old town, especially for first-time visitors to the northern region’s capital. The dorm room was noticeably cold with both air conditioners running, so I wore warm clothes at night. Another guest opened the window overnight, and mosquitoes got in.

The facilities were otherwise excellent, and the rest of the staff were attentive. My one major disappointment was reception. I greeted the female receptionist wearing glasses and a mask, but she cut me off before I could say anything, saying, “Check-in is at 2 pm.” Then she went back to her work without acknowledging me further. It felt dismissive and unwelcoming, though this was just one rude person. I’ve stayed in hostels for more than 15 years, and this mattress is honestly as good as ones in five-star hotels. It was incredibly comfortable. Even in a 12-bed dorm, the big room, spacious beds, and breathable privacy curtains kept it from feeling crowded or claustrophobic. Free coffee and refillable drinking water are available. The men’s bathroom is large, with four toilets and four to five showers.

The huge open-air lobby was a highlight, and the location in the old town was great. WiFi was good, staff were helpful, and the lobby has a hot and cold water filter station plus free coffee and tea all day. Breakfast is complimentary and basic but does the job, with toast, fruit, boiled eggs, and one hot Thai dish that changes, such as noodles, tom yum soup, or curry. Towels are free with a 200 baht deposit, and you can do your own laundry for a fee. My room was clean, with spacious bunks. The lockers inside the bunk area threw me off a bit, and big bags had to stay on the floor. Men’s and women’s bathrooms are separate, on a different floor from the rooms. They had six toilets, four showers, lots of counter space, and were cleaned regularly, but the urinal-cake smell was off-putting. Cleaners sprayed air freshener in the rooms too, and it gave me a headache. The top bunk was cumbersome, and socially the place was pretty quiet. My stay was fine and there weren’t any major flaws, but for those reasons I’d rather stay at other hostels. I spent two months in CNX and stayed in 9+ Old City hostels. These are my five favorites I’d return to: 😌🗣️🍳 Entaneer Poshtel (south) 😌🍳 Common Hostel (NW) 😌🗣️ One Life Hostel (north) 🍻🗣️ Islander Chiang Mai (south) 🍻🍻🗣️ Stamps (east)

The eight-bed room is a good value, with thoughtful design, breakfast, and an open kitchen. It’s a very good place to stay. The bed was a little too soft for me, though. I felt like I was sinking.