Matou Hostel and Cafe

Right across from the Marine Police Office, this cafe is a good place to duck out of the strong UV on a hot day in Kantang. The caffeinated drinks are seriously good, and the new matcha range is a refreshing way to beat the heat.

Kantang is a small town, but it's a nice place to explore if you like uncrowded old streets and sino-protuguese architecture. The hostel is around 250-m away from a 7-11 and a recommended local Chinese restaurant. We booked a double room with a private bathroom. Both the room and bathroom were spacious, clean, and nicely decorated, with a water heater in the bathroom. There was a hair dryer and a cloth rack, but no refrigerator or closet. Our room was on the fourth floor, and there are no elevators; rooms start on the third floor. The second floor is a shared space. There's no dedicated car park, but you can park in front of the hostel. A staff member looks after the place all night. I'm not sure whether the staff speak English.

The staff were friendly and helpful, though they didn't speak much English. I managed to communicate with them using Google Translate. I preferred being on this side of the road because it was quieter, with less traffic noise. The larger room was spacious, but it didn't have the refrigerator most Thai hotels have. I also found lots of black ants when I returned to the room, which made me think the building was old. Aside from those issues, the stay was comfortable.

The town has friendly locals and plenty of little places to discover, whether you get around by bicycle, scooter, or taxi. We had a lovely two nights in Kantang, thanks in large part to the owner, Burin, and the staff, who were welcoming and went out of their way to help. Matou Hostel itself has a cozy feel and beautiful design, with thoughtful decor and charming details throughout. It was worth every penny, and we'd happily recommend it to anyone visiting Kantang.