THE FUNKY MONKEY HOSTEL - 18 to 40 only

Julius, the hostel owner, knows how to make guests feel special and creates a really welcoming atmosphere. It’s a great place to meet people, whether you want to find a group for the next party or just relax with a beer on the porch. You’re also super close to the Full Moon Party beach. If you come to Koh Phangan, you need to stay here. I can’t recommend it enough.

There’s so much on offer at Funky Monkey Hostel that I couldn’t fit it all into one stay. The free gym is very basic, but I appreciated having it. Proper dumbbells over 40 lbs would be a good addition. I’m sure plenty of people would use weights up to 75 lbs, though I’m still grateful for the gym as it is. Beach days were easy with free beach towels and snorkeling gear, including a mask and snorkel. There’s also a gaming room. The staff were incredibly attentive, even helping me put on sunscreen at one point. During the Full Moon Party, drink servings were generous and prices were competitive. The hostel’s activities and services are laid out on a calendar, with ticket and transportation prices per person, which made planning straightforward. For the Full Moon Party warm-up, the free body painting was a fun icebreaker, and getting painted by someone you chose helped people connect. The free BBQ dinner also brought guests together really well. The owner clearly wants a respectful, social atmosphere, and you can feel that here. I felt welcome as soon as I arrived, with fresh towels and cold bottled water at check-in, plus unlimited bottled drinking water for the stay. And, first things first, unlimited bananas! A small thing, but much appreciated. Breakfast was high quality, with healthy, non-processed options. On several days there were all-you-can-eat waffles with lots of toppings, just what you want in those circumstances. Funky Monkey Hostel offers great value for money, with much more than I expected for the price. It’s social, well organized, generous, and genuinely welcoming. I highly recommend it and feel sure you won’t be disappointed.

The location was good, and they had events for guests. The staff and owner were nice, too, but the dorm setup wasn’t for me, so I left a day early. As a solo traveler who wasn’t there for the full moon party, I found the room really cramped, like they were trying to fit in as many people as possible. There were two small en suite bathrooms, each with an attached shower head, shared by more than 12 people. The double bed for two looked cramped as well. I was glad there were lockers, but they were small, and the place felt bare. Maybe the private rooms are better, but I never saw them. For what I paid, it wasn’t good value compared with a lot of other hostels I’ve stayed in. I wish I’d taken pictures.

This was my first hostel stay, and it was much better than I expected. The place gets cleaned at least twice a day, and I think breakfast is included too. The host and staff were really friendly and welcoming. They can also arrange taxis, hostel events, and laundry. I’d recommend it to anyone coming here, you’re sure to have a good time.