Atlas Valley

The location means it’s about a 30-minute walk to town, so renting a bike is a good idea. The hostel has a very hippie, laid-back feel, and it was sociable enough for me to make friends to go out with. The manager was very friendly, as were most of the staff, and they quickly arranged a taxi the one time we needed one. There’s good food available to order, and plenty of activities, including free yoga, though some sessions expect a donation. The rooms are spacious, but the beds could use bigger blankets and an extra privacy curtain, even though each bed already has one. I stayed five nights and was sad to leave. One of the best hostels I’ve stayed in.

For what it costs, it’s hard to justify staying here when private rooms elsewhere can be cheaper. The hostel has a lot going for it, though: the setup is great, and it’s easy to meet people because guests are open to talking and the place is very social. The shared areas were often messy, with dirty plates, cigarettes and ash left around, even though guests are expected to clean up after themselves. I also saw a used sanitary pad left in the bathroom and later on the floor outside, which was pretty shocking. There are just two toilets for men and four for women, which doesn’t seem like enough for the number of guests. It has real potential, but my stay didn’t feel worth the price.

The beds are quite hard. I was fine with mine, but several people in my group had trouble sleeping. Bathrooms and showers were clean, and the natural soaps and shampoos were a nice touch for travelers who care about that. There are lots of activities, from morning yoga to sports. Some are called free, but you’re expected to donate 200 THB to take part. Western breakfast is pricey, as it is in most of Pai, at 120+ THB. The Thai omelet with three eggs, rice, and veggies was the best value for me. Water is free, though coffee, tea, and snacks aren’t complimentary like they are at some hostels. The place has a strong alternative, hippie feel, even more concentrated than Pai generally. Plenty of guests stay for weeks, which says something about the community.

We found bed bugs on both of our beds, so we didn’t feel comfortable staying and decided to leave that same day. They were underneath the plastic covering on the mattresses, which was torn in several places and didn’t offer much protection. The hostel had seemed great at first, with lots of free daily activities and welcoming people. The staff understood and gave us a full refund, which was really nice. I hope they take the necessary steps to sort out the problem as soon as possible.