Jam Hostel Bangkok: 2024 Review

Considering a stay at Jam Hostel Bangkok?

You’ve come to the right place. I stayed at Jam Hostel in January of 2024 and have written a first-hand review. 

For many people, Bangkok is the start of their journey backpacking Southeast Asia. I was equal parts nervous and excited to quit my job and start my backpacking journey. 

I wanted to make sure the first hostel I stayed in was safe, social and well-located. As a full-time solo female traveler, I picked Jam Hostel from the very long list of hostels in Bangkok. I’m glad I did.

Don’t have time to read the full review? The summary is yes, I recommend staying in Jam Hostel. The beds are comfortable, the staff arranges activities and it’s very safe. 

Jam Hostel Review: Overview

Jam Hostel is one of the highest rated hostels in Bangkok. In 2020, they won the award for most popular hostel in Bangkok on Hostelworld. 

Jam Hostel Bangkok is named after a Thai word “แจ่ม”(pronounced as /jam/), meaning nice in a cool way.

I’d say that summarizes the hostel very well. From the moment I walked in, the staff were incredibly kind and helped me get my bearings. I had just arrived in a new country – a new continent – and had no idea what I was doing.

There’s a lot of selling points for the hostel. Jam Hostel Bangkok is located less than 600 meters from Khao San Road, in the heart of Old Town. For those who plan to party there at night, this makes getting back home a breeze.

The staff plans an excursion or activity most days of the week. I love when hostels have a schedule like this because it makes it easy for solo travelers to connect with other travelers. 

While the beds are comfortable, the rooms are tiny. I stayed in a 4-bed female dorm, and there was little walking space for opening your bags. 

The vibes of Jam Hostel are that of a social hostel without the crazy parties. I noticed that some of the guests wanted to spend evenings in the common room playing cards, while some wanted to go out to bars.

No matter if you consider yourself a “stay in” or “go out” person, Jam Hostel has something for you.

I made a lot of great friends in this hostel – friends that I hung out with in other cities, too. When it comes to solo traveling, you have to put yourself out there. Jam Hostel makes this easier. You’ll meet people from all over the world!

Accommodation and Beds

Jam Hostel offers a few room types, including private rooms with a double bed, standard 8 bed mixed dorm, standard 4 bed mixed dorm and standard 4 bed female dorm.

Each room has an ensuite bathroom versus shared hallway bathrooms. 

I chose to stay in the standard 4 bed female dorm. The cost was just under $20 a night. You can definitely find cheaper hostels in Bangkok, but I didn’t want to skimp on the first hostel I stayed at. My only complaint is that the rooms are tiny.

However, the price is worth it.

First, the air conditioning is excellent. It’s self controlled in the room and can be turned on whenever. 

Second, the beds are comfortable and come with curtains. This is such a game changer for hostels to help give more privacy. Each bed has its own light and outlets, too.

In the room, there is a large locker to keep your valuables safe. When you check in, you’re given a key card to unlock the door and a key to get into your locker.

Free Wi-Fi is provided and is very good across the hostel. 

Third, breakfast is included with the cost!

I was very impressed with the hostel breakfast. Generally, they served coffee, tea, toast, jam, cereal, fruit and pastries. 

The common area of Jam Hostel is comfortable and clean. They have couches and tables with games and an outdoor patio. In addition, there is a rooftop bar. Tip: It’s the perfect place for a Bangkok sunset.

If you need to do laundry, there is a self-service laundry room.

Social, Party or Both?

In my opinion, Jam Hostel is a social hostel. While there is a rooftop bar that serves drinks, I found it stayed quiet in the evening.

That’s probably because anyone who wants to party heads to Khao San Road in the night!

Activities

Jam Hostel Bangkok offers an activity multiple days of the week. They go beyond the typical tour though – there are a lot of carefully planned activities designed to help travelers meet and experience Thailand culture.

I joined two activities during my time at Jam Hostel.

The first one was a meditation and clean-up at Wat Arun. As a group, we took a boat to the temple where we learned about meditation and practiced it ourselves. The hostel has an agreement with the temple as we had our own space.

Afterwards, we volunteered with the monks to clean up Wat Arun. It was tough but rewarding!

The second activity was a community dinner. For a small fee, you received a delicious dinner and dessert on the rooftop. But before you can get the dinner, you have to complete an icebreaker with other travelers. 

Location

Location-wise, the biggest draw is that Jam Hostel Bangkok is close to Khao San Road. Unfortunately, it’s not close to public transportation, so I found taxi/Grab/tuk-tuk to be the best way to get around the city.

Anything you might need is in close proximity. There’s literally a 7-11 across the street. In case you didn’t know, 7-11 is life in Thailand – they stock food, drinks, snacks, toiletries, electronics and more.

Side note, I found it helpful that they also can arrange your transport to your next destination – such as a night bus to Chiang Mai or a mini bus to the airport. 

Safety

I always felt safe at Jam Hostel. You need a key card to scan into the hostel, the elevator and the room. In addition, they provide a locker and a key.

The surrounding area is very safe and tourist friendly. 

I hope this review has helped you determine if Jam Hostel is the right fit for your Bangkok accommodation!

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