Considering a stay at Stamps Backpackers Chiang Mai?
You’ve come to the right place. I stayed at Stamps Backpackers in January of 2024 and have written a first-hand review of my experience.
For many people, Chiang Mai is an early stop in their journey backpacking Southeast Asia. I visited Chiang Mai after visiting Bangkok, and I fell in love with the city.
From its amazing coffee shops to its beautiful nature like Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai has something for everyone.
In order to make the most of Chiang Mai, you want to ensure you’re staying close by in a safe and social hostel or hotel. I think Stamps Backpackers meets this requirement easily.
Don’t have time to read the full review? The summary is yes, I recommend staying in Stamps Backpackers. It has a great location, is very social and the staff is helpful.
Stamps Backpackers Hostel Review: Overview
When you enter Stamps Backpackers Chiang Mai, you’ll immediately see a representative quote on the wall: “I’d rather have a passport full of stamps than a house full of stuff.”
At Stamps, they understand the desire to travel as far and as long as possible. Their philosophy is to offer the best overall experience in Chiang Mai at a reasonable price (to keep you on budget).
They offer travel package recommendations that include accommodation and day trips to give our guests the full experience without the worry. If you don’t want to take part in any of those, you can join the social activities they host every night.
The space of Stamps Backpackers is very warm and inviting. They have a common area to socialize, a designated “nap room” (perfect if you’re coming from an overnight bus or train) as well as a second, quiet common area.
What makes Stamps stand out is their unique approach to accommodation.
Accommodation and Beds
What makes Stamps Backpackers Chiang Mai so unique is their semi-private dorm rooms These rooms offer the privacy and comfort of a private room with the social benefits of a dorm.
Each room is complete with a western style bathroom & shower, big lockers and high speed internet! These rooms are equipped with air conditioning.
I stayed in one of these unique dorms in 2024 and really enjoyed it. I got to meet a lot of great people but I also felt like I had my own space when I wanted to be alone.
They also have semi-private bunkbed dorm rooms, which offer more privacy than a conventional dorm room. However, they are fan-only rooms – no air conditioning. This means they are more affordable, but in the heat of Chiang Mai, it can be challenging!
Social, Party or Both?
This hostel is highly social with their friendly bar being the center of the common area. A lot of travelers gather here for cheap drinks and light bites.
They also have daily contests, tour boards and activities. The social activities are arranged nightly to bring travelers together to make lifelong friendships.
In short, I’d say Stamps Backpackers is both social and party. However, they take the party elsewhere late at night so you can still get a good sleep!
Activities
When it comes to activities, Stamps Backpackers has you covered. They offer a lot of tour packages that you can register for at reception. This includes things like cooking classes, sticky waterfall and elephant sanctuaries.
Also, they’re big on social activities. Every night they host an activity like a group dinner, night market, local tour, etc. These are a great way to meet other travelers.
Location
Stamps Backpackers is located in a prime location to make your stay easy and accessible. They are only 1 kilometer away from Chiang Mai’s ancient city gate, Phae Gate.
That also means they are steps away from the old city and a 5-minute walk to all major bars and nightlife.
Fabulous and cheap street food and vendors are in close proximity. Stamps is just around the corner from the main road to access taxis and transport and easy drop off points to get back to us.
They are close to all major temples and attractions and have scooter and bike rental shops within walking distance.
Safety
I always felt safe during my stay at Stamps Backpackers. The doors have codes so no stranger can enter, and there are locks on the dorm doors. Plus, they offer lockers to lock up your valuables.
If you’re planning a trip to Chiang Mai, I can highly recommend staying at Stamps Backpackers. If you’d like to explore other options, how about checking out Hostel Lullaby?
