Koh Phangan is one of the most famous islands in Thailand, predominantly known for the raucous full moon beach parties (and all the parties that take place in between) organised on Haad Rin beach every month. While there is no denying that it can feel like one big party during these times, staying in the right hostel will help you enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience to the maximum.
Having spent three incredible weeks on this heavenly island earlier this year, I have decided to write this quick post on the best party hostels on Koh Phangan to stay during the Full Moon Party, or any other time of the month for that matter.
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If you are looking to stay in a hostel that will put a beer in your hand on arrival, organise insane pool parties and beer pong tournaments and end up with you making friends with people from all over the world….these are the hostels to call home.
Lazy House Shenanigans
Lazy House Shenanigans was the hostel I stayed out during the March Full Moon party on Koh Phangan. Located in Haad Rin, where the main festivities takes place, and complete with outdoor bar and swimming pool, I knew I had made the right choice when booking. Definitely one of the best hostels for the full moon party!
Unfortunately, two days before I was due to arrive, I had my horrible accident on Koh Tao which involved a trip to hospital, 4 stitches to my head and worst of all….no alcohol for a week! My friend Coral and I tried to cancel our reservation as we were seriously worried about staying in a party hostel for 5 days given my unsteady state, but as we were not able to get a refund we decided to give it a chance.
While not being able to drink in a hostel that prides itself on being the life and soul of Haad Rin, with many people from other hostels actually coming here to party in the lead up to the Full Moon party, I still managed to have an incredible time. most people that stay for Full Moon sign up for the hostels’ 5 day party package which includes a free bucket every night, free breakfast at their cafe down the road (which also happens to show movies on a big screen all day long – perfect for hangover days!) and a voucher for their delicious all-you-can-eat BBQ which they serve up every night leading up to the full moon party.
Best bits: Amazing atmosphere, very easy to make friends, cheap drinks and awesome swimming pool and bar area. Oh and FREE entry to their waterpark. It’s also one of the best hostels near the Full Moon party!
Worst bits: The common area is in SERIOUS need of some love. Complaints of cockroaches in the rooms. The 6 bed dorm was extremely cramped.
Cost during Full Moon: €14 – €16 per night, 5 night minimum.
Koh Phangan Arene Hostel
I actually stayed at Koh Phangan Arena Hostel for the very first Full Moon party I ever attended back in August 2014. It was under a different name back then, Hard Road Café I think it was called, and it was one of my favourite hostels in Thailand. Run by a group of French guys, this is a very big hostel with a lot to offer. It’s almost like a mini backpacker resort rather than your average hostel. There’s a bar, restaurant, large chill-out area, beer pong table, pool table, swimming pool and sports area where they organise mini tournaments in the lead up to the Full Moon party. This is well known around Thailand and is not just a well known party hostel on the island but one of the best hostels on Koh Phangan.
I stayed in the 14 bed mixed dorm when I returned to this hostel in April and while staying in a dorm that big would normally be my worst nightmare, this was actually really spacious and made it very easy to make friends as a solo traveller. Everything was kept very clean, I found the staff super friendly and welcoming and over-all just had another extremely positive experience at this hostel.
Location wise it is on the main road in Baan Tai, just 2 minutes walk from a really beautiful beach and just 15 minutes taxi or scooter ride to Haad Rin where the Full Moon Party takes place.
Best bits: Swimming pool, great atmosphere, incredible facilities on offer.
Worst bits: Poor selection of food at their bar/restaurant and far from Haad Rin which means if you want to party on a random day of the week/month, there are not many bars around.
Cost during Full Moon: €14.50 – €17.50 per night, 5 night minimum.
Nomad House Hostel
Nomad House Hostel sort of stole my heart while staying on Koh Phangan. I ended up staying here for almost an entire week and would have stayed longer if they hadn’t needed to close up shop for a few days (I think they close when it is super quiet to give staff a break). While it does not have the facilities that Blue Dream or Lazy House Shenanigans have, what they lack in facilities they make up for in friendliness and charm.
This is a real party hostel. The kind that puts a smile on your face on arrival, and makes your realise almost instantly that you have made the right decision to stay there. You will find large groups of guys outside playing beer pong or pool, one or two passed out souls lying on the couches recovering from a nasty hangover, and groups of chilled out people out the back piecing together the antics of the night before.
What made my stay here so special, as with most things in life, was the people I met and the good times had together. One of the guys who worked there, he was from Brazil I think, took a group of about 12 of us on a free tour of the island. He brought us to secret beaches, stunning coves and this cool bar where you could go cliff jumping. A true highlight of my time on Koh Phangan.
Best bits: Amazing staff, clean rooms, BBQ night.
Worst bits: Far from Haad Rin, no restaurant.
Cost during Full Moon: €13 per night. 5 night minimum.
I have heard of the full moon part in Thailand a lot. Would love to go there once. Loved reading your post on it and thanks for the tips :0
Thanks so much, love the blog and all the helpful info! 🙂
haha yes, I would NOT recommend for a family with kids. sorry! x
Just during the full moon and days around it. It takes place every month so for 5-6 days every month they are crazy fun, and then the rest of the month they are fairly quiet and chilled. Get busy again for half moon party but that’s it.
No problem Cristal. I was 30 this year and did feel a little old at times BUT there were lots of people way older than me there. If you feel young at heart….go for it!
These are great tips for a young traveler. I love the idea of celebrating the full moon in Thailand with a bunch of crazy wanderers. It’s strangely romantic. Alas, we usually travel with kids, so probably a no go.
Looks like a lot of fun. Do you think they are like this year round or only during full moon parties?
I haven’t been to a Full Moon Party yet and might be getting too old soon to go one (30 this year 😮 !) but it sounds like so much fun! Thanks for the advice on the hostels.
I feel the same way most of the time….but sometimes I pretend to be young again haha
Strangely….so do I! That said….these are all super quiet and lovely once the full moon party is over plus the price drops WAY DOWN to about 100 baht a night!!
I prefer quieter hostels but this was still a good read!
Looks like loads of fun, but very much in my rear view mirror. 🙂 When are you going back?
It’s such a fun country – highly recommend!
No, I don’t think all hostels do this but most of the good party ones do. You can stay in a hostel at the other side of the island or a hotel for 2-3 nights if you like. It’s also ONLY during full moon. The rest of the month there is no minimum stay.
Does everywhere have a minimum of 5 nights stay?? I will be travelling around SE Asia for a few weeks in October\ November and would love to do a full moon party but I don’t think we will have enough time to spend 5 nights
Yea, it kind of sucks that pretty much every hostel makes you stay for 5 days BUT it also means you have longer to bond and make friends with the other backpackers!
Bookmarking this post! I’m hoping to visit Thailand very soon, and the Full Moon Party is on the list! Can’t wait to see what it’s like 🙂 Not sure if I’d be able to stay in a party hostel for 5 nights, though – I’ve always been more of a hotel girl, haha.
Heard good places about that place actually! Must check it our next time I am back. 🙂
I stayed at the Dancing Elephant, loved it. Specially the street party there