The best gay hostels in Bangkok

We would make a Bangkok joke… But that’s a little too easy, don’t you think?

Real talk, someone with an extraordinarily dirty mind must have been the one to name the city Bangkok. Believe it or not, the people of Thailand actually don’t even use that name when discussing their capital, instead referring to the booming metropolis as “Krung Thep Maha Nakhon”, which translates to City of Angels. 

In our humble opinion, no matter what you want to call it, Bangkok is simply synonymous with having a good time. As the unofficial gay capital of Asia, the streets of this sprawling concrete jungle are always alive with sights that exude culture and sounds of a bustling nightlife crowd. No doubt about it, between multiple trips to historical monuments and countless stops at Thai street food stalls, your wallet will definitely feel the impact of your trip. 

This is exactly why we’ve chosen to highlight a few of our favorite gay hostels scattered throughout Bangkok. Hostels get a bad rep for being a bit too grimy and claustrophobic for comfort, but times are changing. New hostels are cropping up every day, and each one seems to have cooler, more modern amenities than the last. Plus, it’s always nice to meet new people on vacation, right?

So, without further ado, allow us to walk you through our well-curated list of Bangkok hostels so that you can find the perfect place to help you save a dime during your trip to paradise. Be sure to also check out our comprehensive gay guide to Bangkok to complement your travel planning and our article about the gay bars of Bangkok for a more in-depth review.

Gay tour of Thailand

Discover how Thailand earned its moniker ‘The Land of Smiles' on this awesome gay tour with Out Adventures. The boys over at OA run four annual departures through the country with stops in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, and Phuket. It's a fantastic way for first-timers to Thailand to get a thorough flavor of this incredible country with a fabulous bunch of squirrel friends to hand.

Find out more

01

Blu Cabin Gay Poshtel

Phaya Thai

But again, the real draw to this modern gay space is the furnishings. There are no dorms and no bunks, only private single and double rooms that are decked out with gorgeous wooden paneling to bring some natural, cabin vibes to your trip. This not-so-quaint hostel combines the intimate atmosphere of your average guest house environment with the lavish luxury of a five-star hotel by offering gay travelers a chance to enjoy a dip in a heated saltwater pool or to take a trip to the rooftop to bask in the relaxation of their Chakran sauna and iKUZE onsen. And, as an added bonus for all you gym rats, they also have a full fitness center where you can happily chip away at those abs!

While we loved everything about Cabin Blu, Seby and I most appreciated that the hosts took their time getting to know each guest by serving up a delicious breakfast every morning and hosting regular parties in the shared lounge. Obviously, fabulous amenities are wonderful, but nothing could possibly beat good service coming from genuinely kind people. We loved this as an alternative to one of the many excellent gay hotels in Bangkok.

02

Ekanek Hostel

Bang Rak

Thanks to the aforementioned concrete, the bunk beds offered by Ekanek are always held steady and secure, which means no more waking up in the middle of the night when someone comes home from the neighboring bars and clubs. And really, considering the hostel’s prime location, a mere walking distance from the gay hangouts in Silom Soi 4, there are bound to be plenty of gay guests up and about during those late evening hours. However, if you’d still prefer more privacy than a curtain could ever possibly give, Ekanek also provides guests with the option to stay in a separate room. 

If you ever find yourself a bit too hungover for comfort (and let’s be honest, it’s bound to happen at least once!) be rest assured that the hostel remains surprisingly quiet despite the constant comings and goings of guests. We can personally vouch that the gay friendly staff at Ekanek go above and beyond to ensure you walk away from your stay with a smile, whether by making small talk or giving extremely insightful tips about local attractions. Basically, Ekanek Hostel brings a whole new meaning to the phrase, “Satisfaction is guaranteed,” and we will always be ready to shout about how much we adored our time there! 

03

Kinnon Deluxe Hostel Coworking Cafe

Bang Rak

Their designated workspace captures an incredible balance between professional and comfortable with a variety of desks and couches up for grabs. It definitely doesn’t hurt that we can also take a quick stroll over to the cafe for a delicious meal and a cup of coffee during our break times! As someone who functions best after ingesting a nice, healthy dose of caffeine, this is almost as essential as having the workspace itself. 

Though, some days we actually decided to take our work outside to the gay friendly hostel’s rooftop terrace. While you can find plenty of gay travelers socializing up there during the evenings, the mornings are exceptionally quiet and peaceful. Some days, as I was working on the rooftop, Sebastien would bring me our complimentary breakfast and sit by my side, reading a novel he plucked from the shelves of their shared library. My heart’s fluttering just thinking back on it… My sweet Frenchman! 

Whether staying in the dorm-style area or a private room, the sleeping arrangements at Kinnon Deluxe were just as pleasant as the common spaces. We expected some of the quirkier aspects of their decor, like the colorful patterned wallpaper, to bleed into the bedrooms, but to our surprise, the rooms appeared to be way more stylish and elegant. Perfect for impressing any boys you bring back from one of the gay bars on Silom Soi, which is only a couple of blocks away. Wink, wink! 

04

Silom Space Hostel

Bang Rak

…granted, that could just as easily be attributed to the fact that Silom Space keeps their rooms far more intimate than any other hostels we’ve ever visited… Not only do they offer four-bed, three-bed, and double-bed private rooms, but they also refuse to squeeze more than six beds into their largest dormitory, which is beyond impressive! Top that off with remarkably comfortable mattresses, and I’d say we have a lot of happy campers.

And with the epic gay club, DJ Station, waiting next door, I’d say providing travelers with the perfect place to rest their heads should take precedence. Don’t want too many grumpy, hungover people roaming about the place, right? To keep their guests happy and smiling, the staff also guarantees round-the-clock service, free cookies, and cup noodles, and a complimentary breakfast consisting of the basics like bread, butter, jam, and fruit. Throw in their cute rooftop terrace and cozy indoor lounge, and I’m sold! When can I book a room? I’m ready to go back…!

05

Happy Traveller Home

Bang Rak

The little mini-jungle that greets guests at the entrance is the first clue that your experience is bound to be warm and homey! Lush, verdant plants wait outside the door as a welcome sign, and Ms. Bee encourages her visitors to take as much time enjoying the garden as they possibly can throughout their stay…in particular – the mornings outside, basking in the heat with these lovely plants and sipping on a piping cup of fresh coffee. Talk about serenity! 

The green of the plants follows you inside as an accent colour that offsets the crisp, clean white bedding. Whether residing in one of the hostel’s private bedrooms, which can house between one to two people, or resting in one of their small dorms, you will undoubtedly feel right at home. Because that’s the point of Happy Traveller Home! They make everyone feel safe, happy, and accepted, no matter who you are or where you come from. 

06

HQ Hostel Silom

Bang Rak

With comfortable bean bags and couches for lounging, a TV with movies, and games like Jenga and Connect Four, I can guarantee that you’ll want to spend a decent amount of time in this lovely gay friendly hostel. Or, if you’re fortunate enough to have your stay fall on a date when the staff has organized social events, then you won’t want to miss out. We were able to attend one of their pub crawls and had such a blast getting to know everyone. Nothing like an evening of drinks to help people bond.

If drinking isn’t quite your style, you could also take a moment to chat with your fellow travellers over the free Western-style breakfast served every morning, complete with sausages and ham, eggs, bread, salad, and cereal. And the options don’t even stop there. The cafe on the ground floor has fantastic offerings with lots of sensational restaurants in the surrounding area. The actual lodgings at HQ Hostel Silom are just as impressive as the rest of the building. The furnishings are trendy and brightly coloured. The rooms are decorated with cute throw pillows and fresh flowers to add an appreciated homey touch.

The decision is obviously yours to make, but HQ is a top-quality contender that we would certainly choose.

07

My Thai Hostel

Sathorn

You down one refreshing drink, then ask your server if they wouldn’t mind preparing you a packed lunch for your afternoon in the city. As the staff arranges your meal, you take a break in the terrace area, surrounded by the tranquil sounds of a water fountain splashing, the aroma of fresh plants, and an adorable mural of a Volkswagen van. Are you sold yet? Because I mean, really, My Thai Hostel is a sanctuary. It's a refreshing breath of fresh air among the stereotypical tourist traps. Many of our gay friends stayed here and kept saying how much they adored their time here!

Not only do the staff keep all areas of the hostel in tip-top shape, but they’re also incredibly attentive to their guests. In fact, one evening, a staff member caught our friends discussing evening plans and proceeded to give them some pointers, and wrote out instructions for a taxi driver to ensure that they got back safely. The devil's in the details, folks, and I have to say that My Thai Hostel has a tight-running, people-oriented operation going for them!

08

The Cube Hostel

Bang Rak

All cubes come with a small hanging rack for clothes, a reading light, a power socket, and a safe that actually doubles as a convenient folding table for those who work on the go. There are solid walls on three sides, and the fourth is supplemented by a heavy privacy curtain, so you’ll be nice and snug inside of these little caves. Especially if you’re staying in one of their doubles – ideal for the ultimate spooning environment!

To no surprise, the fun continues outside of the pods as well. The inside common space boasts computers, board games, a TV, and a small kitchen area, any of which could definitely make for an interesting evening with your fellow guests. The outside gets even better: alongside a lush garden area with long tables for communal dining stands a bright blue blow-up swimming pool. Now that’s what I call an Insta-moment! 

Despite being close to the gay bars and clubs of Silom Soi 4, the party does stop once you return to the cubes. That may sound like a bad thing, but truthfully, when you’re just arriving home from a sweaty, exhausting night on the dancefloor, that level of peace is just heavenly. So, take a load off and relax for a bit at the unique Cube Hostel. 

09

Plubpla Hostel

Bang Rak

Whether lounging outdoors or indoors, be prepared to welcome a new aesthetic muse into the mix. As I'm the type of person who needs a bit of a pick me up before I begin crafting my blog posts – those unlimited espressos offered at the Plubpla would suit me just fine!

On top of the energizing dose of caffeine, Plubpla staff also offers a complimentary breakfast of milk, cereal, boiled eggs, toast, and jam every morning. Or, if you’re more of an independent soul who prefers to make your own meals, the shared kitchen is a wonderful resource. Plubpla Hostel is also perfectly located within close proximity to Bangkok’s gay neighborhood of Silom Sois 2 and 4 with some terrific restaurants surrounding it.

Overall, the bunk beds are rated as being comfortable, the private rooms are plenty spacious, and the staff is welcoming to everyone! I’d say that’s the best combination for a 10/10 experience! 

10

Smile Society

Bang Rak

The rooms are kept impressively clean by the incredibly friendly staff, and despite being located close to Bangkok’s gay neighborhood, the area surrounding Hostel Smile Society stays quiet throughout the evenings. It also helps to be offered a generous portion of spicy Tom Yum soup for breakfast. That’s enough to get anyone up and ready to face the day! Adding to the laid-back air of the hostel is the vibrant garden. Upon first glance, Smile Society could easily be confused for a greenhouse given the amount of vegetation around the entrance. What a pleasant surprise to find such a lovely boutique-style hostel waiting on the inside.

With so much space and multiple types of rooms, the hostel is ideal for group settings, whether that be families, partners, or friends who love traveling together. Plus, if you do visit the city with a group, the wonderful people who work the front desk will happily hook you all up with activities ranging from Thai cooking classes to romantic dinner cruises. At the end of the day, the objective of a vacation should be to have fun and create meaningful memories, and thankfully, Hostel Smile Society is here to help all of its guests achieve this goal. 

What to do in Bangkok?

Aside from partying in the gay bars and clubs of Bangkok, there is a LOT to explore while you're in the Thai capital. From shopping to dining, live shows, and ancient architecture this is a city crammed with fun activities.

Check top things to do

11

Lub d Bangkok Siam

Patthumwan

First of all, Lub D is extremely gay friendly. Upon checking into our private room, nobody looked twice, which was an automatic comfort. Also, whether an intentional sign or not, the twenty-eight private rooms and eleven dorms provided by the hostel are completely decorated in different bright colors. We love a good rainbow aesthetic! Secondly, to bring us back to the location, the hostel is located right in the heart of Siam Square, meaning it is bordered by the most fabulous places to shop, eat, and explore for entertainment. 

However, if you’re not looking to be out in the city for whatever reason, Lub D provides guests with an in-house restaurant and bar called The Pumphouse. Open twenty-four hours a day, you’ll be able to find a wide variety of meals and drinks. During our stay, we often wandered outside to the beer garden, where we kicked back with a quick beer and German sausages with our fellow guests. Afterward, it was always fun to head inside to the common room for movies and popcorn with our new friends.

If I had to describe Lub D with one specific word, I would simply call it eccentric! From its colorful furnishings to its wild nightlife, I think that just about hits the nail on its head. 

For more inspiration:

• Check out these great gay tours of Bangkok for first-time visitors
• Find out how Stranger Bar became one of the most popular gay bars in Bangkok
• Read about transgender life in Bangkok in our interview with Regina
• If you like tropical islands, check out our gay guide to Koh Lipe
• As well as our gay guide to the popular Thai destination of Phuket
• Find out which are the most gay friendly countries in Asia
• And read about our experiences traveling through Asia as a gay couple

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