12 AMAZING Hostels in Luang Prabang (2020 • Insider Guide!)
Any backpacker making the rounds of Laos and greater South East Asia, will at some point roll though Luang Prabang.
It’s a great place to begin your Laos backpacking trip.
More and more backpackers every year visit Luang Prabang to take in its UNESCO historical quarter, thriving markets, and killer sunsets found atop local mountains.
Locals have taken notice. The results have been mixed. There are now many accommodation options for backpackers in Luang Probang.
But which places fall into the best hostels in Luang Prabang category? How does one steer clear of the less desirable options?
To answer that question, I have written this in-depth guide to the best hostels in Luang Prabang. This hostel guide answers all of your accommodation questions so you can focus more of your time on backpacking Laos and all it has to offer.
No matter what type of traveler you are, there is sure to be a hostel on this list that peaks your interest.
I have broken down the best hostels in Luang Prabang into categories so that you can easily book the perfect spot for yourself with the least amount of effort.
Let’s get to it…
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Luang Prabang
- Overall Best Hostel in Luang Prabang – Sunrise Hostel
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Luang Prabang – DownTown Backpackers Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Luang Prabang – Aham Backpackers Hostel
- Best Hostel for Couples in Luang Prabang – Nocknoy Lanexang Guesthouse
- Best Party Hostel in Luang Prabang – Mad Monkey Luang Prabang
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Luang Prabang – Muenna Guesthouse 1989
The 12 Best Hostels in Luang Prabang
Though not a huge city, Luang Prabang does draw in a bit of a backpacker crowd. As such, there are a number of cool budget accommodations across Luang Prabang and its areas and neighbourhoods. Before you book a hostel, think about where to stay in Luang Prabang and what vibe you’re after; in the central areas tends to be more lively while the outskirt villages are good for some peace and quiet.
Overall Best Hostel in Luang Prabang – Sunrise Hostel
– $
– Free Breakfast
– Tour Desk
– Late Check Out
It’s very nice here at the overall best hostel in Luang Prabang. Can you guess the decor? Correct: it’s polished plaster walls and metal-frame bunk beds. We do like that style, to be fair. But with you can tell that it’s been recently done since that’s only become the thing to do in Southeast Asia’s backpacking scene in the past few years. The dorms are air-conditioned, have en-suite bathrooms, there’s a free breakfast offered, and a super chill area by the riverside to hang out in. Staff are friendly and very helpful. All in all, for a super decent price, you get a fair bit. Great shout for the coolest hostel in Luang Prabang.
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Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Luang Prabang – DownTown Backpackers Hostel
– $$
– Free Breakfast
– Free Tea & Coffee
– Tour Desk
A little basic but nicely done, DownTown Backpackers Hostel is a teensy more pricey than other offerings in Luang Prabang – but, honestly, not by much. And although it is a little bit basic, we can all agree that the showers here are amazing. Everyone likes a good shower. Puts you in a good mood. Nothing worse than a drippy old shower. Another thing that’s good about this place is the vibe, which is a mix of chilled and sociable, making it probs the best hostel for solo travellers in Luang Prabang – last thing you want is to feel isolated, but there are plenty of ops to meet people and chat here.
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Best Cheap Hostel in Luang Prabang #1 – Aham Backpackers Hostel
– $
– Free Breakfast
– Air Conditioning
– 24-Hour Reception
Budget backpackers in Laos are already going to have an easy time! A lot of things are already quite cheap, and that includes accommodation – so it’s easy to find a budget hostel in Luang Prabang. Just about pipping the others to the post though is this one, Aham Backpackers Hostel, as our best cheap hostel in Luang Prabang. Not only is it just slightly cheaper overall than all the rest, it’s also about what it offers for this price: free breakfast, which is decent; the WiFi is also pretty great; there’s a gym next door you can use for 10,000 kip (bargain); and it’s pretty clean and modern inside. Downside: dorms are pretty cramped.
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Best Cheap Hostel in Luang Prabang #2 – Sa Sa Lao
– $
– Bar & Cafe
– Common Areas
– Bicycle Hire
A really beautiful place by the river with a paradise-like garden and things like that – sounds great right? Well, it is, as long as you’ve got some hardcore DEET though. There are a lot of mosquitoes around and they’re just the WORST, right? So you’ll want to… somehow avoid those. It’s laid-back here – probs something to do with it being quite far out of town, but this Luang Prabang backpackers hostel amazingly provides a free tuk-tuk service in the morning. It’s hot at night with no AC. But that’s the pay-off isn’t it: being in nature – lovely, but at the same time… being in nature, yuk.
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Best Cheap Hostel in Luang Prabang #3 – ThaViSouk Family Home
– $
– Late Check-Out
– Bicycle Hire
– 24-Hour Security
A great location, a really tasty free breakfast, very clean facilities – this is ThaViSouk Family Home. The dorms are keeping up with the times with metal frame beds, individual reading lights and whatnot, but the private rooms are still these classic ones you find all over Southeast Asia with hardwood furniture and all that sorta stuff. Not a bad thing, just a comment on aesthetics. It’s basically a classic Luang Prabang backpackers hostel, and the family that runs it is super nice. Can’t really fault nice people, can you?
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Best Hostel for Couples in Luang Prabang – Nocknoy Lanexang Guesthouse
– $$
– Free Breakfast
– Towels Included
– 24-Hour Reception
Wowww… the private rooms here are really pretty luxurious. They’re so nice, in fact, with all their hard wood furniture and huge beds, that it’s actually difficult to believe they’re private rooms in a hostel. Go figure. It’s for these loooovely rooms that we’d say Nocknoy Lanexang (that’s a mouthful) is the best hostel for couples in Luang Prabang. Overall the price of these are a little more expensive than what you’d usually pay in LP, but then again – these are pretty nice rooms. Perfect for a couple wanting to splash out a little extra for a little more lavishness. Wouldn’t you?
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Best Party Hostel in Luang Prabang – Mad Monkey Luang Prabang
– $
– Stylish bedrooms
– Fire pit with signature cocktails
– Infinity pool and rooftop lounge
Did someone say party? The Mad Monkey Luang Prabang Hostel got you covered! Chill out with your friends around the infinity pool soaking up the sun and hostel life by day, and head to the adjacent onsite fire pit as soon as the sun sets for some crazy parties, cool events and, most importantly, signature cocktails. The whole place has a very modern and clean vibe, making you feel super comfy right upon arrival. The dorms are air-conditioned, equipped with good beds and clean bathrooms. In case you want to head out for a great night or some food, you won’t have to walk far since the hostel is located pretty much as central as it could get.
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Best Hostel with a Private Room in Luang Prabang – Muenna Guesthouse 1989
– $$
– Bicycle Hire
– Towels Included
– Laundry Facilities
We’re not sure what’s 1989 about this place but what we do know is that it’s set in a b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l traditional Lao villa, which makes coming back to this place after a day looking at the various temples of Luang Prabang real nice. Mostly because of the traditional feel of it, we’d say Muenna Guesthouse is the best hostel with a private room in Luang Prabang – not only is it pretty cheap in comparison to other private rooms (see above), it’s also comfy and the hostel itself is in a great location. No free breakfast or much of a social atmosphere, though.
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Psst! Heading to a hostel? Don’t forget to pack a padlock! It’s well worth having one so you can secure your locker and protect your stuff!More Best Hostels in Luang Prabang
Vongprachan Backpackers Hostel
– $$
– Bike & Car Hire
– Common Areas
– Free Breakfast
Bars: in walking distance. Night market: in walking distance. Mt Phousi: in walking distance. All of the fun things to do in Luang Prabang are close by. Yep, it’s the location of this top hostel in Luang Prabang that wins it the most points. Somehow the place can lack in vibes even when there’s quite a few people staying there, but we reckon that just depends on the groups of people staying – it always does! Other than that the free breakfast is amazing, their laundry service is like heaven on earth, and the staff keep everything really very clean and tidy indeed. One downside is that the common area closes at 10pm – c’mon, what?!
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Fan Dee Hotel
– $$
– Bicycle Hire
– Towels Included
– Bar & Cafe
Fan Dee Hotel is a bit of a garden oasis that’s a fair walk from town – fine if you like walking, not so fine if you don’t. But this youth hostel in Luang Prabang is really for people who wanna chill and be IN nature, you know? It’s all bamboo bungalow style accommodation – with dorms, too. They have lovely little wooden platforms with thatch roofs, hammocks and chairs right over the river’s edge, which make for super chilled afternoons. At the same time, if you don’t like what else nature can offer – spiders, lizards, whatever else – you might want to consider something less garden-y.
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La Negrita Hostel
– $
– Towels Included
– Bicycle & Motorbike Hire
– Free Tea & Coffee
Bamboo bungalows for private rooms and the main house for the dorms, this recommended hostel in Luang Prabang is easily one of the cheapest on offer, so if you’re on a shoestring sorta budget this might be one for you. Sure, the beds are a little bit hard and – ok, maybe there’s no aircon. But that’s ok, you can deal with it. You can also rent bicycles and motorbikes through the hostel, which makes things extra convenient for you. The staff are also really lovely and there’s free coffee, tea and water literally whenever you want it, and we love a lil’ extra for our money.
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IQ Inn by Xandria Hotels
– $
– Cafe
– Free Breakfast*
– Bicycle Hire
IQ Inn by Xandria Hotels might not exactly have the catchiest name going, but it is pretty nice. The rooms are all polished floors and modern – the private rooms here especially feel quite hotel-like, which is nice if that’s what you’re going for. The dorms are good too – industrial-style metal-frame bunk beds. It’s a trend, innit. You can get free tea and water all day long here, and a free breakfast will come your way if you leave a review (freebies are always a good way to travel cheap). And if you wanna meet people the ‘common room’ is mainly just the outside area next to the door. A decent Luang Prabang backpackers hostel.
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Rancho Tranquilo
– $$
– Free Breakfast
– No Curfew
– 24-Hour Reception
Not the cheapest – but is it the most tranquilo? Hmm. Well, the garden is pretty beautiful, we have to admit that much, making it a really nice place to relax in – the library (or book exchange, let’s be honest) + loads of hammocks = chill afternoons spent reading. An American family runs this place, and they’re really friendly people, which adds up to a nice, warm and welcoming atmosphere. There is no AC in the dorms, and fans don’t reach the top bunks, so, yeah, it can get pretty sweltering up there. 10/10 breakfast though- waffles, pancakes, fruit, juice, tea/coffee – good stuff.
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Read our full review!
What to Pack for your Luang Prabang Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear… Here are some other items you might not have thought to throw in your packing for the hostel.
1. Active Roots Water Bottle: Hostels are increasingly meeting backpackers’ demands for potable (drinkable) water. Now is better than ever to start traveling with a reusable water bottle! Aside from cutting down single-use plastic, The Active Roots stainless steel water bottle will also keep your favorite beverage hot or cold all day long and it’s sized perfectly to fit an entire bottle of wine. ‘Nuff said.
2. Power Bank: Everyone knows the mini heart attack when your phone is about to run out of power. Surviving long bus rides without charging stations can be agonizing, which is why every backpacker should have this Anker Power Bank. You can charge your phone up to 5 times, or plug in two devices simultaneously. With high-speed charging and enough power to keep you going for days, you can conquer even the biggest adventures without a problem.
3. Active Roots Microfiber Towel: Quick-drying, lightweight, super soft and compact – the Active Roots Microfiber Towel is essential for every backpacker. No need to use the scabby towels your hostel may or may not provide! Use it for drying off, as a yoga towel or even as a picnic blanket – the options don’t stop here. Made of antibacterial material, you don’t have to worry about your towel starting to smell unpleasant either after lots of use.
4. Universal Travel Adapter: This universal travel adapter is the best we’ve found. Covering over 150 countries, you’ll always have the right plug charge your phone. You can also charge up to 5 devices simultaneously with the multiple USB ports.
5. Padlock: Unless the thief literally spends hours to figure out the code (he won’t), this three-digit padlock is going to keep your stuff safe. It’s great for keeping the zipper of your backpack secured or your locker properly closed. This basic and very flexible padlock saves you from having your essentials stolen. Definitely a must-have for every backpacker!
6. Playing Cards: These waterproof cards are essential kit for every backpacker. Play by the pool, beach or at your hostel after a long day with travel buds, without your cards breaking or getting soaked. And once you pull out those cards, the chance that you’ll be the hero of the night is pretty high (no promises though).
Why you should travel to Luang Prabang
There you have it my friends. My list of the 12 best hostels in Luang Prabang has come to an end.
Where you stay in any adventure is crucial to its overall success. A visit to Luang Prabang is no different.
After reading this guide you are now armed with all of the best options. If you follow my advice, you will certainly not find yourself staying in a disappointing hostel.
The keys to the best hostels in Luang Prabang are now in your hands. Booking the right hostel for own needs should now be super easy!
Luang Prabang is such a fun place to travel to. If you are arriving in Luang Prabang on the slow boat cruise from Thailand, it might be the first taste of Laos that you get.
The goal of this hostel guide was to ensure that you have a kickass time here by finding your own personal best hostel in Luang Prabang. Hopefully by now you are all sorted and ready to enjoy this special place.
Still having trouble deciding on which hostel is right for you? When in doubt I typically recommend that you just book my top pick for overall best hostel in Luang Prabang: Sunrise Hostel.
Travel Safety Tips for Luang Prabang
And don’t forget to sort your travel insurance before heading to Luang Prabang! We’ve put together a roundup of the best travel insurance for backpackers – check it out here, or if you’re low on time, get a quote from World Nomads, our favorite travel insurance provider.
Getting an estimate from World Nomads is simple – just click the button or image below, fill out the necessary info, and you’re on your way!
WORLD NOMADS
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Luang Prabang has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
Yay for transparency! Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you book your accommodation through the site, The Broke Backpacker will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep the site going.
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