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In a town over-flowing with budget hotels, opening a hostel seems an overly ambitious foray -- you can get a room next door at the Wasana Hotel for the same price as a bunk here. Regardless of the economics, the Phuket Backpacker seems to have caught on and was far busier than either the On-On or Thalang Guesthouse. The dorms are fan or air-con, mixed or ladies-only and share spotless bathroom facilities. There's a cosy common area with free computers, a book exchange, a big screen TV and plenty of movies, and a white-board to scrawl your travel tips on. Guests can use the kitchen to cook and there's a pleasant garden out back with tables. They also have a few private rooms that are strangely over-priced, especially in the low season. It isn't a great deal, but the Phuket Backpacker is a top spot for meeting like-minded travellers.
Contact details:
167 Ranong Rd, Phuket Town. T: (076) 256 680 F: (076) 256 682
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* Travelfish researchers visit and review properties on an anonymous basis. By that we mean they show up, in person, and pretend to be either be a potential guest, or somebody looking for a room for a friend or relative. Where possible the researcher will inspect at least a couple of rooms. The rates you see above are what either the desk staff told us they were, or what were in the brochure when they just told us to quit bugging them and look in the brochure. For mid-range hotels and up, always shop around online for a competitive rate. Click here to find out more about what makes Travelfish different with regards our accommodation reviews.
Added to Travelfish on: 27th July, 2006
Last visited or updated on: 16th August, 2008
Bed Bugs - 4th March, 2009
This hostel is a nic eplace to chill out and meet people, but not to sleep. I woke up at 3:00AM, my shoulders were itching, and I saw several bed bugs. I crushed them, my sheets were full of blood stains. I checked out early morning and showed the blood stains to the personin charge, but sahe didn't want to aknowledge the problem, she said that it was ''mosquitoes''. This means that they will do nothing to ge trid of the bugs. Another guy staying there had the same problem. SO it's a good place to stay if you don't mind donating blood to bugs. Also, it's very expensive, a private room in a guesthouse is the same proice of a dorm here. and a private room here is ridiculously expensive.
On the positive side, clean bathrooms, free wifi, free computers, good location, good for meeting people.
The Phuket Backpacker reviewed by nathantraveler on 4th March, 2009, rated
Stayed here 3/2009
This is a Travelfish recommended reviewer
Total reviews submitted: 25.
nathantraveler also reviewed: Bamboo House, Ban Jaidee Guesthouse, Chiang Saen Guesthouse, Garden House, Garden Huts, Julie Guest House, Koh Teng Hotel, Lotus Guesthouse, Mai Sai Guesthouse, My Lan, National Park Accommodation, On On Hotel, P Guest House, Paradise beach resort, Paradise Lost, Rapala Resort, Ruanthai Sopaphan Resort, Sherwood House, Siripong Guesthouse, Suchanaree, Suchanaree, Tara Inn, Thalang Guesthouse, Tip Inn & Forest Lodge.
Did not like it - 6th January, 2008
Stayed December 22nd, 2007. Paid 800 baht, for room with fan and private bathroom - one of 4 in an extension at the back. Regretted it. The decor is stylish, but at the expense of basic comfort - the bathroom stank when it warmed up and was home to a family of cockroaches (I wondered why it locked from outside). The fan was insufficient to dispel the heat even in December with the flimsy strip of material they gave me for bedding (was I supposed to bring my own?). I had to open the window, which is when the holes in the mosquito net became a problem.
The common lounge is a nice place to watch DVDs and meet backpackers, or use the free wifi (doesn't reach the rooms at back). The dorms and a/c rooms in the main building may be better (if dorms are your scene), but I definitely did not feel I got my money's worth - there are plenty of cheap, basic but much more comfortable guesthouses in town that are better value, unless you're really there for the social scene.
The Phuket Backpacker reviewed by mrsdbooth on 6th January, 2008, rated
Stayed here 12/2007
Total reviews submitted: 4.
mrsdbooth also reviewed: At Home Guesthouse, Four Sons Village, New Siam Riverside.
Expensive but perfect - 22nd January, 2007
The Phuket Backpacker is perfect for any traveller. It's new, clean, friendly. The rooms are spotless with great beds and clean bathrooms. You can chill out in their lounge and watch DVD's on the TV. The fast-speed internet access is free. Tea and toast is provided in the morning and you can eat it in the little garden out the back.
It's perfect in every way.... although the rooms are quite expensive for what they are. We paid 700BHT for a fan room in Jan 07. If it was anywhere else trying to charge that for just a room with a bed and a fan in we wuoldn't pay it, but the other ammenities make up for the cost.
I'd definately recommend staying here. It's almost always booked up so call in advance.
The Phuket Backpacker reviewed by Beckiboo1983 on 22nd January, 2007, rated
Stayed here 1/2007
Total reviews submitted: 8.
Beckiboo1983 also reviewed: Banana Guest House, Donevilasack Guesthouse, Duang Guesthouse, Sea Breeze Bungalows, Somjith Guesthouse.
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