Just when you think the hostels on Ko Pha Ngan’s south coast couldn’t get any more elaborate, Blue Dream hits with a bunch of sports facilities that includes a synthetic-turf soccer pitch where you can play seven-on-seven after downing buckets and beers at the poolside bar.

Blue Dream looks more like an entertainment complex than a hostel as you cruise by along the main road from Thong Sala to Baan Tai. The first thing you notice is a small swimming pool set front and centre next to a large bar and sprawling common terraces with billiards, table tennis and blue murals of attractive people. Other facilities include a fitness centre, Thai massage, video game room, widescreen TVs, basketball court and the aforementioned soccer field, which you need to sign up to use after putting teams together.

Blue everywhere. Photo: David Luekens

Dorms are all mixed gender, with all but a dirt-cheap four-bed fan room cooled by air-con. While dorms are basic, we didn’t notice any grime among the white sheets on decent mattresses placed on white frames. Bunks are squeezed in toe to toe in parallel lines along sidewalls and there are no dividers, so you might want to pray that your neighbour doesn’t snore. Private reading lamps are not provided – these rooms are designed for sleeping only.

Six different dorm rooms range from four to 14 beds and we were told that shared bathrooms are attached to each room. Altogether the hostel has 190 bunks, making it one of the largest on the island. Rates skyrocket and there’s a minimum stay of five nights during Full Moon Party week, when Blue Dream hosts a major pre-game party.

Plenty of space to run around. Photo: David Luekens

Blue Dream also offers several private rooms, including some in brushed concrete villas situated across the street and down a lane – good options if you want to be close to the party and facilities but have quieter nights. Two air-con rooms are available in each unit, with TVs and daybeds placed in living rooms that are shared between the two rooms. More basic private rooms relying on shared or private bathrooms are also available in the main complex.

Sharing common space with Blue Dream is Majestic Hostel, which takes on overflow during Full Moon Party time. The nearby Slumber Party is a smaller hostel that’s also worth considering if you’re into the sort of frat party / spring break atmosphere found at Blue Dream. Check out Cats in Space or The Nomad House if you’re after a hostel with more of a punk rock or hippie vibe. There’s also Blue Midnight, which appeared to be a smaller copycat of Blue Dream.