Chanchalay Hip Hostel is a budget hostel at 55 Utarakit Road in Krabi Town, about 300 metres from the Chao Fah pier and 500 metres from the weekend night market. It has 23 rooms across fan and air-conditioned doubles, twins, a triple and a quadruple, plus a restaurant, garden and terrace on site. It is a town base, not a beach stay: Ao Nang is roughly 18 km away.
Rooms at Chanchalay Hip Hostel
The room list is the real draw. Instead of dorm bunks only, the hostel sells private rooms at several comfort levels:
- Double or twin, shared bathroom, fan: the simplest option, for people who only need a bed and a lock.
- Double or twin, shared bathroom, air conditioning: the same layout with cooling, worth it from March to May.
- Deluxe double or twin, fan or air conditioning: a step up, with a private setup in the deluxe grade.
- Triple room: useful for three friends splitting a room.
- Quadruple room with private bathroom: the one for a small family or four travellers.
The hostel lists safes and desks in rooms, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary toiletries in the bathrooms. Check which bathroom type your room has before paying, because the shared-bathroom rooms are the cheapest grade.
Location and getting there
Utarakit Road puts you in the Paknum side of Krabi Town. The Chao Fah pier is about 300 metres away, and the weekend night market, Krabi Town Walking Street, is about 500 metres. Krabi Airport is around 15 km away and Ao Nang about 18 km, so you will need a taxi, minibus or songthaew (shared pick-up truck) for either. For the wider area, see our Krabi Town guide.
Who Chanchalay Hip Hostel suits (and who it doesn’t)
It suits backpackers and budget travellers who want a base for island tours, onward buses and Wat Tham Suea. Tiger Cave Temple is a short ride north and is best climbed early. It also fits small groups who want private rooms but not hotel prices.
It is a poor fit if you want a beach holiday or a pool. Anyone arriving after 22:00 without warning should also look elsewhere, or contact the hostel first. For a more social dorm atmosphere, compare Pak Up Hostel nearby.
Facilities
The hostel lists an on-site restaurant, a garden, a terrace, a fireplace in the lobby, luggage storage, laundry and dry cleaning, and tour and ticket assistance. Contactless check-in and check-out are available, and it has parking. Pets are not allowed. Check-in is 14:00 to 22:00 and check-out is until 11:00.
- Walkable to the Chao Fah pier and the weekend night market
- Private rooms at several grades, from fan to air-conditioned deluxe
- On-site restaurant, garden and luggage storage
- Tour and ticket desk for island trips
- About 18 km from Ao Nang, so no beach on the doorstep
- Check-in closes at 22:00 and the front desk has limited hours
- No pool, and the cheapest rooms share bathrooms
- The weekend night market only runs at weekends
Insider Tip: Book the air-conditioned grade from March to May, when Krabi Town gets hot and still. If you plan a morning island tour, ask the desk the night before about pick-up from the hostel, as they can arrange tours and tickets.
