the best place to stay on a Bangkok layover: why Sloth Hostel is my pick on a layover from Don Muang Airport

What’s the worst part of a long, late night layover? Finding accommodation that’s in close proximity to the airport and affordable. Luckily, passengers flying in and out of Don Muang Airport {DMK}, Bangkok, in need of a place to sleep and shower need look no further than Sloth Hostel Don Muang, a funky little hostel with fun sloth murals covering the walls. Sloth pillows sit happily on the leather chairs in the main floor’s lounge. Books to borrow sit on shelves across the four floors of the hostel and can be enjoyed in the many common areas or at “Sloth Café” near the reception.

Fear the inconvenient layover no longer, travelers! I’ve found the ideal spot for budget travelers seeking all the comforts of an airport hotel— Sloth Hostel Don Muang.

READ ON FOR THE SCOOP ON SLOTH HOSTEL DON MUANG

why the need for accommodation? ↴

Traveling on a low-to-mid-range budget often means flying when ticket prices are lowest, which usually comes with layovers and flight times at odd hours. While some travelers try to sleep in the terminals to cut costs, many airports are cracking down and banning people from doing this. Heaps of airports have their security guards sweeping the gates and certain airlines have lessened the number of hours before a flight a passenger can check-in. All of these compounding factors can make finding accommodation necessary on a long layover.

awesome affordability ↴

So, for those flying into Don Muang Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, finding accommodation that’s close to DMK and doesn’t cost a fortune might seem tricky. Inside DMK, travelers have the option of staying at Sleep Box by Miracle, which are essentially rooms you rent by the hour. While Sleep Box may seem like the most convenient accommodation, being located inside the airport and all, the price is utterly outrageous. The amenities and comfort provided at Sleep Box are offered at Sloth Hostel DMK, just minutes down the road for a fraction of the cost. My private room with a double bed and a shared bathroom cost $20.

getting to sloth hostel from Don Meuang Airport (DMK) ↴

Part of what makes Sloth Hostel such a fantastic place to stay on a layover is its proximity to Don Muang Airport. In the arrivals terminal, simply head towards the giant Amari Hotel sign and you’ll arrive at an elevator {lift}. Take the elevator up to the tunnel on Floor 2 and walk through the tunnel, which connects the DMK arrivals hall to the swanky hotel’s reception area. At the end of the tunnel, take the escalator down to the ground floor reception. From the reception, exit the hotel and take a right. Walk for 10 minutes down the sidewalk and take a right on Choet Wutthakat. Sloth Hostel is next to some convenience shops and other accommodations. The reception is opened 24 hours a day, so you are free to check-in no matter the time.

NOTE: There is a Sloth Hostel sister branch on Khaosan Road, of the same brand. If your navigation app tells you that your hostel is more than 15 minutes away from DMK Airport, you probably have the wrong Sloth Hostel.

NEED HELP NAVIGATING? DON’T WORRY! I’VE PINNED SLOTH HOSTEL + THE WALKWAY ON THE MAP BELOW!

all the amenities ↴

A free breakfast is included in your stay that consists of toast, tea, coffee, jams and butters, and instant pot noodles. While it might seem very basic, this type of breakfast is typical of Southeast Asian hostels. As an added bonus, breakfast runs from 3 AM -11 AM, meaning no matter how early your flight out or how late you arrived you will likely make it in time for food.

There are a variety of common spaces throughout the hostels many floors, including spaces to work. There is also an outdoor area near the breakfast room where you can lounge, read a book {there are heaps to borrow from the lobby bookshelf}, and sip the free tea and coffee on offer 24/7.

Speaking of 24/7, as mentioned previously, the reception is open for check-in and check-out around the clock. I’ve had issues before with accommodation check-in times, so I was relieved that Sloth Hostel made it so simple to get the key to my room, especially since I arrived past midnight.

My private room featured air conditioning, a mounted television with all the Thai channels my heart could have desired, WiFi, and an abundance of charging ports. The private room also came with fresh towels and a hair dryer, which were greatly appreciated.

You’ll be offered free drinking water in a branded plastic bottle, but I urge you to bring your own reusable bottle to encourage the business to stop it’s participation in plastic consumption. There is a water refill station in the hostel, so why not put it to use?!

rad rooms + super showers ↴

Sloth Hostel Don Muang offers both private rooms and bunk dorms. All the rooms are a bit small, since this is primarily a transit hostel. On top of that, rooms are spread across four floors without an elevator. Because of this, large suitcases or rolling bags can be kept downstairs under the watchful eyes of the helpful staff. The bed in my private room was without a doubt one of the most comfortable beds I’ve slept on in a hostel, and reviews on Booking.com reflect my same opinion of the mattresses. Fresh linens, plush pillows, and a cozy duvet made for a great night’s sleep.

Typically, shared bathrooms in hostels can be hit or miss. The showers and toilets at Sloth Hostel were immaculate. Every shower has racks so that your towel and clothing can be hung without worry of falling on the floor {the worst}. The large mirrored vanity made getting ready a breeze. Did I mention there was a hair dryer?! Typically, I don’t ever use one, but it felt like a little taste of luxury after a long night of travel.