The Hostelz.com Review - Genuine, independent review you can trust.
Goodtime Beach Backpackers @ Charm Beach is located on the well-known Koh Pha Ngan Island, where there are famous Full Moon parties with thousands of people dancing on Haad Rin Beach. There are also Half Moon parties in the jungle. This hostel is right next to Charm Beach. It is a great place for relaxing, and is great for solo travelers and also for groups and families. It is a quiet place that is still close to shops and restaurants.
The Location
It is easy to find -- if you go down the road from the pier for ten minutes, you will see a Big C supermarket, and before that, you have to turn right and you will find the hostel. If you want, from the pier, you can take a local red bus (you will see plenty of buses right next to the pier). There are several convenience stores close to this hostel, but the best one is probably Bic C supermarket where they have more of an assortment and also some cheap food you can buy (the cheapest food on Koh Pha Ngan). There are not so many attractions on this island -- you can rent a scooter and ride around it to see its villages and beaches. There are some nice beaches on the north of the island. Prices are higher than on the mainland, but it is still very affordable.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Rooms are modern, there is an air conditioner and bathroom in the room. Dorms are designed for ten people; each of the beds has its own socket and you will be provided with a thin blanket. You have to bring your own towel or you can just rent one. There are no bugs or mosquitoes in the room. There are small lockers, with which you can use your own lock. There is no personal light or ventilator. Bathrooms are spacious and there is a toilet paper. There is no soap and no shampoo.
Common Spaces
There are so many common spaces in this hostel. There is a big free swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar, and a small lounge next to the restaurant and rooms; you can go to a massage saloon on the beach or you can just relax in some of the hammocks hanging underneath the trees on the beach. The area of this hostel is quite big, so even when there is a party, there is going to be a place where you can relax on your own. You have to pay a deposit when you check in. There is no free water or tea, and breakfast is included only with some certain rooms. The internet is slow, but it is quite stable -- do not expect that you might be able to use it for video calls.
Summary
This is an affordable hostel right next to the beach with nice rooms, swimming pool, and restaurant, that's located next to the biggest supermarket on the island.
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
Martin
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on Oct 25, 2017
Location and Contact
Location
Just ask your taxi driver to take you to Bodega Hostel (Formally Goodtime Beach Backpackers). We are in Baan Tai down the road just past the King Kobra Muay Thai Stadium on the beach front. If you are on the main road in Baan Tai, we are opposite the Big C Supermarket / Slumber Party Hostel. Less than 10 minutes taxi to Thong Sala pier and 20 minutes taxi to Haad Rin.