ME HUG Guesthouse and Hostel — A Cheap Little Guesthouse Opposite Phayao Bus Terminal, Walkable to the Lake
If you're a backpacker or solo traveller arriving in Phayao by coach and you want the cheapest possible bed, walking distance from the bus terminal, and close to Kwan Phayao lake, ME HUG Guesthouse and Hostel hits the brief squarely. It's a small, owner-run hostel-style stay rated 2 stars, on Rop Wiang Pratuklong Road in central Phayao — right opposite the bus terminal. There are male and female dorm beds for tight budgets, plus private rooms (Twin / City-View Double) for those who want their own space. Every room has air-con, Wi-Fi is free, and there are bikes to borrow for a spin along the lake. Beds start from about ฿250/night in a dorm.
ME HUG Guesthouse and Hostel is a small, owner-run hostel-style stay on Rop Wiang Pratuklong Road in Tambon Wieng, central Phayao. Its clearest selling point is the location directly opposite Phayao Bus Terminal — if you travel by coach, you step off, wheel your bag across the road, and you're there, no second ride needed. It's about a 10-minute walk from here to the Kwan Phayao lakefront, with convenience stores, eateries and cafés scattered nearby. It suits backpackers, solo travellers, or couples who value price and location over plush amenities.
Rooms split into two clear types. First are the male and female dorm beds in shared rooms of around 40m², ideal for tight budgets where privacy isn't a concern. Second are the private rooms — a Twin (two single beds) and a City-View Double of about 14–16m², for guests who want a door of their own. Every room has air-conditioning, and there's a free tea/coffee corner, a fridge, and luggage lockers with locks that several guests mention as reassuring for stowing bags. The rooms are plain and functional, with no decorative flourishes — a good-value place to sleep in a genuinely strong location, not somewhere to hang out all day.
"Great location, right by the Phayao bus terminal — step off the coach and you're there, and the lake is an easy walk. Kind hosts who help out, and lockers to store your things. For this price, it's good value for a solo traveller."
From the real reviews, the picture is fairly clear: the strengths here are the location and friendly, helpful hosts. Many guests praise the owners as kind and happy to give travel and sightseeing tips. There are bikes to borrow for a free spin along the lake, which budget travellers love, and reception runs 24 hours with no curfew, so late check-ins are fine. The limitations: there's no breakfast and no in-house restaurant, and as a small place, the reception isn't always staffed throughout the day — so it's worth arranging your check-in time ahead, especially if you arrive midday or late.
To be straight — because this is ThailandAddict: cleanliness here is inconsistent. Some reviews say the rooms and bedding are clean, but others (especially earlier ones) flag dust, cobwebs in the bathroom, a musty smell, or weak hot-water pressure, and occasionally missing items like toilet paper, towels or soap. That's the nature of a small, self-managed hostel with no daily housekeeping like a hotel. If you can accept that and you're here mainly for the price and location, it's good value — but if you're particular about cleanliness and hotel-standard rooms, Hop Inn or Dee Hotel in the same town will sit easier with you.
A tip from following the reviews here: always tell the owner your check-in time in advance, as this is a small place that isn't always staffed at the desk. If you want privacy, choose the City-View Double or the Twin over a dorm bed — it costs a little more but gives you a closed room of your own. Lean on the location: borrow a bike and ride to Kwan Phayao, Wat Tilok Aram (by boat) and the lakeside evening market. And since there's no breakfast, plan to head out for noodles or a morning bite at a market in town. Compare Agoda, Booking and Trip.com before you book, as dorm rates shift with the season.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Right opposite Phayao Bus Terminal — walk over from the coach
- ✓ About a 10-minute walk to Kwan Phayao, near stores and eateries
- ✓ Kind, helpful owners and staff
- ✓ Very cheap, with luggage lockers and bikes to borrow
- ! Inconsistent cleanliness; some rooms have dust or a musty smell
- ! No breakfast and no in-house restaurant
- ! Small place; reception isn't always staffed — arrange check-in ahead
- ✓ Central location, near the bus terminal and Kwan Phayao lake
- ✓ Both dorms and private rooms to suit your budget
- ✓ Air-con throughout, free Wi-Fi, free tea/coffee corner
- ✓ Well-suited to backpackers and solo travellers
- ! Room standard and cleanliness can't match a chain hotel
- ! Weak hot-water pressure in some rooms; a few items may be missing
- ! Plain, functional rooms with no boutique feel
- 💡If you're particular about cleanliness and hotel-standard rooms — this is a small, self-managed hostel with no daily housekeeping, and cleanliness scores are inconsistent → Hop Inn or Dee Hotel in the same town will sit easier with you.
- 💡If you arrive in Phayao midday or late — it's a small place and the desk isn't always staffed → always tell the owner your check-in time in advance so you're not left waiting at the door.
- 💡If you want privacy and don't want a shared dorm — there are both dorms and private rooms → pick the City-View Double or the Twin over a dorm bed; it costs a little more but gives you a closed room of your own.