Pickbaan Hostel & Cafe — a hostel in an old teak house in central Lamphun, with a real cafe downstairs
Picture an old raised teak house in the heart of Lamphun's old town, with a coffee cafe on the ground floor and rooms upstairs — Pickbaan Hostel & Cafe is a small hostel restored from an original wooden house, keeping all of its old-world charm · It has both dorm beds and private rooms, all air-conditioned with shared bathrooms · What guests mention again and again is the location within walking distance of the walking street and Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, the genuinely good coffee in the cafe, and the free bikes for exploring town · From approx. ฿650/night · Score 9.0 on Booking
Pickbaan Hostel & Cafe is a small hostel set in a restored old raised teak house on Ratchawong Road, in the heart of Lamphun's old town · The first thing people remember is that the ground floor is a genuine coffee cafe, not just a corner serving coffee · The owner, who is also the barista, makes both classic and creative recipes in a retro-styled room — many reviews say they wandered in for a coffee before realising there was a place to stay upstairs.
Accommodation is split into 2 dorm rooms and 3 private rooms, such as Twin, Quadruple and double-bed rooms · All rooms are air-conditioned and use shared bathrooms downstairs, which is something to understand before booking, as an old wooden house doesn't have an en-suite in every room · Rooms are warm and wood-toned, with comfy beds and a clean feel · It isn't luxurious, but it has the charm of an old teak house that new hotels simply can't fake · Because it's small, guests get more quiet and a more personal feel than at a big hostel.
"Great location, you can walk to the walking street and the temple. Lovely coffee, friendly owner, and the free bikes made exploring town so fun."
After the coffee, the thing guests praise most is breakfast · Many reviews note that the free breakfast served in the garden changes its menu almost every day, freshly made and nicely presented · Eating in the quiet garden to the sound of birds is a moment guests remember · There are also free bikes to borrow, which suit Lamphun perfectly — it's a small town that's easy and pleasant to cycle around, from Wat Phra That Hariphunchai to the old city walls and the shops nearby · There's a shared kitchen and lounge to use as well.
Location is this place's strongest point · Pickbaan sits right in Lamphun's old town — walking distance to the Lamphun walking street, Wat Phra That Hariphunchai and local eateries · Lamphun is a small, quiet town with an evening walking street and market, and being able to walk or cycle straight out to explore is something guests agree on · It's about 30 minutes' drive from Chiang Mai city and Chiang Mai airport, making it a good base for anyone who wants to take the old town slowly.
Honestly, Pickbaan isn't for everyone · It's an old wooden house, the bathrooms are shared and downstairs, some reviews mention a few spots could use a little refurbishment in low season, and on some nights there's music or guest noise until around 10 or 11pm · But for those who like a stay with a story, a hands-on owner, good coffee, fresh breakfast and a location you can walk from — this is a hostel with an atmosphere that's hard to find at the same price · A score of 9.0 on Booking and 4.6/5 on TripAdvisor — ranked #2 of 14 specialty lodging options in Lamphun — says the right kind of traveller tends to love it.
A tip from reading the reviews: if you want more privacy, choose a private room over a dorm, and if you're a light sleeper, ask for a room set further back from the cafe · Make sure to try a coffee at the ground-floor cafe at least once, and ask the owner about cycling routes around the old town — it's the most relaxed way to see Lamphun.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Central old-town location, walk to the walking street and the temple
- ✓ Genuinely good in-house coffee cafe, owner-barista makes it himself
- ✓ Fresh breakfast that changes menu almost daily, served in the garden
- ✓ Free bikes for easy exploring around the old town
- ! Old wooden house, shared bathrooms located downstairs
- ! Some nights have music or guest noise until around 10–11pm
- ! A few spots could use minor refurbishment in low season
- ✓ Charming old teak house with a retro atmosphere
- ✓ Friendly, hands-on owner and staff
- ✓ Quiet and calm, great for taking the old town slowly
- ✓ Good value for such a central location
- ! Bathrooms aren't en-suite — you go downstairs
- ! Adults-only property, no children or pets
- ! Few rooms, hard to book in peak season
- 💡If you need an en-suite bathroom and a lot of privacy — this is an old wooden house with shared bathrooms downstairs → choose a private room over a dorm, or look for a hotel with en-suite rooms.
- 💡If you're a light sleeper — the ground floor is a cafe and some nights have noise until around 10–11pm → ask for a room set further back and pack earplugs just in case.
- 💡If you're travelling as a family with young children — this is an adults-only property that doesn't accept children or pets → a resort or family-friendly homestay would suit you better.