The Goose Cafe and Hostel Ubon — a hostel-cafe in central Ubon known for great coffee and a kind owner
If you're the type who loves a small stay where the smell of coffee hits you from the first step, The Goose Cafe and Hostel Ubon is a name both Thai and foreign travelers bring up often in Ubon — a small hostel that's both a place to stay and a cafe in one, tucked away on Sapphasit Soi 10 in the city center, about 1 kilometer from downtown, within walking distance of Thung Si Muang and Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram · what people praise most is the Lao coffee, bamboo-tube drip coffee, brownies, chill garden, and the owner who looks after guests personally — so much so that many say it feels like having a friend show you around · there are both dorm beds with privacy curtains and an en-suite bathroom, and private air-con rooms, starting at roughly ฿312–778/night depending on room type and season, with an overall score of about 8.7
An overview of who The Goose Cafe and Hostel Ubon suits — if we boil it down as much as possible, this is a small hostel that's both a "place to stay" and a "cafe" in one, ideal for people who want a warm, friendly vibe rather than the polish of a chain hotel · it isn't a high-rise with a big lobby and uniformed staff, but a little house down a side soi that the owner runs hands-on, with coffee tables, a garden, a shared lounge corner, and just a few beds · from real reviews, the best-fit crowd is backpackers, solo travelers, budget couples, and cafe lovers who want to wake up to a good cup of coffee in their own lodging · another group that says they were impressed is people traveling alone who want to meet new friends or get local tips on where to go, because the owner and staff here are known for being friendly and happy to chat and show you around · on the flip side, if you're coming with a big family, want a luxe room with a pool, or want dead-quiet privacy where you never have to see anyone, this may not be the answer, and you should look at a mid-sized hotel in town instead · overall, The Goose sells "experience and atmosphere" more than luxury, and that's exactly why the people who love it love it so much
Location and getting around — The Goose Cafe and Hostel Ubon sits at 19/3 Sapphasit Soi 10 in Mueang Ubon Ratchathani district · to find it, head into Sapphasit Soi 10 and walk in about 100–200 meters; the hostel is on your left · the strength of the location is that it's in the city center, only about 1 kilometer from the central district, making it easy to get around · from the stay to Thung Si Muang, the central city park and the venue for major events like the Candle Festival, takes about 5–7 min by car · to Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram, home of the Phra Kaeo Butsarakham (Topaz Buddha), about 7–8 min · the Ubon bus terminal is close, just a few tens of baht by motorbike/taxi — as a foreign review recounted, the ride from the bus terminal to the stay cost around 50 baht · for those flying in, Ubon Ratchathani Airport (UBP) is about 5 kilometers away, or roughly 10–15 min by car, which is very close compared with many cities · one thing to note is that the stay is down a soi, not on a main road, so if it's your first time you should pin the map location well, and if you don't have your own vehicle, relying on Grab or a motorbike taxi is the easiest way to reach spots farther out
"Such a lovely stay. The owner was so kind and even drove us around Ubon to see the city. Great coffee, clean dorm, the beds have privacy curtains so they're comfy to sleep in, and the bathroom is right inside the dorm too. Amazing value."
Room types and decor — The Goose is a small stay with only about 4–6 rooms, which keeps the atmosphere uncrowded and the care attentive · it splits into two main groups. The first is dorm beds, which reviews praise especially, because the dorm here is roomier than many others, each bed has a privacy curtain, and — something you don't find often at this price — the dorm has an en-suite bathroom, so you don't have to walk to a far-off shared bathroom · the second group is private air-conditioned rooms for those who want full privacy, with air-con, a work desk, a mirror, and free Wi-Fi in the room · the overall decor is a simple, easy-on-the-eyes cafe style with a touch of woodwork and warm decorative pieces — not luxurious, but clean and charming · many reviews give cleanliness full or near-full marks, using the words "clean and cozy" and praising the interior as lovely · the expectation to adjust is that some beds use the standard mattresses of budget stays in this area, not the thick, plush kind found in hotels, so anyone sensitive to mattresses may find them a bit firm · for those who prioritize privacy and a full night's sleep, we'd suggest picking a private air-con room when you book; while for those focused on saving money and not fussed about shared sleeping, the curtained dorm here does well for the price
Facilities and common areas — although it's a small stay, The Goose arranges its common areas nicely · there's a garden and open-air seating corner that is the heart of the place; many use it as a spot to sip coffee in the morning, read in the afternoon, or chat with other guests in the evening · there's a shared kitchen and shared lounge to use, so people who want to cook for themselves or sit and work have the space · the basics for a hostel are covered, including free Wi-Fi both in the rooms and common areas, luggage storage, laundry service, and airport transfer · there are reports of parking at certain times, which is a plus for a stay down a soi, but since the space is small, we'd suggest asking ahead if you're driving, because parking is limited · staff can communicate in Thai, English, and Lao, which is a big help to foreign travelers · what we'll say plainly is that this place has no swimming pool, no fitness center, and isn't a stay with a lift or the full facilities of a hotel — it's a hostel that sells atmosphere and warmth, not a complete set of facilities, so if you set your expectations right, you won't be disappointed
Cafe and food — the real selling point here — the word "Cafe" in the name isn't just for show, because this is what sets The Goose apart from a typical hostel in Ubon · it's a half-hostel, half-cafe, and the open-air cafe here gets as much praise as the stay itself · the most talked-about items are the Lao coffee and bamboo-tube drip coffee (Bamboo Drip Coffee), signatures all their own that are hard to find at an ordinary stay · there are also brownies, iced Thai tea, and homemade food that many reviews say are tasty and friendly on the wallet · a nice touch is that breakfast isn't included in the room rate, but you can order from the cafe at a low price, so you don't have to pay for a breakfast package you don't need and can eat just what you fancy · at certain times there are activities like a BBQ night where guests eat together, an atmosphere solo travelers love because they get to meet new friends · a small note from reviews is that the cafe area is fairly small with limited tables, so during busy periods you may have to wait for a seat · the cafe is open around 9:00 AM–7:00 PM, so if you want the signature coffee, plan your timing to match and don't come too late
Service and the owner — this is the heart of why people come back and speak well of The Goose · many real reviews agree that the owner and staff are extremely friendly, attentive, and ready to help · foreign reviews tell of the owner even driving guests around Ubon, recommending restaurants and sights, and helping plan their trips · some use the phrase "the best host" they've ever met · the reception staff speak English well and Lao too, which puts travelers from many countries at ease · that said, to be straightforward, a minority of reviews felt that communication about changing a booking or asking about certain prices was sometimes a bit too blunt, to the point of feeling uncomfortable · this is the nature of a small stay run by the owner — some people love the honest, direct style, and some may need to get used to it first · overall, service remains clearly the strongest point here
Voices from real reviews (both praise and gripes) — pulling together Booking.com, Agoda, Hostelworld, and TripAdvisor, the picture is fairly consistent · On the praise side: the owner and staff are friendly and very helpful, the Lao coffee and bamboo-tube drip coffee are tasty and one of a kind, the dorm is roomy with privacy curtains and an en-suite bathroom, the rooms are clean, the garden and cafe have a great vibe, and the central location makes getting around easy · TripAdvisor places it among the top of the specialty lodging category in Ubon, with a score of about 4.4 out of 5, while several booking sites rate it around 8.7 · On the note side: some beds are fairly firm like typical budget stays, the cafe area is small with limited seating, a minority of reviews gripe about cleanliness in certain spots and prices for some services that feel high, and the owner's communication that is sometimes too direct for some people · these gripes are mostly minor and manageable by choosing the right room type and setting expectations to suit a small stay
"Half of it is a hostel, the other half a coffee shop, and both are great. The Lao coffee and brownies are a must-try, the room is clean, quiet, and comfy. The only downside is the cafe is a touch small — during busy times you have to wait for a table."
Price comparison and value — The Goose's price depends quite a bit on room type and season · dorm beds and budget rooms on some sites start at around ฿312/night in normal pricing, while private air-con rooms may sit in the range of about ฿700–800/night and up depending on the platform and date · compared with other hostels and budget stays in Ubon, what makes The Goose worthwhile isn't just the price but the extras you get baked in — a dorm with privacy curtains and an en-suite bathroom that's uncommon at this price, a good cafe in your own lodging, a chill garden, and an owner ready to show you around · for solo travelers or budget couples who value atmosphere and meeting locals, the money you spend pays you back well · but if you measure by "room space per baht" or hotel-style facilities, some mid-sized hotels in town may give you a bigger air-con room for a similar budget · in short, The Goose is worth it in terms of experience more than room size, which matches exactly the crowd it suits
Things to know before booking — there are several things that make the stay smoother · One, it's on Sapphasit Soi 10, not on a main road; pin the map and remember you walk into the soi about 100–200 meters, on your left · Two, if you're sensitive to mattresses or want full privacy, pick a private air-con room instead of the dorm, and if you book the dorm, be prepared for a budget mattress · Three, breakfast isn't included in the room rate, but you can order from the cafe at a low price, so you don't have to pay for a breakfast package you don't need · Four, the cafe is open around 9:00 AM–7:00 PM; if you want to try the signature coffee, come within these hours · Five, if you come during the Candle Festival (July), which is Ubon's high season, stays across the whole city fill up fast and prices climb, so book well in advance · Six, if you're driving, ask about parking ahead of time because space is limited · Seven, it's a small stay run by the owner with direct communication; if you understand this style, your stay will be relaxed
Summary — from all the real reviews, The Goose Cafe and Hostel Ubon is the stay best suited for backpackers, solo travelers, budget couples, and cafe lovers who want a warm, friendly vibe in central Ubon · the strengths are an on-site cafe serving Lao coffee and bamboo-tube drip coffee that are tasty and one of a kind, a dorm with privacy curtains and an en-suite bathroom that's worth more than its price, a chill garden, and an owner who looks after you so well it feels like having a friend show you around · if you're after a luxe room with a pool, dead-quiet privacy, or the full facilities of a big hotel, this may not be the answer, and you should consider a mid-sized hotel in town instead · but for a trip where you want "a stay with a story," a good cup of coffee in your own lodging, and a close-up feel of Ubon people's friendliness — The Goose is a choice that fits this crowd well for just a few hundred baht, and that's why it has earned a high score and been placed among the top of its lodging category in Ubon consistently
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Owner and staff are very friendly and helpful; some show you around
- ✓ Standout on-site cafe; tasty Lao coffee and bamboo-tube drip coffee
- ✓ Roomy dorm with bed privacy curtains and an en-suite bathroom
- ✓ Central location, easy to get around, near the airport and bus terminal
- ! Some beds are fairly firm, typical of budget stays
- ! Cafe area is small with limited seating; you wait during busy times
- ! No swimming pool or big-hotel facilities
- ✓ Warm, friendly atmosphere with a lovely chill garden
- ✓ Clean rooms decorated in an easy-on-the-eyes cafe style
- ✓ Staff speak Thai-English-Lao, great for foreign travelers
- ✓ Budget starting price, worth it for the experience
- ! A minority of reviews gripe about cleanliness in spots and prices for some services
- ! Communication about bookings is sometimes too direct for some people
- ! Parking is limited; ask ahead if you're driving
- 💡If you're sensitive to mattresses or want full privacy — the dorm mattress is the budget kind and it's shared sleeping → pick a private air-con room when you book
- 💡If you need the full facilities of a hotel — there's no swimming pool, fitness center, or lift here; it's a small hostel that sells atmosphere → consider a mid-sized hotel in town instead
- 💡If you come during the Candle Festival (July) — stays across the whole city fill up fast and prices climb → book well in advance and compare several platforms before booking