Luang Prabang · Laos
Mad Monkey Luang Prabang
Bed bug reports
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Confirmed Google Maps
BED BUGS. I discovered on my second night that my sheets had bed bugs crawling on them. When I went down to reception around 9pm to explain the situation, the receptionist didn't understand any English and just gave me a blank stare. I was told that if I wanted to cancel I would have to come down at 7am the next day when a different employee was in. When I went down in the morning and showed the other employee the videos of the bugs, he was not shocked at all and told me I had an hour to collect my things and shower. Around 20 minutes later, when I came back from my shower, I found them changing the linens, they had grabbed all my things from the bed and moved them onto the floor. The worst part was that they put the dirty sheets they had just taken off the bed right on top of my OPEN bag. Overall just a terrible experience, I understand hostels have bed bugs sometimes and I would be alright if the customer service wasn't awful. In addition, the hostel is around a 30 minute walk from the night market so keep that in mind if booking.
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Confirmed Hostelworld
BED BUGS! I’ve already written a google review about this a few weeks ago so I won’t go into to much detail. Found bed bugs, the staff were unhelpful and a bit rude. The first employee I spoke too didn’t even speak English, and I ended up having to attempt to help him find my own booking on the computer and writing a note for the next shift. They replied to my google review stating I was lying and that since there’s outdoor space, there can be so wild bugs. These were full on bed bugs, I was bit
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Confirmed Booking.com
Dirtiest hostel I have been to in Asia. My bed had not been made, as in it didn’t have new bedding as it should. The sheets, pillow, blanket did not smell of “laundry” as in other hostels. There was a blond hair on my bed. But I was so tired to go ask for house keeping that I looked in the dorm for other cleaner blankets to borrow in the supposedly “clean beds”. They smelled even worse. And one pillow smelled like strong sweat. I managed to find some that did not smell like someone’s dirt and slept. But i was itching everywhere so i hope i am not taking bed bugs with me. I am easy when it comes to hostel but changing bed sheets is a must for me. The bathroom seems like it’s not cleaned either. They probably do a superficial “cleaning” as in filling toilet paper. But nothing like deep cleaning. This wood window was so dusty i think no cleaner touched it in years.
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Confirmed Google Maps
Dirtiest hostel I have been to in Asia. My bed had not been made, as in it didn’t have new bedding as it should. The sheets, pillow, blanket did not smell of “laundry” as in other hostels. There was a blond hair on my bed. But I was so tired to go ask for house keeping that I looked in the dorm for other cleaner blankets to borrow in the supposedly “clean beds”. They smelled even worse. And one pillow smelled like strong sweat. I managed to find some that did not smell like someone’s dirt and slept. But i was itching everywhere so i hope i am not taking bed bugs with me. I am easy when it comes to hostel but changing bed sheets is a must for me. The bathroom seems like it’s not cleaned either. They probably do a superficial “cleaning” as in filling toilet paper. But nothing like deep cleaning. This wood window was so dusty i think no cleaner touched it in years.
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Confirmed Hostelworld
Shower smelt bad and they cleaned for bed bugs so I’m assuming someone had them Water pressure was whack Far from town centre Staff are nice and there r events on Quite expensive food
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Confirmed Hostelworld
The staff were lovely, and the location is far but I didn’t think it was a big deal because the bike rental is cheap and convenient. However, I had bed bugs (in my 6 person mixed dorm) which was a huge bummer and even though I checked out early, the bites (40+ after two nights staying here) tainted the rest of my trip in Luang Prabang. I hope the hostel can improve this for future guests as I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.
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Confirmed Hostelworld
Really nice atmosphere and generally clean, but unfortunately I had bed bugs.
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Vibe Analysis
Mad Monkey Luang Prabang is built around nightly social energy: pub quizzes, bar nights, bowling runs, pool time, and organized trips like Kuang Si waterfall and Nong Khiaw. It works best for solo travelers who want an easy social launchpad and do not mind a party-hostel setup. The reps and staff are a major part of the draw, with names like Wai, Zara, Ellie, Somphone, Teng, and Khamman tied to a lot of the hostel’s warmer moments. The bar serves food, tours can be booked on site, and there may be a free evening shuttle into town or night market transport. Rooms can be spacious, modern, and clean, with comfortable beds, strong AC in parts of the property, key cards, lockers, and curtains in many dorms. That said, the experience is uneven: bathrooms, pool cleanliness, WiFi, door noise, laundry timing, and bed privacy vary a lot by room and timing. This is not the soft landing for a quiet Luang Prabang reset. It is outside the center, food and drinks can feel expensive for Laos, and the party setup can mean loud music, late dorm noise, slammed doors, and rough sleep.
Signals to check
- The hostel is outside the center, often around 20-35 minutes on foot, so tuk-tuks, scooters, bikes, or shuttle timing matter.
- Noise can be a real issue at night, especially from music, dorm traffic, doors, and late returns from bowling or bar nights.
- Bathrooms, pool areas, WiFi, laundry, and cleanliness can be inconsistent.
- Food, drinks, tours, laundry, and extras may feel pricey compared with town.
- Best fit for a social or party trip, not for light sleepers or anyone looking for a calm base.