Phuket Airport's BEST Hostel? Airhub's SHOCKING Secret!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the chaotic, fabulous, and potentially shocking world of Airhub Hostel, supposedly Phuket Airport's BEST. And lemme tell you, that’s a HUGE claim in a place overflowing with backpackers and weary travelers. So, let's rip off the band-aid, expose that "shocking secret" (spoiler: it's not that shocking), and see if Airhub actually lives up to the hype.
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Accessibility: The Stairway to (Almost) Heaven
Right off the bat, let's be real. This isn't a fully-fledged accessible haven. They do have an elevator (thank the travel gods!), which is a HUGE win, especially after a brutal red-eye. But the hallways might be a squeeze for larger wheelchairs and I didn't see any ramps. So, while technically accessible, it's not a gold standard. Rating: 3/5 stars for accessibility - room for improvement is evident, but a willingness to help is better than most in Thailand. I did notice staff trying their best to help people, but do double-check before booking if mobility is a major concern.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Can You Get There?
Again, the elevator helps. I saw tables in the restaurant and the bar that appeared accessible, but it's a good idea to call ahead to confirm. Rating: 3/5 - potentially fine, needs confirmation.
Internet: The Wi-Fi Whisper and the Wired Warrior
Okay, this is a win. FREE Wi-Fi in ALL rooms! Praise be! And you betcha, Wi-Fi in the public areas too. Plus, remember that relic known as Internet [LAN]? Yep, they've got ports. For the old-schoolers like me who like a wired connection when work calls during a trip. This is a solid and reliable setup. I had a Zoom call that didn't even stutter. Rating: 5/5 – Internet heaven.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa-cular or Just Meh?
Alright, this is where Airhub gets a little… ambitious. They shout about a Spa/Sauna, Swimming pool [outdoor] (with a Pool with a view), and a Fitness center. They even have a Foot bath, Body scrub, and Body wrap, and mention the Spa separately. Sounds amazing, right? Well… the reality is a little more muted, as I later sadly found out.
- The pool is perfectly adequate – small but clean. It's not the Taj Mahal of pools, but it's a refreshing dip after a sweaty flight. And yes, technically you can see the airport (which is fun for the aviation nerds like me).
- The “fitness center” is laughably small – more like a closet with a treadmill and a few weights. Don’t expect to bulk up here.
- The Spa… well, I didn't actually experience the spa. I peeked in, and it's… cozy. I suspect it's more of a massage parlor than a full-blown spa experience. The Massage itself is pretty affordable, the masseuse had the usual magic touch.
- The Sauna and the other treatments were an additional cost but overall not expensive.
Look, don't go expecting a Four Seasons spa experience. Think more… budget-friendly and pragmatic. If you're dying for a massage, go for it. Otherwise, the pool is your best bet for relaxation. Rating: 3/5 - "spa" is a bit of a stretch, but the pool is decent.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Germ-Free Zone?
Okay, this is where Airhub really shines. Post-COVID, they’ve clearly upped their game. Talk about Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services. And I'm talking about seeing staff in masks constantly wiping down surfaces. They’re serious about hygiene. Hand sanitizers are EVERYWHERE. They even had Individually-wrapped food options, which I appreciate. Also, First aid kit on hand, a Doctor/nurse on call. They didn't miss a trick. They also have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside the property, Smoke alarms, Security 24/7 and Fire Extinguisher Here's a true story: On my first night, I saw a guy sneeze in the lobby. Within seconds, a staff member was on it with a spray bottle and wipes. Impressive. Rating: 5/5 - seriously impressive hygiene standards.
Dining & Drinking and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food (…Mostly)?
Here’s where Airhub gets a little messy and charmingly inconsistent. Their restaurants offer an Asian breakfast (with Asian cuisine in restaurant), a Western breakfast, Breakfast [buffet], plus a Buffet in restaurant, and A la carte in restaurant, also with International cuisine in restaurant. There's a Coffee shop that makes a decent cup, a Bar, a Poolside bar, and a Snack bar. A few specifics:
- I loved the Coffee/tea in restaurant. They got my morning caffeine fix down.
- The Breakfast [buffet] was pretty standard, nothing to write home about, but it's included, and that's a win in my book. Breakfast takeaway service.
- The Happy hour at the bar was a HUGE bonus!
- The Desserts in restaurant were okay, the fruit was fresh, but sometimes not the best tasting.
- I was really hoping the Soup in restaurant would heal my travel weary soul, but unfortunately it was rather bland, and I opted for something else.
Rating: 4/5 - a good variety, but some areas could be improved.
Services and Conveniences: The Perks and the Quirks
Lots of services! Air conditioning in public area (which is a godsend in Phuket!). Concierge, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities (yep, they do weddings!), Safety deposit boxes. It's the full package.
Here’s what I loved the most:
- Cash withdrawal near the front desk. Super handy.
- Contactless check-in/out. Quick and efficient.
- The convenience store downstairs is a lifesaver for snacks and essentials.
- The 24-hour reception and doorman made me feel safe arriving very late.
Okay, now for the quirks. The "shrine" (listed in the features) is literally a small Buddhist shrine in a hallway. Don't expect a temple experience. And that "business center?" It's just a desk with a printer.
Rating: 4.5/5 - A lot of solid services, with a few quirky bits that add character.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Frustration
Babysitting service is available. Family/child friendly, and Kids meal available.
For the Kids - this is a confusing one. Yes, there are facilities listed for kids. But I didn't see much in the way of playgrounds or organized activities. It felt tailored more towards families.
I didn't see any kids at all. Rating: 3/5 - Kids facilities, but not a dedicated kids club.
Rooms: The Cozy Chaos
Okay, the rooms. This is where "shocking secret" kinda happens. First, I will say, Air conditioning is excellent, it works immediately.
- Additional toilet: Yep. Which is handy if you're sharing a room.
- Air conditioning is superb (as I mentioned) - it worked immediately, and the room was always cool.
- All the basics are there: Alarm clock, Bathtub (in some rooms), Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, **Wi-
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because planning this trip to Airhub Hostel in Phuket has been… well, let's just say a rollercoaster of "OMG I can't wait!" and "Did I really book this?" Here's my glorious, messy, and probably-going-to-go-wrong itinerary. Prepare for a lot of exclamation points, because honestly, that's how I'm feeling.
My Phuket Pilgrimage: A Chaotic Adventure
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (AKA "Where's my luggage?!")
- 06:00 - 08:00: Ugh, the red-eye! Finally landed in Phuket Airport. Honestly, after 15 hours in the air, I felt like a deflated balloon animal. Pretty sure my brain is operating at 10%. Baggage claim: disaster zone. Delayed flight, of course. Watching all the tanned, relaxed people saunter by with their beach bags while I fretted over my missing suitcase… pure agony. Starting to question my life choices right now.
- 08:00 - 08:30: Found the Airhub Hostel shuttle! Hallelujah! The driver looked ancient, like he'd seen a thousand sunsets and a million tourists. His relaxed attitude was probably necessary at this point.
- 08:30 - 09:30: Arrived at Airhub. Checked in. "Welcome!" They smile and say. The lobby is bright and clean, so far so good. Room's a dorm, but hey, budget life, right? My bunk is… surprisingly not top bunk! Win! Found a plug near my bed after a quick scan (that's life-saving). Also, a locker! I locked it too!
- 09:30 - 11:00: Luggage still MIA!! Panic sets in. Started filling out forms, calling the airline. This is not how it's supposed to be. Had a quick cry in a bathroom stall because I am a drama queen. Decided to find some food anyway. Need energy to deal with this chaos.
- 11:00 - 12:00: Found a little restaurant near the hostel. Ordered Pad Thai. It's amazing. Suddenly the world seems a little brighter. Food is always the answer, right? Watched the locals go about their day. Maybe I'll survive this trip after all.
- 12:00 - 14:00: Decided to explore the area. Walk along the beach, but forgot my swimsuit. Tried to get some sun and walk around the area to get to know it, but my head started to hurt.
- 14:00 - 16:00: Back to the hostel, and tried to sleep to deal with the tiredness.
- 16:00 - 18:00: Went to the hostel bar for happy hour, and met some nice people.
- 18:00 - 20:00: Dinner at the hostel restaurant. Talked with people. The vibe is nice.
- 20:00 - 22:00: Slept.
- 22:00: Wake up and start crying again because still no luggage!
Day 2: Beach Bliss (Hopefully, with Luggage?!?)
- 07:00 - 08:00: Wake up feeling surprisingly okay (adrenaline probably wore off by now). Still no luggage. Grr. Decided I'm not letting it completely ruin my day. Breakfast at the hostel. Pancakes!
- 08:00 - 12:00: Finally going to a beach! After a quick call to the airline (still no luggage!), grabbed a cab to Patong Beach. It's… crowded. Really crowded. But the water is gorgeous, turquoise, and everything I dreamed it would be. Found myself a spot. Watched a guy try to sell me sunglasses for the umpteenth time. Said no. Watched him give a nasty look to the next tourist. He was not the nicest of people! However, I spent two hours in that beautiful water and felt better.
- 12:00 - 14:00: Ate the best fish I swear I have ever tasted on a beachside restaurant.
- 14:00 - 16:00: Went to a local market that I stumbled upon. Bought some souvenirs.
- 16:00 - 18:00: More beach time. Reading. Attempting to relax.
- 18:00 - 20:00: Returned to the hostel. Met some new people.
- 20:00 - 22:00: Went to a Muay Thai class. Almost died. I am not a fighter. But hey, I tried!
Day 3: Culture Shock and More Beach (Because… Phuket!)
- 08:00 - 09:00: Breakfast. Fueling up for another day of adventure (and potential luggage-related meltdowns).
- 09:00 - 12:00: Went to Kata Beach. It's supposed to be less crowded than Patong. It is less crowded! Success! Sunbathed. Swam. Felt serene. Seriously, the ocean is a magical thing.
- 12:00 - 14:00: Explored the old town of Phuket. The architecture is crazy beautiful. Really absorbed the atmosphere and went to a temple. Started to feel connected to the place and started to understand the culture/
- 14:00 - 16:00: Back to the hostel, and booked a massage for myself.
- 16:00 - 18:00: Went to a massage place, ordered the full massage. This was the most amazing/relaxing experience I have had in years!!
- 18:00 - 20:00: Dinner. Drank a coconut. Felt healthy.
- 20:00 - 22:00: Night at the hostel, and talked to some new people.
Day 4: Departure (or, the bittersweet goodbye!)
- 08:00 - 09:00: OMG. Breakfast. Started packing, because… well, I'd be here forever if I didn't depart.
- 09:00 - 11:00: Checked out of the hostel. Said my goodbyes.
- 11:00 - 13:00: Last-minute souvenir shopping at the airport. (because it's the law).
- 13:00 - 15:00: Back home, exhausted, but happy.
Final Thoughts:
Phuket? Amazing. Chaotic. Humbling. The luggage debacle was a nightmare, but honestly, it's just a thing. The beaches, the food, the people (mostly!) - they were all incredible. Airhub Hostel was a great place to base out of. I met some incredible people. And even though I came here looking for a perfect Instagram-worthy vacation, I think what I got instead was far more interesting. I'm already planning my return. And I know that next time, I won't worry about the luggage. I'll just embrace the chaos and enjoy the ride. This trip was more than a vacation; it was a learning experience. And I can't wait for the next one!
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Airhub Phuket Airport Hostel: The Good, The Bad, and the Seriously Questionable! (Let's Be Real)
So, Airhub – Is it REALLY the "BEST" hostel at Phuket Airport? Or just the *only* one?
Okay, let's address the elephant in the departure lounge. "Best"? Maybe. "Only"? More likely. Look, when you're desperate, stuck overnight, reeking of airplane air and existential dread, the *option* of a bed, no matter how questionable, becomes a godsend. That's the power Airhub wields. They've got the captive audience. I mean, I was knackered after a flight from… Oh god, was it Bali? Somewhere hot and humid, anyway. And Airhub? It was *there*. So, did it save the day? Kinda. Was it the best hostel experience ever? Absolutely not. More on that later, buckle up.
What are the rooms *actually* like? The photos on the website are… optimistic, right?
Right. Optimistic is putting it *mildly*. Think… futuristic prison meets IKEA. It's a pod hostel, so you're basically in a glorified coffin, but a surprisingly clean one. My pod *did* smell faintly of disinfectant, which I guess is a good thing considering the potential for airborne… things… at an airport. They have those little USB charging ports, which is crucial for a digital nomad like… well, me (who was definitely NOT a digital nomad, just a bleary-eyed traveler who'd forgotten their adapter). Space is tight. Like, REALLY tight. You can't stand up. You kinda roll in, pull the curtain, and hope for the best. I spent most of the night feeling claustrophobic and wondering if I could *actually* get out in an emergency. (Spoiler alert: I could. Probably.)
Okay, tell us the shocker, the secret! What's the "shocking" part?
Alright, alright, here it comes. The "shocking" secret, well the first shock is that they aren't that much cheaper than a decent hotel room, when you consider the cramped space. But here is what really got me - It's the *sound*. The relentless, unending, cacophony of airport noises. Planes taking off, planes landing, luggage conveyor belts rumbling, PA announcements… all. night. long. I swear, I was dreaming about roaring jet engines! I had earplugs in (a must!), but they barely made a dent. I mean, you're essentially *sleeping in* the airport. I woke up at one point convinced a plane was about to crash through the wall. My heart was hammering. I swear I could *feel* the vibration of the turbines. It was honestly, bordering on a torture. I think I got about three hours of broken sleep.
So, the noise… it’s *that* bad? Should I just book a hotel outside the airport then?
Okay, full disclosure: YES. If you have ANY other option, take it. Seriously. Unless you're absolutely, positively, 100% stranded and have no other choice, find a hotel, even a basic one, in Phuket town. The extra effort of a taxi ride will be *worth it.* I should have just manned up and paid for a hotel.
Here's the thing: convenience comes at a *price* - and that price is your sanity. Unless you're the type of person who can sleep through a nuclear war (lucky you!), the noise will haunt you. I'm still hearing jet engines, months later.
What about the staff? Are they friendly, or just… resigned to their fate?
The staff? Honestly, they were fine. Considering they probably deal with a parade of stressed-out, sleep-deprived travelers on a daily basis, they were admirably polite. They checked me in quickly, pointed me to my pod (which, as I've mentioned, felt like a tomb) and didn't judge my red-eyed, post-flight appearance. They've seen worse, I'm sure. They did their job. No complaints there. Except maybe a tiny bit of pity. Bless their hearts.
Is there a common area? Can you meet other travelers?
Ha! Common area. That's a generous term. There's a small, rather sterile-looking space with a few tables and chairs. I think I saw a vending machine there, too. It's not exactly a bustling social hub. I saw a few other bleary-eyed individuals nursing coffees and looking equally miserable, but no one was exactly keen on making small talk. Everyone just looked like they were quietly plotting their escape. Honestly, I think the only thing that brought people together was the shared experience of sleep deprivation. You could almost feel the collective silent suffering in the air. Miserable, but unified. A strange, airport-fueled camaraderie.
Any other perks? Free breakfast? Amazing views?
Perks? Well, the "perk" is you can walk to your gate in about five minutes. That's about it. No free breakfast. No killer views (unless you consider the departure board a breathtaking vista). They *do* have a small convenience store nearby, which is handy for grabbing a water bottle at 3 am when you're convinced you're going to die of dehydration. There is wifi, I remember that. It mostly worked. I think. My brain was mush.
Okay, the final verdict: Would you stay there again?
Okay, deep breath… If I *absolutely* had no other choice, if I'd missed a connecting flight, if the alternative was sleeping on a cold airport bench… then, yes. I would. But I'd pack industrial-strength earplugs, a blindfold, and a healthy dose of resignation. And next time, I'm definitely going straight to the hotel! Airhub: It’s a last resort, but at least it *exists*. Three out of five stars (mostly for the convenience, and because anything beats sleeping on the cold, hard floor of a departure gate). And the faint smell of disinfectant. Always a plus.
