Mad Monkey in the news
Oct
Mad Monkey Hostels Levels Up Travel Safety and Connection with New Tech Features
Southeast Asia – October 2025 – Mad Monkey Hostels, one of Southeast Asia’s leading social hostel brands, has unveiled a suite of new digital features designed to make backpacking both safer and more connected. The update integrates seamlessly into the Mad Monkey website and app, reimagining how travelers experience hostels — from booking to check-out. As travel continues to evolve, Mad Monkey’s tech-driven approach focuses on enhancing connection, transparency, and safety, while keeping the fun and community spirit the brand is known for. 1. Join Group Chats Before You Even Arrive Each Mad Monkey hostel now has a dedicated WhatsApp group where upcoming guests can chat, share travel tips, and plan meet-ups before check-in. Whether it’s finding a buddy for the sunrise hike or coordinating a night out, connection starts before you even drop your bags. 2. See Who’s Staying When You Are — Coming Soon Through guest profiles, travelers can see who else will be at the hostel during their dates. It’s a simple way to build trust and familiarity, helping solo travelers feel safer and giving everyone a head start on making friends. 3. Discover What’s On — Instantly The new “See What’s On” section showcases all upcoming events and experiences in real time — from pool parties to cooking classes — so guests can join safely organized activities and never miss a moment of the fun. 4. Digital Check-In for a Smoother, Safer Arrival Mad Monkey’s digital waiver system replaces traditional paper forms with a secure online check-in. This speeds up arrivals, ensures guest verification, and keeps essential information accessible in case of emergency. 5. Add Your Social Handles to Stay Connected Guests can now link their Instagram handles to their profile to make it easier to stay in touch with new friends they meet on the road — turning fleeting travel friendships into lifelong connections. 6. See Who’s Leading the Adventure A new “Leaderboard” feature highlights the most-traveled guests — those who’ve stayed at multiple Mad Monkey locations across regions. It’s a fun, gamified way to celebrate loyalty, inspire exploration, and build community across borders. 7. Meet the Mad Monkey AI Bot — Now in Uluwatu Currently live at Mad Monkey Uluwatu and rolling out across all hostels soon, the new AI bot helps guests with everything from event info to maintenance requests. Guests can ask what’s happening that night, find out weekly activities, or maintenance issues directly through the system — ensuring faster response times and safer, more seamless stays. “Our mission has always been to create meaningful connections — and these features take that to a whole new level,” said Luke Coleman, Head of Technology at Mad Monkey Hostels. “These updates make it easier for travelers to connect, feel safe, and have fun. That’s what travel is really all about.” All features are now live across Mad Monkey hostels and integrated into the new version of Mad Monkey app and website, giving guests more ways to connect, explore, and feel at home anywhere in the world. About Mad Monkey Mad Monkey is a leading hostel operator in Southeast Asia, known for experience-driven stays that blend affordable accommodation with community, adventure, and unforgettable social energy. With locations across Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, and Australia, Mad Monkey is more than a place to stay – it’s a place to belong.
Oct
Mad Monkey Stands With Cebu Following the 6.9 Magnitude Earthquake
Last night, a powerful earthquake struck Cebu, shaking communities and leaving many families facing loss, damage, and uncertainty. At Mad Monkey, the Philippines isn’t just where we run hostels – it’s part of our Monkey family, and we want to step up in support of the communities that make our experiences here possible. How We’re Helping To aid in relief and recovery, Mad Monkey will be donating a portion of bookings from across the Philippines to organizations working on the ground in Cebu. Here’s how you can be part of it: 10% of all direct bookings made for any Mad Monkey Philippines property will go toward earthquake relief efforts. When You Can Book This initiative will run from Thursday through Sunday (Oct 02 – 05, 2025) only. Any booking made during this window will count toward donations, and your stay dates can be anytime through the end of the year. Why It Matters We believe travel should make a positive impact. Right now, that means helping Cebu recover, rebuild, and support families affected by the earthquake. By booking your next stay, you’ll be contributing to relief efforts while also locking in your next Mad Monkey adventure. Header image credit: Jonathan Guliban/China Daily
Oct
Mad Monkey Supports Vietnam After Typhoon Bualoi
This past week, Typhoon Bualoi struck Vietnam, bringing heavy rains, flooding, and devastation to communities across the country, especially in Northern Vietnam towns of Nghe An and Ha Tinh. Hundreds of thousands of families have been displaced, homes damaged, and livelihoods disrupted. At Mad Monkey, Vietnam isn’t just where we operate – it’s our home, and we want to do our part to support the communities who have welcomed us and our guests with open arms. How We’re Helping To contribute to relief and recovery efforts, Mad Monkey will be donating a portion of upcoming bookings directly to organizations working on the ground in affected areas. Here’s how you can be part of the effort: 10% of all direct bookings made for any Mad Monkey Vietnam property will be donated to relief efforts.$5 from every Ha Giang Loop tour booking will also be donated. When You Can Book This initiative will run from Thursday through Sunday (Oct 02 – 05, 2025) only. Any booking made within this period will count toward donations, and your stay or tour dates can be anytime through the end of the year. Why It Matters Travel has the power to create positive change, not just for travelers, but for the communities we’re part of. Your booking not only supports our Mad Monkey family but also directly contributes to rebuilding and recovery for those most affected by Typhoon Bualoi. Header image credit: Đỗ Tuấn Anh/VNA/AP Photo/picture alliance
Oct
Mad Monkey Leads the Charge in Hostel Sustainability: Coogee Beach Achieves Level 2
Sydney, Australia, October 2024. At Mad Monkey, sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s a movement. With eco-conscious travelers at heart, we’re stepping up our game and leading the way in creating sustainable travel experiences across all our properties. The latest triumph? Our Mad Monkey Coogee Beach hostel has proudly achieved Level 2 in Hostelworld’s Staircase to Sustainability program, paving the way for our other locations to follow suit. What is Level 2 Sustainability? Hostelworld’s Staircase to Sustainability outlines four key pillars that hostels must master to achieve sustainability certifications: Sustainable Management, Socio-Economic Impact, Cultural Impact, and Environmental Impact. Achieving Level 2 means we’ve demonstrated a strong commitment across all these areas. Additionally, we go beyond the basics to make a tangible impact on both the local and global environment. At Mad Monkey, hostel sustainability is a centerpiece of our efforts. For Coogee Beach, this achievement reflects the hostel’s dedication to sustainable business practices, community support, and eco-friendly purchasing. Furthermore, we engage with local culture—all while delivering an unforgettable experience for our guests. How Mad Monkey Coogee Beach Leads in Sustainability Here’s how our Coogee Beach property exemplifies Level 2 compliance: 1. Sustainable Management We’ve implemented a clear sustainability strategy, measuring and documenting our progress, and ensuring our team members are fully trained. Guests are encouraged to give feedback, which we actively incorporate to improve our sustainability efforts. Plus, legal compliance is top priority, and all documents are readily available to maintain hostel sustainability. 2. Environmental Responsibility At Coogee Beach, we’ve made eco-friendly purchasing a priority. We’ve switched to biodegradable cleaning products, reduced plastic in our bathrooms and kitchens, and are sourcing products with recyclable or returnable packaging. We’ve also installed systems to measure energy and waste consumption. Moreover, we make sure to reduce, reuse, and recycle wherever possible. Our team is committed to conserving water and protecting local biodiversity—no small feat in a bustling beachside location. This contributes greatly to hostel sustainability. 3. Support for the Local Community Coogee Beach fosters close relationships with local businesses and encourages guests to engage with the community. We work with local vendors and support community groups, providing spaces for local entrepreneurs to showcase their products. Whether it’s local art, food, or crafts, our hostel ensures backpackers also get a true taste of Coogee’s vibrant culture. This community focus is integral to our hostel sustainability approach. 4. Cultural Impact To enrich our travelers’ experience, we provide information on the local heritage and cultural significance of Coogee and surrounding areas. Guests can access this information in-hostel and digitally through our website and social media. Plus, we educate guests on respectfully visiting sensitive sites and leaving no trace. These measures support our cultural impact and overall hostel sustainability. Coogee Beach Sets the Example for All Mad Monkey Properties With Coogee Beach setting the bar high, we’re working to bring all Mad Monkey hostels up to Level 2. This is part of our bigger plan to become a leader in sustainable hostels worldwide, ensuring that eco-conscious backpackers can enjoy amazing travel experiences with a clear conscience. As of writing, Mad Monkey Coogee Beach is the only hostel in Sydney to reach Level 2, making it a true trailblazer in hostel sustainability. We’re excited to expand these initiatives, train team members, refine our environmental strategies, and engage more with local communities at each Mad Monkey property. From energy conservation to zero plastic goals, each hostel will have a tailored roadmap to reach Level 2, and Coogee Beach has provided us with a shining example of what’s possible for hostel sustainability. Why This Matters for You, The Traveler Travel is…
Jul
Mad Monkey Earns Level 1 Sustainability Badge from Hostelworld
Exciting news for all you eco-conscious travelers! Mad Monkey Hostels has just been awarded the prestigious Level 1 Sustainability Badge by Hostelworld. This achievement highlights our unwavering commitment to sustainable travel and environmental stewardship, setting a new standard for hostels around the globe. What is the Level 1 Sustainability Badge? The Level 1 Sustainability Badge is the first step in Hostelworld’s Staircase to Sustainability program. This certification recognizes hostels that have implemented fundamental sustainable practices. It covers crucial areas such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, and community involvement. Achieving this badge means Mad Monkey Hostels has demonstrated a strong foundation in promoting sustainable travel. Why It Matters Sustainable travel isn’t just a trend; it’s a necessity. By earning the Level 1 Sustainability Badge, Mad Monkey Hostels is not only reducing its environmental footprint but also providing travelers with eco-friendly accommodations. This ensures that every guest’s stay is not just enjoyable but also kind to our planet. Our Green Initiatives At Mad Monkey Hostels, we believe in making a positive impact. Here’s how we’re doing it: Mad Monkey Hanoi’s Blood Donation Drive. Photo courtesy of Mad Monkey. Why Stay With Us? When you choose Mad Monkey Hostels, you’re not just booking a place to stay; you’re joining a movement towards more responsible and sustainable travel. Our Level 1 Sustainability Badge means you can rest easy knowing that your accommodation is doing its part to protect the environment. Weekly beach clean-up at Mad Monkey Gili T. Photo courtesy of Mad Monkey. Join the Movement We’re incredibly proud of this achievement, but our journey doesn’t stop here. We’re committed to continuous improvement and are already working towards the next level of the staircase to sustainability. So, whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or planning your first adventure, consider Mad Monkey Hostels for a sustainable travel experience that makes a difference. Let’s explore the world responsibly, together.