Mad Monkey in the news
Oct
Mad Monkey Hostels to Open a Riverside Base for Social Travel in Kampot, Cambodia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE KAMPOT, CAMBODIA, OCTOBER 2026 — Mad Monkey Hostels will open its newest Cambodian property, Mad Monkey Kampot, on 1 November 2026, bringing its social approach to travel to one of the country’s most atmospheric riverside destinations. Set on Riverside Road, Mad Monkey Kampot is designed as a base for travellers who want to experience Kampot beyond a checklist of sights. The property offers direct access to the river, sunset views and a social setting where guests can connect before and after exploring the province’s waterways, countryside and food culture. The launch adds a new stop to Mad Monkey’s growing Southeast Asian network, pairing a place to stay with a hand-picked lineup of local adventures. Guests can kayak through the Green Cathedral mangroves, visit a pepper farm, and join the Firefly River Boat Tour as the landscape changes from daylight to evening. The experiences are designed to connect travellers with Kampot’s wild landscapes and farming roots while giving them an easy way to explore beyond the town centre. Back at the hostel, the fun keeps going after dark with nightly Mad Monkey events like Karaoke Night, Bar Olympics and Pub Quiz. Everything’s built for joining in, not watching from the sidelines, so solo travellers and small groups have an easy way to meet people during their stay. And when the night winds down, a comfy bed is waiting, whether you’re bunking in a dorm with new mates or keeping it low-key in a private room. “Mad Monkey Kampot is a place to slow down without switching off,” said Johan Oosthuizen, General Manager. “You can spend the day on the water, learning about Kampot pepper or looking for fireflies along the river, then return to a space where there is always a shared table, a conversation or an event happening. We wanted the property to feel connected to Kampot from the moment guests arrive — relaxed, social and ready for exploration.” Mad Monkey Kampot comes with a swimming pool, bar and restaurant, gym, ice bath and jacuzzi. Add the riverside setting and the activity lineup, and the hostel covers both sides of Kampot: slow days outdoors and a lively, welcoming place to come back to at night. The opening comes as more travellers look for destinations that combine connection, local discovery and flexibility. Rather than treating the hostel as a stopover, Mad Monkey Kampot positions it as a launchpad for exploring the wider region — from mangrove waterways and pepper farms to the river at night — while keeping the social centre of the trip close at hand. Mad Monkey Kampot is now accepting bookings for stays from 1 November 2026. For more information and reservations, visit madmonkeyhostels.com/destination/kampot About Mad Monkey Hostels 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
Do Good, Then Go Big: Mad Monkey and DO MORE TRAVEL Launch a 24-Day Vietnam Trip for Under US$60 a Day
SOUTHEAST ASIA, OCTOBER 2026 — Social hostel brand Mad Monkey and Melbourne-based volunteer travel specialist DO MORE TRAVEL have teamed up to launch 24 Days in Vietnam: Volunteer + Backpack, a trip built for travellers who want their time abroad to count and still come home with the stories. The first half is slow and grounded. Travellers spend 13 days living with host families or in a volunteer house in the Thot Not region, north of Can Tho in the Mekong Delta. Depending on local needs, they help with English lessons, food distribution at the local hospital, farm work and small repairs to local bridges and roads. Weekends are for floating markets, rice fields and island hops. Then the trip flips. On day 14, the group flies from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and checks in at Mad Monkey Hanoi. The next ten days cover a Hanoi street food and beer crawl, Train Street, a four-day Ha Giang Loop with licensed Easy Riders and village homestays, and an overnight Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay cruise with kayaking and a sundeck sunset session. “Travellers get told to pick a lane: do something meaningful, or have the time of your life. In Vietnam, you don’t have to choose. Two weeks volunteering in the Mekong Delta, then the Ha Giang Loop with our crew. Twelve strangers in, twelve friends out.” — Hayley Plummer, Sales & Partnerships Manager, Mad Monkey Built for Gen Z budgets. The full 24 days costs US$1,399, which works out to under US$60 a day. That covers all accommodation, most meals, the domestic flight to Hanoi, the Ha Giang Loop, the bay cruise and airport transfers. A US$200 deposit secures a spot. Small by design. Each departure is capped at 12 travellers to keep the community placement manageable and the group tight. Trips start on the fourth Monday of every month, with 2027 departures running from 22 February to 22 November. Safety sorted. DO MORE TRAVEL has run international volunteer placements since 2004 and vets every host family and partner project. Mad Monkey runs the northern leg with English-speaking guides and a set daily structure, with Mad Monkey Hanoi as home base at both ends. The trip is open to travellers aged 18 and over, with no volunteering or riding experience needed. Book the 24-day Vietnam volunteer and backpacking trip. About Mad Monkey Hostels 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. About DO MORE TRAVEL DO MORE TRAVEL is a Melbourne-based organisation that has connected young travellers with volunteer projects, internships and purpose-led trips across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America since 2004.
Jul
Mad Monkey Hostels Revamps Loyalty Checkout Experience
Mad Monkey Hostels is rolling out the biggest upgrade yet to its destination-based membership program, Mad Loyalty, giving members the ability to see and claim their perks the moment they book, no separate step required. What is Mad Loyalty? Mad Monkey first launched its revamped Mad Loyalty program this month as a way to reward its most dedicated travelers. Mad Loyalty is designed as a destination-based membership rather than a traditional points-based system, which aims to encourage guests to explore multiple locations within the Mad Monkey network, sort of like a passport for the brand’s expansive footprint. As Mad Monkey describes the program, it is built for “people who love paying less than everyone else.” Members unlock escalating discounts and exclusive perks as they stay at different properties, connecting them to the broader Mad Monkey community while enjoying the benefits of direct booking. Who is Mad Monkey? Mad Monkey is known for affordable accommodations, highly social environments, and community-driven impact. Basically, it’s a brand for young, fast-moving travelers visiting major cities and remote destinations alike. The company opened its first hostel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2011 with an attention-grabbing focus on social responsibility and community events. The company currently counts over 20 hostels in 7 countries, including locations in Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, and Australia. Among the experiences Mad Monkey offers, locations range from vibrant city centers and remote island retreats to adventure-focused outposts. The chain has plans to continue expanding its footprint, offering even more destinations for Mad Loyalty members to explore. How does the new instant-claim feature work? Mad Loyalty has been fully live across the network for months, with travelers able to sign up for free directly through Mad Monkey and unlock benefits immediately. Now, the program is getting its most member-friendly update since launch: real-time perk eligibility built directly into the booking flow. Previously, members had to already know which perks they’d earned and separately apply them. Under the new system, as soon as a logged-in member selects their dates and room on the booking page, Mad Monkey automatically checks their Mad Loyalty tier against that stay and surfaces any perk they qualify for, whether that’s a free-night stay, a discount, or another benefit tied to their level. Members simply toggle the perk on and it’s applied straight to the total, before they ever reach checkout. That means no promo codes to track down, no digging through account pages, and no missed perks. If a member is eligible, the booking page shows it to them in the moment, and claiming it takes one tap. Mad Monkey has structured the program into four distinct tiers based on the number of properties visited. Creating an account instantly unlocks the Member level and initial perks. Booking a stay at one property elevates the guest to the Mad level. Exploring further and booking three different properties unlocks the Madder level. Finally, guests who book stays at five distinct properties reach the top-tier Maddest level, which grants the most significant discounts and exclusive benefits. Unlike traditional hostel loyalty programs that require thousands of points for a single reward, Mad Loyalty members level up simply by traveling to new destinations. This destination-based progression encourages guests to experience the diverse cultural offerings and signature weekly events across the Mad Monkey portfolio. Existing guests who have previously booked directly will have their past stays recognized, potentially fast-tracking their path to higher tiers. Bottom line Mad Loyalty remains Mad Monkey’s signature rewards program, and its newest update makes it easier than ever to actually use. Guests can sign up for free…
Jul
Why Gen Z Backpackers Are Ditching Summer Travel for Smarter Off-Peak Adventures
New Data Shows Shoulder Season Travel Reaching Historic Highs as Young Adventurers Prioritize Authentic Connection Over Crowds FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SOUTHEAST ASIA — JULY 2026 — For decades, the travel industry has marketed peak season as the only “real” time to visit Southeast Asia. But that narrative is shifting. A significant surge in off-peak bookings at Mad Monkey Hostels, combined with historic highs in search queries for “shoulder season travel” and “off-peak backpacking,” signals a fundamental change in how Gen Z and Millennial travelers plan their trips. The trend reflects a broader cultural shift: young travelers are becoming more intentional, more budget-conscious, and more interested in authentic experience over Instagram moments. They are choosing depth over breadth, community over chaos, and sustainability over excess. “For years, travelers were told that peak season was the only time to visit,” says Kyle Kenny, Commercial Director at Mad Monkey Hostels. “But the modern backpacker is smarter. They realize that traveling off-peak means your budget goes twice as far, the locals have more time for genuine connection, and you aren’t fighting crowds for an authentic experience. This isn’t a compromise—it’s the smarter way to travel.” The Data Behind the Shift The numbers tell a compelling story. Search queries for “shoulder season travel,” “off-peak backpacking,” and “cheapest time to visit Southeast Asia” have reached historic highs. At Mad Monkey Hostels, year-over-year off-peak bookings have surged significantly, signaling a permanent shift in how young adventurers plan their trips. The reasons are straightforward: Cost Savings: Flights and accommodations are typically 30% to 50% cheaper during shoulder season, allowing backpackers to extend their trips or travel to more destinations on the same budget. For budget-conscious travelers, this is a game-changer. Authentic Local Connection: Without the overwhelming crush of peak-season tourism, local communities are more relaxed and open to genuine interaction. Travelers experience a less commercialized, more authentic look at local life. Flexibility and Spontaneity: Off-peak travel removes the pressure to book everything months in advance. Backpackers can travel day-to-day, make spontaneous decisions, and stay longer in places they fall in love with. Addressing the Solo Traveler’s Biggest Fear Historically, the biggest hesitation for solo travelers considering off-peak travel has been the fear of empty hostels. The concern is understandable: what good is cheaper accommodation if there is no one to meet? Mad Monkey has directly addressed this concern by maintaining a vibrant social calendar year-round. Nightly events keep the energy alive regardless of season, while curated tours and experiences give travelers authentic ways to connect with each other and with local communities. “Solo travelers choose Mad Monkey because they know there will be people to meet and things to do, whether it’s peak season or not,” explains Kenny. “Our nightly events and tours create natural gathering points where guests connect organically. That’s what sets us apart during off-peak months—we maintain the social fabric that makes hostels special.” Three Rules for Nailing a Shoulder-Season Trip Mad Monkey’s destination experts share essential guidance for travelers planning an off-peak escape: Embrace the Rhythm of the Region. In tropical Southeast Asia, the off-peak “rainy season” is often misunderstood. Afternoon showers typically last an hour, leaving the rest of the day cool, lush, and refreshing. Pack a light raincoat and enjoy lower temperatures and fewer crowds. Many travelers find the landscape at its most beautiful during this time. Choose Community-First Accommodations. When traveling off-peak, the hostel you choose matters more than ever. Prioritize accommodations known for structured social events, active community managers, and a reputation for bringing guests together. This ensures that even if the destination is quiet, your hostel becomes your social…
Jul
Mad Monkey Launches ALL IN Group Trips across Southeast Asia
For years, the same story has played out in Mad Monkey common areas across Southeast Asia. Someone arrives solo, bonds instantly with a crew over a pool game, and quietly rearranges their whole itinerary to stay together. The alternative has always been the group chat that never becomes a booking — friends who don’t commit, dates that never align, trips that die in the planning stage. Mad Monkey was already sitting on the fix. Fifteen years of building social infrastructure — from a single hostel in Phnom Penh to 25+ properties across seven countries — gave the brand a working knowledge of how to build collective energy among strangers. ALL IN Trips is the next step: handle the logistics, let travelers focus on the social pulse. “ALL IN exists because there was a gap between what young travelers wanted and what the industry offered,” says Kyle Kenny, Commercial Director at Mad Monkey. “The 60-person coach-bus tour is over. People want intentional, small-scale adventures rooted in real local subculture, without giving up the freedom of independent travel.” What Makes It Distinct No coach buses, no mega-groups — departures run in small, capped cohorts. Every route is built around must-see stops with a twist, plus experiences guests can’t book solo — access that comes from fifteen years of local relationships, not a tour-operator markup. It’s real culture and real places, not plastic tourist stops. Free time is built into every itinerary, so the trip never feels over-programmed. Most guests arrive without knowing a single other person on the trip; most leave with a group chat that’s still active months later. Three Routes, a Mad Monkey Hostel Every Night Indonesia Island Hopping — 12 days, from $700. Sunset at Panorama Point in Uluwatu, a pre-dawn Mt Batur trek, island hopping through Nusa Penida, a bike tour on Gili T, and four nights at surf camp in Kuta Lombok. Cambodia Coast to Coast — 14 days, from $650. Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Koh Rong, and Koh Sdach, closing with a community BBQ of locally caught fish, hosted alongside Mad Monkey’s local team. Vietnam North to Central — 14 days, from $850. Hanoi’s Old Quarter, an overnight cruise through Lan Ha Bay, motorbikes on the Ha Giang Loop, and the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An. How It Works A $99 deposit holds a spot. Every route stays in real Mad Monkey beds every single night — no mystery dorms, no third-party swaps. Daily breakfast is included, along with a free night at the property the day before departure, so travelers arrive rested rather than racing the first stop. Evenings are built in too: games nights, pool hangs, and the kind of social pulse Mad Monkey common areas are known for. Domestic transport and 24/7 local crew support run throughout the trip. Bring Your Own Crew: The Squad Leader Program Not everyone waits for the group chat to fall apart before doing something about it. For the ones who’d rather build the crew themselves, Mad Monkey launched Squad Leader alongside ALL IN. Apply, get a unique referral code, and share it with the people already asking “wait, are you actually going?” Bring enough of your crew along and the rewards scale with you — full tiers and terms are available on application. It’s less an affiliate scheme than a bet on the person every friend group already has — the one who sends the flights, picks the dates, and gets everyone to actually commit. ALL IN isn’t a booking package. It’s a bet that the best trips still start the same way they always have…