Modern hostel with clean dorms and private rooms. Great social atmosphere with regular events. Excellent location near restaurants and bars. Popular with young travelers and digital nomads.
Zaya Hostel sits on Seoul Street in Ulaanbaatar's Sükhbaatar District, a short walk from the concentration of restaurants, bars, and cafes that have developed north of Sükhbaatar Square. The location is well connected by city buses and within comfortable walking distance of the square, the State Department Store, and the city's main traveller-oriented infrastructure. Several well-regarded local restaurants, karaoke venues, and late-night bars are within a two-to-five minute radius.
The property was refurbished in the mid-2010s with a clean contemporary aesthetic: exposed concrete surfaces, warm directional lighting, and a layout oriented toward interaction between guests. Dormitory options range from four-bed to eight-bed configurations with bunk beds, individual power sockets, and reading lights at each berth. Lockers are provided in all dormitory rooms. A small number of private rooms — mostly doubles — are available at a modest premium over dorm pricing and share the same bathroom facilities. Common areas include a bar counter, communal seating, and a small shared kitchen with basic cooking equipment for guest use.
Zaya runs a consistent social calendar: weekly events including movie nights, informal cooking sessions, and introduction evenings for new arrivals facilitate mixing between guests who may be travelling alone. The bar stocks local Chinggis brand beer and a basic spirits selection at competitive pricing, typically operating until the last guests are socialising. Staff are broadly knowledgeable about Ulaanbaatar's backpacker circuit and can connect guests with shared-cost tour groups forming for Terelj National Park or Khustain Nuruu. Luggage storage is available after checkout for guests on late departures. The hostel is most active during the summer travel season when visitors pass through before or after countryside expeditions.
Amenities
- free WiFi
- shared kitchen
- common room
- laundry
- events
- bar
Location
Seoul Street, Sükhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar
47.9168, 106.9138 View on map
Highlights
- Sociable atmosphere with a regular events programme including movie nights, cooking sessions, and group introduction evenings
- Well-positioned on Seoul Street near Ulaanbaatar's main cluster of restaurants, bars, and budget traveller services
- Hostel bar serving local Chinggis beer at competitive prices with flexible late-evening opening
Tips for visiting
- Arrive early in high season (July–August) as private rooms book out days in advance and the best dormitory berths — those furthest from the door — are claimed quickly
- The hostel noticeboard and staff advice are good starting points for finding shared-cost countryside tours, which substantially reduce per-person transport costs versus solo bookings
- Bring a padlock for the dormitory locker — the hostel provides lockers but padlocks must be supplied by the guest or purchased at reception
When to visit
Year-round; peak season June–August brings the liveliest hostel atmosphere and highest occupancy.