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  5. Reviews of Black Elephant Hostel

Reviews of Black Elephant Hostel

33 Hampshire Street, Portland, ME 04101, United States of America

#25 of 25 hotels in Portland

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 344 hostel reviews

8.9

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.3

  • Comfort

    9.0

  • Location

    9.5

  • Facilities

    9.1

  • Staff

    9.4

  • Value for money

    8.7

  • Free Wifi

    9.3

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: May 30, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I think adding curtains to the bed would be a good choice for more privacy !

    The place and it was super well situated !

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: May 27, 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Budget Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The common area was so cute, check in was easy even after hours, and the facilities were very clean.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: May 23, 2024

    10
    Great hostel in downtown Portland
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Budget Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing

    Brilliant hostel in the middle of Portland. Great vibe and decor in the hostel and comfortable room. Bathroom was completely spotless and seemed recently refurbished. Free coffee in the morning. Friendly staff. Within walking distance of Old Port.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: May 16, 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    The sweetest hosts, very positive vibes and great attention to the details of comfort. Truly a haven for when wanderlust is calling!

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: May 7, 2024

    9.0
    It was a cozy place with a fantastic western decoration, staffs were nice. I was there just one night for sleep and no b
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Decorations and facilities in common area

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: April 23, 2024

    10
    Cool place to stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Budget Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    This place has such a cool vibe, everything here is full of art, I’ll definitely back here!

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: April 20, 2024

    10
    Great location with super friendly staff, super welcoming experience
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Super friendly staff, clean bathrooms and rooms!!

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 2, 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I loved it all. 2

    Ambience and friendly staff. Location was perfect.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 31, 2024

    10
    Beautiful and peaceful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Beautiful place, full of colours and extremely nice lovely people

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 20, 2024

    10
    Best kept secret in Portland!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Hospitality of owner, cleanliness, aesthetics. Really amazing design throughout.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: December 14, 2023

    9.0
    Great Hostel
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Nothing. My one night stay was great, and I would certainly return in the future.

    I did not have breakfast at the hostel, other than a cup of coffee. It was delicious, hot, and free.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: December 12, 2023

    10
    Would recommend this place a thousand times!
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Quadruple Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The room was too hot for sleeping, though we did sleep some…

    We love the decor, customer service, location and vibe at BE

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: November 22, 2023

    10
    Met an old friend and the location was perfect.
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Budget Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Maybe another set of hooks or a coat rack outside our room.

    If I have ever stayed in a hostel, it was a million years ago, and I wasn't sure what to expect. It was great. I can't say enough about how clean everything was, especially considering that the bathroom was shared. Love the funky wallpaper and the suggestions from the staff at the desk. If I return to Portland, I'll check the Black Elephant first.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: November 13, 2023

    9.0
    First stay at a hostel and not sure other hostels will compare.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Common space a bit crowded for all guests- but didn’t happen often

    Proximity to downtown, cleanliness, comfortable and funky!

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: November 4, 2023

    10
    Highly recommended
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Clean & comfortable rooms, friendly staff, nice atmosphere

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: October 23, 2023

    9.0
    Location is very close to everything. Pleasure to stay.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing

    Clean and stylish. Mattress is comfortable and very good quality, no squeaky sound and thick. Safe with key codes. 2 entrances.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: October 19, 2023

    10
    Happy to stay at this clean, fun, centrally located, reasonably price hostel
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night

    The room was small. But, I appreciate finding this gem.

    The property was clean and centrally located. The staff was great. It was fun to be in the common room with others. We were fortunate enough to be able to book a private room with a bathroom.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: October 16, 2023

    9.0
    Super nice hostel that’s a great value to stay in downtown Portland!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Budget Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    My only complaint was that the private double room was a little small for two people, but it really wasn’t that big of a deal since we weren’t in the room all that much.

    The hostel was extremely clean and well kept. We had a private room and had to check in after reception hours, and the instructions were very easy. Weekend parking just down the street at a reasonable rate was a great plus!

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: October 16, 2023

    10
    Great spot—would stay again
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Budget Triple Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing

    I loved the funky decor, cleanliness and location the best!

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: October 14, 2023

    8.0
    The right place for everything on the waterfront in Portland
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Guy snoring LOUDLY all night for both nights of my stay

    Everything

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: October 12, 2023

    10
    Eclectic and cozy space right near everything!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Budget Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Staff was welcoming and friendly, the space was cozy and well decorated. We loved our stay here!

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: October 9, 2023

    8.0
    Great location, very clean and quiet at night. Could do with a better customer centred interaction.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Budget Double or Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    The person who i think was the owner/manager was pretty cold and not very welcoming on my arrival, i was scared to ask questions. I felt awkward when i collected my bags to leave as she was having a meeting in the lounge area with a member of staff giving him a 'kick up the rear' chat. The member of staff who showed me to the room and read the rules came across a bit arrogant in my opinion, I felt like i was entering a youth detention facility and not treated like a paying guest. He was probably early 20s and i am early 50s but felt like he was talking down to me like i was a child. Finally, I felt like I was a hinderance and so kept myself to myself and sneaked in and out, perhaps this stems from how i was initially greeted.

    Location was great, close to the waterfront and only 10-15 minutes from the airport. Room and hostel was very clean and quiet. The place was very well looked after and the outside decor helped locate the venue easily. An area to leave bags was appreciated and the premises was secured out of hours with a coded door entry for guests.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: October 7, 2023

    9.0
    Super nice hostel
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    90 dollars for a mixed 8 bedroom seems a bit expensive, but portland overall is overpriced.

    Really nice hostel! Loved the vibe

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: October 1, 2023

    10
    Best Hostel on the Eastcoast
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Nothing :-)

    Best Hostel so far in the States! Really nice vibe, cool common area, perfectly clean. If in Portland you should definetly stay here.

    Stayed in September 2023

Showing 1 - 25

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