Black Elephant Hostel

United States , Portland - ME
Portland, 33 Hampshire Street
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20 reviews shown

2/10

Poor

28 Mar 2026

Abhinandan

It was not at all clear from the listing on Wotif that the room that I booked had a shared bathroom and shower facility. There were many other notes on the listing including mention of a shared kitchens, but there was nothing about there being a shared bathroom. I very rarely leave a negative review but in this case I feel compelled to. This information should have been front and center. I paid $296 for one night.

10/10

Exceptional

23 Feb 2026

Jabin

High quality

Partner

2/10

Poor

09 Feb 2026

Carys

Things got stolen on two occasions. I asked the staff to check the cctv and they seemed very reluctant and then agreed to. They said where I was located was the one area they don’t have cctv. Overall I felt quite unsafe when staying there and the staff didn’t take my concerns very seriously at all, I think because they’re all travelling themselves and staying at the hostel. It doesn’t seem like there is any authority or professionalism.

Other things. No towels to rent, but then saw others receiving towels from reception. No space near the bed to store things, just a tiny shelf where things felt down multiple times. Breakfast is just bread

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

14 Dec 2025

Stu

Discriminatory reception staff. A staff member made a derogatory remark about by nationality when I was having breakfast, witnessed by the 2 people sat with me. Pathetic juvenile conduct, in breach of the Federal Racial Discrimination Act (1975) in Australia. We also had cockroaches in our ensuite bathroom.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

14 Dec 2025

Jess

Friendly staff, generous free breakfast, very decent sized air conditioned room, clean amenities ☺️

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Nov 2025

Lauren

Lovely staff, convenient free breakfast - basic but all you need to fill a hole, clean facilities

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

13 Oct 2025

Aida

Awesome place . Will stay here over and over again . Love the cafe . Great coffee and food . The vibe was great. I basically walked all over the place . Clean room , comfortable bunk beds , respectful roommates, bathrooms and showers pristine. Staffed by awesome folks who’ve been so kind . Love the building architecture.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jul 2025

Tina

Good weekend stay!

Staff are friendly and helpful when you ask them any questions. I was only there for a weekend so didn’t get to make many friends, but the few other travelers I spoke to were nice! I stayed in the Mixed room and everyone was kind and respectful. It was just a little bit of a walk from the train station and a few minutes away from a bus stop. I felt a little older amongst the younger crowd, but it wasn’t a problem at all, it keeps the vibes fun. I was out most of the time, so this place is good for a couple of days. Do keep in mind the photos shown are of unoccupied rooms of course, occupied looks a little different of course! The Christmas in July party was already in full swing when I arrived, it looked fun!

Self

6/10

Pleasant

06 Jul 2025

Jia Jie

Hostel is nice and location is good however the building is quite old. The floors creak in the bedrooms and the hallways which adds a lot of noise. The bunk beds are a weird height, if you get a bottom bunk you can’t sit up in bed which is really annoying.

I enjoyed the lounge room and study area when I need some quiet time though. The beds and linen were also comfortable and I never felt cold even in winter.

No towels are provided though, they’re $8

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

01 May 2025

Jorge

Location and accesibility as well as staff professionalism make this hostel stand out.

8/10

Excellent

23 Mar 2025

Davin

The check in could have been easier & more chill, but was otherwise quite good !
Quite a friendly place to stay
Good experience

Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Mar 2025

Jonathan

Cool vibe. Easy access.

Friendly staff and cool vibe. Even though a 60 year old, felt at home at the hostel.

Self

8/10

Excellent

28 Feb 2025

Pasqualina

The building is beautiful. The rooms were good. I had something drop down the side of the bed and there was an old Kleenex and pop bottle there. Kinda gross. Probably doesn't get cleaned often down there . Love the vibe at breakfast. People cooking or getting toast or cereal. Lots of chatter. Great for the younger crowd.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

05 Dec 2024

Verified traveler

You get what you paid for

Overall, it served the exact purpose of my stay: a clean bed in a quiet room. I only needed the bed on this trip so the bunk bed was actually comfortable. Thanks to the other three young people sharing the quiet space, I had very good rest during nights. I think your experience really depends on how you want to experience it. There were bubbly young people who enjoyed party a bit more but there were also people like myself, preferring a bit down time from busy activities in Sydney.

Self

8/10

Excellent

01 Dec 2024

Elicia

Nice hostels, very nice staff.
Showers were not as clean as could be
No air con in rooms but room do have a fan
Would try to avoid if it was very hot weather

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

28 Nov 2024

Derek

The location was good, the price was right and the staff was great. However, there was no AC and the bed frames were very noisy and shook quite a bit getting in and out, and if you moved at all. Also, they did not supply towels, but you could buy one for $8. As far as hostels go, I would recommend it compared to what else is out there

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

18 Oct 2024

WILLIAM

It’s like University Campus hostel, every floor sharing Bathroom & Shower rooms separated by gender.
We gained new experience. Very good.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Sep 2024

Genesis

great

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

21 Sep 2024

Nicholas

Loved the wine and cheese night and happy atmosphere of the place.

8/10

Excellent

29 Jun 2024

Karen

Very clean and comfortable. Staff super helpful. Stay clouded by leaving my reading glasses behind (entirely my fault) but disappointed it was not possible to send a pre-stamped envelope to retrieve them.I fully understand there may be lots of items lost.... But reading glasses are surely a bit special (at my age they are!) Sadly I'm wasn't sufficiently technosavvy to organise a dhl collection. Otherwise stay excellent.

Leisure Self