Activities are being organized all the time, the WhatsApp group is really convenient and the staff are super helpful, nice and always in a good mood.

Stayed in August 2025

The atmosphere, the family vibes and Gihan is am incredible host who arranges group activities and family nights. Wonderful active hostel

Stayed in August 2025

I recently stayed at Hive, and I can honestly say it’s one of the best hostels I’ve experienced in my travels. The atmosphere was incredibly social and welcoming everyone was so friendly, and there were activities every night that brought people together. A special thanks to Gehan, who was super helpful with all the information I needed. Funny enough, visiting Ella wasn’t even in my original plan I came here on a friend’s recommendation but it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my Sri Lanka trip. Another highlight was meeting Alex, who made the evenings extra special with fun games and a family dinner outing. Most of the games were completely new to me, which made it even more exciting to learn and join in. Everything about Hive Hostel was warm, fun, and memorable. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Ella, and I’m already looking forward to going back soon!

Stayed in July 2025

Nothing.

Great social place, great staff, nice activities. Location very good as well. Large nice breakfast.

Stayed in August 2025

Nothing!!

Everything was clean — the bathroom, the room, and the bed. More than anything, the people were so friendly. Even though I was traveling alone, I ended up spending every day having fun with someone. There were lots of restaurants, souvenir shops, and tourist spots within walking distance, which was super convenient. The environment was so nice that it actually made me want to live there!

Stayed in July 2025

Had a few steps up to the property, but overall was a very good hostel.

Very comfortable beds, provided mosquito nets and had a lovely common area. Gihan provided us with an in depth cooking class which I would highly recommend, and he organised helped numerous group activities which made it very social. It had just the right amount of people so it was easy to socialise without being overwhelming with large groups of people. Great location.

Stayed in July 2025

Only one toilet with a shower for 6 people in the dorm isn‘t much. You have to walk up many stairs to reach the hostel from the main street.

Quite good hostel with a common area and dorm rooms.

Stayed in July 2025

decent clean rooms, nothing to complain honestly

such a beautiful place, I enjoyed my time at Hive a lot, Gihan and the stuff are super helpful with everything, we went to waterfalls and to a monestary with others and had some beer afterwards at gihans favourite bar, and great breakfast the morning after

Stayed in July 2025

I stayed at this hostel while exploring Ella and it was absolutely great. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcome and at home. The atmosphere is super relaxed and friendly. The rooms were clean and the common areas were great for chilling or meeting other travelers. The hostel is in a beautiful location surrounded by nature. Thanks for an amazing stay!

Stayed in July 2025

The place and the vibes are incredible

Stayed in April 2025

Gihan runs an epic hostel really close to Ella but up and out of the hustle and bustle. The proximity to town and all the hikes around Ella are great but what really makes the hostel is the socialness. Each night there is either dinner at the hostel or everyone heads out to dinner. Came back and stayed again

Stayed in April 2025

No soap in the bathroom. Not the nicest walk up from the road. I was woken a few times by people coming back - but it's expected in a dorm.

Great hosting and perfect for solo travellers as there are lots of activities. Big dorm and full bag lockers. Nets, plugs, and lamps for every dorm bed. Free tea - its a small thing but goes a long way! Big fan of a honesty fridge, takes the faff out of socialising.

Stayed in April 2025

Great hostel! Cooking class and family dinner were great to meet new people. The owner was super nice and helpful and they organised trips and movie nights as well. Would definitely stay again!

Stayed in April 2025

The host was really welcoming and helpful. He adds all the people residing in the hostel in a group and tries to engage everyone with daily activities, which is very unique. Plus it makes it easier to connect with other people. And the host also takes part in those activities. Plus the bed was comfy, the location was near Ella railway station.

Stayed in April 2025

Nothing

The location, the staff and the environment. Also clean

Stayed in March 2025

The location is great to walk into Ella town, up quite a lot of steps so be prepared if you’ve got heavy bags! Loved the family dinner, was great place to meet fellow travellers and plan activities to do together! Gihan and Jess were great with recommendations and sent lots of info prior to checking in which was useful!

Stayed in March 2025

Location is a bit harder to get to, because of the stairs, but defenitely worth it! And would be better if there was free dri king water, and soap in the bathroom.

Nice beds with mosquitonet, and great and friendly host, who organizes transport for tours.

Stayed in March 2025

Quite a few stairs to get to the hostel

The hostel was amazing. It was a great place to meet people and the activities - including waterfalls and cooking classes are great. Extremely social hostel as well. I would highly recommend.

Stayed in February 2025

Staff here are the best. Cooking class was so nice

Stayed in January 2025

Everything was great!

I loved staying at The Hive Hostel in Ella! The staff was so kind and helpful and the location of the hostel is amazing and very close to the city centre and the bushalt. The rooms and showers are very clean. From the moment I arrived, I felt so welcome and I had such a lovely time with the other travelers I met in the hostel.

Stayed in March 2025

I had a great stay at the property. It was social, it had good breakfast and comfortable beds. The staff was also super friendly, and a special thanks to Julia.

Stayed in February 2025

I think there’s no bathroom in the main area, so sometimes you have to wait a little longer with going to the toilet when a lot of people need to shower in your room.

Great location and staff is very nice. Hostel owner tried everything when I asked to extend my stay with one night. He was thinking along, and involved with all the plans around the hostel.

Stayed in February 2025

Nothing I could have stayed longer!

Loved my stay at hive! Ghian is amazing at running the hostel and always helping out with activities and planning social stuff everyday. Cooking class was great fun too! Defo recommend if you want a family feel hostel. Bed was very comfy and the facilities were great too.

Stayed in February 2025

Bathroom is in the room so sometimes you have to be patient

Extremely kind owner, lots of social activities, good beds, big lockers, has mosquito nets.

Stayed in February 2025