Sleep Cheap, Ella

Sleep Cheap Ella is a small hostel close to the train station in Ella. The dorms are small with just two, three, or four single beds in each. There are no fans or air conditioning, however the temperature in Ella is generally reasonable and this won't cause issue. The Wi-Fi is good and your stay includes breakfast.

The Location

Being so close to the train station, it's a very convenient location. You will not need to take a tuk tuk there, as you can actually just walk along the train tracks to reach it. When you alight, facing the station building from the tracks, walk right. You will have to walk on the tracks, but you'll see a sign post for Sleep Cheap on your right after just five minutes. This location does mean the occasional train will go rumbling past, but they are not so frequent as to cause much disturbance. You are just a five- to ten-minute walk from the main road with many restaurants, bars, and shops. There are small fruit and vegetable stalls just a couple minutes away.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The dorms are a bit odd. The beds are mostly foam mattresses on top of stacked pallets; most, but not all, have mosquito nets over them. They're reasonably comfortable, but lack light points or personal power sockets. But multi-plugs are in the rooms, so there are sufficient sockets. There are no lockers, and with all the bags on the floor, space gets a little tight. Sheets are not changed between guests.

The bathroom facilities are in an outhouse, so of course are open to all manner of creepy crawlies and are not very clean. There is one shower/sink room, then a separate toilet. It's not always enough for all the guests, so especially in the morning you might be waiting. The shower gets hot and there is space for your toiletries, plus hooks. The toilet has a hose and toilet paper.

Common Spaces

Outside the property there is a table and chairs, where breakfast is served, plus a hammock. It makes for quite a nice social space and allows you to admire the beautiful surrounding scenery. It is worth noting that the breakfast is excellent, with an omelette; unending stack of toast, butter, and jam; tea/coffee; and an extra that changes daily that could include pancakes, curd with fruits and honey, and fruit juice.

There is a kitchen, which guests are welcome to use; in here, you will find free tea and coffee, which you will be offered immediately on arrival as a welcome drink. You can also purchase bottled water.

Inside there is a seating space, plus the common kitchen. The property is overall a little dirty. The floors are swept but there isn't much attention to detail. As it's quite an old property, it may possibly appear worse than it is.

Summary

This is a very basic place, but the breakfast makes it more worth the price and it has a nice, chill atmosphere and backpacker clientele.