A popular backpacker hostel in Ella with stunning mountain views, social atmosphere, and excellent breakfast. Features dorms and private rooms, bar, and helpful staff organizing activities.
Hangover Hostels Ella occupies a hillside position on Kithalella Road on the southern fringe of Ella town, a hill-country settlement at roughly 1,000 metres elevation in Badulla District. From the hostel's open terrace and common areas, the view extends across the Ella Gap—the dramatic V-shaped break in the ridgeline through which the southern coastal plains are visible 50 kilometres below. The surrounding landscape is a mosaic of tea estates, paddy fields, and secondary forest.
The hostel is laid out across several levels following the slope of the hillside. Dormitories accommodate 6–10 guests in bunk configurations and vary from basic fan-cooled dorms to air-conditioned premium options at slightly higher price points. Private rooms—doubles and twins—occupy the upper floors and capture the best terrace views. All beds include personal reading lights and lockable storage; shared bathrooms serve each level of dorms.
The onsite restaurant and bar is one of the livelier spots in Ella, serving full breakfasts—both Sri Lankan and Western—from early morning, and transitioning to an evening menu of curries, pasta, and grilled items after sunset. Happy-hour pricing on Lion beer and arrack runs in the early evening. The social environment the hostel generates makes it a regular meeting point for travellers who connect on the trail to Little Adam's Peak or the Nine Arch Bridge and reconvene in the evening.
Staff arrange group and private activities including hikes to Little Adam's Peak (45 minutes on foot from town), the Nine Arch Bridge viewpoint, day trips to Horton Plains National Park, and bookings on the scenic train route to Kandy or Colombo. A book-swap shelf, luggage storage, and a noticeboard for sharing ride requests and tour deals complete the common-area setup.
Amenities
- bar
- restaurant
- mountain views
- free wifi
- tours
- breakfast included
Location
Kithalella Road, Ella 90900
6.8667, 81.0467 View on map
Highlights
- Panoramic terrace views across the Ella Gap toward the southern coastal plains
- Lively onsite bar and restaurant popular with guests and visiting travellers
- Central position for hiking to Little Adam's Peak, the Nine Arch Bridge, and Horton Plains
- Mix of dormitory and private room options on a terraced hillside property
- Staff-arranged activities, group hikes, and connections to the scenic hill-country train
Tips for visiting
- Arrive by train on the Badulla line from Kandy—the journey through the hill country to Ella is one of the great scenic rail routes in Asia; book seats in advance during peak season
- For Nine Arch Bridge sightings, visit by 8–9 am before coaching groups arrive, or at the late-afternoon light around 3–4 pm when trains pass through the arch
- Little Adam's Peak is a straightforward 45-minute walk from Ella town and requires no guide, but appropriate footwear matters as the path can be muddy after rain
- Ella becomes cold after dark even in the dry season—bring a layer for evenings, particularly in January and February
- Book private rooms well in advance for December through March; they are limited and fill quickly through online platforms