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Are you looking for hostels in Maine, a Sugarloaf hostel, or Appalachian Trail hostels for AT thru-hikers? You should check out Hostel of Maine! Hostel of Maine is also convenient to Flagstaff Lake and Bigelow Preserve Maine for more outdoor fun.
Hostel of Maine is a welcoming, clean, comfortable, and social place to stay! The ambience is amazing and it provides great amenities. It’s located near Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine.
Let’s dig into why I loved staying at the Hostel of Maine and why I think you might as well!
Ready to learn more or book? View on Expedia or directly on the Hostel of Maine site
Where is Hostel of Maine and what does this Maine hostel offer?
Hostel of Maine is a Maine hostel located very close to Sugarloaf Mountain in Carrabassett Valley, Maine. Bigelow Preserve, Flagstaff Lake, and many hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing trails are close by.
The building is a beautiful log cabin style on a scenic wooded plot of land. You can choose between private rooms and bunk rooms at great rates.
The hostel draws an outdoor-oriented and friendly crowd. You can expect to meet cool people doing fun things like hiking the AT, mountain biking, paddling, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
In the summer, they cater strongly to thru-hikers on the AT with many great amenities like laundry service, loaner clothes, shuttles, and more. In the winter, they cater to skiers with lockers and a ski shuttle.
A few hikers I met there said Hostel of Maine was one of the nicest hostels on the Appalachian Trail they’ve stayed at. I see why!
You’ll get a tasty breakfast including a custom coffee blend, boiled eggs, granola, fresh-baked bread, and a fresh-baked treat like banana bread or muffins.
The hostel has facilities for you to store food and cook to prepare meals for your adventures. You can also purchase things like frozen dinners, pizza, snacks, ice cream, and a bit of gear. They also sell beer, wine, and other drinks.
The owners and staff I met there were friendly and accommodating. They made my stay super comfortable.
The surrounding area is just gorgeous and ripe for outdoor adventures! I had some incredible views paddling and hiking. Here’s Flagstaff Lake with a gorgeous mountain view.
Hostel of Maine can be your Sugarloaf hotel for skiing and biking. It’s also right next to Bigelow Preserve Maine and Flagstaff Lake ME for more outdoor fun. Rangeley Lake is under an hour away.
My experience staying at Hostel of Maine
I stayed at Hostel of Maine and had an excellent experience! Hopefully, my time there can help inform you.
Flagstaff Lake Maine was one of my summer paddling destinations, so I was looking for a nearby place to stay. Bigelow Preserve hiking also looked gorgeous too.
Hostels and community-based accommodations appeal to me for the social aspect. Sleeping in a bunk to save money is fine by me too. I also like places where I can store and cook some food.
After looking around, Hostel of Maine looked like a great choice. So I booked a bunk for a few days.
Arriving and first impressions
One of the workers texted me the day of my arrival to make sure they knew when I’d be in and to answer any questions. He was very helpful.
After a nice paddle, I arrived to see a gorgeous log cabin with flowers around it, a huge deck, and a patio! The hostel’s interior was lovely and exceptionally clean.
They ask you to take off your shoes inside, which I’m a fan of!
When getting the basic tour, I saw 3 foam rollers in the living room and thought “Oh yeah, these are my people!”. Moreover, the outdoorsy vibe seemed to gel with what I was looking for.
The staff member greeted me and gave me a tour around. He was even friendlier in person!
The owners, their daughter, and their dog Zoe came up and were equally friendly. The whole vibe just felt homey and familiar from day 1! We all loved Zoe too.
What I thought of the hostel
The beds were comfortable with the bunks oriented to increase privacy. The bunk room was large, had fans for cooling, and an ensuite bathroom. They also had chalkboards for each person’s name and a small cubby for phones, glasses, etc. with a convenient outlet.
Did I mention how clean the place was? Seriously it was fantastic!
During my stay, the other guests were interesting, fun to chat with, friendly, and respectful of quiet during sleeping hours.
The shared living and dining areas were comfortable and conducive to getting to know each other. Several folks were AT hikers, others were there for a mountain bike race at Sugarloaf, and yet another was cycling around New England and Canada.
Breakfast was delicious with fresh bread, a fresh-baked treat, and substantial items like boiled eggs and granola. It fueled my adventures.
The cooking facilities were sufficient. They included a hot plate, toaster oven, microwave, outdoor grill, electric kettle, and toaster.
My only gripe was that having a single hot plate was limiting for making something like rice and an entree or when multiple people wanted to cook. A bit of planning and cooperation sorted that though. If the hostel were busier, I could see that being more limiting.
Guest rooms did not have AC during my visit in July 2024. Ceiling fans and window fans are available. A guest mentioned that the upstairs rooms were warm. The living room did have a mini-split.
The hostel offered a wash, dry, and fold laundry service using their commercial machines. There was no self-serve laundry option. The price was $10 per load during my stay in July 2024. Combining loads was an option.
Prices for beds and private rooms are somewhat higher than some of the other hostels I’ve stayed at. For me, the quality of the stay, amenities, and proximity to great outdoor places justified the price.
I enjoyed my stay so much that I added on an extra day! The place felt comfortable, was nicely decorated, and was a great base for my adventures that week. I’ll definitely be back!
Specific amenities of interest
Hostel of Maine caters to many outdoor adventures wanting a comfortable home base. Here are some specifics that they offer.
- Kitchenette with a hot plate, pans, toaster oven, microwave, and a toaster to cook
- An outdoor grill to cook
- Fridge and freezer space to store cold food
- Shelf space to store dry food
- Towels, sheets, pillow
- Comfy common spaces like the living room, dining area, outdoor deck, and patio
- Beer, wine, and other drinks for purchase
- Snacks, meals, frozen pizza, etc. for purchase
Appalachian Trail thru-hiker & other hiker amenities
This great hostel Main offers several services geared at thru-hikers:
- Shuttles to/from trailheads including slackpacking. Some locations had a fee for the shuttle. Ask about the cost when booking.
- Laundry service with loaner clothes
- A bike/gear wash station
- A shop for food, snacks, and some gear
- A hiker box
- A good breakfast to get you ready for the day
- Outdoor lockers for your pack
Downhill skier and cross-country skier amenities
Hostel of Maine is a great option for Sugarloaf ME hotels as it offers skier amenities too:
- Ski lockers
- Shuttles to the lifts
- A great breakfast to fuel your adventures
- A fireplace to warm up and tell stories
Who is Hostel of Maine good for?
Social people who love outdoor activities will be drawn to Hostel of Maine. You’ll get to meet others with shared and related interests. I found my fellow guests’ stories to be inspiring!
It’s a place to consider for a Sugarloaf Maine hotel or hostels on the Appalachian Trail near the Bigelows. It’s also a great home base for exploration in Bigelow Preserve Maine, Flagstaff Lake, or the many Carrabassett Valley mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoe trails.
Ready to learn more or book a stay?
Hostel of Maine is one of the great hostels Maine offers! I loved my time there and hope to return.
So what do you think? Are you looking for Maine hostels? Will you consider Hostel of Maine?
Learn more or book now on Expedia or directly on the Hostel of Maine site
Disclaimer: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you when you make purchases via links on this site. Thanks for supporting me in creating content like this! See the privacy policy.
