Reviews of Dancing Elephant

11 February 2012 Katharina would recommend this property

Liked: The owner is very very helpful and genuinely concerned about visitors. Other guests are very friendly and it creates a great atmosphere. Good common area and location.

Disliked: Not many bathrooms and tight sleeping area.

11 February 2012

Liked: Good location

Disliked: The owner, a french expat, charges you many fees ontop what is already published when you get there. he demands a 50% deposit that you pay through paypal - with that being said you pay for the paypal service fees upon arrival and all the commission that hostelbookers took from him. why not just increase your price instead of surprising people with these extra fees. the bathrooms were DISGUSTING and since he doesnt like you wearing shoes in his hostels you're sure to get some type of foot fungus in the bathrooms. one bathroom for 20 people? his baby would wake everyone up as he cares for it in he lobby. i would NOT recommend this place, there are so many cheaper places on koh phangan with equal security, location, or better.

15 January 2012

Liked: The owner and his staff were very lovely hower.............................

Disliked: The dorms where very cramed and often smell like sewerage. We were forced to pay for 7 nights and only stayed 1. This hostel is for the heavily experieneced traveler only.

09 January 2012 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: On the night of the NYE party the guy that own the place David gives everyone a free bucket which was a good way to start the night and with a little bracelet you get quite alot of dicounts around town.

Disliked: There were quite a lot of people in the dorm 40, which is good for meeting people but sucks a bit if you have a big group hire out the room. The lighting is also quite poor as you can bearly see a thing as the light change colour and are really dim.

20 December 2011 David would recommend this property

Liked: Friendly staff, good internet, good introduction to the village by the ruler

Disliked: Nothing

21 October 2011 george would recommend this property

Liked: people we're awesome very friendly crowd. had such a fun time. arrived knowing no one left knowing everyone

Disliked: lack of toilets

14 October 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: the owner and staff make it a very enjoyable place to stay

Disliked: Only one toilet between all of us!

15 September 2011 Niamh would recommend this property

Liked: The owner, David, ensured his guests safety at all times and was very warm and caring. There was free WiFi for guests. Very homely and comfortable to hang out in either at night or during the day.

Disliked: It was slightly loud, but around the time of full moon party this is to be expected.

25 August 2011 Liam would recommend this property

Liked: Rooms were great, air con always on and despite there being a lot of beds was no stuffiness etc. Given own locker that you bought your own lock for so personal items could be kept very secure. David was really helpful with loads of advice about the island, safety and enjoying the full moon party itself. Couldn't have been more helpful and gave us his personal number should we need anything at any time!

Disliked: Only real problem was there was only two showers, one with a mirror (for shaving etc). You could if you wanted use the shower in the other parrt of the hostel but that involved a 20 metre walk down the street.

18 August 2011 Jamie would recommend this property

Liked: This is a great hostel. the owner david is extremely helpful and was a great source of information on where was good to go. would definetly stay here again.

Disliked: I have nothing bad tosay about this hostel.

19 July 2011 jack would recommend this property

Liked: Everything. David is really friendly. also had a couple of street partys! Made me feel at home. we could watch DVDs anytime. it was always kept clean. will defiantly be staying here again when i next go to the full moon party!

Disliked: nothing!

25 June 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: location was perfect 5 min walk from the fmp

Disliked: only one toilet in a 20 bed dorm and the toilet was in with one of the showers

20 June 2011 Aakanksha would recommend this property

Liked: The best thing about the Dancing Elephant is its location. Bang in the middle of Haad Rin, its only 2 minutes away from both Sunrise and Sunset beaches. It's a great place to meet people. If you're traveling solo, I'd suggest stay either here or at Jaya's dormitory next door. This one little lane is bursting with backpacker spirit. I had a great time and no major complaints. Evenings are spent lazing about in the common area watching movies, drinking Chang and pre-partying before heading to the beach. Just hang around outside the hostel in the evening and you'll meet a dozen interesting people. They're pretty careful about security as well and during the full moon, that's much needed peace of mind.

Disliked: The beds in the dormitory are a little strange. Along one wall, they have 5 beds combined into 1 monster bed where it's actually possible to roll off your mattress and onto the next person's. But this didn't actually turn out to be such a problem. Everybody seemed happy enough with their situation. Booking online in advance might seem like a good idea but if you're reacing Koh Phangan at least 3 days before the full moon, I'd suggest not booking in advance. It's a little bit of a rip off. It's much cheaper to do it there in person and also, 3 days before is early enough to easily find space. Of course if you're going in peak season, this might not apply.

23 May 2011 Jessica would recommend this property

Liked: Its a great fun place to stay at for the fullmoon party!

Disliked: There is nobody there after the fullmoon..

02 May 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Great place to meet people if you are a solo traveller

Disliked: Can get a bit hot in the big dorm rooms

20 March 2011 Siobhan would recommend this property

Liked: Very friendly and helpful staff and it was such a social place to stay, as a solo traveler you could meet so many people so easily.

Disliked: only one bathroom but it wasnt really a problem ever

12 February 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: laid back manager. nice soundsystem an couches in living room

Disliked: could be easy for an outsider to come in unnoticed. and our room got a bit hot

06 February 2011 Carolina would recommend this property

Liked: Great atmosphere set by the owner and the people staying there. really good hostel, would totaly recommned it, specially for those traveling alone

Disliked: The hostel lacks a bit in structure, there's one poor toilet with a shower, however, this is not really a problem, comparing to all the good stuff.

05 February 2011

Liked: I met some great people. And the facilities they had like wifi, discounts around haas run and free drinking water were pretty good.

Disliked: The property was never locked so it wasn't as secure as I would have liked.

01 February 2011 Saskia would recommend this property

Liked: Good location, next to all you need

Disliked: The bathroomdoor, which was not to close or lock!!!

23 January 2011 Jamie would recommend this property

Liked: The owner, David, is an excellent manager. He does safety briefs for all guests, ensuring they know the dangers of the full moon party. He also provides lots of discounts around haad Rin. The building itself is clean and with lounges to play Wii or watch DVDs. Also a place to refill water-bottles...good money saver.

Disliked: May not be the safest as people can easily gain access to dorms...however there are safety boxes to use, free of charge.

22 January 2011

Liked: didnt like anything

Disliked: The hostel is bad value for your money. We booked in advanced because we thought places would be booked up for the Full Moon Party. You can find a way cheaper place once you arrive on the island and way better quality. Rooms are dorm style but really cramped and uncomfortable. The beds are located on top of a Thai family's house. The 'shower' we were given was in their kitchen. Dirty dishes, dirty diapers, absolutely filthy. The owner makes you pay over half of the amount that you owe for your stay in advance and seems as if hes always stoned. STAY SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!!!!!!!!

25 November 2010 Julie would recommend this property

Liked: Fun place. Lots of things to do if it's raining, which it was :(

Disliked: We didn't get a key, so when we came back the second night and it was locked we had to wake up the lady.

23 November 2010 Kimberley would recommend this property

Liked: This was the best place to stay during the Full Moon party, the atmosphere was amazing there are 3 dorms each with around 20 beds and everyone gets on and helps each other out ...the best place to be for a great party atmosphere and to meet amazing people!!! The owner David and his wife are very helpfull and they will do everything they can to make sure your stay is safe and hasstle free!

Disliked: one bathroom per dorm, however was never a great problem.

22 November 2010 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: good atmosphere

Disliked: Not enough bathrooms or mirrors