CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Melanie and Justin Steele haven’t always been in the business of hosting guests. The couple originally found roots in social work and website development, Melanie graduating from the University of Maine at Farmington in 2011 before moving to Portland. But their backgrounds have proven helpful when opening the Hostel of Maine in Carrabassett Valley.
Justin keeps the business’ online presence in top notch condition and he says that Melanie just knows how to work with people. The young couple currently manages the entire operation- from housekeeping to stocking the small, in-house bar.
“People say it’s the cleanest hostel they’ve ever been in. And that takes a lot of work,” Justin said.
The couple strives to go above and beyond for their guests- with a mentality of making things better than the average level of ‘just clean enough.’ Justin said their mission is to break the common idea that hostels are dirty or unsafe.
“A hostel can be high quality, clean and cozy without excluding anyone,” he said.
Justin and Melanie stayed in their fair share of hostels while traveling throughout Europe and New Zealand, and always appreciated the community feel that the particular style of accommodations offer. Nestled at the foot of Sugarloaf, among the scenic biking and hiking trails of the Valley, Hostel of Maine has been creating its own sense of community since opening its doors in January 2018. The business has hit the ground running with a variety of guests- everyone from Appalachian Trail hikers to families enjoying the golf course.
“The community vibe in hostels is not often matched at other places,” Justin said.
Hostel of Maine not only offers clean accommodation and a cozy atmosphere, they also include locally made beverages and food at their patio cafe. With easy access to the CV trail systems and a front door Sugarloaf shuttle pick up, Justin said they describe themselves as an ‘adventure hostel,’ catering to anyone who is excited to be in the area. For more information on the Hostel of Maine, click here.
Hostel style dormatory, is a questionable choice of accomodation to be serving alcohol in. I did not know that about this business, prior, but am glad I do now.
Just checked, and wow, that is pricey for shared quarters. Way to exploit the situation in the valley.
This hostel is already such a great addition to our community! Love seeing the warm welcome Justin and Melanie extend to hikers and other adventurers on social media. The lodging pricing seems extremely fair to me for such a clean facility in a beautiful setting, and it’s nice to not go far for a cool beverage on the patio after a hot day of hiking or biking. Keep up the great work!
I don’t share Maine Man’s concerns but it’s just plain weird to share a room with strangers unless it’s someone you met at the bar. Wait, there is a bar….all is well!
Maine Man, just ” charge it “.
KM speaks of the “warm welcome” they show on social media yet a few weeks ago Justin was on Kingfield community forum asking questions about a suspicious guy that wasn’t a “local he had ever seen in town”. It seemed odd to me that someone who is making a livling by renting rooms to out of towners wouldn’t be speaking in such a way about a potential customer. I myself will pitch my tent and bring my own adult beverages before I pay their prices.
Hey “Parent” – it seems like you may be leaving out a bit of context on purpose, so I figured I’d fill that in; the man was wearing Nazi symbolism on his shirt. If you have no problem with Nazis, you might find me asking about this man to be strange, but being proud Americans we have a strict no Nazi policy at our establishment.
If you have an issue with that, you would not be allowed in anyways, and we don’t currently offer tenting regardless.
For all non-Nazis, we’d love to show you around – pop by anytime! :)
Cheers,
Justin
This place is amazing !!
Soooo cozy, clean and affordable.
The staff are nice and generous.
I recommant it !
Doors of “The Hostel Of Maine” might have opened at the END OF JANUARY, but the building had already been an established business running as the Nestlewood Inn (an upscale B&B) at least 8 years prior, which should have been mentioned in the article…this business was not built from the bottom up as it imposes.
My fiance and I stayed there just a few weeks ago and we were thrilled with our accommodations. There was a wonderful menagerie of hikers, families, and relaxed vacationers all of whom couldn’t stop speaking highly of the establishment as well as Justin and Mel. The cleanest hostel we’ve ever stayed in and more comfortable than any hotel at this price point.
While the purveyors were completely honest about having neither designed nor constructed the building, they were also happy to share the trials and pride of creating a business with their own hearts and hands.
Cheers to a space that is truly H.o.ME and run by two people who go above and beyond in maintaining such a beautiful space and culture.
Hardly the definition of a Hostel, looks more like a resort.
Just call it what it is.
Cheers
hostel
noun [ C ] US /ˈhɑs·təl/
a large house where people can sleep for little money:
a youth hostel
@ Justin. I’m not on fakebook so that part of the story was not told to me so don’t assume I left anything out on “purpose”. Who else do you criticize for their clothing they are wearing ? Men in dresses going to the womans room what about people going after firearms wearing communist flags on their jacket ? As far as the tent goes I don’t need you to provide tent sights (it’s called using public land for free). Have a good life.
Sleeping with the snoring and flatulence of strangers sounds great, I’m cancelling that Maui vacation!
Bring back the Nestlewood Inn. Stayed there many times and enjoyed every minute. In fact, I couldn’t imagine coming to the Valley and not staying there. However, I have zero desire to stay at a hostel and be in a “hostel environment” when I am in the area for R&R. Because of that, I haven’t come back to Carrabassett Valley since the ownership changed. My old place to stay is now gone.
Nevertheless, good luck to the new owners I guess.
Let me guess this “Nazi” symbolism was the letters NRA…
Wow! What should have been “Hey good luck, Hey welcome to the community, Hey Justin and Melanie, what a great thing you are doing” sure brought a lot of haters to the Bulldog!
I think it all sounds wonderful. Good for you Justin and Melanie and everyone who enjoys your new endeavor. For those who don’t like that sort of thing, simply don’t stay there.
great another over priced libral hang out joint for the yuppy
@Beckie – there seems to be a sayin’ up here that goes sum’pin like “if y’aint from ’round here, y’aint got no bidness bein here”. Aint that right Farmington peeps….?I speak from perspective.
I was wondering what happened to ol’ Grammar Grizz.
Excellent addition there, Courtney. To the Bulldog itself, you should be mindful of your willingness not to censor mentioning of the Nazi. It looks even worse, that it is the business owner themselves. Your allowance of Art ‘s comment, is truly harrowing as well.