The Elephant Hostel: A new species of hostel

In a city known for its hostels, The Elephant Hostel is redefining what one can be.

Opened in 2024, the property blends the social energy of traditional backpacker accommodation with the comfort, design, and amenities of a modern boutique hotel — creating a hybrid experience that appeals equally to solo travelers, families, digital nomads, and groups.

Alongside shared dormitories, guests can choose from stylish private and family rooms, work from a spacious 75m² co-working café, unwind in the on-site gym, or simply enjoy the welcoming communal spaces designed to bring travelers together.

The experience is housed within a carefully restored historic building that reflects the owners’ commitment to quality, sustainability, and preserving local heritage. Renovated using advanced building techniques, the property earned an A+ energy efficiency certification while transforming a landmark building into one of Amsterdam’s newest hybrid hospitality concepts.

While the property’s thoughtful design and amenities attract guests, it’s the team’s human approach that keeps them coming back. Just one year after opening, The Elephant Hostel   has already built a reputation for delivering genuinely personal service. 

As General Manager, Gabriela Selli Cocci, explains, “While chains get bigger and become less in touch with their guests, we make sure we know people’s names, remember their special requests, and keep our personality present throughout the entire guest experience.”

Gabriela’s hospitality journey began long before The Elephant Hostel. At just 17 years old, she left home for her first backpacking trip, volunteering at a hostel that would ultimately shape her career.

“I dreamed of opening a cool hostel on the beach in Brazil,” she recalls.

She went on to study hospitality and gain experience at several respected hostels across Brazil, including the award-winning Ô de Casa Hostel, where she first encountered Cloudbeds while working as a receptionist.

Years later, when helping launch The Elephant Hostel in Amsterdam, that previous experience made Cloudbeds a familiar choice.

When evaluating PMS platforms, cost savings initially attracted the team to Cloudbeds. But what convinced them to stay was something more important.

“We like that Cloudbeds is constantly improving the product,” Gabriela explains. “We love improving both the staff experience and the guest experience with it.”

Rather than managing separate systems for reservations, distribution, and operations, The Elephant Hostel now benefits from an integrated platform that combines PMS and channel management in one place.

The team also connects RoomPriceGenie through the Cloudbeds Marketplace, giving them deeper pricing insights and more dynamic revenue strategies while maintaining a lean technology stack.

Like many independent hostels, The Elephant operates with a compact team. One general manager, five full-time hosts, and a group of student part-time team members who help create the property’s welcoming atmosphere.

Cloudbeds has helped simplify day-to-day operations by making routine tasks easier, reducing administrative complexity, and providing one place to manage reservations, inventory, and distribution.

“It’s very user friendly,” Gabriela says. “It makes the host position easier.”

That ease of use also speeds up onboarding. New employees begin by completing Cloudbeds University training before their first shift, then continue learning through hands-on experience at reception. Most team members become comfortable using the platform within just two to three weeks.

And with 24/7 Cloudbeds support always available, the team knows expert help is never far away.

For Gabriela, success isn’t measured by revenue alone. As she puts it, “it’s reviews, revenue, and experience. That’s the trinity we spend the most energy on.”

Cloudbeds supports all three.

Integrated reporting provides the operational visibility needed to make smarter decisions. Flexible room management capabilities allow the team to get creative with inventory. Bulk guest communication tools help staff connect with guests quickly and consistently. And integrated channel management ensures inventory remains synchronized across booking platforms.

Together, these capabilities help The Elephant Hostel spend less time managing systems and more time creating memorable guest experiences.

“People can disconnect here and connect with real people and real experiences.”

Amsterdam’s hospitality market presents unique challenges. Hotel permits are tightly controlled, demand continues to fluctuate across the city, and growth opportunities are far from guaranteed.

Even so, the team has already expanded beyond its first concept, successfully launching The Elephant Hostel just two years after opening the Bee Hostel.

While future expansion remains uncertain, Gabriela remains optimistic.

“The future is unsure, but exciting.”

Cloudbeds has helped support that journey by making it easier to replicate property configurations across locations while giving the team the ability to manage multiple properties from one platform. As new opportunities emerge, the operational foundation is already in place.

Because it’s ultimately people that create memorable stays, the Elephant Hostel hires for empathy, kindness, intelligence, and sociability, qualities that define every guest interaction.

Cloudbeds simply gives those people better tools.

“It’s a system that opens your eyes with all the data you can get,” Gabriela says. “You can get creative with room types and functionalities, and reach your clients very quickly. It’s a great tool.”

For independent hoteliers determined to preserve personality while embracing smarter operations, The Elephant Hostel demonstrates that modern hospitality isn’t about choosing between efficiency and authenticity. With the right technology, you can build both.