I stay in this hostel whenever I am in ottawa... This place is super clean, beds are comfy and…read moreduvets are nice and fluffy and they give you a fresh towel everyday! There is a large tv downstairs and 2 computer workstations to access internet. Wifi is fast and reliable. There are 2 bathrooms one upstairs and one downstairs the one upstairs is super big and modern! The one downstairs is a typical shower very useful if someone is taking their sweet time upstairs. The only downside is their kitchen doesn't have a stove to cook, there is however a microwave, coffee maker and toaster. The hostels owner is the same owner as the Swiss hotel next door, you check in at the Swiss hotel. The owner is also very friendly and knowledgeable! Highly recommended!

Dear Barefoot Hostel, During my past visits to the city,…read morehow did I not know that you existed in Ottawa along with Ottawa Jailhouse and the rundown looking Backpackers Inn?? But I'm so glad that the other two did not have bunks available for Canada Day and you unexpectedly came up on Tripadvisor as the third contender, and after looking at how clean and cozy the bunks looked, I just had to book a two nights stay. And should I admit that it was actually the private looking, lavish, hotel-level shower that actually convinced me to give you a try? Well, I have :-) But Barefoot hostel does come with a few minor set backs. First, the hostel does not have it's own reception, anyone planning to stay there has to go to it's affiliate the Swiss Hotel next door. Then you have to pick up the phone located at the front door that will dial you through to the reception desk. Only after you have let the front-desk agent know that you are there to check in, maybe you enter. Check-in is at 3pm and it is strictly at 3pm. After taking a 6:30am train and arriving in Ottawa around 12:30pm feeling like an Insomniac, I was hoping to be allowed to check in early, but no I had to leave my bags and walk around aimlessly for about two hours around the city, when my head really did not want to let my legs move. The last 30 minutes of my wandering around the Byward market area went by so slowly as I was getting anxious to get inside the hostel. Then as it got closer to 3pm I headed back and had to talk through the phone and was finally assigned a bunk. Mind you, the reception area at the Swiss Hotel looks charming and cozy, very much the the living room and patio area of the Jardin St. Anne in Quebec City. Check out was also a bit of bother, because again for security measures, I wanted to make sure my key card was left in the hands of a front desk agent. So around 7:30am I went over to the hotel and picked up the phone. The line was busy and was busy for a good five minutes. So I just left my key-card in the little wooden box on the wall hoping that someone would come take a look for any posts and messages for some of the Swiss Hotel guests. But to those of you reading this review, I will definitely say that the hassle is worth it. Barefoot Hostel is of really good quality at reasonable rate. The interior of the place is so clean and well-kept. And alot of natural light comes inside during the day. The spacious living room is furnished with big, comfortable sofas and couches. There were lots of places to sit and relax with your laptop or tablet. A large flat-screen tv hangs across from the couch with small collection of DVDs. The Wi-Fi connection is also smooth here. There weren't any moments that the connection froze or came to a stand-still. A flight of stairs leads up to the living quarters. A complimentary towel is placed on each bunk and there are more towels hanging inside the lavish bathroom and the bathrooms and shower downstairs. I enjoyed the duvet that graces each bed. In other hostels I have never slept with a duvet that enveloped itself around my body and instantly kept me warm. Man, I would have a really good sleep if I stayed here during the colder months! :-) That was the best feature for the beds. That bathroom looked just like how it was shown in the pictures. I know there was only one shower upstairs to be shared by about 16 people, but the other hostel stayers must have really loved this bathroom, because I don't think I've ever heard people going into this bathroom frequently, at other hostels. Oh, and has anyone stayed at a hostel where your bunk was given maid-service while you were out touring around the town? This one has it. I was surprised when I returned and saw my had been bed made and the duvet neatly folded and a new towel placed on top it. Even the one hostelmate who was also chilling there was impressed. That was awesome! I guess that's only possible when a hostel has any partnership with a hotel. Even other reputable hostel chains don't make up your bed unless it's for the purpose of the next person who is checking in. I have a couple of advice for those of you who stay at this hostel and the hotel. Try not to walked down Daly Avenue and Waller Street where the Ottawa Mission building is. You do not want to encounter the homeless and deadbeats who are constantly loitering in that area. Instead walk down Cumberland Street, past Besserer street in the direction towards the Metro grocery store. It will take you away from the Ottawa Mission and get you to Rideau Street and Byward Market. Come back the same way after a night of bar hopping or seeing what's going on in the market area. Apart from having to be cautious about where I went in the area so I won't run into trouble, I will be staying at the Barefoot Hostel on a future trip Canada's Capital City and I would love to feel the comfort of that duvet again. Keep up the high quality work :-)

I was truly captivated by Saintlo, enticed by its rich--dare I say, haunting--history! Serving as a…read moreprison from 1862 to 1972, the experience was nothing short of chilling. However, in 1973, a remarkable transformation occurred as it was repurposed into a hostel. The juxtaposition of its dark past and the present-day hostel setting added a unique layer to my visit, making it all the more fascinating. The complimentary jail/hostel tour, skillfully conducted by the knowledgable and witty guide, Simon, added an unforgettable touch to my experience! Speaking of the staff, every encounter was met with friendliness and kindness. However, the only drawback I encountered was the early morning staff training sessions right next to my "cell," which proved to be exceptionally loud on both mornings. Let's talk about the "cell," also known as my room. Opting for the basic single private room, it was undeniably tiny but surprisingly cozy. Equipped with 2 outlets, a reading lamp, and a mirror, it had all the essentials. The only downside was the door, which was open on top, making noise more audible. Oh, and a pro-tip: ensure the hallway light is turned off at night for a peaceful sleep. My first night was a struggle until I discovered that the lights weren't turned off--I slept like a baby the second night. Cleanliness was top-notch in my room, as well as in the bathrooms, showers, lounge, and lobby. Kudos to the staff for maintaining such high standards. The free breakfast, offering bagels, cereal, fruit, hard-boiled eggs, and copious amounts of coffee, met my expectations. The showers, although small, were clean and provided hot water. In terms of safety, I felt secure. The absence of a key card for building entry was compensated by a pin code required to access the dorms and other areas. They also provided a key for my room. The location was fantastic--just steps away from the CF Rideau Centre, ByWard Market District, and a mere 15-minute walk from Parliament Hill and Downtown. A few extra notes: While they have a water cooler in the lobby, having an additional one in the lounge/kitchen area could enhance convenience. Although I didn't cook, the kitchen appeared small but equipped enough for preparing meals. Beyond the tour, it seemed like there weren't many activities for guests to engage in together. In conclusion, my overall experience was fantastic, and if I ever find myself in Ottawa again, a visit to Saintlo would be on the agenda! Additionally, it's worth noting that I traveled solo, and as a female, the experience was still enjoyable. *Experience a firsthand tour of Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel through my YouTube video! Get a sneak peek before your stay. Happy watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkqwSq0yNHU&t=18s I am not affiliated with Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel; I'm simply a passionate budget traveler who enjoys sharing my hostel experiences with fellow adventurers.

Staying overnight in a jail cell was such a unique experience. We stayed in a cell with bunk beds…read moreand it was surprisingly spacious for two people. The location is centrally located close to Byward Market, Parliament, and the shopping mall. The hostel also offers historical tours of the jail (join a walking haunted tour company if you'd like to learn about the ghost stories). Definitely would recommend staying here for the experience. Parking is an additional $12 cost. The hostel will be closed from November 1 to December 31 due to COVID.

Was expecting to be similar to a Hi-Hostel, but this is a house! The place doesn't look like the…read morepictures at all, the ambiance from the website is deceiving. There was a big group of people staying in the house and they were so loud the entire night! They were still talking loudly in spanish, cooking and making noise at midnight; so inconsiderate. And it doesn't help that the walls are thin and floors are creeky. They made noise again in the morning, making breakfast and yelling at 7am. They left a mess in the kitchen and I felt like I was living in their house instead of being guests and feeling welcomed. Everything is dirty and old. I hated how it's a rule that you have to take off your shoes once you enter the front door--the floors are so dirty! Good thing I brought my own flip flops. Even the couches in the basement are so filthy and stained. They have an old tiny antennae tv (like an 8" screen), and the screen is so fuzzy you can't see anything! The showers are in the basement, and the room is FREEZING, with no heater. Didn't dare to step on the bath math. The "white" mat is grey. They don't give you bath towels either! What a disappointment. There's no paper towels in the kitchen so you would need to use toilet papers. Yes there's free milk, but the fridge is so messy and there's no pitchers, so you're pouring from the bag tied in a knot--sketchy. There's only 3 parking spots behind the house, and it's $10 a day. The inn owns two houses side by side so we had to go to the other house to check in and pay. At the time, their internet was down for the day. The room is fine, squeaky bed, but looks decent. Everything else though, the hallways and common areas is almost gagging and appalling to look at. For a hundred dollars a night (triple room), you're better off staying at a hotel. This place is disgusting!

The best thing about this hostel is the social aspect! I hung out here one night with a friend who…read morewas staying here and the atmosphere was great! There are lots of common areas including the living room and my favorite the front porch with comfy couches for talking and watching people pass by. There is free WIFI here, so you can take your laptop out on the deck and check your email in the morning with you coffee(also free). The dormitories here aren't too cramped (a maximum of 10 beds...I have been in some that have closer to 20 on my travels). The cost is $25 per night, maybe a bit more than I've paid, but then again, I guess it is almost right in the Byward Market. This is a really convenient hostel to check out all of the tourist attractions downtown walking.

Very nice hostel but with some negative points - specially bc it's not a cheap hostel…read more $70 in a mix bedroom with 8 ppl They have a bar and some food options for purchase; The bathrooms were spacious and finally someone considered adding hooks and a place to fit your stuff; Cons Bedding wasn't clean and my blanket had hairs from previous guest. Another guest said he saw staff goes in the rooms to take naps. Why???? Don't they have their own rooms and do they change bedding after their nap? That's gross Also, I love that the staff is happy and get along but they are always cooking and drinking together while front desk is left alone, bathrooms have no paper and it's full of trash and other things needs to be addressed are not because they're busy with their shenanigans. I felt like I was staying in their house- with most of the kitchen reserved for the staff ( with rude note saying "don't steal our food) Thin walls and plank flooring are bad - you can hear everything and every step from people above you

Beautiful beautiful room on the auberge side. People are super friendly. Clean, modern, high end…read moreamenities. I have no problem giving this a 5 star rating. I would definitely go back, even though I'm a local! Please go visit them!