Make sure to bring a towel and flip-flops if you're planning to take a shower. Also bring shampoo…read moreand soap, considering their version looks like it would contain sulfites. The bathrooms have a lot of toilet tissue on the floors and they have signs that ask them to be notified if it's not clean but I didn't have time to wait. I didn't take a shower because there wasn't a lot of space to put my stuff down in a clean area. The bathrooms are shared, but they do have a really great mirror to put on make up. Extremely cramped living quarters with very little space to put luggage down. They require you to buy a lock for $8.95 if you want to stow valuables and it's a big bulky lock, that's heavy and you probably don't want to buy (wish they would rent the locks because I have no other use for this bulky thing). The worst part is the stairs... It would be a great work out, except that it's super annoying when you have heavy luggage to carry upstairs multiple flights of floors. There is no elevator, there is no AC, you better arrive tired because it's pretty loud at night. This hostel is 3 stars imo but I gave them an extra star because their staff is super friendly, it's a good location, their breakfast is convenient (fresh bagels with fruits and vegetables), and Vancouver needs more budget-friendly options.

I went there today to check it out because we never know if the photos make justice to the actual…read moreplace, especially when the location is shady like it is in Ocean Beach. I'm a very calm, sweet and good looking young woman and I'm not going to be humble about it. There was no reason for that bald male receptionist to be that rude to me given all the sketchy ppl that usually go to Ocean Beach. If you're a nice female customer, I would look for a safer location, and would never put your safety at risk on that place. The customer that was there was looking at me like he wanted to apologize for the receptionist's rudeness. It was really bad. I understand that ppl are not allowed inside to see the place for safety issues, but there are way kinder ways of saying it to a potential future customer. I can't stand when people in low paid jobs act like they have power (small power) and decide to be rude to kind people like me, and they do that with a big and ugly gummy smile on their faces. It's so petty!

We stayed here three nights after our Alaska land and cruise trip on Princess…read more We paid about $1300 CAD which is still a good deal for downtown Vancouver. We have a double queen with a private bathroom but they do have much less expensive rooms with shared facilities. There were multiple shower rooms on each floor with keycard (and locking) access if you need an affordable place to stay. There is also laundry on several floors- $2.50CAD for wash and dry. They also had an iron and ironing board set up in those facilities, but you have one in your room as well, at least we did. You really need to check out the different spaces that exist in this building, for example there are two large kitchens on two floors and two kitchenettes on two. Take a peek at those pictures so you could do some cooking here if you needed. There's also a fitness center on the 4th floor. And don't miss the rooftop, seating area and garden in honor of Grace Tee. So pretty and peaceful up here!! They have coffee in the 'nook' off the lobby in the morning too.

I was overall very happy with my stay here of 3 nights! Pleasantly surprised to have Nespresso…read moremachine in my room and in the lobby. They gave complimentary slippers & umbrellas too for the stay. My room was simple, modern and up to date, cozy and everything worked well. Bed was comfy with a good amount of pillows. I went for private bathroom & it was still affordable, very happy with this hotel, even the location was perfect...just far away enough from the ghetto areas but close to everything like transportation wise. The front desk service was nice and friendly( I only wished they didn't say the room numbers out loud during check in). And they answered all questions happily.

I am a lifetime member of Hostelling International and have stayed at many hostels across the U.S…read more and Canada. This was my first visit to Vancouver, so it only seemed natural to check out one of the HI locations. I only stayed a couple of nights, but had a pretty good experience overall. Here are some comments: 1. The best thing about my room was the great bed and comforter. Hands down, this may have been the best hostel comforter I've ever experienced, and everyone else who has stayed there knows exactly what I am talking about. 2. The four-bed room is ideal for travelers and I liked the in-room sink and lockers. It is super convenient with the bathrooms and showers down the hall. 3. The WiFi is HORRIBLE. The only place where the signal is strong is the reception area on the first floor. Otherwise, you are basically playing Russian roulette with the signal strength, and areas where it should be strong like the tables near the kitchen are actually weak. 4. I also understand that elevators are not always necessary, but the stairways from the 2nd floor up are small and really difficult if you have a suitcase or god forbid, more than one. 5. I was always gone early in the mornings so never took advantage of the free breakfast, but the kitchen area was well stocked and clean, and the large fridge made it easy to store your own food. 6. Lastly, this hostel is conveniently located near tons of good restaurants, clubs, and bars, but when it is full of drunk people, it's not so much fun if you are not the partying type ... or over 30.

Hostelling International (HI) has a solid reputation in the hostel industry. I was a fan of several…read moreHI hostels in the US, so I recently booked HI again, this time in downtown Vancouver for one night. It is directly across the street from the SameSun Backpacker Lodge. Both hostels are popular amongst travelers because of their desirable location - in close proximity to Granville Street's nightlife district, Robson Street's shopping area, and only a 2 mile drive to Stanley Park. The nearest SkyTrain station is only a 5 minute walk away. A week prior to arrival, I reserved a two bed dorm on hostelworld.com, but when I checked in late at night, the confused receptionist assigned me to a four bed dorm. Their reservation system appeared to be useless and disorganized. It was probably first come first serve and my "reserved" two bed room was already taken. Bad impression, but at least the four bed room is a bit cheaper ($37 vs. $45). There were four co-ed floors of bedrooms. I was fortunate to be assigned to the least noisy region - fourth floor facing away from Granville Street. My room was equipped with an individual locker, sink, closet for storage, and 2 sets of bunk beds. You can turn on the A/C but it is extremely noisy. The ambiance was basic like a motel or dorm room, but most important to me, the bed was more comfortable than the one at St. Clair Hostel. I was able to sleep for 7 hours interrupted. One interesting aspect is that restroom access requires a keycard to be swiped before entering, just like a dorm. The shower inside was clean and functional. WIFI is fair, not good enough for a Facetime call but OK for checking email. The WIFI password is ridiculously long. HI-Vancouver Central is a hostel that I would recommend for anyone staying in Vancouver on a budget, and is simply looking for a comfortable night of sleep plus a place to shower. Why stay at a hotel and pay over $100 per night when you'll be traveling and sightseeing most of the day? Book this hostel instead, and save your money to spend on food or souvenirs in Vancouver. If you're young and into the nightlife scene, the hostel is only 1 to 2 blocks away from dozens of popular clubs and bars.

After reading other traveler's experiences, I felt compelled to share a review, which I seldom…read morewrite. I am a 40 year old female from the US. I have not stayed in a hostel in about 12 years, but I was looking for inexpensive accommodations to explore Vancouver. Prior to my late night arrival I was emailed detailed instructions on how to access the building and I had zero issues getting into my room. The rooms are small and warm. I stayed here in October, and it might be a bit uncomfortable in the summer. However, the rooms were clean, free of pests, and I did not experience any of the street noise that other travelers commented about. Some of the showers are icky, but if you shower on a different floor than your room, others are much cleaner. The building itself is quiet, and the other guests were respectful. I felt very safe inside the building. That being said, the neighborhood can be sketchy at night. There are drug addicts on the street after 10 PM. I live near Portland, OR which has a huge homeless population, so I did not feel too uneasy. It might be a good idea to take a taxi at night if you feel uncomfortable. My only complaints were the condition of the showers on my floor and that the bunkbeds were a bit short. I am 5'7". This is by far the cheapest and least sketchy place to stay in town for the price. A private room was around $60 USD per night for 2 people. There is not a "hostel vibe" that you experience in other properties as the common areas are very small and the cooking areas are in the hallways. However, if you are looking for a place to lay your head while you spend your time exploring and money on good food and entertainment, this is a good choice.

Squeak squeak squeak is all you hear on the lower bunk because…read moreThe bunk beds shake and make noise every time the person on top moves Cheap and affordable rooms, only $25 per night in a 4 bed dorm room Lots of European traveling in groups stay here Age range: around 20s to 40s, my roomates were in their 20s Internet was very spotty and disconnected often Restroom does not have a sink, have to go back to room to wash hands Historic building in downtown Vancouver, close to Granville SkyTrain station Originally built in early 1900's to accommodate railway and ocean-going travelers Showers and toilets are communal, two stalls per floor TV room downstairs had cable but the TV was 13" dorm sized Entrance is locked after 10pm, safe and secure location Located about 10 to 15 minutes from nightlife on Granville Street Conclusion: I'm a light sleeper that was assigned to the lower bunk. Due to the random person on top twisting and turning and shaking all night (smelled like weed and talked to himself), I could only sleep 45 minutes that night. I was only expecting to have a roof over my head and a pillow under my head for maybe 6 hours, but it didn't happen. Unless you are on an extreme budget, whip out an additional $10/night and stay at Hostelling International Vancouver Central instead. It's right in the middle of the entertainment area of downtown Vancouver, the beds are much more comfortable, and the facilities are a bit more modern.

Location is ideal, price is right and staff are friendly. They don't take debit and there's no…read morecoffee / hot water in the room so if you want morning breakfast, you have to go to one of the cafes or restaurants very close to the hotel. It's currently (Mar.2025) being renovated but the rooms are comfy and spacious. This hotel is NOT accessible-friendly at all. Maybe after renovations are done, there might be an elevator, but for now it's steps and corridors that are unable for a wheelchair user to navigate. Have stayed here multiple times over the decades so I will continue to do so, but this time upon arrival there was a surprise in the sofa bed pullout. A glass pipe. Hahah oh well, previous patron had some fun. Other than that the room was clean and safe. Wifi is FAST. Bathroom has been renovated. Bed is comfy. TV has typical stations to watch. Mini fridge is sufficient.

I'm so impressed. Honestly, my expectations were low but I had a really good stay here. I'm an…read moreAirbnber at heart, but every now and again I'll pop into a hotel when I feel that it's necessary. In this case, the Barclay Hotel was so damn convenient that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to stay here. First of all, the price for the location is very reasonable. It's located right off Robson Street amongst all of the fancy hotels, restaurants, and shopping. This is prime time baby. Prime. Time. Now, don't get me wrong; this hotel ain't fancy by any means. But it's clean, comfortable, and convenient. The 3 c's that I will always live for when it comes to accommodations. It's an older hotel so I feel like this is why it's such a bargain when compared to the other newer hotels nearby. But, don't let the age of this hotel fool you; it's a great deal. The only rooms that were available during the time that I booked were two queens. When I arrived, the front staff was very kind and helpful. There are no elevators in this hotel so keep this in mind if you have heavy luggage. I'm generally a light packer, so this didn't affect me much. The room was large, bright, and clean. It had a small sofa, work desk, mini fridge and TV (I never watched anything on it). The bathroom was a nice size and also very clean. My room had a nice view of Robson street. Housekeeping was great and cleaned my room thoroughly everyday. The heater is old school radiator style, so it took a bit of time for the room to warm up but it definitely kept it warm. I barely saw anyone in the lobby and didn't hear any other guests while I was there. Not sure about the parking situation since I took public transit while I visited, but the fact that I was able to walk to most places was wonderful. The train and bus are within a few minutes walk. So many eateries that are literally right next door and across the street. The convenience is what truly did it for me, and I felt completely safe staying here. I would definitely stay here again during a future trip to Vancouver. You cannot beat the incredible value and prime location.

We stayed here for 3 nights in a private family room for 4 of us, and overall, it was a good stay…read more On the plus side, it was a great location right in Friday Harbor, liked the common room w/ pool table, games, TVs and community kitchen. Cons: only one key for a room that slept 6, no closets, dressers or shelves; we had a sitting room, but if you turned lights on, they were also on in the bedroom; the bunks were fairly rickety, and every time my daughter above me rolled over, the bed shook and I woke up. I also misunderstood that we had a private toilet, shower, but all rooms share community bathrooms. Not super cheap for a hostel ($250/night for our room), but on an island w/ extremely limited, was nice to have a place to stay!

The two of us stayed at the hostel in late June 2022. It was VERY expensive for a hostel, but…read moreheck--it's summer--and we were glad to have a place to stay that night. The only room we could get was one with two bunkbeds, with a very slim double on the bottom of one. That's the one we used. No one else shared the room. The showers down the hall were hot, and one of them had a hair dryer. Later I found that the very large and nice kitchen / lounge / pool ball area also had additional, larger bathrooms. It would have been nice for Manager Min to show that to us when we checked in, but on the other hand, he clearly had a lot of responsibilities. Next time we'll ask for a little tour! :) As another reviewer noted, patrons were polite and quiet. Min was helpful at all times, as was the young woman whose name I didn't catch but who filled in for him at times. She provided us with additional bath towels at no cost.

This is the worst place i have stayed in my life. Very dirty. places have cats, cat's hair is…read moreeverywhere. places have club in first floor, and they give me a room in second floor. they played loud music all night. I went to reception in the morning and complain about this. the person name JOSE told mi is, This is not the hotel for your ege people, this is DISCRIMINATION!!!!!!!!! Also, they treat people like a homeless. They take $ 20 dollars for deposit and they did not give me the deposit back because of 20 minutes late check out

It was a very nice place to stay. Very central, social and the staff are very friendly.read more

My favourite place to stay in Vancouver. Clean, quaint and convenient, with discounted overnight…read moreparking next door, as well as a discount on the excellent restaurant on site. Walking distance from all things amazing in downtown Vancouver. Friendly staff and a continental breakfast. Everything you need is right here in this historic hotel.

We had a bad experience staying at this hotel. There was no toilet or bathroom in the room, no TV,…read morethe bed was too small for two people, and breakfast only had coffee and nothing else. The hotel had a terrible smell of old clothes and we were very dissatisfied. The price for the hotel is not low at all; they charged us $404 per night.