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    Wayfarer's Rest

    3.3 (21 reviews)

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    The barricade we had to create.

    TLDR: Unsafe! People had the code to our private room and entered to use our shower! Owner was 0 help. Run, don't walk away. This was singlehandedly the worst Hospitality experience we have ever had and probably ever will. Allow me to preface this review, with the fact we had selected the "PRIVATE ROOM/SUITE", not one of the hostel options with shared kitchen/bathroom spaces. The only positive I have is the convenient location near downtown Friday Harbor. I will start off by saying, our room was very dirty. Dust everywhere, dirt on the floors (my feet were black after walking across the room barefoot), dead bugs and spiders, even garbage under the couch (I'll get back to why I even had to move the couch in the first place). The sheets and blankets appeared to be clean, but I felt pretty uncomfortable about the cleanliness situation so that didn't help. Here's where things start to become dangerously unacceptable. I am laying in bed, trying to sleep (my fiancee is already asleep), when I hear people enter our room. I hear a quiet muffled conversation and they leave. At this point I am questioning my sanity, I get up, open the bedroom door and go over to lock the door (at the time I was 90% sure I locked the door before bed but not positive, and so I chalked it up to someone going to the wrong room and me not locking the door). That being said, my heart was still racing and I was pretty panicked/shocked so I put a couple of chairs in front of the door after I re-locked it, that way I could know for sure if someone was attempting to enter our room. At this point, sleep is not even on my mind. Low and behold, 5 minutes later I hear someone attempting to enter the room. I ask what they think they are doing, and they (bewildered as I was) said they were here to use our shower. The woman was nice, polite and confused. She said she received a code for our space to use our shower. I threw my hands up at this point and let her use our shower. We immediately reached out to Paul he replied, "I'm sorry but if somebody is confused and can't find their room and that happens again please contact me and I will assist them, paul" - first of all, they shouldn't even have our code - we replied "Someone is in the shower right now and someone earlier also entered our room. Please assist now." We followed up with a phone call, he answered and said he would be right there. A couple minutes later, Paul arrives, we let him in and he immediately starts trying to blame the poor confused woman. He leaves with her and shows her where the communal showers are. He comes back to apologize, we ask him if he can change the code, he says it's not possible without removing the lock from the door (total lie, these codes typically are easily changed and should be changed after every guest anyways, this is how people get murdered). He apologizes, says he will offer compensation in the morning and that "you guys will probably be fine, it shouldn't happen again". Nice, very reassuring response Paul! He also left his key in the utility closet with the door open which had keys to every single unit, again, how incredibly dangerous. This guy is not qualified to operate in the hospitality industry and should be barred from operating before someone gets hurt or killed. We ended up barricading our door with the couch, chairs, and desk so that we could feel safe enough to get some sleep as there were no nearby vacancies and our other option was to sleep in the car. A photo of this is attached where allowed, as I am posting this review everywhere I possibly can. Morning comes, no word from Paul. We reach out again at 2:30PM and he finally replies "it has to go through Airbnb so just ask for $100 and I will agree to the refund. Sorry, never happened before, very weird, thanks for your understanding, Paul" Yes that's right he didn't even offer to comp the whole stay. $100 compensation for this. Had this happened at a reputable establishment (it wouldn't in the first place but let's just pretend), they would be offering us a whole lot more than $100 off. Anyways, that's the end of my story. If you read this whole review, I'm quite certain you will no longer be considering staying at the Wayfarer's Rest. 0/10 stay away unless you seek the thrill of strangers entering your room while you're in bed.

    Dorm style room with bunk bed
    Jen B.

    I have to admit that I had my doubts about staying here. I had visited the hostel's website and had emailed for availability information, but never heard back from anyone. It also took several phone calls and couple of messages before I was able to get a live person on the phone for reservations, but I'm so happy that I finally did. Nestled away just a couple blocks from town, Wayfarer's Rest is one of the best hostels I've ever stayed at. Although I only spent one night , I could've easily spent more time at the hostel, even if it was just to sit in the back yard and read. I would definitely stay here again next time I visit Friday Harbor.

    Boat-house!
    Jen Y.

    How is it possible that no other Yelpers have discovered this wonderful little place on San Juan Island? It's a hostel with bunk beds and shared baths, with a few little private cabins in the back. They have a boat-house! It's half cabin, half old-ship! The main bed is in the cabin part but you can crawl back and play under and above deck. Little kids could even sleep on the little bed under the deck. (It's all connected inside). Sooo cool. We were like giddy 5-year-olds. If you go in the summer, you can load up on the thousands of fresh sweet juicy blackberries that grow EVERYWHERE, and then make yourself some amazing blackberry cobbler in the big communal kitchen. It is perfect, cheap summer fun.

    Illegal extension cord to run a heater in outside cabin (shed).
    Gwen G.

    Not a spectacular place to stay. But not the worst I ever stayed at, either. I've been in some humdingers in Eastern Europe. Clean enough. Decorated cutely. Safe? Not so much. We stayed in a little shed/cabin in the back of the property. The door did lock and there was a key, but the windows did not lock and didn't have the capacity to lock. You could push open the window and reach (or crawl) inside to get the key we accidentally locked inside. Convenient in our case, but not secure. Cabin/shed not insulated. They provided a heater, which would have been ok, but the electricity was run to the shed by an extremely undersized extension cord. I posted a picture. A big fire hazard and not legal. There is a bunk bed inside. The top bunk has a very rickety rope to keep the person from falling off. It was not secured well and actually broke when my daughter was up there. The rope wasn't high enough above the mattress to make it an effective railing anyway. I took a picture of this as well. We took the mattress down and had her sleep on the floor.

    The main entrance.
    Lee A.

    This was a very clean and quiet hostel. I would definitely stay again. The reviews I read left me feeling a little skeptical about my choice but in the end I was very happy. We rented one of the outdoor cabins, ours happened to be the one with the boat sticking out of it. I thought this would be the best for three people but it turns out that the boat section only contains a very small air mattress that is definitely only suitable for children. 2 of us slept in the bed and on one the floor. The cabin was very clean and well maintained. The cabin would be great for a couple with a child. The common areas (2 kitchens) were comfortable, bright, and clean. All the supplies you need for cooking can be found. The bathrooms were incredibly clean. I was really impressed with that. The location was really good too. If you walk on the ferry I think you can easily walk to the hotel. It's really close to downtown. The only thing I didn't really like is that the owners/employees are not there to check you in. I think the staff are also an important part of the hostel experience, especially when you have questions about the area you are staying in. When checking in you can find an envelope with your name and instructions. There is a phone number in case you have any problems checking in. There is plenty of (free) parking. I would highly recommend this place is you are a budget traveler.

    One of two cabins out back. Has a bunk bed in it, full size on bottom single on top. Great spot to stay at.

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    5 years ago

    Great location to everything you need in Fridays Harbor. Friendly, clean, and priced for everybody.

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    14 years ago

    We had an early ferry to catch and were just looking for a place to crash. This was clean, affordable, quiet, and comfortable.

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    Ask the Community - Wayfarer's Rest

    Review Highlights - Wayfarer's Rest

    How is it possible that no other Yelpers have discovered this wonderful little place on San Juan Island?

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    San Juan Island Hostel - Our living room - some flowers from Pike Place Marjet. And a bottle of wine we picked up on the island.

    San Juan Island Hostel

    4.3(6 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    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.

    Photos
    San Juan Island Hostel - Our bedroom w/ 3 bunks

    Our bedroom w/ 3 bunks

    San Juan Island Hostel - Common area

    Common area

    San Juan Island Hostel - Pool table

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    Pool table

    Ocean Island

    Ocean Island

    3.4(56 reviews)
    17.4 mi
    $

    I am sitting on the bed in room 22B, and I'll tell you...I am pleased as punch. It is clean, and…read moretastefully, sparcely decorated with an IKEA meets World Market vibe. Now if you know me at all, you KNOW I love fresh air. At many hotels, I 100% loathe the act of desperately sucking my "fresh air" through some dusty window air conditioner thingy, but in 22B, glory be! I can open fully an old-wood-framed window and lay here gazing at the green leaves of a tree swaying in the breeze as I inhale copious lungfuls of the oxygen I love so much. In addition to free air, free breakfast is also promised, which is pretty normal in hotels, but get this...drumroll...FREE DINNER and a drink! We, unfortunately went out and wasted our money on bad food at a restaurant (Dosa Paragon...read the review), so don't know how the free dinner was here. My expectations are reasonable, so if they have coffee and bread at breakfast, we are good! If they have a waffle spinner,that would be typical but surprising here. Yes, it's a little noisy, but not as much as I feared for being in the heart of a bustling downtown. Stay here and get room 22B! Update: Excellent breakfast and there is a communal kitchen! No waffle spinner.

    *BED BUGS* Stayed in Room 17K and left early because the…read moreroom was gross -- hairs in the bed, dirty counters, and a small red bug in the sheets that I *hoped* wasn't a bed bug. Spoiler alert: it was. The air freshener under the sink was so strong it made me nauseous. When I tried to check out early, instead of asking "How was your stay?" or trying to help, the front desk just said, "No refund for you!" -- which is a great way to make a guest feel unwelcome, not valued. They say they don't want to greet guests that way, but that's exactly what happened. Management says they "need to be advised at the time" to fix issues, but how was I supposed to report bugs at check-in when I hadn't even been in the room yet? And when I tried to raise concerns at checkout, I was cut off. So, no chance to fix things on site -- which they say is why they won't refund me. They admit their "high standards of quality" weren't met -- the hairs and dirty counters prove that -- and that the "nauseating air freshener" is a love-it-or-hate-it thing they could have removed or even moved me to another room, but none of that happened. They claim they found no evidence of bed bugs but will "treat it as such" because it's a serious complaint. I have photos of the bites I woke up with at home, and I saw a similar bug in my own apartment later. Seems pretty connected to me. Finally, they say they won't refund me because I "threatened" to leave negative reviews -- except I'm just sharing my honest experience, which any traveler deserves to hear. They offered a discount for a future stay, but after this, I won't be going back. If you want a clean, safe place with guest service that actually listens, look elsewhere.

    Photos
    Ocean Island
    Ocean Island
    Ocean Island

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    Rain Forest Hostel - Hallway view

    Rain Forest Hostel

    4.2(12 reviews)
    81.9 mi

    I visited the Rainforest Hostel last weekend with a group of girlfriends who were seeking a cheap…read morealternative to camping in the rainforest while on a break from graduate school. We arrived an hour before check-in (around 8pm) and we met Jimmy who seemed surprised that we showed up. The minute you walk in you are accosted by a strong scent of mold, and feel as if you've entered a time warp to the year 1975. Jimmy is most definitely an old-school hippy who likely has not had much human interaction beyond those who frequent his "hostel." He explained the rules of his house and we quickly learned from our surroundings that he is a hoarder, is very particular about his things, and likes to hover. He made us pretty uncomfortable. We assumed the chores we would be doing would be to the overall benefit of the hostel/ community living lifestyle, however in the morning we found ourselves doing his yard work. Half of us were throwing sticks out of the yard back into the forest, and myself and two others were on our hands and knees literally HAND CUTTING his grass with tiny hand saws. This is not a joke. Let me make one thing clear THIS IS NOT A HOSTEL by today's standards. This is a poorly run air bnb run by an old grouchy hoarder and yes, you are living in his HOME. Please be aware that during a conversation we had with him regarding paying via checks he said NOT to make them out to the Rainforest Hostel as it is "cheaper" for him not to run an ACTUAL BUSINESS. To me, this is a pretty huge red flag as he is essentially doing this off the grid without any regulations. How he got a highway sign that looks legit and says "hostel" is a mystery. There are no locks on any bedroom doors, and it is dirty. I cleaned dead spiders out of my bed before I fell asleep. Had there been any wifi in the area I would have sought out alternative lodging. If you are a woman traveling alone, or anyone with small children DO NOT STAY HERE. I didn't feel like Jimmy was dangerous, but I know he is creepy enough to make me feel uncomfortable even thinking about anyone I know going this route alone. Also there are tons of dangerous things in the hostel - like PILES OF AXES laying about that would be extremely dangerous for small children.

    This is not a five-star hotel; it is a rural home on a large piece of property. I was prepared to…read morecamp out but all the campgrounds were full. I was driving and it was getting late, when I spotted the Hostel sign. There is a Bernie Sanders sign out front of the property which made me feel that I had come to the right place. I pulled into the parking area, and when i rang the bell i was warmly greeted by the owner. There is a routine spiel he delivers before a guest checks in, about Bernie Sanders, that it costs $10 to stay there, plus 15 minutes of chores, and if you are able to pay more it covers the cost for people who are unable to pay to stay. I was very comfortable with all that. The common areas are cluttered with books, and even though it was dusty, I felt right at home. The bathroom and kitchen were clean.There is a wood stove in the living room that I assume heats the whole house. The sheets were clean and the mattress was comfortable and I slept very well. The next morning Jimmy took me around the property. He has a garden, a green house, a big barn workshop, a couple of trailers with beds for guests, a smoke house for smoking salmon, and a place for a sweat lodge. There is also plenty of room for tent camping. Dogs are permitted, but not inside the house. Bring your own food. I stayed another night, and I volunteered to clean up the fireplace area and scrub the shower. I hope to go back again someday and stay longer. The hostel is not far from the ocean beach and the Hoh Rain Forest. If you don't like Bernie Sanders and you want a fancy hotel, please reserve your complaints and go somewhere else instead.

    Photos
    Rain Forest Hostel
    Rain Forest Hostel - Note on the toilet in the single bathroom.

    Note on the toilet in the single bathroom.

    Rain Forest Hostel - Chair in the living room

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    Chair in the living room

    Vancouver Backpacker Guesthouse - Room with 2 twin beds

    Vancouver Backpacker Guesthouse

    3.5(4 reviews)
    47.7 mi

    I was pleased with everything pertaining to my one night stay. For the affordability factor, it is…read moreworth the distance. Located a long way from downtown Vancouver. The cleaning crew is terrifically efficient. I can admit, the host was pleasantly courteous. I would recommend this place to anyone. I was able find it easily, by taking public transportation.

    My friend and I booked VBG based on the good reviews on Hostelworld.com. The closest Skytrain stop…read moreis Metrotown and VBG is just a few blocks from the mall. We arrived in Vancouver on a light drizzly afternoon, and as directed, called the number so that we could ensure that someone would meet us to take us to our room. For more than 2 hours, my phone calls and emails went unanswered and I finally decided we would just walk to the address provided and figure it out from there. We walked thru a suburban neighborhood and a man raking his leaves pointed us in the right direction, which was a good sign that this place had been used by other travelers. The Guesthouse was just a regular house down the street. Upon walking inside, we heard complaints of the lockers having no locks and the dryer being broken, according to other backpackers. As it turned out, VBG is actually a variety of different properties owned by one person, who was in Taiwan at the time. The phone number provided belonged to the owner and that is why there was no answer. Meanwhile, staff members helped us check in, pay, and then walked with us about half a mile to another apartment, about 10 minutes (walking) from the MetroTown Station. Our apartment was clean and we claimed a room with 2 beds. We were given keys for our apartment and room, fresh linens, and then rationed 1 roll of toilet paper each, to use for a week. Anything after that, we were told, we'd have to purchase for ourselves. Check out was easy, just undo the linens and leave the keys behind. All in all, decent value for what we paid, (~$25/bed/night). We had about 5 housemates to share with, but there were no problems whatsoever. VBG was a good, quiet place to stay, if you don't mind being farther away from the city. Note: From the Metrotown skytrain station, it takes about 10-15 minutes to get to the City center. Don't stay here if you're looking to party. This Guesthouse is more suited for those who want a homey place to stay. In fact, 3 of the housemates were staying here (long term) while job-searching. My only complaint is that they should have provided better service to respond when we were calling the number they provided. If we'd waited for someone to call back, who knows how long we would have waited outside the BG Urban Cafe...

    Hotel Hotel

    Hotel Hotel

    4.2(81 reviews)
    68.1 miFremont

    Got a room at this hostel in the Fremont area. It has been called one of Seattle's best hostels by…read moremany online. Hotel Hotel certainly is a place we could stay again. Location is good and so is the place itself. The prices are okay for the area and quality. Cool thing about it for many staying here is the location of course. It's located close to a lot of hip bars and restaurants. This is in one of the main touristy areas, which means it gets crowded around here and inside this. Especially the bathrooms. They have a few in each hall so it's not very long of a wait. If needing toiletries it's $1 for soap or toothpaste. That's an okay price for these. Could charge you even more for these actually. The most notable local attraction is the Fremont Troll, which is only a few blocks away and is a good place for pictures. Has a cozy and comfortable feel to it. It's located next to many restaurants and shops, as well as other things like a few parks. This is also located along a few bus lines, so it's convenient to get to with public transportation.

    I stayed here back in March 3. I had to go to a concert and it was the closest to get there and the…read moreroom was affordable and very easy to access. The manager. Text me about how to get in my lock room and everything like that so I really enjoyed it. I will Stay here again. It is very beautiful and so cozy and I love how very private that makes me very happy.

    Photos
    Hotel Hotel - Private room with bunks and a sink

    Private room with bunks and a sink

    Hotel Hotel - Bedroom

    Bedroom

    Hotel Hotel

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    Wayfarer's Rest - hostels - Updated May 2026

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