5 OF THE BEST HOSTELS IN VANCOUVER

Central for visitors to experience everything that Vancouver has to offer, this large hostel has great transport links and is situated only three blocks from the station making it perfect for onward travel. In the onsite bar guests can enjoy a meal, drink or one of the hostel’s self organised nightly events; this often draws visitors looking to socialise, before moving on to one of the nearby restaurants or bars. Friendly staff offer advice on the city and schedule free city tours for guests. Before heading out make sure you fill up on the complimentary breakfast of bagels, muffins, eggs, cereals and fruits.

HI Vancouver Central is situated in Granville Street’s busy entertainment district offering easy access to bars, shops and clubs. Unlike many hostels self catering facilities are limited, including a microwave, toasters and kettles, but the hostel makes sure guests are well fed with their free all you can eat breakfast buffet, complete with North American classics of bagels, cream cheese, muffins, scones and tea and coffee; this spread is certain to keep the busiest of tourists fuelled all day. The hostel also has a great social calendar, organising daily tours and evening events, but if guests are looking for a little more privacy they can opt for one of the two bed dorms with an ensuite. Shared dorms sleep a maximum of four people and all rooms have access to the recently upgraded, high-speed wifi.

Also operated by the HI Vancouver brand, their downtown accommodation offers great self catering facilities with a fully equipped kitchen to make a variety of meals and snacks. Dorms are kept to a four bed maximum to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Relaxing social areas include an outdoor terrace with city views, lounge and games room to enjoy a game of foosball, billiards and board games. Other handy onsite facilities include vending machines for extra drinks and snacks, laundry for an additional charge and cash machines as well as wifi available throughout.

For those looking for a quiet retreat from downtown’s busy entertainment area, Vancouver Backpacker House offers a suburban homely atmosphere just 15 minutes away from Burnaby Central Park on foot. Secluded from the busier areas of the city, journeys to the centre often take 15 minutes and guests can reach destinations across the city via the Skytrain or by convenient bus links. Clean rooms have access to a shared kitchen as well as onsite laundry facilities for an extra charge.

From the Cambie Hostel guests can take a short ten-minute walk to the beach or head for the nearby Skytrain, which opens the city up to visitors. A key consideration here is privacy; most rooms are small and personal with the maximum capacity of two people, some stretching to four. Guests are invited to socialise over a discounted breakfast at the hostel’s own Cambie bar or watch one of the many sporting events screened live in the sports bar, where there are excellent offers on both food and drinks. For guests who enjoy cooking for themselves there is a self catering kitchen and other amenities include wifi, vending machines, onsite ATM machine and laundry facilities for an extra fee.