Vancouver Backpacker House

We paid $130 for ONE NIGHT, and the place was nowhere near what the website showed. The building and rooms felt sketchy, and the front door area smelled of cigarettes. Our first-floor window wouldn't close or lock and had no screen, so anyone could have climbed in. It was ridiculous for the price. I'd never recommend it. Spend the extra 20$ and stay at the holiday inn, where there are standards.

The location wasn't the worst, but I wouldn't choose this place again. The walls are paper thin, several people stayed up late, and with no staff around there wasn't much I could do. The bed was poor, and the pillows and blankets were small and uncomfortable. I can see it working for a young person who sleeps heavily. Otherwise, Lisa’s lovely little house or my favorite, Linda’s guesthouse through booking.com, cost 20 bucks more but have a better location, a nicer room with a private bathroom, and much less noise. I also didn't like dealing with the person over text after booking through Expedia.com. They asked for 20 dollars on top of what I'd paid, even though the Expedia receipt showed only 8 bucks, and requested my driver's license twice. That felt unprofessional.

The host came across as impatient and indifferent. Maybe she was busy handling a series of problems, but I didn't pay to deal with that. The facilities and surroundings were below average, and my roommate noticed that the pictures on booking websites didn't match the place. It could be better to choose airbnb or another hostel. To be fair, it was possible to sleep there, and it was better than a shelter if you're willing to accept the conditions.

I had to leave within an hour of arriving at the Vancouver Backpacker House because it was old, dirty, in serious disrepair, and unhygienic. I lost the payment for the stay. On top of that, they charge an excessive 7% fee for credit card payments. The representative was rigid and unhelpful when I raised my concerns. The place felt like a scam to me, not a hostel. Avoid it.