HI-Penticton

Maybe winter isn’t the time to stay here. Things were clean and quiet, and the stay was generally alright, but the welcome was lacking. The receptionist seemed completely uninterested at check-in, didn’t explain anything about the hostel, and just gestured vaguely toward our room. There was no music, activities, brochures, or anything inviting. The main problem was that bathroom renovations were underway, leaving only the men’s washroom available. The website didn’t mention this when we booked. The renovated bathroom looked good otherwise, but the toilet stall was hard to lock. Neither shower stall had a vestibule, so getting dressed without exposing myself to everyone in the shared bathroom was really awkward. An unfortunate design choice.

The rooms were pristine, and the staff were friendly and very accommodating. Let them know ahead of time if you’ll arrive late, and they can arrange check-in. It’s a convenient spot, close to lots of things and not a long walk from the event center. There’s a nice community area and kitchen too. It doesn’t have the extras of a higher-end place, but the price is right and it has the basics you need for somewhere to rest your head. We’ll stay again when we’re in town for events.

It’s the most affordable place to stay in Penticton, and the location is great. The common areas are spacious and reasonably clean, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Still, the hostel has serious soundproofing problems. From your room you can hear people in the hallway and bathroom, including repeated attempts to lock the bathroom’s broken sliding door. The sink in the other bathroom is broken too. It’s also gross having to use plates and cutlery washed with brushes and sponges that may not have been changed in who knows how long.

I don’t usually write reviews, but the staff deserve a high five for how they handled my problem with a guest in room C, Will or William. I originally booked one night, September 7-8, and ended up paying to stay another night after they moved me to dorm I. It was a much fresher, quieter break from the misery of dorm C, and I appreciated the help. After checking in, I found an extremely strong foot or body odor smell in the room. I tried to put up with it since I was only there one night. Then, after eight hours driving on windy Highway 3 from Fernie, I tried to nap and was jolted awake by Will or William talking to his girlfriend on speakerphone. Rather than rest on his bed, he lay sideways on the floor in front of the door, still talking on speakerphone. After an hour, I went to a bar for karaoke. I got back around 11:30 p.m. on September 7, after the office had closed. The room C door only opened a little past the threshold, about a quarter of my foot’s length. Will was on the floor again watching something on his phone, mumbling as he got up. He kept watching for at least another hour. I didn’t sleep until 1 a.m., and didn’t want to start a scene while someone else was sleeping. By 8:30 the next morning, after half an hour of his phone alarm, Facebook Messenger noises, and typing, I’d had enough. I told a woman at the office what was happening and asked to move dorms. Eventually they moved me. Thanks to the staff for helping with this ordeal.