American Backpackers Hostel

For three weeks in July, I stayed at the Backpackers, and it was a really good time. The best part was the people: I met loads of nice folks, had great conversations, and sometimes there was free beer or spaghetti. Vincent, the owner, and Chris, the manager, keep things easy-going. They're good, funny guys, and the place has a lively atmosphere. It can be rough around the edges, but it's never dull. Other hostels sometimes feel like cemeteries. On 347 Pender Street, that definitely isn't the case. It's probably the cheapest place in Vancouver, and maybe the one with the best atmosphere. I've read complaints about bed bugs and cleanliness, but I didn't have bed bugs, and they do their best to keep the place clean. I've paid a lot for genuinely dirty places, and stayed somewhere three times the price that felt sterile and boring. Here it's completely different. Don't arrive with high demands, especially at this price. If you're an easy-going, casual person looking for somewhere very cheap in Downtown-Vancouver and want something unusual, this could be your place. We had so much fun, and I miss the place and all those likeable weirdos. Even if I were a millionaire or an eighty-year-old retiree, I'd go back. It's real, authentic, and a school of life. Thanks, Vincent and Chris. I hope it stays this way. Some things shouldn't change! Cheers, Frank

I only slept there because I couldn't find another place. It was the worst stay I've ever had. The hostel smelled strange and disgusting, and the bathrooms barely deserved to be called bathrooms. The kitchen had just one spoon, and the dishes were piled up dirty instead of being washed. Two things stood out: bedbug prevention seemed to be working, and the location was cheap. At 15 dollars a night, it's the cheapest hostel in Vancouver, but you get what 15 dollars buys.

There are mice everywhere, and don't expect a comfortable bed. The place is run-down, gross, and makes you cringe. It never seems to get a thorough cleaning. There's obvious mold and water damage everywhere, and I suspect the building could collapse. Bed bugs are a concern too. The shower may not have reliable hot water or decent pressure. I've honestly seen better conditions in African villages. The owner doesn't seem to take much pride in maintaining the hostel. I'd only stay if there were no other options and the dirt-cheap price was the deciding factor. You will literally be sleeping in dirt.

People here actually socialize, unlike at other hostels, and everyone's having a good time. The dorms were much cleaner than I expected, and cleaner than the other hostels in Vancouver. Prices are amazing, and the laid-back atmosphere beats the other places. The owner is welcoming and really nice. Best hostel in Canada!