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HI - Whistler Hostel

Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

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Online booking is not offered for this hostel, contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed below).
Address
5678 Alta Lake Road, Whistler   Map
Price
Low season Member rate $19.95 low season non member rate $ 24.23 High season member rate $24.00 High season non member rate $28.28
Location/Contact
Details
Their Description

Features

  • Kitchen
  • Lockers
 
The Hostelz.com Review
A great little cheap, brilliant hostel beside a lake in one of North America's top skiing destinations. You can't do much better than this!

It is always advisable to book ahead with this place in all times of the year, as it has very limited places, and the male sections always go quicker than the female.

It's an affordable alternative to the other expensive lodgings. Access to and from this hostel is the only limiting factor. You have to catch one of only five daily busses, or walk (around 4km), or take a taxi to get there.

The rooms are small and crowded, but have lockers (bring your own lock). The bathrooms are also quite small, but it is a ski lodge, so this has to be factored in. The bathrooms and toilets are kept clean.

HI - Whistler, has a great kitchen, with a big see-through fridge and gas cooking. There is a free food cupboard, from which you can eat for free if you're on a really tight budget. The same goes for the fridge.

Internet is provided at cost ($1CAD for 10 min), as is a pool table, but if you're really nice to the staff member in charge, this may be free.

This is a great place to talk and meet people, as no television or radio is around, and the views from the lounge are to die for! This hostel is a great little place, with a huge heart!

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review


Your Comments
This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites, we don't censor out the negative comments.
We do not validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by Martin, Canada
February 2008
Bedbugs!
I stayed here one night (was supposed to be two) in early December 2007, and was devoured by bedbugs. I left a day early, asked for a refund and got one. Apparently they'd had pest control in just a while before, and they thought they'd gotten rid of the problem. Worst hostel experience I've ever had, and I've had plenty.
Comment by C. & G. Maxwell, USA
September 2007
Very friendly
Everyone, neighbors and other hostel guests included, could not have been nicer. Warm, friendly atmosphere right from the start. Did not want to leave. The lake, the free canoe, the kayak -- and those views! Never mind the slightly crowded dorms and bathrooms -- don't spend too much time in those rooms. Thanks staff and guests for a wonderful memory.
Comment by Thomas
August 2006
A very good hostel. The place is basic but friendly in nature, the staff are extremely welcoming -- at least they where when I was there. The best and worst part about the place is the setting, the hostel overlooks beautiful Lake Alta, and the hostel is literally on the lake with a great view of the mountains. However the hostel is somewhat outside Whistler village, about forty-five minutes to walk through the trails or a reasonably quick hop on the infrequent buses. The hostel itself has a cosy log cabin feel to it, but the beds are prone to giving you a bite in the night.
Comment by Anonymous
February 2005
I would give this hostel 5 stars if it wasn't for the bedbugs. I've been going to this hostel for the past four years, and each year I have been bitten. Bring bug spray and wear it at night!
Comment by Lisa Smith
January 2005
The staff were very friendly, and although the room was a bit cold (on December 19th) the location outweighs any negatives. I would recommend this place without equivocation.
Comment by Jamie D. Macnab
November 2004
I stayed in this hostel for a few nights in the summer of 2003 while I was finding my feet in Whistler. The hostel gave me a really good first impression of the relaxed way things happen round here. The staff were friendly and the situation of the hostel was awesome. Cheers for making the first week of my stay so easy.
Comment by Richard and Alfie Currey
July 2004
Uprated our opinion on return in April 2004. Devin Gray has every reason to be proud. Alfie and I will be back in 2005. Fantastic value for the money, very freindly. They even organise bar-b-q if you are there at the right time.
Comment by Devin Gray
July 2004
HI-Whistler is one of my favourite hostels in the world. It makes me proud to be a Canadian.
Comment by Richard and Alfie Currey, Portsmouth England
September 2003
We stayed for one week in Early April 2003. It's a comfortable hostel with very nice public rooms overlooking the lake. If you are organised staying here and skiing Whistler is about the best value I know for a skiing holiday. If you are not organised it could be a nightmare because you will miss the bus to town and not have time to get some breakfast. Two drawbacks: The kitchen can get crowded. The kitchen does not have an oven so you can only cook dishes which don't need baking. There is a microwave. I look forward to returning.
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