Squamish Hostel is located immediately off highway 99 on the South side of Squamish. It has a large sign outside, making it easy to find. The hostel itself appears to have been very well taken care of. Dorm rooms are six people to a room, which is fine considering the size of the room. Each bed is equipped with clean sheets, a large comforter and pillow. Rooms are kept clean and beds made after guests leave, so you can expect more than a pile of sheets in the corner. Showers are private and separate from the sink and toilet, and each room has its own facilities. Also available in each room is a lockable storage space, so your valuables will be safe. The kitchen is also more than adequate, with two stoves, closed cupboards for storage and multiple refrigerators. Storage here might get tight when the hostel is full, but was fine for the duration of my stay there. Parking is available and free. The downstairs common room includes a gas fireplace, chess board, and free high-speed internet access. There is also a separate TV room equipped with big screen TV, DVD/VCR and satellite television. From an entertainment aspect, Squamish hostel goes well beyond the norms for hostels.
The hostel staff are willing to go out of their way to help guests find their way around, and are more than willing to let you in on ways to save money in the area. Many travelers staying here are very tightly budgeted, which is fine as even during peak season, weekly rates are under $100, and daily rates are under $20. A bargain for how well equipped and staffed this place is.
While the town of Squamish itself is relatively bland and has almost no nightlife, it is really quite pretty. It is also much cheaper to buy food, gas, and general merchandise than the nearby ski town of Whistler. Hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics may change this, but thus far, Squamish is unspoiled. The hostel backs up onto what I originally believed to be a river, but would later discover is actually a marine pool that ebbs and flows with the tides.
If skiing is your thing, Whistler/Blackcomb resort is about 35 miles away on highway 99. There is a bus that goes to Whistler Village for about $20 round-trip. This same bus line will take you to Vancouver for under $10.
The Good: Clean, friendly, cheap, excellent facilities, pretty location
The Bad: Far from Whistler or any sort of night-life.
The Bottom line: If you want to get away from the city, or want to ski(and don't mind a drive) this is your place.
-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
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