The Hostelz.com Review
Located in the trendy Strathcona district, south of downtown, the HI is a well-run and clean but clinical hostelling experience. It has an institutional feel which is not surprising considering the building used to be a nunnery. Rooms and bathrooms are clean and the kitchen is decent.
However, the common area appears to be a congregating place for the local homeless -- and so, doesn't have a travelers feel. It is not a comfortable place to hang out. Strathcona is great for a walk and a great place to stay -- much better than being stuck downtown. There are many bars and restaurants, and the local farmers' market is a must-do on a Saturday morning.
Supermarkets and bus stops are nearby -- and if you are so inclined, the infamous West Edmonton mall is about a twenty-minute ride away. If you do make the trek to this monstrosity, don't forget your swimsuit! The waterpark looks like heaps of fun.
However, the common area appears to be a congregating place for the local homeless -- and so, doesn't have a travelers feel. It is not a comfortable place to hang out. Strathcona is great for a walk and a great place to stay -- much better than being stuck downtown. There are many bars and restaurants, and the local farmers' market is a must-do on a Saturday morning.
Supermarkets and bus stops are nearby -- and if you are so inclined, the infamous West Edmonton mall is about a twenty-minute ride away. If you do make the trek to this monstrosity, don't forget your swimsuit! The waterpark looks like heaps of fun.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
January 2006
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HI - Edmonton Hostel Details
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Great Friendly Staff in Edmontons Cultural District 2 of us for 4 nights, we had a 2bed dorm which was perfect and only a couple bucks extra to upgrade from a 8bed dorm. It's in a great area, and the location allowed us easy access all over the city. We spent some time renting bikes and bopping around the river valley and the whyte ave area. Weekly bbq's and free tours are available for this summer. The hostel is so close to so much cool stuff too. The kitchen has been renovated, the beds have brand new matresses. The are lots of common rooms available to meet people or to find a quiet space. Lots of groups were in and they seem to be enjoying themselves. The staff were remarkable and the repsect for guests was evident, I can wait to come back for a visit. — Anonymous , Canada (2010-06-15) It was a bed. the staff are so-so, though when i got there went off on a bad start. the two at the desk were talking about another staff member or something private. so off the bat seemed unfriendly. the fellow travelers if you call them that been there enough where it's like a family which i guess is cool but not at a hostel. seemed more like a spot for the homeless who have 26 bucks a day for a bed shower and a roof. no offense to anybody there, i met some awesome people there but still. the layout seemed weird. Understand it was november when i went but still would have loved something going on event wise during the night time. This was my first hostel experience. i'm going to give the HIs another shot at a different location and if they blow it my card gets cut. i wanted the traveler/family feel not the homeless/family feel. Just to clarify by homeless i don't mean no job i just mean they have no official home other than the hostel. They seem to care more about the students that live there more than the "travelers" -- again it's a hostel so should have been the other way around. i would have loved a walk around to be shown where everything is, not just showed by the point of a finger. Try one of the other hostels, this one sucks. — kirk , canada (2007-11-24) This hostel is a great place to stay! My three friends and I came up to see a concert and ended up staying a few extra days. Our room was clean and the atmosphere was vibrant. Programming galore! Thanks to the knowledgeable staff for making our experience at HI Edmonton a memorable one. We'll be back. — Shelley W. (2006-08-31) We managed to fit two people in one of the lockers. — Duke Of Ed Group! (2006-08-26) This is not a good hostel.
The dorms are cramped and hot but they do have lockers which is a good thing.
The semi-private rooms which have one bunk bed in are also small and hot.
The staff are good but it has an unfriendly atmosphere and is full of Canadians looking for work in the Oil fields or on a break from the oil camps. — Ed (2006-06-08) If I were to describe what I'd expect from a typical, comfortable, well-run hostel, this would be it. No particularly sparkly decor (it's an old nun's quarters) but comfortable, big lockers, clean enough, with a comfy common room and super friendly, knowledgeable, 24-hour desk staff. It has two well-equipped kitchens. It's located in a quiet street but one block from Old Stathcona, one of the happening parts of Edmonton, and an easy bus ride from town or the West Ed Mall. And it's not too expensive. Good value for your dollars. — Kezza (2005-07-13) This hostel is exceptionally clean, and the staff were extremely helpful. Also, it's located very conveniently next to the only good place in the city...whyte avenue and old strathcona. The only bad thing is that the toilets clogged every once and a while. But otherwise, excellent. — Anonymous (2005-03-10) We have just spent nineteen days at this hostel, and it's a great place. It has a very great location. It also has a NICE pool table in the game room, and we miss it. — Michael, Martin and Emil (2004-10-16) I stayed here a few times. It's huge, an old school or similar, and feels it. It has no particular character, but it's two blocks from Old Strathcona, the funkiest place to be and the best night scene. It has no curfew and the rooms are not too big. All bedding is provided and it's clean. The food tends to get sampled in a kitchen this big, though. — Lonestranger (2004-02-08)