Online booking is not offered for this Hostel. Contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed below).
Please see Vancouver Island for other available Vancouver Island hostels and accommodations.
Please see Vancouver Island for other available Vancouver Island hostels and accommodations.
The Hostelz.com Review
HI - Tofino / Whalers on the Point Guesthouse is located on 81 West Street in Tofino. It is a seven-minute walk from the Tofino Bus Stop.The hostel has a superb location right on the water at the edge of town.
The hostel provides both dormitory and private rooms which can accommodate groups, families, couples, or solo travelers. You will not need to bring a sleeping bag as linen is provided for all beds. There are large shared female and male bathrooms, with ample showers and toilets. These are kept incredibly clean and tidy.
Both dining room and lounge area have broad windows offering a stunning view of the ocean. The kitchen is modern and fully equipped, and has ample storage and cooking space. Lockers are also provided for surfboards and miscellaneous items. The hostel provides free wireless internet. For those without a laptop there are two paid computer terminals available for your use. The lounge area has books, board games, comfy chairs, and a sofa. It's a nice peaceful place to read a book, look out at the ocean, or have a chat with other guests. There is also a game room with complimentary pool and table football.
Whalers on the Point Guesthouse also has a guest sauna which can be used upon request between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. The hostel reception is open daily from 8 a.m. to 2p.m. and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. The two-hour gap can be an annoyance to guests arriving on the bus from Nanaimo and Victoria, as the bus gets in at 2:30 p.m. Outside office hours, staff will allow you to come into the lounge area but you will likely need to wait to check in until the receptionist returns at 4 p.m. However the staff will gladly provide information regarding Tofino and the surrounding area and will book whale-watching tours or various other sightseeing options that may appeal to you. If you are lucky you may even get to see grey whales and sea otters right from shore.
The Whalers On the Point Guesthouse provides clean and spacious accommodation with very good facilities -- truly a great base to explore Tofino, Long Beach, and beyond!
The hostel provides both dormitory and private rooms which can accommodate groups, families, couples, or solo travelers. You will not need to bring a sleeping bag as linen is provided for all beds. There are large shared female and male bathrooms, with ample showers and toilets. These are kept incredibly clean and tidy.
Both dining room and lounge area have broad windows offering a stunning view of the ocean. The kitchen is modern and fully equipped, and has ample storage and cooking space. Lockers are also provided for surfboards and miscellaneous items. The hostel provides free wireless internet. For those without a laptop there are two paid computer terminals available for your use. The lounge area has books, board games, comfy chairs, and a sofa. It's a nice peaceful place to read a book, look out at the ocean, or have a chat with other guests. There is also a game room with complimentary pool and table football.
Whalers on the Point Guesthouse also has a guest sauna which can be used upon request between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. The hostel reception is open daily from 8 a.m. to 2p.m. and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. The two-hour gap can be an annoyance to guests arriving on the bus from Nanaimo and Victoria, as the bus gets in at 2:30 p.m. Outside office hours, staff will allow you to come into the lounge area but you will likely need to wait to check in until the receptionist returns at 4 p.m. However the staff will gladly provide information regarding Tofino and the surrounding area and will book whale-watching tours or various other sightseeing options that may appeal to you. If you are lucky you may even get to see grey whales and sea otters right from shore.
The Whalers On the Point Guesthouse provides clean and spacious accommodation with very good facilities -- truly a great base to explore Tofino, Long Beach, and beyond!
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
April 2007
Their Description
HI - Tofino / Whalers on the Point Guesthouse Hostel Details
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(To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Update Form.)
Location/Contact| Address | 81 West Street, Vancouver Island (Tofino), British Columbia, Canada |
| Location | |
| Website | www.tofinohostel.com |
| Telephone | +1 (250) 725-3443 |
| Fax | +1 (250) 725-3463 |
How is HI - Tofino / Whalers on the Point Guesthouse Hostel rated on other websites?
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Least friendly hostel I ever stayed at -- customer service is terrible I traveled in many places (europe, africa, latin america, north america) and this is by far the least friendly hostel that I ever went to. If for any reason you have a problem, the hostel staff won't care and won't respond. In short, this hostel is a backpacker mill. Our car broke down on the way to Tofino (the clutch was gone) and we ended up being stranded in Port Alberni. We called the hostel immediately to let them know and to request a change of dates with our reservation (not a cancellation just a change of dates). And the staff answered I have no authority, I will charge you anyways. Once we arrived in Tofino one day later, we tried to find the manager who stayed absent the entire time. We got contradictory information (some people said talk to the manager, others said the manager can't do anything talk to the owner), we got yelled at. The place was chaotic and not responsive at all to our plight. To top it all, there were no extra blankets (even though it says that blankets can be provided upon request) and there was sand on our bed (which we let the staff know about) and it was extremely loud! After a whole day of trying to figure out what to do and who to talk to, we finally got a message from the owner via one of the staff. You can have 10$ off if you stay more. That's condescending... In any case, the hostel is not caring at all about its customers and if you have any kind of problem will not respond to you. So reserve at your own risks. It's sad because it ends up being bad business. We were ready to stay more time but chose not to because of the situation. It's a pretty location but There are other places in town that are great. — karina B. , Canada (2011-10-20) Don't work for him. The hostel itself and Tofino is great!! However, the success of it has made the Owners head swell TOO MUCH! He makes it out like he "busts his back" there, but does NOTHING but get under everyone else's feet. He is an a$$ to work for as you get paid, but then he turns around and takes it back for "rent". Even though you have a work schedule, even when you are off, you are "on call" for guests to contact after hours, even though he lives in the building attached (at the back) of the hostel. His family is great, but he himself is a stuckup, arrorgant a$$! — Anonymous , Canada (2011-05-17) It was full I am sure this place was great. However, when we went to Tofino this, and everywhere else was full. Very touristy and popular so make sure to book in advance. The only/cheapest place we could find was $150 for 2 people. — Tom , Canada (2007-08-01) Luxurious facilities and beautifully located, granted. But this hostel is a bit over-organized, which in my opinion kills much of the atmosphere. Why do they have to clean the kitchen at 10 p.m., making the people who are still using it feel unwelcome? Same with the eating area, which gets cleaned during main breakfast time, leaving no alternative space to have breakfast. The guy I asked simply told me to find a different spot, and that he didn't care. I don't see why guests should put up with such rude and unprofessional personnel. Apart from that, the kitchen is far too small for the number of guests the hostel can accommodate. My negative comment may sound surprising considering all the very positive ones, but I can say that I left this hostel with the firm decision not to come back. — Tom (2006-05-25) I've stayed at this hostel many times mainly in the winter. This hostel is a great place to take children but you need to book the family rooms far in advance. Don't forget to bring your bathing suit for the sauna — Laurie (2006-03-31) Wow!! What a place. So clean and friendly. Great place to relax. Nice kitchen to cook. We had a great time! I'll definitely return! Keep up the great work! — Dariusz Jacob Boron (2005-09-15) Fantastic hostel! Really clean, great facilities, and very close to everything in town. All they need is a hot tub. I'm going back this year. — Lauren (2005-04-05) The hostel is beautiful, the rooms are clean, and the location is fantastic! Unfortunately, when I was there, a big tour came in and sort of took over the place, which detracted from the experience. That being said though, assuming your fellow hostelers are considerate, this is a great place to stay! — Smitty (2005-03-03) Don't miss this hostel! Everybody should go there! It's a great experience; Tofino's vibe is unique! — Andrea (2005-02-08) Next to HI Banff this is the nicest hostel I've stayed in. I usually avoid HIs, as they tend to be full of old women and children and are pretty boring. There are families that stay here but as there is no other large hostel in Tofino you get the younger travelers (and drinkers), too. So you kind of (but not quite) get the best of both worlds. Bring rain gear, and get out of the town into the rain forest and onto Long Beach. It escapes some but if you catch the Tofino vibe you'll remember this place forever. — Anonymous (2004-12-23) This is an award-winning, newly built hostel overlooking the ocean. It's a great facility with FREE pool table use and foosball, a sauna, a large guest kitchen, dining and living rooms with solarium and fireplace, a patio with barbecue equipment, and Internet access. — Anonymous (2004-12-18) This is one of British Columbia's best-kept secrets! — Anonymous (2004-12-17)