The SameSun Backpacker Lodge is located in downtown Vancouver and is central to many sights in the city. It is also directly across the street from an HI hostel. However, the lack of safe and available street parking is inconvenient for guests with cars. The hostel staff recommends that you park at a nearby Holiday Inn parking garage, but this option is very expensive.
The common area of the hostel is sizeable and includes a pool table and separate room for watching movies and TV. The kitchen is large and has a free pancake breakfast every morning. There are also lots of computers with pay internet.
The hostel definitely has a party atmosphere. The most striking feature of the hostel is the Beaver Bar, located on the first floor near the front desk. The bar serves food and is a convenient option for starting your night. Noise from the bar is not an issue (but we were in a room two floors up).
The dorm rooms and the bathrooms are decently clean. The door to each room is painted with a different country's flag, giving the hostel a bright and appealing look. The hostel has many small dorm rooms (suitable for four people) rather than a few large ones, so those traveling in groups can sometimes arrange to have a room to themselves. Be warned, however, that the bunk beds are extremely squeaky.
The hostel coordinates lots of activities for its guests, for example, a weekly outing to tour the Granville Island Brewery. We did not have the chance to participate, so it is hard to say if these activities are well attended or if they truly help guests interact and meet new people.
-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
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