The HI - Castle Mountain hostel can feel a bit crowded at times with fourteen beds to a room and a smallish kitchen that can get very bustling at times. This is offset by a spacious common area for groups, electricity, showers fed from a rather small hot water tank, a nice selection of books, magazines, and maps.
Susan, the host, is very talkative and always has bright eyes and a friendly smile for guests. The hostel is very clean (hardwood floors!) but in a rustic setting, always a good combination. A community guitar for guests to play scored extra points with us.
Castle Mountain is right outside -- it doesn't take long to figure out how it got its name! Check with the Alpine Club of Canada about climbing it -- apparently it's not as technical as it looks. Strategically located between Banff town site, Lake Louise, and the northeast entrance into Kootenay National Park, Castle Mountain is an excellent home base for excursions in any direction. Some local nightlife can be found in Banff town.
Considering the availability of electricity, and its cleanliness and location, this hostel is probably the most bang for the buck within the actual borders of Banff National Park.
-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
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