Hostelling International Vancouver Jericho Beach Hostel

You have to read these reviews carefully to realize the glowing ones are from people who've never stayed at Jericho Beach Hostel. They're more like ads.

The only things this place has going are terrific location & nice staff. It's an old, dilapidated military barracks without upgrades. The staff are clearly used to requests for help re: carrying luggage. There are no elevators & many long hallways & flights of stairs. I thought it was illegal in Canada to not even have a wheelchair ramp, but I guess I'm wrong.

I've road tripped several times across Canada & in the US. This is the filthiest accommodation I've ever seen. The showers have black mold & floors slimy with filth. No ledges inside. You have to step right out to grab shampoo/soap from equally filthy lawn chairs. Sinks & tubs have the kind of black rings that only come from long term use.

Dorm floors & storage lockers are disgustingly filthy. Not "dusty", I mean no one has mopped the floors for months. My stuff was coated with brown dirt. I wouldn't put my feet on those floors. I grabbed extra towels to stand on, but my pant bottoms & dropped items still got gross. There's dirt piled in the corners.

Absolutely no privacy. The place is oddly set up so you have to change clothes in front of 13 fellow dorm stayers, or in the middle of the public bathroom. They put gauze curtains on the windows that give no darkness or privacy. Lovely if you like light in your eyes at 6 am, & giving the neighbours a view. Linens are well worn; the comforter stuffing is completely broken down & therefore useless for warmth.

Yes, yes, I know hostels are not luxury places. However, I think the health department should take a look. I wouldn't kennel a dog here. I spent part of the second night in my car. I had no time to call & drive around looking for another place. The bathrooms were obviously not cleaned in the 48 hours I had the misfortune of stopping at HI Jericho Beach Hostel.

Unique Quality: Great location.

Directions: Jericho Beach, west side of Vancouver near University of British Columbia

Vancouver's Jericho Beach Hostel is phenomenal. The best situation one could ask for. On the beach, in the best area of town, surrounded by beautiful people.

If you choose to stay Downtown in a hostel, make sure it's THE Hostelling International one in the west end (Burnaby Street). Good location, close to everything. Beware Vancouver's Main Street downtown 'hostel' (not affiliated with HI) is in THE WORST area of vancouver, in the downtown eastside, a couple blocks from Main & Hastings. Don't go there.

Directions: Along West 4th out towards UBC, keep to the shore (right), eventually you'll find Kits beach and then Jericho.

The lodging in Vancouver depends on place to place. If you are on a low budget, the best suggestion is to stay in a travellers hostel. If you have family, it would be better to stay in a hotel away from downtown. Bed and breakfast are also good choice but make sure you do reservations ahead of time because in summers, it gets full very quickly. This is the picture of Vancouver Jericho Beach Youth Hostel which has 285 bed and each dorm is of 4 bed. For more info Call (604) 224-3208

Jericho Beach International Hostel
16.00/person/night CAN

Unique Quality: good price (winter/spring 2000-2001 $16.00/night for members). Spacious, good people, supportive staff, great facilities, right on the beach - so great views.

Directions: Jericho Beach, just off 4th street, West of Kitslano, before the University of British Columbia.

members pay 16$ per night linen included.

Unique Quality: It´s in Kitsilano quite a way from city center. But who cares. From that location you have a wonderful view and during summer just the best thing that could ever happen: a beach. The staff, according to my experiences was very helpful and friendly. Linen is provided and, as it happened to me, if you forgot to do your purchase you can at least buy milk or a snack/dinner like Noodles and some other groceries at the front desk. They also rent bicycles so that woul dbe a great way to discover the city especially if you wanna go see Stanley Park. Internet access is also available at 2$ per 20 mins.
The hostel runs a free shuttle between the HI Jericho Beach, the HI Vancouver downtown and the Pacific Central Station where Greyhound, Pacific Coach Lines, VIA Rail and i guess some other companies leave from.

Directions: It´s in Kitsilano. I think the street was calles Marine Drive, not too far from the UBC.
Take bus #4 from anywhere on Granville Street downtown. That takes you almost right to the hostel and runs ever

We had reservations at the Jericho Beach International Youth Hostel, where 350 beds are available. There are dorms for men and women and often large groups find accomodation there. Reservations are recommended.

The best thing though is: it's right near the beach, which has soft white sand and there are tree trunks to sit on. Next to the beach there is a large park if you want to go walking or jogging or just working out. There also is a marina nearby.

Unique Quality: It was great staying there, because most of the time we slept in a tent and at the YH there where decent beds with clean sheets available (wow). The atmosphere is friendly. The café in the basement is good, there are meals all during the day. You can also use the internet - there are several computers in the building.