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Ocean Island Backpackers Inn

791 Pandora Ave, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Ocean Island Backpackers Inn
Real Traveler Rating: 4.1 out of 5 based on 53 reviews from 1 source
Highly Recommended
Clean: Rating of 3.7 out of 5
Service: Rating of 4.3 out of 5
Location: Rating of 4.4 out of 5
Check rates
from $19
Real Travel - Review Analyzer
Highly Recommended
Based on 53 reviews
from 1 source
  • Overall: Rating of 4.1 out of 5

    "The staff were all very helpful, there was lots of cleaning going on and the bar is a great place to meet random backpackers." source Hostelworld

    "We would return and recommend it to others." source Hostelworld

    "great place to stay." source Hostelworld

  • Clean: Rating of 3.7 out of 5

    "Shared Bathrooms and dorms should have been cleaned more regulary." source Hostelworld

    "Rooms small, but cleaned well." source Hostelworld

  • Location: Rating of 4.4 out of 5

    "very small room, very small common area, free wifi was very fast, big kitchen and breakfast area, put your food in the fridge in your room, otherwise it�ll be eaten by other people (maybe longtime stayers) even if you label it with your name." source Hostelworld

    "The hostel is licensed which means that you have to purchase the cafe's drinks if you'd like to drink in the common area/eating area - and the drinks are overpriced." source Hostelworld

    "The ONLY thing missing for me was a quiet area where you could read a book in peace without the bar next to you." source Hostelworld

    "The location is fabulous and is within walking distance to everything." source Hostelworld

    "Very handy location, only a short stroll into town." source Hostelworld

  • Room

    "Would definitely have to say though that it has a pretty impersonal feel as there are so many rooms." source Hostelworld

    "Small rooms, weird breakfast and the plastic covers on the mattresses were not that inviting :)." source Hostelworld

    "All very small, no living room, tiny bedroom." source Hostelworld

More information on Ocean Island Backpackers Inn

We offer all the standard hostel amenities, and also some unique features:* As well as dorms, we offer a wide variety of private rooms to suit every taste and budget.* 3-Day, weekly, 2-week and monthly super-discounted rates, especially October-May. Please note, during our peak season (May 13 - Sep 13) we require a minimum two night stay on the weekends (either Friday & Saturday or Saturday & Sunday)!* Our own licensed caf� with frequent events including live music.* Our very own 'Ocean Island Victoria & BC Guide,' on the web and in our lobby, which happens to be the best source of insider info on the city!* Tons of useful info sheets we've put together ourselves to help you get around, find the essentials, and have fun! * Best bathroom situation ever - six bathrooms per floor means so you don't have to wait *or* share!* Internet access galore: Free wireless, super-cheap internet terminals and lots of places to plug in your computer.* Awesome and cheap daytrips and shuttles to take you to the natural wonders surrounding Victoria....In short we've got it all - 80 rooms of comfort and style.We want your feedback - If you do book through Hostelworld, please take a minute after your stay to rate us and leave your comments about us on the Hostelworld site, and on our guest surveys.Read what the guidebooks have to say about us:'This is one of the best spots in Victoria for pleasant and inexpensive lodging, and it's located right downtown, just a few blocks from Bastion Square and the Inner Harbour. All sorts of travelers make their way to this hostel (an alternative to the Hostelling International network), from families wit children to on-the-go seniors and young adults with global wanderlust. There's a big, comfy lounge/common area with all kinds of stuff going on, including live music and open mic evenings. You can buy cheap meals and snacks, use the kitchen, or kick back with a beer or glass of wine. In addition to the dorm rooms, there are 60 private rooms, in various configurations, including some with their own bathrooms. The staff here goes out of its way to help guests make the most of their time in Victoria and on Vancouver Island, including arranging day trips to out of the ordinary places.'-Frommer's Vancouver & Victoria 2007 edition'Part hostel, part budget hotel, this hopping heritage property is a maze of different-sized rooms. It's a great place to meet other travelers - there's a large communal kitchen and a licensed lounge where bands and DJs perform - and the front desk is a mine of information on local happenings. Clientele ranges from solo backpackers to traveling families....'-Lonely Planet British Columbia 3rd edition'Ocean Island is more than a hostel, it's an experience - an experience akin to being kidnapped by 100 of your closest friends... The large exuberantly friendly place has about 150 beds and spacious common areas. Amenities include organized hiking trips, parties... a licensed cafe, internet access, bike rentals and 24-hour staffing.'-Lonely Planet Canada 8th edition'This is one of Victoria's best-kept secrets - a sort of youth hostel come historic apartment building come backpackers' layover, which attracts all ages and families. If you enjoy meeting other travelers, then this is the place since the lounges, bar, and dining room are hot gathering spots. If you're a twosome, rates are so reasonable that you might find it worthwhile to book a [private room] all to yourselves.'-Victoria & Vancouver For Dummies'This colorful hostel boasts a better lounge than many clubs, a fantastic staff, and accommodations comparable to many hotels. Undoubtedly one of the finest urban hostels in Canada. The Victoria Guide on their website is a great and in depth guide to some of the more out of the way places in the city.'-Let's Go Pacific Northwest 2005'If you're looking for plain ol' fun, staying at this super-colourful hostel near downtown is a good start... friendly, attitude-free staff.'-Lonely Planet British Columbia 2nd Edition'Full of life and art... both the young and the young-at-heart will feel right at home.'-Lonely Planet Pacific Northwest 3rd edition'This bright and cheery four-floor veteran... rooms of all shapes and sizes... Spacious facilities (including a great kitchen) plus fridges in all rooms... boosted by the truly friendly atmosphere they've got going here.'-Lonely Planet Canada 9th edition'...this fun, colourful hostel has a licensed lounge, and quality staff plan cheap day trips...'-Lonely Planet Vancouver 3rd edition' ...the lodging is clean, modern, and welcoming throughout. There's also plenty of room to relax.'-Moon Handbooks Vancouver & Victoria 3rd edition'The restored 1893 Heritage building has a wide variety of dorms and rooms (singles and doubles with and without bathroom)'-The Rough Guide Canada 5th edition

Total Rooms:

50

Price

C$19-C$24 (US$16-US$20/£9-£11) dorm bed; C$25-C$68 (US$21-US$58/£11-£31) private room (some with private bathroom), Inexpensive

Credit Cards Accepted

MC, V

Directions

Victoria is easily reached by air or ferry from Vancouver, Seattle and various other points in Canada & USA.*FROM SWARTZ BAY FERRY TERMINAL: Take the # 70 city bus. Get off at the Pandora and Douglas St. intersection. Walk one block east on Pandora to Blanshard St.*FROM THE VICTORIA TRAVEL INFOCENTER: Walk north on Government St. to Pandora Ave., turn right and go two blocks east to Blanshard St.*FROM THE BUS STATION: Walk north on Douglas St. to Pandora Ave, turn right and walk one block east to Blanshard St.*FROM THE INNER HARBOUR FERRIES (PORT ANGELES, BELLINGHAM AND SEATTLE): Walk three blocks east on Belleville St, turn left on Douglas St., walk north to Pandora Ave, turn right and walk east to Blanshard St.*FROM THE AIRPORT: Take the Akal airport bus directly to the hostel ($18 one way) OR take the shuttle bus to the #70 to the Pandora and Douglas St. intersection. Walk one block east on Pandora Ave to Blanshard St.There is also a convenient bus-ferry-bus package from downtown Vancouver or Vancouver Airport (Pacific Coach Lines approx. $45 one way) to downtown Victoria.BY CAR:*FROM SWARTZ BAY FERRY TERMINAL AND AIRPORT: Take Highway 17 (Blanshard St.) to Pandora Ave.*FROM NANAIMO: Take Highway 1 (Douglas St.) to Cormorant St. Turn left and go one block to Blanshard St. Turn right and we're at the intersection of Pandora and Blanshard.*FROM SOOKE AND PORT RENFREW: Take Highway 14 to Highway 17 (Blanshard St.) Follow Highway 17 to the corner of Pandora Ave, Blanshard St.

Parking

Parking C$5 (US$4.25/£2.25)

Information by Hostelworld

Check rates & availability for this hotel — Average Price: $19

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