only down side would be it doesn't have parking, but we had a great stay!

Excellent

Everything is fine

The Staff members were friendly and welcoming from the day I arrived to my departure.

best place I stay on the island

I loved my stay can’t wait to do it again

It was an all around great stay

Fun, Central and Friendly

Really enjoyed my stay. Very convenient downtown location, and the included breakfast provides a great start to the day.

Please note that this is really a hostel and really 2 stars. Very small rooms, everything is very old, the mattress is terrible, I do not know what it is made of, but after it the whole body ached. Bed linen in lint, synthetic, as it is highly electrifying. In general - clean, but it does not save the whole situation. Very thin walls, if your room is near the toilet, you will hear all the sounds from there. Breakfast is very meager: boiled eggs, bread, cereal, yogurt and a few toppings. The dishes are old, chipped. On the plus side, it is the cheapest option in the center of Victoria. But if you are used to any comfort - it is better to overpay, otherwise your vacation will be ruined. I booked for 2 nights, but I wanted to escape at first sight.

Worst experience

Loved the building and the vibe

Was a nice place to stay

Nice clean hostel. The street around is a little sketchy, but the facility feels safe and I felt good with a gated entrance to the upper floors and double locks on my doors. The free meals and drinks are nice additions, and I appreciated that we were able to check in early and keep our bags in the storage once we’d checked out.

Although the rooms are small, the bunks are comfortable and the bathrooms clean. Bonus free breakfast and dinner each day too!

Great for al walks of life. A must do for the experience alone.

Had a single bed room and it was perfect for what I needed. I arrived late due to a delayed flight and unfortunately missed the nightly drink offer and dinner. But breakfast was really good, great spread of options.

Facility was old but maintained. Fresh paint and very clean!!! The window was open with an old fashioned slide bolt to hold it. I left it open rain and shine, room temperature was very comfortable night and day. No screens but no bugs came in. Bathroom was super clean and available when I went to use it. There were also 4 more on the floor! Next door was a half way house/homeless support (?) But I was never bothered by the users of the facility. Location is central to Victoria Tourist areas and 1/2 block from busy street with public transit. Attentive desk and pleasant fellow travelers.

It’s not a hotel

It’s not a hotel it’s a hostel so that’s what you get. Price includes two meals and a drink. Lots of available shared clean bathrooms and a big stainless countertop three sink kitchen with plates etc. Great little pub with a capable friendly barman (when I was there). Junkies and homeless in the area and it’s an old building so it’s not for everyone but it’s my new go to when I have to visit my old hometown.

Great little hostel. Breakfast and dinner were included, quite minimal but if that's what you need it's ideal, perfect for what I was after. Nice little bar area to chill out and meet like minded travellers in the evening, usually little games going on, but never too loud. I had a small private room with a sink and fridge in, did the trick. Decent kitchen space to prep and cook own food. Location is great, very close to downtown. Quite a few homeless that hang out round the area but all harmless. A pleasant stay

My late arrival was not an issue with 24 hr staff. Very secure, very clean, amazing mattress for a bunk bed, the staff were really awesome: helpfull and friendly. The breakfast was fresh, varied and perfect. You won’t beat the price.

the place was clean, quiet, and super convenient, right in the heart of downtown. it's what you would expect from a hostel: everyone was kind but minded their own businesses and did their part to keep the communal kitchen tidy. I especially enjoyed the free breakfast AND free dinner for guests every night, great for travellers on a budget. I walked everywhere I needed to go for the weekend and was always greeted with a smile when I returned

Both breakfast and dinner were excellent, healthy and nutritious but simple.

No private washrooms

All Goods

This is a great safe place to stay for any traveller of any age.

Great private room with fridge, fan and space to hang clothes. Clean, shared bathroom. Enjoyed the extras - breakfast, dinner, complimentary drink, and meeting other travellers during this communal time.

Overall pretty good

Staff Great. Service Great. Rooms clean but no cups etc. Old but well maintained. Prices are good. But junkies and degenerates everywhere near by

Good location

Place was clean enough staff great but just a bit expensive for what it is

Staff were nice and helpful. But I felt very unsafe in the area that the hostel is in, did not want to walk down the street by myself even in the day time. Would not recommend as a solo female traveller.

Lovely clean hostel with very friendly staff. Upbeat atmosphere without being loud. Slept very well. Fantastic lockers in the rooms - will easily fit a large suitcase.

Enjoyed the location, the friendliness of staff and social ambience of the place.

Building looks tired. Double room was tiny with only a desk and chair. Noise from the street was hard to mitigate due to fan and vents in the window. No elevator so climbing up 4 flights of stairs with a heavy bag is a challenge. Fortunately staff willing to help. Although 5 shared bathrooms on the floor 2 were closed off for maintenance. At Cad$147.00 not value for money certainly not compared to YWCA in Vancouver. Even though dinner & b/f included they weren't quality. Wouldn't stay again.

Very friendly and helpful staff!!

Ididn’t like it all. It was a terrific experience staying in this place .

Free beers were amazing. The room and the bathroom are both nice, also.

I loved the communal aspects of this inn. The kitchen and dining areas, as well as the shared meals, were very effective at bringing people together.

Good

Good private room with sink

Close to downtown and attractions

Wonderful staff Clean accomodation Nice washrooms Free food Excellent location Friendly backpackers Good times all around

Parking at the property was unavailable.

Location is great, staff were friendly. They had a culture that fostered friendship between guests as well.

Was okay for the price.

Thanks for the experience

staff was so friendly，breakfast was good，super convenient to bus stop，groceries，restaurants and attractions，recommend！

Convenient location, close to Chinatown. Very helpful staff. Loved the complimentary breakfast, simple dinner and a beverage each night. An older building, so no lift, which means carrying your suitcase up several flights of stairs.

Great hostel conveniently located in downtown Victoria for anyone exploring the city. Staff were very welcoming, and rooms and bathrooms clean and comfortable. If you want somewhere to rest your head while on a Vancouver Island adventure, this is the place.

I discovered bedbugs in my bed.

Affordable option for your stay in Victoria. We would definitely stay in the queen room with private bathroom again.

The rooms and the rest of the property were very clean and well organized. They provided a sealed container for any left over food, lockers and a lock (upon request) and a mini fridge for each room. The complimentary breakfast and dinner were good too and the complimentary drink was a great addition. There were also 24hr hot drinks available (coffee, tea, hot coco, etc). All my roommates were really respectful and the hotel staff was friendly. They also had a nice lobby, dining area/bar too where I sat back, ate food and relaxed. The communal kitchen was also well organized with a fridge, sinks and dishes to use for breakfast and dinner. Overall, a really great experience. I would definitely come here again.

ㅇ

Great place to stay.

so friendly and accessible! i’ve never stayed somewhere like this and it immediately felt like home and magic. it’s worth the stay. p.s. they’re super friendly to Deaf folk too! thanks y’all!

Thumbs up review👍

We had a private room ….breakfast , dinner and free drink included in the price . Five bathrooms on each floor so waiting was never an issue ….. Good location ….Friendly staff .

Great location/Good value

Good value for money. I had a single room for 3 days. Excellent staff. Quiet and organized. I did not care for the food. Only vegetarian offerings. I am a male senior on a tight budget. Everything worked out great and would stay again in the fall.

Convenient location. Comfortable beds. Hoping they’ll be able to switch to card/code access in the future instead of keys.

Great hostel right in the middle of downtown vic. Location is a massive plus, there’s a couple of good parkades a block or 2 over, - (view st for taller vehicles). Great character building, basic, comfy enough, nice little bar. Everything you need, private rooms with the sinks are great too, prefer staying here to a hotel whenever I’m in town. Would recommend.

Was good thank you

This is my first experience of staying in a hostel. It was amazing. Friendly staff at the front counter, clean washroom and great decoration all around the place. I love the kitchen and the dining hall too! The location is at the centre of downtown make it easy for us to reach to other places within walking distance, this place also nearby the public transport pick up place.

Great food! Full breakfast, dinner and one drink are included in the stay! Bunks have privacy curtains and the beds are very comfy!

The room was satisfactory for its purpose. Clean and safe. Only issue is the lack of an attached washroom but I was aware of this. Limited parking nearby.

Met all requirements

Rooms and common areas uniquely decorated

Loved the setup, the rooms were exactly as to be expected from a heritage building turned hostel, lots of bathrooms to use so you never need to fight for one. Every night there's activities to help meet new people. Staff are great :) The meal service was fantastic, free breakfast, 24/7 free coffee and tea, a free beer, and a free home cooked dinner every night. I saw the lovely bartender marc (special shoutout to Marc) doing dinner prep and it all looked so good. I had a lentil curry that I doubt I could outdo myself. Area around the hostel is meh, but very nice if you have experience traveling in rougher cities than Victoria.

It is more for backpackers but in general it was good place to stay

This is an incredible place for cerebral conversation .

This is the first time that my husband and I stayed at a hostel. I enjoyed everything about it. The room was clean and airy, the evening meal and with beverage was deelish and the morning breakfast a great way to start the day. I found it extremely clean, organized and safe. The staff were great and helpful.

Great staff and atmosphere. Would recommend to anyone!

Great for a backpacking hostel.

I had a private room with a shared bathroom. Very convenient and friendly accommodation. Rooms were a little hot, but the fan provided was enough to keep me cool. Would stay again 👍

Wonderful

Had a very pleasant stay at the Backpacker Hotel. Staff were very friendly and helpful, carrying my bags up and down the stair with a smile as I have a bad ankle. Breakfast in the morning and beer and dinner was a plus. The room was clean and quiet would stay again.Wendy

Great stay and great value in downtown Victoria.

To some, the area around the Hostel may seem seedy or dangerous, but it’s far from either situation. A seasoned traveller with any common sense knows that every city has its share of social problems, and can spot a truly dangerous environment. I stay at the Ocean Island Hostel every time I visit Victoria, and have never experienced any situation that would make me reconsider coming back again and again. The property itself is amazing, clean, friendly, safe, and convenient to everything Victoria has to offer, and I can’t wait to return on my next visit.

Great value

When I sought a cancellation refund due to extenuating circumstances they absolutely refused. Very unreasonable in my opinion.

All good !!!

Parking situation is a bit inconvenient but the staff are super friendly 👌 good place to stay if you're on a budget or traveling

Safe and friendly stay. Affordable for a lengthy stay.

Good price/ clean / good staff/ in downtown

Really nice place for the most part most the staff was pleasant some seemed grumpy , the area is downtown so honestly its a bit sketchy victoria has a lot of work to help the homeless , because its rampant around there , but the hostel itself is reall nice, free food, storage indoir bike storage commune kitchen to cook lots of interesting folks

Good location and nice staffs and have free breakfast and dinner and beer/ red wine/ white wine/ soda : )

The staff was amazing and friendly. I would stay again in there.

the nicest and most welcoming staff and guests! the rooms were great and the free breakfast and dinner were delicious!

The cleanliness, they provided the meals included

Great staff, and accommodating

Wallet friendly and neat! Loved the stay

Was there for 1 night. It was convenient for our stay.

It was close to downtown so it’s easy to move around without a car. Improve ventilation in rooms.

My husband and I paid $160 for one night in a double bed private room here, with plans to come back at the end of our road trip for an additional two nights. It was such a rough first day that we canceled the remainder of our trip and booked into a different place. - Immediately upon our arrival (we hadn't even entered the hostel yet) there were two junkies tying off in the road next to the hostel. Which is immediately a huge safety concern (obviously) and made us regret ever staying here. -The room was NOT worth $160/night. I am appalled at the cash grab for such a bad hostel. The double bed stretched nearly wall to wall in the cramped space, and we were right in the corner above two noisy streets (and there were clearly no accoustic barriers at all) which caused us to have a horrible sleep. - The communal washrooms were always wet, and were stocked only with soap and toilet paper. I wasn't expecting much, but not even having a hand dryer in a washroom is disgusting. - Most hostels I have stayed in have lounges/living spaces where you can relax, but they only had a bar with wooden chairs in it, and two poang-style chairs in the reception area (both of which were nearly always filled). We did not feel welcome in the spaces around the hostel other than in our room. Don't stay here. It is exceedingly over priced and does not feel safe.

Don't come

This was a great place to stay! So conveniently close to downtown. Food was delicious.

Great location and good customer service. No fan in washroom. Noisy at night time if leave the window open.

Really neat building. My bed was very comfortable and the room was clean. Everything I needed was within walking distance. I went for a mani-pedi in the am, went whale watching in the afternoon and got a massage in the evening. All within walking distance from the hostel as well as from where my dog was being taken care of.

As hostels go, this was a good one and it had a good energy. The streets of Victoria are a little rough these days, but generally safe.

The breakfast and dinner was pretty good, more than what we expected. Staff are very helpful too.

They were polite and the soup was very good .

The room itself was fine. The washrooms were a little unclean. The showers in particular were mouldy.