Samesun Vancouver

I was on my way to the airport the next morning, not sightseeing, but my stay there was very nice, comfortable and the breakfast was good as well. Very friendly and proficient staff.

mixed dorm when i had ordered female dorm.

Location is just superb! Right in the heart of the city, for this price you won't be able to find anything else even remotely as central as Samesun. Everyone is really friendly and helpful. Clean facilities. Tours and activities that hostel organises for guests (great way to make new friends). Separate thank you for shower gel-shampoo-conditioner dispensers in every bathroom. I checked in without any belongings because the airline lost my bag. After 16-18 hour journey I felt just horrible, disappointed and unable to go shopping for toiletries. You can imagine my happiness, when I saw the shower products available in the shower room! Life immediately became better after a good shower:)

The common facilities have AC, but rooms somehow do not, and it was soooo hot... every bed has a mini-fan, and it helps, but the AC would be still so much better. I wouldn't eat bagels for a while after staying there (breakfast is provided, it's basically 3 types of bagels, spreads for bagels and a bit of fruits and veggies, oatmeal as well). Breakfast is sufficient, but every day is absolutely same, so no bagels for me for some time :) And one more thing-if you're planning to use the locker-you better have your own padlock. I didn't know that the lockers are not with keypad but with physical locks, so had to buy one on reception.

the breakfast was amazing! I love their jalapeno cheddar bagel with the condiment of fruits, veggies or boiled eggs. also, the coffee just perfect to start the day.

my room was near the stairs so I can hear people back and forth late night or early morning.

OK wel there is a homeless shelter directly across the street. just be prepared to see quite a few people sleeping on the street. That said, there were security guards to help keep those people at bay and watch out for the hostel users. The location is within an easy walk to many places and within about 3 blocks in any direction it gets better mostly. The hostel makes an effort to be a nice place. The breakfast is great! The problem is this---think very high person/sq ft ratio. This is why the bathrooms get dirty. There is very, I mean very little horizontal space to put anything. Even in shower you will be putting on your clothes in a telephone booth space..hope you have good balance! So I got sick which is not surprising since you are literally on top of each other. I would say that now that Covid-19 is out there again you would be taking a risk to stay here.

There was no air conditioning in the rooms although the fans did help. I couldn't help noticing that the homeless shelter across the street had window air conditioners. Mostly though this is a nice hostel as hostels go, just be prepared for how croweded it is.

The staff was absolutely lovely, really helpful with all of our questions and gave awesome suggestions. The location was perfect, right in the middle of everything downtown. The breakfast is super simple but a great option for on-the-go (which was helpful for our early mornings). The kitchen was also really helpful because we were able to do some groceries and actually make dinner and lunch a few days. The kitchen/ common room was also a great place to make friends and meet people, which I took quite a lot of advantage of. The bar downstairs has great drinks + amazing service (who were patient with out rather drunk group on a week night).

There was a mouse in our room that just hung out under our lockers. It didn't necessarily bug us but it was a little scary. The staff were helpful but there wasn't much they could've done. It is an old building and there are bound to be issues, but I would be weary of that!

Breakfast was excellent. Staff were friendly. Great social culture for travellers going alone. If you go I 100% recommend taking the free hostel organised tours Wednesday through to Sunday. The tour guide is excellent and the places you go are an amazing snapshot of what Vancouver has to offer. Also plenty of opportunities to make friends and socialise with other travellers at the evening events at the bar.

The amount of junkies and open drug use on the surrounding streets is a little unsettling especially at first. However, for the most part they do tend to leave everyone alone provided you don't stare at them. Obviously this isn't Samesun's fault but it is something travellers should be aware of.

Firsly location is excellent - very central and convenient. Getting to and from the airport is very easy via the train/metro. Really good atmosphere at the hostel - especially in the bar onsite. There are plenty of social activities to sign up too (although I didn't sign up to these as I was meeting friends in Vancouver). I read a lot of reviews saying the neighbourhood is noisy and there are lots of homeless people around. To be honest I didn't think it was that noisy and these things do come with the territory if you want to stay in a central location. It is a bit expensive for a hostel, but to be honest it was by far the cheapest place to stay in central Vancouver - hotel prices I saw were ridiculously expensive. Charging points, light and fan in each bunk bed compartment. Curtain for privacy was good. Overall I'd stay there again.

The one negative I had read in multiple reviews that definitely wasn't exaggerated is the temperature in the rooms. It is hot! The corridors are air conditioned but sadly the rooms are not. There is a little fan next to each bed which was an absolute godsend. I would not have slept a wink without it. Despite the temperature I did sleep quite well. The room temperature is probably the only negative in an otherwise pleasant stay.

I liked the breakfast, it was light yet hearty, very fresh and nourishing, with options for different food restrictions. The common room is open and a nice way to meet people in a quiet space, and the pub is hopping at night! Staff was frequently around checking bathrooms for cleanliness and supplies, and open and friendly with answers to questions and good tips.

The bed was pretty lumpy and not very comfortable, but for a short stay it was fine. The halls are VERY air conditioned and the rooms are not at all, so one has to leave the door open to try to get some cool air flowing. But with a big old building, it’s unsurprising that a/c is a complicated issue!

Brilliant location accessible to transit and Vancouver sites. Great room, close to bathroom facilities. Right near all the action Vancouver provides. Breakfast was chaotic, ample and awesome. Clean, tidy, comfortable stay in the city centre.

The stairs are a mission at 1;30 in the morning after our Amtrak was way late. Hostels used to be economic to stay at. Samesun make the most of the huge demand for accomodation in Vancouver and the cost is very high for travellers passing through. 'Street entertainment' was pretty full on and it's an eye opener for people not used to the homeless scene.

If you looking for an affordable place to stay then this is your go-to. It’s not the best for privacy but at the end of the day when you’re backpack traveling all you need is a place to sleep and this place definitely can provide you that. However, the daily tours are absolutely life changing and amazing, Donny was the best tour guide I have ever had, really funny, down to earth, easy going and he can just make your trip so much better :)))) Highly recommended for solo/backpack traveler and definitely would come again!

Not much privacy, and you really have to get along/respect other’s zone