Ottawa Backpackers Inn

Ottawa 45.43039000, -75.68824200 , 203 York Street (Show on Map)
7.1
Good


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Summary of reviewsOttawa Backpackers Inn enjoys a prime central location in Ottawa, making it highly convenient for travelers eager to explore the city. With easy access to major landmarks, numerous restaurants, cafes, bars and public transportation options, the inn provides a perfect base for both short and extended stays. Despite its central position, the hostel maintains a peaceful ambiance, adding to its appeal.

The accommodation at Ottawa Backpackers Inn offers a mix of dormitories and private rooms, exuding a distinct family vibe that many guests find charming. Rooms are well-kept and generally meet cleanliness expectations, even though some areas could use improvement. Bathrooms and common areas are often clean, although there are occasional lapses in kitchen hygiene and room ventilation. Bedding quality varies but provides a reasonable level of comfort, especially considering the budget-friendly nature of the hostel.

Staff at the inn receive overwhelming praise for their friendliness, professionalism and helpful nature. The multicultural team, including volunteers, enhances the atmosphere with efficient and warm service, contributing to a homely, welcoming environment. Occasional negative experiences with specific staff members seem to be rare exceptions.

Free WiFi is provided, but its effectiveness varies with some guests experiencing strong connections while others face issues with signal strength and speed. Although consistency could be improved, there are periods when the WiFi services are reliable.

The inn's location is also ideal for those interested in Ottawa's nightlife, situated within walking distance of lively bars, restaurants and the Byward Market. Despite some disturbances due to neighborhood activity, the overall atmosphere remains lively and enjoyable. The staff and fellow guests tend to be friendly, fostering a social and vibrant community experience.

Beds at Ottawa Backpackers Inn receive mixed reviews, ranging from very comfortable to notably uncomfortable due to factors like sagging mattresses and thin pillows. Some beds are clean and comfy, while others are noisy and less stable. Although improvements in bedding quality could enhance guest comfort, the inn serves its purpose effectively for budget-conscious travelers.

In summary, Ottawa Backpackers Inn stands out for its prime location, friendly staff and community atmosphere, offering a generally pleasant and convenient stay for budget travelers despite occasional shortcomings in cleanliness and amenities.
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Hostel near Nightlife Spots
Situated in the ByWard Market, this hostel provides immediate access to Ottawa's nightlife. It offers budget-friendly accommodations and a social atmosphere for travelers interested in exploring the local bar scene.

Small Hostel
Ottawa Backpackers Inn offers a hostel setting, which can provide a cozy and communal atmosphere for budget travelers. The shared spaces foster a sense of community and intimacy.

Hostel near Ski Resorts

Room Types
Studio Apartment Located in the ByWard Market, this studio features a double/single bunk bed in the sleeping area and a double sofa bed in the living area. Free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen cable TV are featured. A kitchenette, a dining area and a balcony are included.

Single Bed in 10-Bed Dormitory Room This spacious dormitory features a balcony. Guests have access to four showers, the kitchen and social area.

Single Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory Room Guests in this second floor dormitory have access to four showers, the kitchen and social area.

Economy Single Room with Shared Bathroom This room features a TV. Guests have access to two showers, a bathtub, the kitchen and social area.

Basic Double Room This room features a flat-screen TV. Guests have access to two showers, a bathtub, the kitchen and social area.

Budget Twin Room Guests in this second floor room have access to four showers, the kitchen and social area.

Basic Triple Room This room features a private balcony and flat-screen TV. Guests have access to two showers, a bathtub, the kitchen and social area.

Quadruple Room Guests in this second floor room have access to four showers, the kitchen and social area.

Single Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room This third floor dormitory features a balcony and private bathroom (shared only between guests sleeping in this dormitory). Guests have access to four showers, the kitchen and social area.

Single Bed in 6-Bed Dormitory Room This dormitory has access to four showers, the kitchen and social area.

Female Dormitory Room The dormitory room features heating, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower. The unit has 8 beds.

Family Room The family room includes a shared bathroom equipped with a bath and a shower. The family room provides heating. The unit offers 6 beds.

Guest Reviews
7.1
Good
Location
Ottawa Backpackers Inn boasts a stellar location that consistently garners high praise from its guests. Nestled centrally in Ottawa, it provides unparalleled convenience for travelers keen on exploring the city. Visitors appreciate the ease of reaching major landmarks, including Byward Market and Parliament Hill with many attractions within walking distance. The surrounding area is peppered with restaurants, coffee shops, bars and public transport options, enhancing its practicality for all types of travelers. Despite being close to everything, the hostel maintains a peaceful ambiance, adding to its charm. This well-connected spot serves as an affordable base for either a brief city tour or an extended stay, making it a preferred choice for many.

Rooms
Ottawa Backpackers Inn offers a mix of accommodations, presenting a unique hostel experience with a distinct family vibe. The property itself feels like a big family house, welcoming many other backpackers and fostering a friendly atmosphere. The rooms, while varied in size and condition, are generally small and can be quite warm. Some private rooms and dormitories come with cute little names, adding a charming touch to the stay.

Guests have mentioned that the bathrooms and common areas could use some improvement, but overall, the cleanliness of the rooms has been noted as exceeding expectations. Some rooms come without windows or have low ceilings, lending to a bit of a cramped feeling, but ventilation is usually managed with fans. The bedding quality has room for improvement, yet some guests found the beds comfortable.

The hostel is perfectly situated with a pleasant location, adding to its appeal despite the basic and sometimes worn-down interiors. Limited parking is a concern and so is the occasional issue with privacy in dormitory settings. However, the friendly atmosphere, decent prices and the chance to meet interesting people make it a reasonable choice for budget travelers looking for a vibrant community experience.

Beds
Ottawa Backpackers Inn offers a mixed experience when it comes to its beds. Reviews highlight a range of comfort levels, from very comfortable beds to those described as very uncomfortable with sagging mattresses and thin pillows. Many guests noted that the beds, particularly the bunk beds, tend to be squeaky and unstable, which can be disruptive. There are mentions of bed covers being freshly laundered and some guests appreciating the clean, comfy beds. However, there are also instances of bedsheets having holes and mattresses that have clearly seen better days. The overall sentiment suggests that while some beds are adequate for short stays, many could benefit from improvements such as thicker and more supportive mattresses, as well as better maintenance to reduce noise and instability. Despite these varied comments, the inn is generally considered to serve its purpose, especially for budget travelers.

Cleanliness
Ottawa Backpackers Inn appears to receive mixed reviews when it comes to cleanliness with guests frequently commenting on both positive and negative aspects. Positively, the hostel is often described as clean, well-maintained and tidy with common areas being consistently clean. Washrooms and bathrooms generally receive good marks for cleanliness and many guests appreciated the clean showers and toilets. Rooms, albeit small and cozy, were also noted to be clean. The hostel also provides various cleaning services and manages to uphold a clean ambiance and atmosphere.

However, some reviews highlight areas needing improvement. Concerns were raised about inadequate cleaning in the kitchen, occasional dirt and trash and issues with maintenance such as clogged bathtubs and old bedding. Several reviews mention that the cleanliness could be inconsistent with some rooms and areas described as not particularly clean. Specifically, the basement and rooms with little ventilation were singled out for needing more attention. Overflowing trash bins and stained beds were also noted as issues in some instances.

Overall, while Ottawa Backpackers Inn generally manages to maintain clean common areas and bathrooms, some areas fall short, requiring more rigorous and frequent cleaning to meet guest expectations.

Staff
Ottawa Backpackers Inn boasts an overwhelmingly positive reputation for its staff across numerous guest reviews. The atmosphere within the hostel is often highlighted as friendly and welcoming with many travelers praising the staff for being super friendly, very nice and always available to assist. The multicultural team, capable of communicating in several languages including Spanish, brings a unique and pleasant dynamic to the hostel. Guests felt particularly supported and valued the professionalism and helpful nature of the team.

The hostel operates with a mix of permanent staff and volunteers, both frequently mentioned for their positive attitudes and readiness to help. From refunding deposits to providing clear and quick communication, the staff seem to handle their duties with efficiency and warmth.

Occasional critiques were noted about specific staff members with mentions of rudeness and unfriendliness, which seem to be exceptions rather than the norm. Despite these occasional negative experiences, the general consensus shows that the staff significantly contribute to a home-like, welcoming atmosphere that travelers appreciate. The overall vibe indicates that the team members are not only diligent but genuinely invested in providing a pleasant stay for their guests.

In summary, the staff at Ottawa Backpackers Inn stand out for their friendliness, helpfulness and ability to create an accommodating environment that feels more like a shared flat than a typical hostel.

Wi-Fi
Ottawa Backpackers Inn provides free WiFi for its guests, which some have found to be strong and with a good connection. However, there are mixed experiences regarding its overall performance. Some guests reported difficulties with the WiFi signal, describing it as weak or inefficient and noted that it wasn't working for everyone at times. A few even mentioned that the WiFi was non-functional for a couple of days. There were also comments indicating that the internet speed could be slow compared to other hostels. Despite these issues, there have been periods when the WiFi worked correctly, though it appears that consistency might be an area for improvement.

Nightlife
Ottawa Backpackers Inn is ideally situated for those looking to explore the vibrant nightlife of the city. Its prime location puts it within walking distance of bars, restaurants and the bustling Byward Market area. Guests have praised its vicinity to the downtown entertainment spots, making it convenient for nighttime outings. The ambiance in and around the hostel has been described as amazing, adding to the overall positive experience during the night.

However, it's important to note that the hostel's neighborhood has some issues with homelessness, which has occasionally led to disruptions. Some guests have reported activity at various odd hours with disturbances such as shouting and door slamming in the early morning. Despite these occurrences, the hostel remains a favorable spot for those who appreciate a lively and centrally located accommodation. The friendliness of both the guests and the hostel staff contributes positively and the lenient atmosphere regarding responsible drinking has been particularly noted.


No, Ottawa Backpackers Inn doesn't have any pool.

No, a spa isn't available at Ottawa Backpackers Inn.

No, Ottawa Backpackers Inn doesn't allow dogs.

No, parking facilities aren't available at Ottawa Backpackers Inn.

No, Ottawa Backpackers Inn doesn't have a gym.

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