Your backpacking travel planner

2010 Backpackers Hostels Canada Booklet Party

Every year an incredibly chaotic and intense but equally friendly and fun event occurs in Thunder Bay--namely the hostel booklet packing party. This year again, on Tuesday May 18th, we were fortunate to have volunteers of different ages and nationalities come to the booklet-packing headquarters to help pack the envelopes and boxes sent to each of the hostels across Canada.

We appreciate each and every person who participated as each person worked diligently in their duties. In the end we supplied 169 hostels with 2010 BHC Hostel Booklets (as shown in the above-right of this page), which you can now find at any of our member locations across Canada.

Thanks to Fada, Emily, Neil, Julius, Willa, Lloyd, Ralph, Brad, Eugene, Marina, Brendon, Daniel, Tina, Martin (and I was there too, Ken) for making the event so productive and for such great company.

Feature of the Week, June 2nd to 11th 2010
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

The 2009 Backpackers Hostels Conference in Kelowna!

Every year, several hostel owners and operators gather at the annual Backpackers Hostels Canada conference to discuss issues concerns and ideas and of course to get together and have a good time.

As you can see in the photo below, Kelowna is breathtaking. Participants stayed at one of the Kelowna Hostels, Kelowna International Hostel and Samesun Kelowna, and both hostels helped organize the event with complete professionalism...was a real blast! Next year, the Backpackers Hostels Canada conference will be held on Canada's East Coast.

To start your own hostel in Canada, please contact us for information.

Feature of the Week, Feb 14th to Feb 23rd 2010
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Backpackers Hostels Canada photos page

Check out our photos page for a great sense of the variety of hostels in Canada through photos. We are continually building on the photos page so check back again in the future. Each week we add a new hostel montage to the list from another Canadian hostel!

submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Alexandrie Montreal

"Located in the heart of the city, within walking distance to most tourist attractions. Experience the Plateau, Old Montreal, the Latin Quarter, Chinatown, the Gay Village and more...

The hip restaurants, bars and shops are within walking distance. We're also near the bus station... save on bus pass or taxi! Several grocery stores/markets are in our area. All the amenities are around us.

The friendly staff here know the city very well and will ensure that you get the most of montreal without breaking the bank! and see things that might not be in any guide books!

There's no hidden costs or membership pass so don't worry. Prices include taxes, continental breakfast, bedding, local phone, wireless internet and laundry!

By the way, events like our Saturday dinner, are great ways to meet other travellers."

Hostel of the Week August 2nd to August 9th, 2009
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Corfu Backpackers, Corfu Greece

"Corfu Backpackers Inn is located on the west coast of Corfu, beside the long sandy beach of Agios Gordios with its amazing sunsets and variety of water sports. It is the perfect place for a cheap Corfu beach holiday and ideal for independent travellers looking for a budget holiday - whether staying for just a night or for a longer visit to Corfu.

Agios Gordios village is just a three minute walk from the hostel and its attractions include two beautiful old churches, souvenir shops, small cafes, a large choice of restaurants with both local Corfiot and international cuisine, music cafes, shops, and a regular bus service to and from the centre of Corfu Town.

During the day Corfu Backpackers Inn offers a wide range of activities and daily adventure tours including Quad Bike Safari; Boat Trips; Hiking and Trekking; Horse Riding; Tours of Corfu Town and the island; Scuba Diving for both beginners and advanced divers; Trip to Aqualand Water Park; and Kayak Safari. We also offer car rental, boat trips to nearby secluded beaches and bays, cliff diving, snorkelling, volley ball court, basketball court, pool tables, table-tennis, satellite TV, pool size jacuzzi, as well as a private beach on the Ionian Sea.

There is also plenty of nightlife and action to suit everyone with a night-club offering Theme Nights, Toga Parties, Greek dancing and plate smashing, and lots of fun for all tastes.

Facilities at Corfu Travelers & Backpackers Inn include free breakfast & dinner (serving Greek food!), free pickup at port or airport, internet access, air-conditioning, laundry service, cinema screen, 24 hour bar, and bus service to and from Athens.

Corfu Backpackers Inn makes a great base for an all-inclusive Corfu family holiday, including young children and teenagers. We are affiliated to, and part of, the Pink Palace Beach Resort complex."

It is a fascinating read about the history of the island of Corfu. There are also many more photos of Corfu. Here is some information and photos of activities and adventures to be had all withing one hour's drive of Corfu Backpackers.

Feature of the week, July 13th to July 20th, 2009
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

University of Calgary Hotel and Conference Services!

Backpackers Hostels Canada includes dozens of University and College residences and conference centres across Canada in its membership as well as backpacker hostels. One of the newest Conference Services members is the University of Calgary Hotel and Conference Services.

"University of Calgary Hotel & Conference Services at the University of Calgary is committed to providing guests with quality accommodations, unique meeting facilities and exceptional customer service.

May through August, Summer Housing offers guests accommodation in Traditional Dormitory Style Rooms in the student residences. Summer Housing is open to all – there is no need to be part of a group or be affiliated with the University of Calgary. Summer Housing is perfect for the budget conscious traveler who does not wish to compromise on quality or comfort"

Hostel of the Week, June 21st to June 28th 2009
Submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Backpacker Hostels Canada maps!

We've finally got our 2009 maps out thanks to a number of sponsors. The maps are a nice way of locating hostels and their contact information on a nice and shiny yet light-weight paper.

The maps will be found at every hostel in the BHC network while supplies last, especially the map of Canada, listing all BHC hostels in Canada, as the other (regional) maps will be printed in fewer quantity. The 2009 BHC maps include the Map of Canada, and maps of Western Canada, Central Canada, and Eastern Canada (shown below).

Incidentally, the 2009 hostel booklet is also out of publishing. Besides listing all of the hostels in Canada, and their contact information, the booklet contains discount coupons offering two dollars off of one night's stay at over 90 participating hostels. The hostels participating are denoted in the booklet by a little polar bear beside the booklet listing. There is also a space provided beside each listing so that you can get your booklet rubber-stamped at each hostel you stay at.

Feature of the week, May 26th to June 1st 2009
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

New College Summer Residence, University of Toronto!

"WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO!

During the summer months, come experience living at Canada's largest university!

Each year, throughout the summer months (mid May to the end of August), New College Residence offers safe, convenient and affordable dormitory residence accommodation and meal services for individuals and groups. New College Residence is open to the public for short term stays (those wanting to stay a few nights or a week) and long term stays (those wanting to stay a month or more).

New College Residence is made up of three traditional student residence halls right beside each other. Being one of seven colleges that make up the University of Toronto, New College’s architecture, with its brave and bold façade marks it as one of the most distinctive buildings on the University of Toronto campus – winner of numerous awards!

Whether you are a leisure or budget traveler, a tourist , a backpacker, a tour or school group, a conference participant, a meeting planner, a sports team, working or studying in Toronto, New College Residence has what you are looking for!

Welcome all guests to Toronto and to the University of Toronto, Canada!"

Hostel of the week May 12th to May 18th 2009
Submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Humber College Residences and Conference Services - North Campus

Humber - North Campus is located in the northwest part of Toronto, within 10 minutes of Pearson International Airport.

The North site is conveniently connected to miles of walking paths through the nature gardens of Humber Arboretum and cycling paths along the Humber River which creates a very relaxing atmosphere for our guests to enjoy.

Our private dorm style rooms are perfect for backpackers. Inexpensive, air conditioned rooms, with central washrooms and lounges. We also offer more upscale suite style rooms with double beds, kitchenettes and washrooms.

Hostel of the Week April 27th to May 3rd 2009
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

University of Ottawa Residences

"The University of Ottawa is proud to promote Canada's Capital in partnership with Ottawa Tourism.

Located in downtown Ottawa along the historic Rideau Canal, the University of Ottawa Residences offer backpackers another economical choice for accommodations in Canada's Capital. We are within walking distance of the Parliament buildings, the National Arts Centre, the Rideau Centre, the ByWard Market, and more.

Choose between our conventional-style rooms with shared washrooms and our air-conditioned two-bedroom suite-style units with kitchenette and private washroom. All guest rooms at the University of Ottawa Residences are equipped with free high-speed internet access (bring your own ethernet cable) and a telephone with free local calling.

Rates: Our conventional-style rooms have either one or two single beds. Student pay only $30 per night (single room) or $50 per night (double room). Adults pay $42 or $63, respectively. Our suite-style units have two separate bedrooms, each with a double bed, desk and chair, and cable television. Share a unit with your friends and pay $28.75 each when sharing between four people!

Planning an extended visit to the Capital? We also offer more economical weekly and monthly rates. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you to Ottawa!"

Hostel of the week, April 13th to April 19th, 2009
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Thank you for the excellent submission of why a hostel is a great place to stay, to the host of the Painted Turtle Guesthouse (Nanaimo BC), Verena Lunke.