Mobile-friendly, Backpackers Hostels Canada website

Feature Of The Week: Mobile-friendly, Backpackers Hostels Canada website

Introducing the mobile friendly Backpackers Hostels Canada!

Check out the new Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal video

Feature Of The Week: Check out the new Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal video

We thought you might enjoy seeing the new video for Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal! Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal is one of two hostels owned and operated by the friendly Carl Gagne and Coumba in Montreal. Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal operates all year.

As you will see, it is quite well done. Enjoy!

Ken Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada
www.backpackers.ca

The 2015 Backpackers Hostels Canada meeting in Hamilton Ontario!

Feature Of The Week: The 2015 Backpackers Hostels Canada meeting in Hamilton Ontario!

We had a great time at the 2015 Backpackers Hostels Canada conference in Hamilton Ontario this weekend. The meeting was held at the Hamilton Guesthouse and our hosts, Tim and Tanya Ritchie prepared the weekend wonderfully. It was a pleasure to get to know the City of Hamilton from the vantage point of locals and get more than a glimpse at how the Hamilton hostel fits into the fabric of Hamilton. It was a real learning experience. At the meeting we discussed a number of challenges that the network is facing in the upcoming year and has faced in the past year. A lot of ideas and experiences of hostel management were shared by participants. It was a real success! Thank you Tim and Tanya!

From left to right: Lloyd Jones of Thunder Bay International Hostel, Martin Jones of Ottawa Backpackers Inn, Kennedy Jones of Backpackers Hostels Canada, Tom Mantel of the Hamilton Guesthouse, Carl Gagne and Coumba of Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal et Gîte du Parc Lafontaine, Tanya Day Ritchie and Tim Ritchie of the The Hamilton Guesthouse.

A great time in Hamilton for the 2015 Backpackers Hostels Canada meeting this weekend!

Hamilton Guest House!

The Hamilton Guesthouse is the only hostel in Hamilton Ontario. The City of Hamilton is mid-way between Toronto and Niagara Falls and makes a great station for visiting Southern Ontario. Hamilton also has it's own sights to visit with historic buildings such as Dundurn Castle and Hamilton also has a vibrant art scene.

The Hamilton Guesthouse is itself located in a beautiful Heritage building, and the operators, Tim and Tanya Ritchie, are friendly and enthusiastic hosts.

Coming up on October 16th and 17th (2015) is the Backpackers Hostels Canada annual conference, to be held in Hamilton. We are really looking forward to it. Anyone interested in starting a hostel is welcome to attend. Contact Ken for more information about the conference at info@backpackers.ca.

Surf's Inn Hostel, Ucluelet, BC!

Talk to a past guest from Surf's Inn and they'll either recommend the hostel to you or say that they intend to stay there next time they go back to Ucluelet. The hostel prides itself on being surf focused: they offer extremely competitive surf packages to guests and offer discounts on surf gear. The hostel isn't just about surfing though - Surf's Inn is located within a 5 min walk to Ucluelet's mini aquarium and is a great jumping off point for local hikes. Staying at Surf's Inn you'll feel right at home - the funky decor, laid back atmosphere, friendly staff and well equipped kitchen all make for a great stay. Dorm bed prices start from $22. 

Here are just a few more reasons to visit Surf's Inn:

• A great place for exploring the many things that Ucluelet has to offer. Activities in Ucluelet
• Full tour desk
• Friendly and knowledgeable staff
• Custom built accommodation, 'the house on the hill'
• Clean, bright, cosy and warm accommodation
• Free wifi
• Garden and BBQ area
• Free massive lockers
• Free parking

To find out more and to book your next trip visit their website! http://www.surfsinn.ca/

City of the Week, December 12th to December 19th 2014

Backpackers Hostels Canada

Toronto, Ontario!

Toronto is a city made up from different countries. Within the city you will find Chinatown, Little Italy, Koreatown, Little India, Little Portugal....and there are more. In each you can find a great selection of national dishes at reasonable prices. Toronto is not all about food though; this is a city that thrives on bar culture. The city plays host to a mix of fancier bars (King Street), hipster bars (Ossington/Dundas Street West), pubs (Queen Street) and dive bars dotted around the city. A great must do activity is to visit one of the breweries in the city: Amsterdam and Steamwhistle both offer brewery tours. Bellswood Brewery in Ossington also has a great selection of microbrews if that is more your scene. 

No trip to Toronto would be complete without a visit to the CN tower. If you do want to go up and enjoy a splendid view of the city then definitely consider a meal package. This includes a four course meal in the revolving restaurant at the top as well as the cost of trip up. You even get to skip most of the queues. Other top attractions are St. Lawrence market (an indoor market with some of the best peameal bacon sandwiches in town) and Kensington market. This up-and-coming outdoor market has regular pedestrian only days in Summer, giving the place the feeling of a street festival. Toronto has an international airport and a cheap and easy transport link to the city. It is an easy bus ride to Ottawa (6 hours) and Montreal (4 hours) and only 12 hours to NY. Check out Greyhound.ca for deals.

To find out more and to book your next trip visit their website! http://www.seetorontonow.com/

City of the Week, November 25th to December 11th 2014

Backpackers Hostels Canada

Hostelo Montreal, Quebec!

Hostelo thrives on being a social hostel. This means personally taking guests out and showing them a good time, putting on big events and introducing guests to our favourite spots in Montreal. They love creating unique experiences for guests which tie in to the different seasons in Montreal: from the Jazz Fest and BBQs on their patio in Summer, and fondue parties and marshmallow roasting nights in Winter. You can check out what to expect in the hostel before you arrive on their blog and other social media channels. Guests are saying that they love the atmosphere and the fact that events are organised every night. The mix of international staff and Canadians, and young staff gives the hostel a young energy. They love to go out most nights, party and have fun! 

Hostelo Montreal is centrally located in the Latin Quarter and is in walking distance to one of the main metro stations in Montreal, Berri-UQAM. They're also a walk away from most of the big attractions of Montreal such as Plateau Mont Royal, St. Laurent street, St. Denis street, St. Catherine street, the old port and the gay village. Dorm beds start from $15 a night. 

Here are just a few more reasons to visit Hostelo:

• 24/7 reception
• Free pancake breakfast
• Free wifi
• Free towels
• Free lockers
• Separate girls dorms

To find out more and to book your next trip visit their website! http://hostelomontreal.com/

Hostel of the Week, November 12th to November 18th 2014

Backpackers Hostels Canada