Ottawa Backpackers Inn

Always my favorite place to stay 😊🙏

Traditional hostel vibes, with lots of artwork and photos of regular guests. Great location close to Byward Market. Shared kitchen and fridge, back covered patio with picnic table. The staff person was friendly and gave me a good tour. The furniture and kitchenwares are run down. The couch for example sunk a lot, knives were dull. The chairs in the kitchen don't match, for example. The towels have been around a long time. I chose a 4 person shared dorm and I must not have read properly. I thought it was women only but it was co-ed. Unfortunately two of the male guests in my room snored - bring ear plugs. I slept on the top bunk, which was not so steady. Anytime my bottom bunkmate moved, the top bunk moved. Climbing the ladder made the whole bunk bed move, and at the top of the bunk there was no cut out so you have to haul your leg over the bar. I'm athletic but it was still a bit tight, so it might be difficult for someone over 5'7. The room had a window air conditioner that was loud. Be sure to put it on the right setting so it's not just a fan. Our room got really hot in the middle of the night because it was on fan and not cold. I had to climb down the bunk at 5am to change it. No lamp in the dorm. Had to use my phone flashlight. The guests that were staying when I did kept to themselves and didn't say more than hi to me. Vibes were quiet during my stay. Washrooms were clean, good clean functioning showers.

Staff were nice, property was ok, good location. The late night noise meant I was tired for sure: it would be an improvement if there was a quiet time from 11pm to 6am. Noise from other guests at 3am meant my stay was not overly great. Milk or creamer for the complimentary coffee may have fostered a sense of community as people sat with a cup of coffee

Ottawa Backpackers Inn is located a few blocks away from the Byward Market. As such it is a lovely place to explore, especially the nightlife. Nearby on King Edward Boulevard, are several live stage theatres as well as a modern art museum. The area is also part of the Ottawa downtown where non-housed citizens congregate and are supported by local faith based missions. Conveniently served by the Ottawa public transport system is an advantage since car parking in that neighbourhood is rare (and expensive). The Backpacker Inn has a few spots in their yard for cars at the rate of $12.54 per night. Within walking distance are some of the cities prominent attractions: Parliament Hill; US Embassy; NAtional Arts Centre; Rideau Canal and its walking pathways. In short, a convenient, low budget place to stay offering both single rooms and dorm style sleeping arrangements, along with shared bathroom and kitchen amenities.

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