VICTORIA - Vancouver and Victoria - page 231

Under $50
Budget travelers are well catered to in Victoria, and though the accommodation choices in
the capital are more varied than in Vancouver, no particular backpacker lodge stands out
above the rest.
In the heart of the oldest section of downtown Victoria is HI-Victoria (516 Yates
St., 250/385-4511 or 888/883-0099, www.hihostels.ca ; dorm: members $35, nonmembers
$38.50; private room: $88-105 s or d). The totally renovated 108-bed hostel enjoys a great
location only a stone's throw from the harbor. Separate dorms and bathroom facilities for
men and women are complemented by two fully equipped kitchens, a large meeting room,
lounge, library, game room, travel services, public Internet terminals, and an informative
bulletin board. There are a limited number of private rooms.
Housedintheupperstoriesofanoldcommercialbuilding, Ocean Island Backpackers
Inn (791 Pandora Ave., 250/385-1788 or 888/888-4180, www.oceanisland.com ; dorm:
$30 pp; private room: $38-117) lies just a couple of blocks from downtown. This a party
place—exactly what some young travelers are looking for, but annoying enough for some
to generate letters to harried travel writers. On the plus side, the lodging is clean, modern,
and welcoming throughout. Guests have use of kitchen facilities, a laundry room, and a
computerforInternetaccess.There'salsoplentyofspacetorelax,suchasareadingroom,
music room (guitars supplied), television room, and street-level bar open until midnight.
Private rooms range from $38 for a super-small single to $117 for an en suite that sleeps a
family of four.