Planning a trip to British Columbia any time soon? Friends and colleagues told me straight up that BC stands for bring cash. They definitely weren’t wrong when it comes to accommodation being pricey. In this blog post, I’ll share my experience at 3 accommodation options in British Columbia. All of these have been tried and tested by me! Keep these in mind if you’re planning a trip to Vancouver, Whistler or Pemberton.
1. HI Hostel Jericho Beach – 1515 Discovery St, Vancouver, BC V6R 4K5, Canada.
First on the list is HI Hostel Jericho Beach in Vancouver. I’ll be honest, this wasn’t the first hostel I stayed in when I arrived in Vancouver. However, the other one was so overpriced and a rip-off for what it was I couldn’t recommend it. I even left Vancouver to re-evaluate my plans during my stay! HI Hostel Jericho Beach on the other hand was a pleasant stay for the most part. It’s located very close to Jericho Beach which is slightly downtown but it’s very easy to access by bus.
It’s a spacious hostel and located in a quiet residential area. There was a mixture of young and old guests while I was there. Many had immigrated from abroad and they were looking for jobs and long-term accommodation.
There were a few Canadians from other provinces staying there too. The building once served as an army barracks and I feel that it definitely gave off that vibe with the communal bathrooms, living and lounge areas. They’re open and airy, and like the shower water, a bit on the cold side.
The dorm I stayed in had a plug, a large locker (bring a lock) and a small table. I slept very well here at night for the most part. That said, one guest gave me a fright one night and grabbed my leg in the middle of the night, choosing the wrong bed!
I also don’t have any photos of the dorm I was in because there was a lot of people coming and going and to be honest, I didn’t want to look odd. Obviously I’m regretting that as I write this post! In the basement, there is a restaurant/bar if you’d like to socialize. When I was there, they were hosting a trivia night. The questions seemed reasonable and diverse.
The reception staff were very kind, friendly, patient and helpful. Food is also served throughout the day. Personally, I opted to eat elsewhere but it’s always great to have options. If I return to Vancouver and I need accommodation, I would definitely consider a return visit here. If you want a more private hotel room, bring cash!
2. HI Hostel Whistler – 1035 Legacy Way, Whistler, BC V8E 0J6, Canada
Another solid, affordable (for Canada) option from HI Hostel Whistler. This is located a bus journey (approximately 20-25 minutes) from the centre of Whistler. The was a eclectic mix of reception staff from different parts of the world.
It’s important to mention that they were very helpful and able to answer any questions I had as well. Before I went on hikes, they warned me to take bear spray which they provided for free. They had a small cafe which was very useful as the area is quite remote with limited snack options with the exception of a small convenience store located across the road.
I’ll be honest, the dorm room I was in wasn’t my favourite place in the world. The bed felt quite hard and my room had a smell which I could only compare to being gone-off weed. I don’t know if that was coming from the room itself, or from another guest’s belongings. I spent most of my time in the outdoors but it would have bothered me more if I was staying there long term.
That said, the shared bathroom and shower were perfectly fine and the water was warm when I used the shower. It was also cleaned daily. However, the main reason you’re coming here is to enjoy all of the fantastic hikes around you. I visited Cheakamus Lake and did the Train Wreck Hike as well. If you can get a bed near a window the views are pretty nice in the morning!
Their notice board is very informative about the hikes on offer nearby. Furthermore, their notice board has a lot of useful local information. If I came back to Whistler and I wanted to hike, I’d be booking here again!
3. Pemberton Hotel – 7423 Frontier St, Pemberton, BC. Canada.
For a place I hadn’t really considered visiting, Pemberton was a very pleasant and memorable experience. It was the most affordable option that came up when I was scrolling for accommodation options during my time in Pemberton.
I had some hassle with my bank card and when I called them up, I was a bit skeptical on what to expect when I heard the very low volume on the phone on their end. Their location is perfect if you’re getting the bus from Whistler to Pemberton or if you’re planning to visit Joffre Lakes.
As my bank card was giving me grief, I was happy that I could reserve a room over the phone and pay on arrival. It’s joined on to a liquor store and a very quiet reception. That said, people were still popping in and out from the liquor store to other rooms on the ground floor. I had to call at reception in order to check in. When the staff did come, they were very kind and offered any information they could.
If you’re looking for a place with a lively atmosphere, you should probably look elsewhere. That said, I was appreciative of the heating, hot water, great wifi, tv and comfortable bed. There’s also a bath in the bathroom if you want. If peace and quiet is your thing, you should get it here!
In addition, my room had an extra room joined on to it with a table, couch and a few chairs. I didn’t quite see the need for it but it was there anyway. After several nights in hostel dorms, I was grateful for the privacy and the great night’s sleep.
I was up early the next morning to visit Joffre Lakes but I was able to leave my bags. Parking is available if you’re driving as well. I didn’t get breakfast there but I would recommend Blackbird Cafe located just across the road if it’s open. There are also some other restaurants which you can read more about here.
Thanks for Reading!
I’ll be honest, British Columbia is expensive and if you’re travelling on a tight budget, accommodation is going to be tough to find. Moreover, a lot of these places book up very quickly so you need to book in advance. I hope that this blog post gives your some ideas of what you’ll get with your money.
Enjoy your trip and thanks for reading! If you liked this post, you may enjoy some more blog posts I have written about Canada.
3 PLACES TO EAT IN PEMBERTON, BC. | CANADA
HOW TO TRAVEL FROM VANCOUVER TO WHISTLER BY BUS
CHEAKAMUS LAKE HIKE | WHAT TO EXPECT
TRAIN WRECK HIKE IN WHISTLER | WHAT TO EXPECT
HOW TO GO FROM WHISTLER TO PEMBERTON BY BUS
