Banff International Hostel — Hotel in Banff

I have quite a few issues with this hostel.

Advertises free parking. Yes, technically that's true, but there are 5 or 6 spaces in total. Parking elsewhere is a nightmare this time of year, so be prepared to walk if you are bringing a vehicle.

The kitchen is way too small for the number of guests at the hostel. It's super crowded and annoying and difficult to deal with all the people if you're trying to make some food at regular meal hours.

There is not a single sharp knife in the kitchen. Seriously, not one. There are several chef-knife type knives in the wood block and not a single one is of any use. A little difficult to prepare food if you've got nothing to cut it with. I looked for a steel to sharpen the knife myself but couldn't find one.

It's bad value, for a hostel, at least. Yes, I get it, it's Banff, and July is peak summer and at $70 a night for a dorm it's still considerably cheaper than any other non-hostel accommodations you're going to find. Banff is expensive, I get it. If I don't want to pay that then don't come here, etc. etc. It's still very expensive though, FOR A HOSTEL. I stayed in the main hostel in Jasper at the end of May and it is WAY better than this one and cost me $40/night. I've stayed in many hostels in Europe for $25 Canadian a night (usually booked 1 or 2 nights in advance) that are better than this one, several with buffet breakfasts for 5-7 euro, they were good breakfasts too. Comparing hostels in Canada to those in Europe isn't exactly apples to apples, though. The breakfast here I'm pretty sure they had those one-bite chocolate brownies in the food warmer thing. I thought, really? brownies for breakfast? (could be wrong on that but certainly looked like it.) No eggs or bacon, just fyi. It's nice they do breakfast, nonetheless.

I was going to give it 1 star because I was so frustrated with the kitchen situation but that isn't fair.

The staff are friendly, the rooms are fine, though your bunk does not have a curtain that goes around the entire thing. The ends are open which is not ideal.

1 bathroom per dorm and the sink is separated so there's that at least.

Mini-fridge in the dorm room if you only have a couple things or want to keep drinks in the room.

Honestly though cooking here at breakfast or dinner time is an absolute nightmare because it's so busy. Cooking at weird hours is pretty much a must. Nice big walk-in cooler though...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at BIH Hostel, and I must say it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The warm and welcoming atmosphere, combined with excellent facilities, made my stay truly enjoyable. First and foremost, the hospitality at Banff Hostel was exceptional. The staff members were incredibly friendly, accommodating, and always ready to assist with any inquiries or requests. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I felt like a valued guest, and their genuine warmth made me feel right at home.

Another aspect that stood out was the cleanliness of the dormitories. BIH takes great pride in maintaining a high standard of cleanliness, and it truly showed. The dorm rooms were spotless, and the comfortable beds ensured a restful night's sleep. The layout of the dorms also encouraged interaction and facilitated meeting new people, which made for a vibrant and social experience. Location-wise, BIH couldn't be better situated in the city. It's conveniently placed near popular attractions, vibrant neighborhoods, and public transportation, making it effortless to explore and immerse oneself in the local culture. Whether you're a solo traveler or a group of friends, the hostel's prime location allows for easy access to the city's offerings. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend BIH Hostel to anyone seeking a memorable stay. With its warm and welcoming atmosphere, the top-notch Beaver Bar, impeccably clean dormitories, prime location, and the friendly staff, this hostel goes above and beyond to create a remarkable and enjoyable experience. I'm already looking forward to...

In starting out this trip, I would have loved to have given this place a high review. The room was clean, updated, and perfect for a one night stay. It was also a lovely place for meeting new people!!

However, things took a quick turn the morning after staying over. I ended up sleeping through my alarm and my friend had tried to call me and couldn’t reach me. She asked the front desk if they could check my room and they said that I wasn’t in it. Upon asking them again to check, they told her I still wasn’t in the room but that all my stuff was there. She immediately assumed from the way they explained this to her that I had been kidnapped, and police became involved. It was only when she asked them if they could see if my phone was in the room when they told her that I was in fact in the room.

This simple negligence from the workers resulted in a horrifying morning for my friend, family, and everyone else who thought I was in trouble. They were unphased by the entire event, and treated my friend like she was being too dramatic while she cried on the phone to the police. This could have been entirely avoided if they had properly checked my room, or even declined checking it all together, rather than telling my poor friend that I wasn’t there.

For the safety and care of people staying at this hostel, especially young girls like my friend and I, I hope these workers are held...