HI Edmonton — Hotel in Greater Strathcona

Maybe at some point or to others staff have being friendly maybe cause you stay for a couple days, but try staying for a week and paying Cash, and mistread will come out, you shoulnt keep this place this busy, mistreatment was sadly form a preuvian latino (Whose for some kind of hidden reason always tend to hate mexicans, preuvians guys let me tell you something, polleros are not All mexican ok? You Just need to get to know us better to realize that we are nothing butwarm people) , Who ask me if I wanted to talk english or spanish, I said english and as soon as he saw I talk fluent he start being rude, he said ok I have to finish this soon cause I have a call, I said well the money of man on the Phone values same than my money, why youre so rude, if you have doubt about taxes or something he will deperate and mistreated you, I have the right of Asking what I am paying for?, I always were polite and gente to everyone in this place so if I have this behaviour and he still act rude to me how would you call it? If is not racism or hate then what it is?, Just hate; today morning I complain him cause he never book my bedroom even putting Cash on desk, I told him, ill talk with manager cause its not fair I try booking in advance and you ignores me even paying Cash, in this place youre always fearing they Quick you out, which actually hsppend me, of losing you bed cause they never assure you will keep your book, at the end he talk first than me with the manager greg and he Just Quick me out, without Asking me what happend or Asking my testimony, he Just told me you have to leave in a very sobre and prepotent way saying we are gonna Black list you of all our hostels, are you serious?, Just because a complain? You Quick me out last minute, well sorry for being mexican latina and speak such a good english I apologize with the peruvian for having the profile of a succesful inmigrant and trying staying longer in this hostel , cause out of that I was always polite and Gentle to everyone; but obviouly if somebody mistreated you and its rude with you like this staff meember the natural reaction its speak out, speacially if youre paying, its sad how they treat when they are too book or busy, I felt like a homeless by both the peruvian and greg, Just try staying longer than a couple days and you will suffer rude treatment by this latino dude, watch out more if youre mexican 😒, what goes around come around karma will make his things, owner should watch the cameras to see...

I previously stayed here back in 1999. I remember the receptionist told me off when I got there because I did not prebook with a long lecture. This was in the days when you had to find a pay phone and ring and book, and Via Rail who normally arrive around 11 were in the habit of arriving sometimes a day late. || ||This time the complete opposite experience happened when had to suddenly detour to Edmonton after Via Rail informed those of us on board that Jasper had been evacuated due to fire and the train was stopping in Saskatoon before returning to Winnipeg. Finding free Wi-fi at a petrol station the bus stopped at for five minutes I was able to book a room (although it's a lengthy process the HI Canada site needs to cut this down for this sort of scenario). |||| A lot of stressed people arriving at the hostel were in this situation having fled from Jasper or trying to work out what to do if on way, and the awesome female staff member on reception handled this busy situation extremely professionally and efficiently. She also helped out later that night whenever approached the receoptin desk with advice on which bus stop was closer or easier to get to, to catch a bus to Calgary (to get to Canmore/Banff (which were selling fast). She waited until the booking went through for the bus in case I had to work something else out before processing extending my stay at HI Edmonton another night so I could keep the same bed. ||||The hostel itself is great, although a little utilitarian in decor like a lot of HI hostels f, but really who cares about that. Full length lockers in room to fit 90L backpack Great free Wi-fi (which was needed after bus and Via Rail not having any). Dorm bed (in mixed dorm) was very comfortable. It is in a residential neighbourhood on the southern side of the river but only a couple of blocks walk to a city bus to Southgate Transit Centre (local buses cost $3.50 by the way). Downtown stop for intercity buses, local bus stop even closer. Easy walk across the river on High Level Bridge (a few blocks north) to downtown. Supermarket close as well. ||||You get free various flavours of Kelluggs Nutrigrain breakfast bars or porridge for breakfast. There's a games room with pool tables, a TV room, both of which no one used while I was there. A living room type thing (got used a lot), kitchen. Plenty of places to plug in and...

The place is in a fairly central location in edmonton. If you are there with your own vehicle make sure that you leave your vehicle Barren of any valuables. The area is not the safest with vagrants. The front desk will warn you of that when you let them know that you have a vehicle and would like to park it. Free parking. The rooms are generally clean with always clean bedding. There are large lockers for you to be able to secure your items. Make sure that you bring your own lock otherwise you can get a dinky little suitcase lock from the front desk. Depending upon the room that you're in you will either be two per bedroom or eight per bedroom.

They have a communal kitchen and sitting spaces. Allowing you to cook up your own meals with their pots and pans provided. There is some fridge space but they do not do a cleaning out of it regularly enough so there's likely to be little to no room for you.

Staff are overall good-natured and happy to help in whatever way they can. I have used their services multiple times. And while not fancy or anything. Solo business travel when being a delivery driver. Means that it is more than a good enough space to lay your head down at night. Just make sure to bring earplugs and a face mask if you are in the eighth person bunk room or roomed with another person in the two bedroom who has a slightly different schedule than you.

Try to be as careful as you can with the doors as they are rather loud and heavy. When they close they tend to vibrate up and down the hall... I think the building was an old school or something similar. But it is enough for the job that they have...