I wonder if the C&n Backpacker's Hostel on Main street is safe? If not where is a safe hostel I can stay in?

Here's the site for more details on the two recommended hostels in Vancouver <BR> <BR>http://www.yhabooking.com/ibnpub/english <BR>/index.asp

Here's another hostel for backup <BR> <BR>http://www.globalbackpackers.com/van...otel/hotel.htm

It's not that it's not "safe", but it's in possibly the dirtiest, drug-infested neighbourhood outside of downtown. I wouldn't recommend the C&N hostel to anyone who trusts me, if that means anything. <BR> <BR>It's a bit misleading, Main Street that is. It's not really the main street in Vancouver anymore and is kind of out of the way. That particular part of Main Street (where the C&N is located) is in the middle of Vancouver's skid row. Stay at the C&N if you want to be isolated away from anything (ie: restaurants, shops, clubs, bars), if you want to stay in a run-down neighbourhood, and if you want your neighbourhoods to be prostitutes, drug addicts and homeless people. Not that it's dangerous or violent (ie: these people won't hurt you), but all you'd have to do is look outside your window, and you'd see zombied heroin junkies walking up to cars, asking for money... or shooting up... it's just depressing. It's the cheapest hostel in Vancouver, and now you know why. Stay there as a last ditch resort, as there are much better places to stay. <BR> <BR>I also want to mention, the C&N Hostel's website is full of false advertising - portraying a gorgeous photo of the city, telling visitors its Vancouver's "hippest, most dazzling" hostel in "downtown Vancouver" within walking distance to all these wonderful attractions. That can be further from the truth (they're not even downtown!)

Alright, rants aside, these are the good hostels in Vancouver that would probably make you *enjoy* your stay, rather than dread it. I'm a 21 year old female, and I'd recommend these hostels to a fellow gal: <BR> <BR>Hostelling International Jericho Beach - http://www.hihostels.bc.ca/mainjericho.htm - My personal favourite. It's Canada's largest hostel. It's located a 10 minute drive outside of downtown, but they provide a free hourly shuttle bus downtown, so you don't have to spend a dime on transportation. The great thing about this hostel is it's location - it's literally on the beach (popular for swimming, windsurfing & boating), next to parkland, UBC and the beachside neighbourhood of Kitsilano - and you look out to the mountains, islands, water and city skyline. <BR> <BR>Hostelling International Downtown Vancouver - http://www.hihostels.bc.ca/mainvancouver.htm - The best hostel in downtown Vancouver. It's located in the city's resedential neighbourhood in the West End, nearby the gay district, Stanley Park, nightclubs, cafe culture, etc. It's possibly the safest downtown hostel, and a short walk to any downtown attraction. <BR> <BR>The Cambie Gastown - http://www.cambiehostels.com <BR>A bit gritty but full of character. The downstairs part of the hostel is home to The Cambie Saloon, one of my favourite casual bars for cheap drinks. Kind of like a "what you see is what you get" atmosphere - unpretensious, fun, loud... a mix of people getting off from work, partiers and backpackers. This hostel's located in Gastown (funky old neighbourhood) nearby vintage clothing shops, used book stores, tattoo parlours, antique shops, marijuana cafes, nightclubs, and other shops. It's also a short walk to any of the downtown attractions. <BR> <BR>The Cambie Seymour - http://www.cambieseymour.com - This is the Cambie's smaller, cleaner and quieter hostel located on Seymour Street (virtually a 2 minute walk from their Gastown location). This is located on the same street from the city's music stores, restaurants, mall, international language colleges, the downtown SFU and BCIT campuses... kind of a funky business neighbourhood that's just a block away from the entertainment district. It's also a short walk to all the attractions. <BR> <BR>Global Village Backpacker's Hostel - http://www.globalbackpackers.com - located on Granville Street, a busy street in the heart of the entertainment district. That block of Granville is a bit seedy (pawn/porn shops), but just down the road are major hotels, movie theatres, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, used music shops, etc. I've been inside this hostel, and it has a very funky, unique, youthful atmosphere. It's one of the larger hostels in the city. <BR> <BR>Anyhow... those are my takes on the hostels. I have various international friends who have stayed at these hostels, and I've visisted most of the hostels because of that. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions... I should be able to help.

Thank you very much for the replies. It sounds like you have saved me from a dismal experience at the C&N. I'm now torn between the Jericho hostel and the Cambie gastown. I'd like to be near the beach, but also near an intesting neighborhood, maybe I'll stay a couple days at each. Thanks again.