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SameSun Backpacker Lodge: Traveler Reviews

433 Banff Avenue, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T1L 1A5, Canada (Formerly Global Village Backpackers)
Hotel amenities
SameSun Backpacker Lodge
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36 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveler rating
    14
    10
    8
    2
    2
Date Rating
Banff, Alberta, Canada
2 reviews
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“dirty”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed December 14, 2012

GOOD
Spacious bedroom
quiet at night
cheap & filling food & cheap drinks
bar staff (matt) very helpful & friendly
good location


BAD
mouldy food & wrappers under bed
dirty shower & pee stained shower curtain
scummy walls
staff not helpful & snobs
uncomfortable bottom bunk
no papertowels in bathrooms to dry hands
Parking: only room for 5 cars/right fit

free breakfast was pathetic: after 9am, no toast or pancake mix or any clean dishes. no bagels or fruit or cereals like we were told. only orange flavoured tea bags with no sugar available and no milk or anything to mix (cutlery)

kitchen was a joke
-no room to cook or eat
-pots, pans, utensils & anything needed was at reception
-dircty dishes everywhere
-no room to do dishes
-no tea towels

verdict- place felt pretty dirty & uncomfortable. pretty shattered with the price compared to what we have had before in other decent places. wouldnt stay here again unless we had to.

  • Stayed December 2012, traveled with friends
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Shai A about SameSun Backpacker Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Madrid, Spain
Top Contributor
50 reviews 50 reviews
11 hotel reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
“Bad experience”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed November 20, 2012

We were for three nights in this hostel and we didnt have a good experience. We are used to lodge in hostels and this is one of the worst. The location is ok but the quality price-quality is bad. The mattres were so thin and we couldnt sleep very well. So unconfortable. The kitchen is too small and there is not enought space for all the people who stay in the hostel. The bar is anoying and the staff should work in better conditions, The manager was nice with us but the rest of the people...The breakfast, not very good

  • Stayed October 2012, traveled with friends
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Goyalex about SameSun Backpacker Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
8 hotel reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
“Decent stay”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed November 7, 2012

Stayed here for a couple of nights whilst doing some hikes around Banff. It is on the main street of Banff, about a 5 minute walk from all the shops,pubs, etc. There is a kitchen and you get free breakfast with your stay (but get there early to avoid missing out). The kitchen has fridges and a pantry for all your food. The staff were extra friendly, opening up the kitchen early for us due to our early start one day. The beds and sleep quality were very average. The beds made a lot of noise and were quite uncomfortable. The rooms were ok, they felt a little cramped and didn't have a lot of storage space. There are personal lockers for each person in every room, but beware as my regular sized padlock was too large for the small metal loops and so I couldn't lock my gear away. All up, a decent stay. It may be a little overpriced, but it is a great location and the people staying there and working there were very friendly. Also, they have heaps of social activities (almost nightly, I think) at the bar downstairs which looked like great fun.

Room Tip: I would recommend choosing the 8-share rooms. They were much more spacious than the 6-share and had...
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  • Stayed September 2012, traveled with friends
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 3 more reviews by Paolo692 for Banff
Ask Paolo692 about SameSun Backpacker Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Banff, Canada
1 review
“Excellent Staff”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 5, 2012

The staff at the Samesun Banff are so friendly and helpful. The location is epic and the views are spectacular. Best hostel in Banff by far. I highly recommend staying there. It will be an experience you will never forget. Thank you for the great times and memories. Cheers!!!

  • Stayed October 2012, traveled solo
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask ShawnyGorman about SameSun Backpacker Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Geelong
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“daniels reveiw”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 31, 2012

Just spent some time at the samesun it was amazing, staff are great the rooms are just devine. very clean cozy hostel. made me feel super welcome. great bar down stairs with great people theres this spunk name danny c who drinks there "girls go down and check him out" id happily rate this place a big 10 out of 10 you would be mad not to stay there, and the manager trish, she is simply amazing!!!

Room Tip: all the rooms are amazing very clean and cozy
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Stayed September 2012, traveled solo
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Coolins_12 about SameSun Backpacker Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hidden Ridge Resort
Great value on a similar hotel
Banff, Banff National Park
4.5 of 5 stars 782 Reviews
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Additional Information about SameSun Backpacker Lodge

Also Known As:
Samesun Backpacker Hotel
Samesun Backpacker Hotel Banff
Address: 433 Banff Avenue, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T1L 1A5, Canada (Formerly Global Village Backpackers)
Region: Canada > Alberta > Canadian Rockies > Banff National Park > Banff
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Kitchenette Restaurant Suites
Hotel Style:
Ranked #9 of 20 Specialty lodging in Banff
Price Range: $
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
SameSun Banff is located downtown just steps away from everything the town has to offer. A recently converted hotel, we have all the amenities a backpacker could want. With a clean and comfortable environment, we boast spacious dorm rooms, a great atmosphere and friendly, helpful staff. Home to the Beaver Lounge, with Open Mic nights, live gigs and weekly trivia, it is the only backpacker pub directly on Banff Avenue! No membership required! ... more   less 
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SameSun Backpacker Lodge
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