We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

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
Enter dates & see best prices*
Enter dates 1 night 2 nights
Show Prices
* We search the top travel sites for the best price
Booking.com Hostelworld.com Priceline.com
Traveler Reviews
Room Prices
Write a Review

36 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveler rating
    14
    10
    8
    2
    2
Date Rating
Banff, Canada
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Friendly Staff and Fun Environment!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 13, 2013

I stayed at the Samesun for a few days over New years. originally the hostel was completely booked for the last few nights i was hoping to stay however they offered me a wait list and called to inform me that I was able to stay for my requested amount of time. The Staff at the Samesun are very friendly and helpful. I love the planned nightly activities ie. Bingo and Trivia which take place at the Beaver Bar conveniently located in the hostel. The Beaver was a great place to hang out with friends and meet new people. They have a $6 dinner every night and drink specials! The common room and kitchen were also a great place to hang out and again, a great place to meet fellow travellers. I’ve stated in many hostels in my day and this one is definitely a Gem!

  • Stayed December 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
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Jen M about SameSun Backpacker Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Love the Samesun”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 1, 2013

My first hostel experience, and it was awesome. Staff was friendly, the stay was inexpensive, and the hotel bar, The Beaver, had great drink and food deals daily. Staff was very helpful when it came to finding things to do in the area. Definitely a party hostel if that is what you are looking for, everyone is trying to have a good time.

  • Stayed December 2012, traveled solo
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Frankelm305 about SameSun Backpacker Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
London, United Kingdom
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
8 hotel reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“Party Hostel”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed December 29, 2012

Positives
-Good place to meet people with the busy beaver bar
-Good cheap food although did take quite a while when busy
-Friendly helpful staff
-Big dorm rooms with TV and fireplace
-Good location
Negatives
-Uncomfortable beds
-Lots of noise at night being a party hostel so not the place to stay if you fancy an early night.
-Kitchen was quite small for the number of guests as was the common room.

  • Stayed December 2012, traveled solo
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Jon O about SameSun Backpacker Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
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
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Goyalex about SameSun Backpacker Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
 
 
SameSun Backpacker Lodge
Enter dates 1 night 2 nights
 
Hidden Ridge Resort
Great value on a similar hotel
Banff, Banff National Park
4.5 of 5 stars 784 Reviews
Show Prices
Still looking for a hotel?
Travelers also viewed these Banff hotels
HI-Banff Alpine Centre 4.0 of 5 stars 77 reviews Banff Aspen Lodge 4.0 of 5 stars 530 reviews Hidden Ridge Resort 4.5 of 5 stars 784 reviews Castle Mountain Chalets 4.0 of 5 stars 96 reviews
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d634882?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d182230?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d184485?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d295445?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
View all 33 hotels in Banff, ranked by popularity

Been to SameSun Backpacker Lodge? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

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 
Reservation Options:
TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Booking.com, HostelWorld and Priceline so you can book your SameSun Backpacker Lodge reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage SameSun Backpacker Lodge, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

  • Manage your listing
SameSun Backpacker Lodge
Enter dates & see best prices*
Enter dates 1 night 2 nights
Show Prices