If you're stepping off the plane at Calgary Airport or fresh in town, this is a great starting point. As with most Hostel Internationals, the staff are extremely helpful and will assist you planning your onward movements.

Free breakfast, tea, coffee and juice is a mega bonus too. The rest of the facilities are well kept and clean.

The local area, which previous reviewers have slated, is no where near as bad as it is made out. It certainly appeared a safe part of the city and improvements are currently underway.

The city of Calgary has not much to show but when you go there is worth staying at the HI Calgary City Center.
I stayed there for all most one week to get some rest from previous traveling and preparing for the Rockies. The facilities are well maintained and clean as I like it. Some times the C-Tram crossing gate is bit anoying when you try to fall asleep but close the window and there is nothing between you and your sleep. The included breakfast (Panecackes, toast, jam, cofe etc.) is a good reasons to get up.
The receptionists were allways friendly and helpful (Thank you Jason for helping me with the car rental.).
So if your going to visit Calgary for whatever reason consider spending the nights in the City Center hostel.

I have stayed in this hostel for over a week now and I have to say its a really cool place to stay. The staff are just awesome. Really really helpful regardless of the questions; one ask, they are a complete fountain of knowledge. Great at recommending place to visit, things to do, where to get different stuff one needs, directions, whatever!

The choice of food at breakfast is awesome, fruit, muffins, pancakes, bread, and tea/coffee all day.

Bed are comfortable and the free towel is a real help. Shower have warm water and it's constant, unlike other hostel's I stayed where it's either too hot or freezing.

Location is really good, right in the heart of the city and close to trains and buses.

I recently stayed at HI Calgary and i realy enjoyed my time there, it's a realy nice hostel the staff are very very friendly and very helpfull, they put a lot of effort into keeping the place clean and beds are very comfortable. The hostel is close to downtown and has alot of free stuff included in the price. I highly recomend this place and would have no hesitation in staying here again.