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Cheaper
Average
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About
4.5
#1 of 4 hostels in Thunder Bay
Location
4.8
Cleanliness
5.0
Service
5.0
Value
5.0
Thunder Bay’s first downtown hostel has arrived! We are a stone’s throw from the waterfront of Lake Superior and even closer to the unique art, entertainment and culinary infusion that is downtown Port Arthur. Our main mission is to have our guests having the best local experience possible, take a look around and we will be sure to set you on the right adventure.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Budget
Location
226 Ambrose St, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 1L4 Canada
The Haven Hostel
22 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
We found this hostel after learning that many other hotels in Thunder Bay were sold out. The management went out of its way to arrange for our late arrival. As far as hostels go (I haven't stayed regularly in hostels since touring Europe in the 1980s), it was very well-designed. The public space with a kitchen and lounge area is very roomy, yet facilitates meeting and communing with others. The surrounding downtown neighborhood is transitional, but I appreciate that is fully in the spirit of establishing a place where travelers from all points of the world can meet. There is a nice sitting area outside the side door and Lake Superior and a very nice park are literally just a few blocks away.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The staff at the hostel were extremely friendly and were helpful in directing us to a great restaurant for dinner (including giving us a coupon for the restaurant). This place has a funky vibe and the Suite is very clean and comfortable. Great location walking distance to many of the new, hip restaurants and cafés and to the waterfront park area. Really handy that breakfast is included as well. There were hard-boiled eggs, cereal, oatmeal, apples, coffee and some pastries.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Holly Watson, General Manager at The Haven Hostel
Responded Sep 11, 2020
Wow thank you so much Emilie! The staff as always are so thankful :) Really glad you got to enjoy a bit of the city and some of our favorite places. Safe travels to all!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My first time staying in a hostel at age 70 had me a little nervous. My, was I pleasantly surprised! Had one of the 3 private suites. Immaculately clean. Quiet. Shower was small (not tiny) but adequate with plenty of hot water and excellent pressure. Owner and her staff were very friendly and helpful in recommending places to eat and get excellent sandwiches for lunch and dinner, all within a safe walking distance. Walking distance to the lakefront. Coffee and light breakfast fare in the morning with an available kitchen to do your own cooking throughout the day. Prices were reasonable. The 3 night stay was perfect. I would highly recommend The Haven Hostel!
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Although this is a hostel, I was able to walk in and get a private room for one night at a reasonable rate. The room was small but the bathroom was large. All was extremely clean, and management was very friendly but very firm and buttoned-up. The other guests ranged from a group of young people to a scattering of middle-aged and older men. Felt like a nice safe environment. There is a large common area as well as a communal kitchen. No food is served there so dining is not included unless you walk several blocks to a grocery and buy something to cook or micro in the kitchen (which I did, and that worked well). Clean is valued so highly that everyone must leave their shoes at the door. Well done!!!
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:This worked well for an old guy passing through and looking for a small, clean, safe, friendly...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This might be simply the best hostel in North America. The staff are super, really go out of their way to know you and be available if you need any help. Kitchen and common area are pleasant and well outfitted. Everything is super clean. I stayed in the capsules, which sometimes freak me out as claustrophobic, but this one was very big, spacious, and felt like own little space in the dorm. Free parking! And the place is beautifully decorated. Lots of bars and restaurants, and the Landing, all in easy walking distance.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed here in July 2020. Amazing place to stay, during my visit we were in Stage 3 of Covid. The Haven, worked hard to keep the place clean! I loved staying here! Close to everything. Beautiful spot to sit outside under the twinkly lights. Thank you for a wonderful stay!
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Holly Watson, General Manager at The Haven Hostel
Responded Aug 12, 2020
Thanks so much for the lovely review! So glad you enjoyed everything. Hope to see you again :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is a very clean, friendly, comfortable hostel to stay at! I highly recommend it!
The biggest thing we look for is a comfortable bed and that was certainly the case here. We stayed in the queen suite on the main floor and it was very comfortable, with a large en-suite private bathroom (made to be fully accessible). A couple things to be aware of is that it’s right beside the common area so you can hear people talking, but quiet hours begin at 10pm and they do provide ear plugs if you need them. The other thing is that the air conditioner fan is a bit loud, however, we used it for its white noise and couldn’t hear a thing outside, so it worked to our benefit.
Complimentary breakfast was provided, from 7:30am to 10am: boiled eggs, instant oatmeal, croissants and bread with peanut butter, jam and butter, oranges and bananas, cereal, coffee and tea.
The staff are helpful if you have questions, so don’t be afraid to ask! They rent bikes and bike racks, which we used to bike the first part of the Sleeping Giant lookout trail, be sure to ask them about that if it’s something you want to do, as it’s a very long hike to do on foot the whole way.
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Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The place was clean and tidy. Beds were fine. Access and parking are good.
Disappointed there are no climate controls available except a couple of floor fans and opening a window.
We were in the lower unit and it sounded like Simon BIles was doing her floor routine above us. It stopped at 10 pm and I was able to sleep after thqt.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Initially I booked at the Haven Hostel by accident as I was not wearing my glasses while making the booking. I thought I was headed to a hotel with my 6 yr. old daughter, and only realized my error upon arrival a the property. Further to this, I booked for the wrong date! Yasmine at the front desk was very accommodating and got me straightened out right away. The level of service that she provided was excellent. After fixing my mistakes, we were shown to our "suite" which is just off the common area on the main floor. The room was simple but adequate for our purposes. The attached en suite had a much more elegant finish than expected with an extremely spacious shower. The wifi was strong and reliable. The continental breakfast that was supplied was simple, but good. The common area of the hostel was well appointed and encouraged socialization while providing areas for those looking for solitude. I met one of the owners, Paul, who was an excellent ambassador for not only the property, but for all of the local businesses as well. It was a pleasure to speak with him. This place is perfect for families and travellers alike. If you're looking to party, it's obvious that this place is not for you.
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Date of stay: June 2019
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:I don't know about any of the other rooms, but the "Suite" had an excellent ensuite...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Haven is a perfect place to stay with a group of youths. My class and I stayed there and felt very safe and comfortable. The rates are reasonable and we were able to prepare and order in food to cut down on the cost of eating in a restaurant. The beds are very comfortable and the bathrooms are roomy, modern and clean. The atmosphere of the Haven is relaxing and made us all feel at home while we were there.
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Date of stay: November 2018
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Holly W, Owner at The Haven Hostel
Responded Nov 27, 2018
Karen! What a wonderful response. We could not have been happier to host you and your wonderful group. We hope to see you back and we will be sure to set up a great family dinner! Thank you again and see you soon.
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There are more places to choose from in the Thunder Bay area.
PRICE RANGE
$93 - $118 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
CanadaOntarioThunder Bay DistrictThunder Bay
NUMBER OF ROOMS
7
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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