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Sketchy reports for Vancouver Backpacker House

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Vancouver Backpacker House

Vancouver · Canada

Vancouver Backpacker House

Punk Score
49% SHIT
High confidence 545 reviews
Could still be good with enough luck and social skills, but not inherently social
5th best in Vancouver
Sketchy reports
5 recent reports
Book here:
Hostelworld from ≈$31
Booking.com ≈$38 HW prices from yesterday
Sketchy reports 7 reports

7 reports 5 recent reports 306 text reviews scanned

Why this surfaced

Repeated, deduplicated traveler-review reports matched these incident categories:

One report can match more than one category. Counts describe review reports, not independently verified incidents.

These are reports in traveler reviews, not independently verified incidents. Duplicate review text and strong repeat-reviewer identities count once.

Category matches are automated. Relevant passages are exact review quotes selected from concrete incident wording, not hidden model rationales. If none appears, treat the match as suspect and check the full review.

Evidence reviews

    • The window wouldn’t lock/close and had no screen, and our room was on the first floor so anyone could just come in the window.
    Show full review Full review
    Sketchy building, sketchy rooms, as soon as we walked into the front door it stunk of cigarettes. The window wouldn’t lock/close and had no screen, and our room was on the first floor so anyone could just come in the window. Absolutely not what it looks like on the website. For how much we payed ($130 for ONE NIGHT) this place was absolutely ridiculous. Would never recommend this to anyone. Just spend the extra 20$ and go to the holiday inn which has standards.
    • I had the misfortune of booking a stay at the Vancouver Backpacker House. This place is in severe disrepair—it's old, dirty, and frankly, unhygienic. The conditions were so bad that I was forced to check out within an hour of arriving, altogether forfeiting my payment.
    Show full review Full review
    Unacceptable Conditions, Hidden Fees, and Awful Service I had the misfortune of booking a stay at the Vancouver Backpacker House. This place is in severe disrepair—it's old, dirty, and frankly, unhygienic. The conditions were so bad that I was forced to check out within an hour of arriving, altogether forfeiting my payment. To add insult to injury, they charge a ridiculous 7% extra for credit card payments, an excessive and predatory fee. The representative was unhelpful and rigid when I tried to address my concerns. This is not a hostel; it's a scam. Avoid this place at all costs.
    • they will invite you out for a walk and sexually harass you
    Show full review Full review
    I had an absolutely terrible experience here, never trust the tenants here, they will invite you out for a walk and sexually harass you . the room is shared, if you meet a good roommate, then great, if you meet a bad one, then good luck, The price of laundry is $10 . I recommend staying somewhere else
    • Someone showed up at the door late at night when I stepped out and pushed his way in.
    • They make you WhatsApp and then there is a 4% fee for PayPal. I input the correct amount and added 4%. They told me I was $0.49 short and made me send more money.
    Show full review Full review
    This was horrible. They make you WhatsApp and then there is a 4% fee for PayPal. I input the correct amount and added 4%. They told me I was $0.49 short and made me send more money. The house has two single-use bathrooms for 25~ beds. Someone showed up at the door late at night when I stepped out and pushed his way in. Not safe, basically slumlord business. House is moldy and has not been updated in decades it seems. Hostelworld should remove the listing, it is a health hazard and scammy.
    • Owners will badger you all day and night to send them more money for PayPal fees.
    Show full review Full review
    Creepy and horrible. Just some random dilapidated house. Owners will badger you all day and night to send them more money for PayPal fees.
    • Booking.com fixed the names on their end, and then called and emailed the hostel to solve the problem. The hostel declined their calls and ignored their emails. When I called them, they outright REFUSED to follow the booking company’s very simple instructions, demanding that I etransfer them or they would cancel my booking.
    Show full review Full review
    This is a SCAM. I do not have a credit card, so my mother agreed to pay with hers. Booking.com (the site we used) confirmed that it is completely standard for the cardholder to be different from the guest and that it should be no problem, but that to make it easier for the hostel they can simply switch the guest name to my mom, charge her card, and then make a note that the guest name is different. Booking.com fixed the names on their end, and then called and emailed the hostel to solve the problem. The hostel declined their calls and ignored their emails. When I called them, they outright REFUSED to follow the booking company’s very simple instructions, demanding that I etransfer them or they would cancel my booking. They even went as far as to ACCUSE ME OF COMMITTING CREDIT CARD FRAUD, despite the fact that the cardholder was right beside me, speaking to them on the phone and offering to provide photo ID, billing detail confirmations, and verbal and written consent. The aggressive push to get you to etransfer them is obviously done so that you CANNOT GET A REFUND or dispute the charges when they do not refund your $100 damage deposit. AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE. I will be reporting them to the CRA for a tax audit, as it is clear their “discount” for e-transfer is so they can scam people and avoid paying taxes. Silver lining: I called Hi hostel on Jericho Beach and they could not have been more helpful - they were able to confirm the cardholder’s consent within 2 minutes, book me in on less than 24 hours notice, and confirm that there would be zero issue with the cardholder and guest being different people. The Samesun is also an amazing hostel that is cheaper, in a better location, and they won’t try and scam you - I have booked there using my moms card before and I would have booked there again if they weren’t closed until summer 2025. The liars running this “business” tried to convince two grown women that it’s completely standard procedure for businesses to text you demanding payment via etransfer, and refuse to amend the booking details in accordance with the booking company’s advice. This has only ever happened to me in Burnaby and Richmond, nowhere else in the world (Europe, Latin America, Asia, etc…) have I seen this pathetic behaviour. I would sooner sleep on EAST HASTINGS than etransfer these imbeciles and let them scam me out of my deposit. What a joke.
    • after confirmation of my payment in Priceline, they said I have te paid so I needed o pay again.
    Show full review Full review
    This is a scam.. after confirmation of my payment in Priceline, they said I have te paid so I needed o pay again. They provide nothing. Read the fine print.

Vibe Analysis

Vancouver Backpacker House is more like a bare-bones shared house in Burnaby than a classic social hostel. The useful bits are practical: access to SkyTrain, Metrotown, Walmart, and a quieter residential area, with a lower-cost bed when Vancouver availability is tight. Self check-in is the operating system here. There is usually no front desk or onsite staff, with access and payment handled remotely through text or WhatsApp. That can work if you are comfortable with codes and phone admin, but arrival can feel awkward or stressful. The building and rooms are basic, old, and inconsistent. Cleanliness, kitchen gear, bathrooms, bedding, heat, noise, security, and room setup may be unreliable. Treat it as a last-resort crash pad for flexible travelers who need Burnaby access more than hostel atmosphere.

Signals to check

  • Payment can involve e-transfer, PayPal, deposits, card fees, or extra charges; confirm the full total and refund rules before arrival. 3 mentions Last mentioned Aug 19, 2025
  • No onsite reception is normal here, and check-in may depend on phone data and remote code instructions. 3 mentions Last mentioned Nov 27, 2024
  • Cleanliness and maintenance can be rough, including kitchens, bathrooms, bedding, windows, heat, and room smells. 3 mentions Last mentioned May 12, 2026
  • This is not a strong fit for solo women, light sleepers, or anyone wanting a classic social hostel setup. 3 mentions Last mentioned Oct 5, 2025

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🍳 COOKER 👕 Laundry
Other facilities (2)
Free WiFi Free Internet Access

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