St. John's · Canada
City Hostel
Bed bug reports
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Confirmed Google Maps
Great stay at the hostel. I met great people and it was really clean (no bed bugs). I had a room with the bathroom inside so I can’t speak about the shared one. The kitchen is quite small and in the “basement” (so not a lot of light) but everything needed to cook (except oil). There is no lounge where you can work unfortunately but there is a coffee place near to the hostel. The location could not be more perfect !!
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Confirmed Google Maps
I want to preface this by saying that in the first two days here they found a bedbug infestation in my room. Deal-breaker, you'd think, but hear me out. First off, I didn't notice any bites, even though I have allergic reactions to them. I only found out because they do daily bedbug checks and informed me personally the second they discovered them. They sprayed the rooms within the day and offered to let me use the staff laundry to kill any that might be on my clothes. They also have an exterminator in once a week to do a more proper check. I'm giving them five stars because on top of this, it's a really nice hostel, run by really nice people, and I wanted to credit their diligence and professionalism. As a guy who's dealt with a bedbug infestation at home and panics at the very notion of them, this basically turned a nightmare into more of an inconvenience. And frankly, if you're that afraid of bedbugs, what in the heck are you doing vacationing at a hostel? The character of a place is defined by its response to adversity. Hi Hostel St. John's handled one of the worst things that could happen in a hostel perfectly, and I recommend them wholeheartedly.
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Vibe Analysis
Dave's tours and shuttle help make City Hostel more than a cheap bed in downtown St. John's. The hostel can connect you with Cape Spear, Petty Harbour, Signal Hill routes, and East Coast Trail logistics, with luggage storage and practical local help sometimes part of the deal. The location is the main superpower: a colorful Gower Street/Jellybean Row house close to the harbour, George Street, pubs, shops, bus stops, and walks toward Signal Hill and Quidi Vidi. It works best as a low-cost base for exploring the city, trails, and nightlife without needing much transport. Inside, expect a small, old-school backpacker setup rather than a polished hangout hostel. The kitchen is useful and usually well stocked, but it may be the only real shared space and it sits in the basement. The atmosphere can be warm, with Dave, Jeff, Roxanne, and long-term residents giving it a lived-in, local-house feel, though the social side is not guaranteed.
Signals to check
- Bathrooms are a recurring weak spot: shared shower/toilet access can be limited, waits can happen, and bathroom condition has been inconsistent.
- There may be no staffed reception, and self check-in or payment instructions can feel unclear.
- Rooms can be tight, beds may creak or feel uncomfortable, and power outlets or storage space may be limited.
- There is little or no proper lounge area, so this is better for exploring St. John's than hanging around inside all day.
- Cleanliness and comfort are inconsistent; some parts can feel well kept, while other rooms or bathrooms may feel rough.