Here’s what the top guidebooks say about Ocean Island
“A bright and cheery four-floored veteran that packs its hostel-loving travelers into rooms of all shapes and sizes. Boosted by its truly friendly atmosphere, this a good option if you like rubbing shoulders with fellow travelers and being within walking distance of the city’s highlights.
(…) A great place to mix with fellow backpackers, this hostel has an array of self-guided tour flyers available (….)While you’re at the hostel, check out the mural on the exterior wall – complete with ‘residents’ peeking from its painted windows.”
-Lonely Planet British Columbia & Canadian Rockies 5th Edition
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“The backpacker grapevine is full of praise for this fun and friendly downtown hostel. Impeccably managed by a thought-of-everything owner, the historic warren of a building boasts 60 private rooms (three of which have private baths), several 6-bed dorms, secured entry, heaps of travel information, a shared kitchen, and, best of all, an evening snack and beer lounge hopping with planned events—twister tournament anyone? You can even borrow a guitar for open-mike night. Ask for a 3rd- or 4th-floor room if you want an early night. Seniors and families mix well with the clean-cut young crowd, but ask too about the Ocean Island Suites ($), self-contained accommodations in nearby James Bay.”
- Fodor’s Pacific Northwest, 18th Edition
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“All sorts of travelers make their way to this inexpensive, centrally located hostel (an alternative to the Hostelling International network), from families with children to on-the-go seniors and young adults with global wanderlust. The big, comfy lounge/common area always has all kinds of stuff going on, including live music and open-mic evenings. You can buy cheap meals and snacks, use the kitchen, or kick back with a beer or glass of wine. In addition to the dorm rooms there are 60 private rooms, in various configurations, including some with their own bathrooms. The staff here goes out of its way to help guests make the most of their time in Victoria and on Vancouver Island.”
- Frommer’s Vancouver and Victoria 2011
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” Rating: ***** (5 stars)
This place has it all! First, the building has loads of character. When you walk up to it on the street you have a sense right away that you’re going to have fun as soon as you walk through the front door. And it’s true. The inside of the building is welcoming and has lots of character, too. It was clearly converted from some other purpose in the past and retrofitted to be a hostel. You can see that eventhough the space isn’t always used well, it is probably used as well as it could have been given its previous architecture.
The rooms are attractive, individually designed, and fairly priced. There is absolutely no institutionalization here whatsoever. You can live cheaply or lavishly here. Even if you go upscale at Ocean Island, you’ll still pay less than you would somewhere else.
The rooms, hallways, reception area, cafe, and other areas are painted various colours that catch your attention right away. They have fun murals and interesting artwork on the walls. In other words, I found it visually appealing.
Then comes the staff: relaxed, somewhat funky, but professional nevertheless -an interesting and unusual blend.
Next are the other guests. Just glancing at them gave me the sense that I’d like to hang out with them. They looked lively, engaged in their travels, and at home at Ocean Island.
The name catches the spirit of the place, too. Ocean Island is an island or a refuge in the heart of the city.”
- The Budget Travellers Guide to Accommodations on Vancouver Island Canada, Jan Wall 2012
