STAY WITH CAUTION!!!
Pros: The hostel is centrally located in downtown Victoria and is walking distance to shops, restaurants, the waterfront, Parliament buildings, etc. The cleaning staff and 2 of the front desk staff are extremely hard working and are efficient. The bathrooms were clean and well stocked with toilet paper, and the shower is sufficient. The parking space has surveillance cameras and the building is pretty secure. The room has a mini fridge and lockers to store your belongings. Each bunk has a night light, USB and regular outlets, and a shelf for your belongings. The women staying in my female only dorm were really nice and social, and that made staying here bearable.
Cons: The hostel is located in a sketchy area and you will hear sirens and people yelling all night long. They do allow the unhoused community to stay in the hostel, and many of the women staying in my dorm over the weekend felt unsafe and scared when they arrived to check in. The photos advertise a fan in each bunk, but that was not the case, and the room was unbearably hot during the night. Earplugs are a must as you can hear doors opening and closing, and street noise is constant. Parking is limited and is an additional fee. The first night, I had to park in a 24 hour parking garage around the corner because there were no spots available. If you stay for multiple nights, you will notice that they change the sheets on the empty bunks, but just fold the same duvet for the next person to use. Another review mentioned bed bugs around the time of my stay. This hostel also did not have the typical social experience, partly due to COVID, but I feel also partly due to the guests staying at the hostel.
When I booked this hostel > 1 week in advance, I had immediately sent a message and requested a bottom bunk for my 3 night stay. I got a message back the day before my stay saying that they are not able to accommodate my request. Upon check in, I requested a bottom bunk again, and was told that they could see my request in the system and that it was not possible for tonight, but it may be possible for my next 2 nights. Upon entering the room, there was a girl in a bottom bunk that had just arrived and was only staying for one night. I was eventually moved to this exact bunk the next day for the remainder of my stay, which means it was possible for them to accommodate my request for a bottom bunk for all 3 nights.