Le Manoir des Sapins, Ste Félicité, Gaspésie, Quebec

The hostel, Le Manoir des Sapins is in the heart of Ste Félicité, a nice little village in the Gaspe peninsula, just about ten minutes east of Matane. Come to enjoy the sunset on the Saint Lawrence River while seated comfortably out on the terrace or beside the camp fire.

Manoir des Sapins offers sea views, private rooms and dormitory rooms. Children are welcome in this retro and warm home-away-from-home.

You will also enjoy our "café-crêperie Les Gamineries": homemade ice cream, espresso, tea, crêpes bretonnes, vegetarian meal, salads of our garden and others sweets and salted Gamineries. We offer breakfast and lunch. We used locals, organics and fair trades products.

Manoir des Sapins is open year round and welcomes from 25 to 30 people at the time which makes it the ideal place for your family reunion or group meeting.

The hostel has shared kitchen, spacy sea view living room, terrace, and diner with the others guests, warm full ambiance. Lifts are offered to the ferry Matane-Baie-Comeau, and to your hikes along the sea or in the backcountry. The hostel also has the Welcome Cyclist Certification, and is an 'Allo Stop' desk. Of course, free WIFI is also available.

Hostel of the Week, Dec. 29th 2013 to Jan. 12th 2014
Submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Hamilton Guesthouse, Ontario

Hamilton Guesthouse is conveniently located in downtown Hamilton- we are close to all the major attractions this gorgeous- though underrated- city has to offer. Hamilton itself is ideally situated midway between Niagara Falls and Toronto in Ontario's famous Golden Horseshoe region.

Our Hostel offers clean, comfortable and affordable accommodations for backpackers; budget travelers, and students. Here are just a few of the things we offer our guests:

• Full kitchen with stove and microwave
• NO Curfew
• FREE parking (limited availability- call ahead)
• FREE linens and towels
• secure lockers available to all guests free of charge.
• FREE tea and coffee all day, every day
• Comfortable common room for guests to socialize
• cosy common room for guests to watch TV (with extended cable)
• Non smoking throughout.
• FREE Computer and wifi Internet access throughout the hostel
• Library fully stocked with maps, travel guides, reading material
• helpful and knowledgeable staff always ready to offer the best advice should you need it.

Hostel of the Week, Dec. 15th to Dec. 28th 2013
Submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Thunder Bay International Hostel in Shuniah, Northwestern Ontario

Take your time to visit the Thunder Bay International Hostel in Shuniah on the outskirts of Thunder Bay! You won't regret exploring the banks of the MacKenzie River or swim under the MacKenzie Falls or cliff-dive off Silver Harbour in the heart of the Canadian Shield. There are paths through the pine spruce and poplar forest across from the hostel for hikes to the lake or river. You can go amethyst hunting near the newly renovated 11-17 Highway, or travel into nearby Thunder Bay to visit Mount Mackay, Marina Park, or Fort William Historical Park. Guests at the hostel often have guitars and enjoy the crackling sound and heat from a large bonfire. Lloyd the friendly host of the hostel is happy to give people tours of the local 'dump' in hopes of seeing bears (or happening upon discarded 'treasures' with which to make interesting art).

The price is right at $25/night and the place is a real paradise. A shared kitchen is available as is a nice hot shower, a showcase of movies to choose from, and of course WIFI in the office space. Call 807-983-2042 to book your nights, summer or winter, or email info@thunderbayhostel.com.

Hostel of the Week, November 4th to December 15th 2013
Submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Change Islands Retreat (a.k.a, "The Pink House") on Change Islands Newfoundland!

Experience life in an authentic and genuine Newfoundland outport which is Change Islands Retreat (a.k.a, "The Pink House") on Change Islands!! A wonderful destination for hikers, kayakers, trail runners, and artists. Located in Central Newfoundland along the north coast adjacent to Fogo Island, this community is located within a one day drive from the City of St John’s, Gros Morne National Park and the Port aux Basques ferry from North Sydney. The Pink House is having its Grand Opening on May 15th 2014! We wish Dave McConkey, the owner and operator the best of fortune in the upcoming year!

Hostel of the Week October 17th to November 4th 2013, 
Submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada
 

Trowbridge Falls Park, Thunder Bay, Northwestern Ontario

Trowbridge Falls Park contains over 600 hectares of boreal forest along the cascading Current River. This beautiful park features a full-service campground with RV and tent sites that is only a short distance from Boulevard Lake and Centennial Parks. Along with hiking, skiing and moutain biking trails, the campground and adjacent Kinsmen Park provide access to popular wading spots on the river. There is a store, washrooms, showers, laundry facilities, firewood sales, water and electrical services at the campground. City shopping and services are close by.

Feature of the Week, May 20th to June 8th 2013
Submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Fanshawe College Conference Services, London Ontario

Fanshawe College Conference Services has everything you need. It has an ideal location, as is located close to many attractions and is a short 5km from the London International Airport. A complimentary continental breakfast is provided as well as complimentary internet and cable TV. Accommodations mainly consist of four-bedroom suites and are charged by the suite not by the individual. Parking is also complimentary and there is 24/7 front desk customer service representatives available.

Stay at Fanshawe, rest assured.

Feature of the Week, April 25th to May 20th 2013
Submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

The Human Earth Project of Ben Randall

Ben Randall, a travel photographer from Australia is returning to Asia after his previous visit five years ago to find 100 of his photographic subjects. One of the people he is looking for is a girl named May who was kidnapped in Viet Nam and sold into China. The background of the quest to find her draws attention to human trafficking around the globe. Besides awareness Ben is also raising funds for his minimalist budget from various sources to finance his trip. We find it quite compelling, Ben's threefold quest of art entangled with life and humanity to share it here. How Ben has created meaning through this Human Earth Project is surely the essence of backpacking and something we can all relate to, and we wish him all good things in finding what he needs for success in finding his subjects and particularly May.

Feature of the Week, April 8th to April 24th 2013
Submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada