Heritage House Hostel

If you are on a budget you will probably run across two main choices in Halifax when it comes to hostels.

Halifax Backpackers is in the downtown area but farther away in a somewhat run down area.
Two of the girls on my tour were staying there and said it was very cheap but not terribly clean.

Heritage House is the HI (Hostelling International) affiliate in Halifax. This usually means there is a common standard of cleanliness and facilities. What I saw of the hostel (friends from my tour were staying there) was kept in decent shape and appeared fairly clean and well cared for. Since this is a fairly small hostel, most of the rooms are 4 and 6 bed (not co-ed) dorms. There are a few private rooms, and an option for private room with ensuite bathroom. This would definitely be the place to stay if you are looking for a hostel in Halifax

Unique Quality: right down the street from the train and bus stations

walking distance to everything.

MUCH cheaper than a hotel.

The Halifax Heritage House Hostel is just a 5 miutes walk from the downtown action at Barrington and Spring Garden.

Directions: 2 blocks East of the train station.

Our only problem was the time the food we had stored in the fridge was either thrown out by mistake or taken by somebody else. The friendly staff tried to make it up to us by replacing it with some frozen pizzas that somebody else had left behind. It was obvious not much could be done about our problem, so the gesture was appreciated.

Unique Quality: The youth hostel is located just a few minutes' walk from most of the main attractions as well as an Atlantic Superstore.

The charming 18th-century facade and the giant lobster painted on our door were nice touches.

I stayed in this place for a couple of months and met a whole lot of nice people.

There are several different options at this place:
- private room (they don't have many so book ahead of time)
- 2 bunk room - 10 bunk room

Good things to know :
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-areas of the hostel are divided up for a non-co-ed stay
-some rooms have a private washroom (including shower) and others have shared washrooms
-bedding is provided
- there's no cerfew
- it's right in the heart of the city ... close to the train station, the waterfront, shopping, and within walking distace to all of the bars
- there are group activites to take part in such as day trips, and pub crawls
- everyone is really friendly

Unique Quality: There is a shared kitchen.
You can choose your own little shelf on the wall, and your own spot in the fridge to keep your food (just put your name on it so they know not to toss it... or eat it).

There is also a shared lounge with a couple of couches, a couple of pay internet kiosks, and a tv.

Next door there is a pub so you won't have far to stumble before you reach your bed (mostly older people frequent that pub though so I sugest you venture a little further walk than next door).

Directions: South End of Halifax (a 2 minute walking distace from the train station - just turn right and walk down Barrington until you see the sign).

Heritage House Hostel (Halifax)
$18 Canadian for Hostelling Internation members. Rooms range from 4 beds with own full bath to a dorm with 12 beds.

Unique Quality: Good clean hostel with friendly staff. They arrange day and longer trips to sites around the Maritimes.
Book ahead because it is busy in the summer. There are lots of University accomodations too but they fill up too.