HI-Calgary City Centre

I’ve stayed here quite a few times over the years, and I generally have a good experience. It is a hostel, and in the dorm rooms, privacy is at a premium. But, I have found that people are usually pretty respectful, if only because they are in the same boat. If privacy is an issue for you then there are private rooms available. There was a flood in Calgary a few years ago so they had to renovate. I stayed in a private room last summer and I found it was nice and quiet.
There are many travelers from around Canada, and the rest World, and meeting new people from all over is a highlight of my stays. I haven’t traveled outside of the country yet, but staying in a hostel is probably the next best thing.
The hostel is in a great location. 8^th Ave is within walking distance so if you need something to do in the evenings then there are a ton of pubs, and bars nice and close. And, the nearest C train station is even closer.
If you’re traveling on a budget, or want a great cultural experience then you should definitely consider HI Calgary Center. I recommend it highly.

Took a risk staying here! The staff was very friendly, and the discounts that come with the membership are great. However, there were some sketchy characters hanging out downstairs (they weren’t even guests, they came off the streets and the staff let them crash on the couches!!) Average group of young travelers, mostly foreigners, most were a good crowd, but some of them were pretty sketchy.
Stayed in a 6-​Bed dorm room in a mixed gender room, lucked out with two really nice couples in the room. Rooms were clean, the rest left something to be desired.
I think this will be my first and only stay in a hostel!
The location was nice, very close to downtown Calgary and the buses.

I’ll admit the location of this hostel does leave a little to be desired because right next door is an open green area and i did see some junkies shooting it up. I mean anywhere in the usa thats a place to avoid if you are not into that scene but canadian laws are more lax about the issue and i never ran into any problems while staying at this hostel. In fact its an easy walk to central downtown from this hostel and no problem when walking back late at night.
Calgary is one of the larger metropolitan cities in alberta and downtown had a thriving nightlife, another reason was resting up before a daytrip to banff national park and then a long drive back across the border

Hostelling International’s Calgary incarnation is a wooden building on the eastern edge of downtown Calgary.
It has many of the usual amenities of HI Hostels, a games room, computers to use (and free wireless internet), a TV room and a fully-​equipped kitchen.
My experience there wasn’t great though. The dorm rooms have 6 beds in them which makes for a very cramped atmosphere even by hostel standards, it was also one of the most uncomfortable beds I have slept in plus I was kept awake by people being noisy in the common room across the corridor (and the lack of action by the HI staff).
You never expect luxury at a hostel but I was particularly disappointed by this one.