THUNDER BAY -- Holly Watson’s dream to bring a hostel to Thunder Bay is now a reality.
The Haven Hostel had its official opening on Wednesday. Located on Ambrose Street, located minutes away from the north downtown core.
Watson, the hostel’s manager, said it’s exciting to see the diversity of travellers coming to the downtown.
“There’s a diverse demographic coming through and I might not have known they were coming through Thunder Bay before.”
Travellers had already been staying at the hostel for over two months, but Wednesday marked the official opening, and saw a number of local and non-local sightseers check out the location.
Watson said in the two months they’ve been open, she’s seen travellers from 15 countries across the world.
The hostel is inspired from the travelling Watson has done in South America and Europe. The bright, modern-looking design is a sharp contrast to the average person’s perception of hostels according to Paul Pepe.
“We’re trying to change the meaning of hostel here,” said Pepe, who owns the building alongside Watson.
The hostel features a communal kitchen, lounge area, five dormitory rooms, and two queen rooms.
“There’s a communal vibe here. It’s an experience, and we have a variety of affordable rooms so it’s a bit of everything.”
The hostel also features a bike rental service named Get Our Gear Rentals which will encourage both guests and locals to experience the recreational side of Thunder Bay.
“It will get our guests going in the right direction on how awesome Thunder Bay is,” Watson said. “That’s the main mandate of the hostel… to enjoy our area.”
Watson says she hopes the hostel will help bridge a gap between the Bay and Algoma District, and Waterfront District.
“We’re definitely a part of urban intensification, and bringing our areas together,” she said. “It’s also going to get people spending less on rooms, and more on what our awesome local businesses have to offer.”
