Place Vanier Student Residence

OK rooms, bathrooms are relatively clean. Wish the cafeteria could be a bit better in terms of price and food quality.

The best budget value lodging in Vancouver. Clean with single rooms available for $37 from mid-April to mid-August it's a great deal. The rooms are private single or double rooms unlike the shared rooms of many hostels.The front desk staff are always nice and professional. However, no elevators in these old buildings so pack light as you may need to climb as many a four floors with your gear. Fresh linens, shampoo and soap are supplied but you do have to make your own bed. These are freshman dorm rooms available to anyone from outside the Lower Mainland of Vancouver. ID is required. Shared washrooms, basic kitchens with a fridge, microwave oven and TV on each floor. Any of the buildings here are fine. Mackenzie House is nice because it's away from the noisier common areas and play fields and next to the Japanese gardens. All the buildings are right across the street from Trail 6 down to the popular clothing optional Wreck Beach. Place Vanier is also a short walk to the "Bus Loop" where you can catch buses into town. WiFi only outside or in the lobby as the buildings were built like bunkers with exterior walls of about 18 inches of concrete and bricks that the campus-wide WiFi just can't get through. The lobby is very nice and there are often summer camp students there in the summer so it can also be a fun people watching experience with kids from around the world. Dining options are very limited on campus during the summer so make a stop at a local grocery like Safeway or the close by Savon Foods for supplies.

Very disappointed. I booked UBC with the understanding that lodgings would be of superior quality. Not only do they not have accessibility routes for people with reduced mobility, but they do not offer WiFi except in their main lobby in a different building. This was shocking to us. The front desk's solution was to purchase a 10$ ethernet cable, but any device of the last decade does not support ethernet cables (see: most laptops, iPads, tablets, cellphones). As travelling tourists, we packed light, and we rely on our cellphones to upload images, chat with family, etc. in the comfort of our own dorm. I feel really bad for students who are forced into this dorm due to slimpickings. It is 100% student not-friendly. The unisex bathrooms also raise privacy concerns. Unlike at Dalhousie University, there is a 40cm gap at the bottom of the toilets, 1cm on each side of the frame, and 40cm from the ceiling to the top of the door. Nothing is floor-to-ceiling. It is easy to see you shower and use the facilities. Very disconcerting. Location is meh. Furthest end of campus means a 20-30min walk for anything, a 10min walk to the nearest bus stop (which run downtown frequently), and not much around except campus museums and Wreck Beach. We found it quite out of the way. The reception is also only open specific hours to grant you a key that costs 100$ to replace. We went to have a TV night in the basement on our first night's stay, and nothing worked. Too bad reception closes way too early any given day of the week. So no Internet, no TV. Nights are dull. Of course, the Internet fiasco is only mentioned post-booking in fine print on the confirmation email. Honestly, if the walls are too "sturdy" to allow for WiFi to get through, you need to invest in new dorms. For this price, it is ridiculous. The only positive thing I can say is the campus itself is pedestrian-friendly and very green... although that does not make up for the poor location, the lack of Internet, the TV issues, the limited reception hours, the bathroom privacy issues, etc. Edit: rooms are FREEZING. Ask reception for a space heater.

I think the staff at Vanier are all Filipinos who look down on you if you re someone who communte to school with a remaining balance from the first year meal plan card. They give you a nasty look and treat you like garbage. Absolutely no manner. No professionalism. No respect.

Room is tiny. Bathroom is clean. Staffs at reception gave different information sometimes. Canteen food pretty low budget, almost exactly same food everyday. Very little choice for vegan and gluten free meals. Nice outdoor area,. Price is low.

Not good but the commons room is nice and huge though

Good residence. I have enjoyed a bit here but it is not better than Totem Park.

Small, old rooms filled with spiders and inconsistent heating. There are only 2 bathroom stalls per each floor. An outdated commonsblock with the worst equipment you’ve ever seen. Yep, welcome to Vanier.