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Dancing Bear Inn Hostel

Property class: 2

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Photo gallery for Dancing Bear Inn Hostel

A beach with a row of cabins, a clear view of the mountains in the background, and a calm sea. - Dancing Bear Inn Hostel (Nelson)
A courtyard with a wooden chair, a small table, and a potted plant. - Dancing Bear Inn Hostel (Nelson)
A stone lion head sculpture in a garden setting. - Dancing Bear Inn Hostel (Nelson)
A building with a sign for a restaurant, a tree in front, and parked cars. - Dancing Bear Inn Hostel (Nelson)
A cozy living room with leather sofas, a glass-top coffee table, a fireplace, and a large window with a view. - Dancing Bear Inn Hostel (Nelson)
Located close to Cottonwood Falls Park and Touchstones Museum, Dancing Bear Inn Hostel provides a terrace, a garden, and a library. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, with speed of 25+ Mbps, and guests can find other amenities such as laundry facilities.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Business services
  • Laundry
  • Kitchen

Off-peak, on budget: 30% or more off select hotels in our fall sale

Skip the crowds, keep the savings. AARP members save more after Labor Day. Book by Oct 7, 2026.

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Twin Room

A bedroom with a bunk bed, a radiator, a window with blinds, a sink, and a mirror.

Twin Room

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(6 reviews)
  • 11 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Double Room

A bunk bed room with a radiator, a window with curtains, and a small table with a bottle.

Double Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Quadruple Room

A bunk bed room with a window and radiator.

Quadruple Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • Bay view
  • 11 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Family Double Room

A neatly made bed with a red blanket, white pillows, and a mustard yellow accent pillow. Two framed artworks are hung on the wall above the bed.

Family Double Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bunk Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Located in Nelson, Dancing Bear Inn Hostel is in the city center. Pulpit Rock is a notable landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Cottonwood Falls Park and Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. Touchstones Museum and Selkirk College Tenth Street Campus are two other places to visit that come recommended. Take time off to check out the hot springs in the area, or get some fresh air with adventures like hiking/biking trails nearby. Visit our Nelson travel guide
View more Hostels in Nelson
Map
171 Baker Street, Nelson, BC, V1L 4H1

What's nearby

  • A skier in a yellow jacket performing a jump on a snowy mountain slope with tall evergreen trees.
    Baldface Lodge
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • A rocky stream with a waterfall and lush greenery.
    Cottonwood Falls Park
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Tea Garden Salon & Spa
    4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Touchstones Museum
    6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Nelson & District Community Complex
    9 min walk - 0.5 miles

Getting around

  • Castlegar, BC (YCG)
    34 min drive

Restaurants

  • Starbucks
    3 min drive
  • Kootenay Baker Cafe Coop
    3 min walk
  • Smash Burger
    3 min walk
  • Main Street Diner
    8 min walk
  • Oso Negro café
    6 min walk

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Ski shuttle nearby
  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • Limited onsite self parking (max 8 spaces per unit)

Things to do

  • Library
  • Ski storage

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Guidebooks
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Lockers
  • Luggage storage

Business services

  • Computer station

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • 3 floors
  • Built in 1908
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Heating
  • Portable fan

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 8:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Guests will receive an email within 48 hours before arrival with check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector
Property Registration Number 752370478

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Frequently asked questions

Is Dancing Bear Inn Hostel pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Dancing Bear Inn Hostel?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 8:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Dancing Bear Inn Hostel?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Dancing Bear Inn Hostel located?

Located in the heart of Nelson, this hostel is within a 10-minute walk of Cottonwood Falls Park and Touchstones Museum. Selkirk College Tenth Street Campus and Pulpit Rock are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Dancing Bear Inn Hostel Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

9.4

Cleanliness

9.4

Location

9.4

Staff & service

9.0

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 158 out of 234 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 59 out of 234 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 234 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 234 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 234 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jessica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean, friendly, great vibes! Good location. Loved our stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean, convenient location, interesting building.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Khushdeep

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
staff is very well
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Manpreet

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean and friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Aidan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We stayed at the Dancing Bear Inn for 2 nights. Our room was clean upon arrival, as were the washrooms. Check-in was quick and easy, and the on-site parking made coming and going a breeze. While we didn’t take full advantage of the hostel’s amenities, they all appeared clean and organized. Whenever we’re next visiting Nelson, the Dancing Bear will definitely be a place we look to stay at again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ricky

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love this hostel! Convenient location on main street. Off street parking was available for us, the hostel was very clean, the staff was very friendly and professional. My room was exactly as represented in the photos. The building was quiet and very cozy. I will stay here again next time I am in Nelson.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Yu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was so helpful and friendly. We had the family suite, which was the only guest room on the first floor. Also we have a nook area outside my room, so we had lost of extra space to enjoy. Very nice stay.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Melanie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room and common areas were clean and the staff was amazing!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Natalya

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really friendly and helpful staff, great property and good location
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ashley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
It’s always clean and amazing!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Emma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Clean, kind staff
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Starsha, Maria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Had a great stay at the Dancing Bear! Location is amazing, staff are friendly and knowledgeable
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It felt like a great home, with super friendly staff, comfy beds and great common spaces
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Marlo

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff and clean facility
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

markus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Great little place with historic pedigree. Quaint and pleasant building, with a wonderful staff. A stay in time, very much enjoyed the experience. Great work, keep up this wonderful landmark. Regards and many thanks. Markus Sturm
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Marlo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
As always, nice and friendly place
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Bryson

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This is our second time staying and The Dancing Bear is an incredible spot. The showers are hot, the mattresses are comfortable, and the staff are relatable. Highly recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Pleasant staff, easy to work with
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Aldo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The rooms are small but clean and comfortable. Friendly atmosphere, staff and patrons. Great location. This is an excellent budget friendly place to stay in Nelson.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Marie-Soleil

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Elevated hostel living, great for a short term stay. Clean rooms and easy check-in/check-out
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Marlo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Convenient and friendly staff.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Lena

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Simple accommodations for our one night. There's a nice back garden to sit in and a cozy lobby/living room to relax in. Bathrooms are clean.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Marlo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice and clean place
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kris

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great setting for talking with other travelers and location for knocking around Nelson. Nice lobbies and kitchen areas Shared bathrooms are on all the floors so that worked out OK So altogether a fun alternative to conventional hotels and beats tenting surrounded by RV's.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Marlo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staffand clean facility
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024