Sure, WE think that El Gordo is the fattest fish around town, but check out what YOU think about him (be brave, it’s really not THAT bad).
It’s simply the best hostel I have ever seen. Thank you.
- Charlotte (Germany)
Port Alberni is great! Where else in the world could you walk down to the harbour, meet some fishermen having coffee in a café and be invited to go on their next boat journey to Vancouver?!! Thanks a lot – I will never forget the Fat Salmon and this wonderful town.
- Nora (Switzerland)
Port Alberni was meant to be a stop on the way to Nanaimo. Now I have no time left for Nanaimo and I couldn’t care less! In fact, I had to check the paper today to find out what day it is – The Fat Salmon is like a time warp! Thanks for making my stay so unexpectedly frickin’ awesome!
- Ken (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
The Fat Salmon is super! Thank you for everything. The sunset was beautiful like your yellow house.
- Junko (Japan)
It never ceases to amaze me what great places we find purely by accident – again! We loved our stay so much last time, we came back. It’s always happy times, here at the fat Salmon. Thanks again guys – you made the trip. Bye, Lily!
- Neil (Aberdeen, Scotland)
I just wanted to store my luggage here while I did the West Coast Trail…eventually I stayed for a week. Thanks to Chris and Char for all of the Port Alberni activities (ask them about the river tubing). Keep on running the hostel like this and this town will become a backpacker’s paradise.
- Gotz (Flensburg, Germany)
It’s amazing, but absolutely true – Fat Salmon Backpackers was the best thing that we saw on our trip to Vancouver Island!! We will never forget this experience and we think that atmosphere is created solely by people. Thanks for making a great atmosphere for us.
- Veronique & Virginie (Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada)
Thank you for the home away from home! You guys were truly a blessing. You have inspired us in the passing of wild spirits and the mutual affection we shared. May you get back all of the goodness you give, and may we pass along the graciousness that you showed us all.
- Kendall (Tucson, Arizona, USA)
It has been the most awesome time. You guys made it happen. I finally felt like a piece of the big puzzle of this world. Thanks.
- Markus (Switzerland)
Through a strange series of fortunate events, I arrived at the Fat Salmon. I can honestly say that this place was such a surprise and is THE best hostel I’ve ever stayed at. Good times I will never forget. Cheers, Chris & Char & Lily.
- Ryan (Western Australia)
It’s a great place with even greater people. Thanks tons for being so friendly and helpful and for creating the Fat Salmon!
- Jorge (Spain)
Thanks to ALL of you! It’s just an awesome place to stay in West BC. Great music and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s just two days, but a great time to remember – you see, time IS relative! With love to all, especially Lily,
- Alexander (Russia)
Your hostel is like the sun! Everybody is really friendly and it was just a pleasure to have met you. You’re the only hostel we’ve stayed at that cares about the people in the rooms and not the money in the bank. We really appreciated it. Au revoir, je vous souhaite un bel avenir et beaucoup de bonheur.
- Catherine & Laila (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
A wonderful, great, nice…place to find a homey atmosphere away from home. Everybody together, no lockers, a lot of beautiful colours, a funny name, lots of smiles! Jusqu’aux couettes de lit (comme chez moi!!) Excellent! Charmead and Chris’ house seems to be our house, too. Thanks a lot for that. Rare atmosphere – I appreciated it. Vive le Saumon!
- Sophie (France)
Wow! You guys are great. This is the friendliest place in the world. You guys rock. Made my stay special and felt as though this were my home. Thanks.
- Jon (England)
This place is incredible! It has a really amazing buzzing vibe! It feels like a home rather than a backpacker’s – seriously unique. Thanks for all of the smiles and cheers. Lily is the cutest thing in the world – we loved our Lily-cuddles.
- Karly & Jess (Australia)
What an amazing place for people on the road you have created – the sweetest backpackers’ ever. I enjoyed my stay very much and would come back any time. Thanks.
- Tabea (Germany)
2 geriatric Kiwis made to feel at home. We hope your venture is a real success and that Fat Salmons open all over the world! Thank you so much and Lily, we just love you, you lazy girl.
- Margaret & Allen (New Zealand)
Had a great time in this place – good people, good atmosphere, a nice place to properly celebrate Canada Day! A choice place.
- Gerard (Eibergen, The Netherlands)
Char and Chris – you are very beautiful people and you have such awesome friends! Of course, when we come back to Canada, we are staying at the Fat Salmon. Your hostel is perfect!
- Erika & Cornelia (Switzerland)
Thank you very much – clean, friendly and comfortable!
- Sarah (Bath, England)
Great music collection!! Awesome design, especially bright colours with a personal touch (names for every room, bed, etc.). And the best showers! Thanks for your extraordinary hospitality.
- Laura (Regensburg, Germany)
Thanks so much for the hospitality. We wandered in, lost and confused, and you sent us off in all of the right directions. I can’t say how grateful we are for setting us up with that awesome trip to Della Falls – it was truly amazing and we will never forget it. You guys went over and above your duties, by providing us with loads of information and endless laughs. Yay Port Alberni!
- Meg (Fernie, British Columbia, Canada)
Wherever you are, wherever you go, it’s the people who make your world…thanks for the open door. Your Fat Salmon is a great place to stay.
- Silvia (Switzerland)
We felt like at home at your hostel, it really was like being at Mom’s place – except we had to do the cooking ourselves! Thanks for your friendliness and the things you advised us to do.
- Joanna & Christophe (Germany)
You guys have a very special place here. I’m really glad that we stumbled across the Fat Salmon (and Lily!). Thanks also for the BBQed salmon and the shampoo! We have loved staying.
- Jo the JAFA (Auckland, New Zealand)
Best welcome I’ve had anywhere in the world!! Felt welcome and at home from the word GO. Keep on rocking, you guys.
- Dave (Oxford, England)
From Newfoundland she flew
It was on the first of June
To Duncan she arrived
It’s a wonder she survived!
So she took the bus to Port Alberni
To visit Char and Chris and lovely Lily
A stay at the Fat Salmon Backpacker’s
Turned into a big load of laughs
With lots of food on the BBQ
And great friends to listen to lovely tunes!
- Bonnie (North Conception, Newfoundland, Canada)
5 crazy American girls, scared sh*tless by an impromptu Tsunami warning, mad packing until 2am for the most blessed, phenomenal, wild trip kayaking in the Broken Islands. The flash of purple and yellow was a beacon drawing us to the warmest of welcomes. Thank you, Char, Lily & Chris!
- Megan (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA)
Your hostel is so nice and you’re all so kind that it is a pity we can’t stay just a little bit longer.
- Angelo (Italy)