North America’s leading hostel brand celebrates three decades of real human connection.
VANCOUVER, BC, November 27, 2025 — Step into any Samesun Hostel and you’ll feel it instantly – the hum of conversation, the clatter of breakfast plates, and the familiar spark of travelers swapping stories for the first time. As Samesun celebrates its 30th birthday this year, that energy remains the defining feature of a brand built around connection. For more than three decades, Samesun has been the trusted basecamp for travelers seeking more than a bed – they come for the people.
“If we’re honest, you don’t remember a trip for the hotel towels,” says Bethany Bristow, Marketing Manager. “You remember meeting a stranger in the Samesun Banff common room who became your hiking buddy. Or the group who bonded in Samesun Venice Beach and chased a California sunset together. That’s what we’re about – making those moments not just possible, but inevitable.”
Some of Samesun’s most memorable stories have become part of its lore. One favourite began in the Samesun Vancouver common room, where two solo travelers struck up a conversation over coffee – a moment that led to sightseeing plans, a relationship, an engagement, and eventually a wedding. Their story is a testament to what Samesun has always offered: a place where strangers become friends, and sometimes, family.
While Samesun continues updating its properties with the comforts modern travelers expect, its mission remains unchanged: meaningful human connection.
Guests don’t rave about the free Wi-Fi – they rave about:
The Pancake Pact: Breakfast strangers who become instant travel buddies.
The Legendary Staff: Local tips scribbled on napkins, not copied from tourist guides.
The Common Room Magic: Evenings where stories are shared by travelers from around the world.
The Welcome Back: Returning guests remembered by name, not a reservation number.
“At the heart of everything we do is the belief that travel is better when it’s shared,” says Tim Charter, Chief Operating Officer. “We create the space – the guests create the moments. That’s the magic that keeps people returning.”
“With thirty years behind us, our focus is exactly what it was in the beginning,” adds Marc Weiner, Chairman. “Create great spaces, encourage connection, and trust travelers to write the stories. They always do.”
About Samesun:
For over thirty years, Samesun has created vibrant, social hostels across North America – from the Canadian Rockies to the California coast. With locations including Vancouver, Banff, Montreal, Toronto, Hollywood, Venice Beach and San Francisco, Samesun is in the business of beds, but its true product is stories.
Media Contact:
Organization: Samesun
Contact Person: Bethany Bristow
Title: Marketing Director
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://samesun.com/