In a world of compromises... you do not get what you pay for. I cannot in good conscience recommend this hostel when there are similarly-priced or cheaper hostels throughout the city. Welcome to the good, the bad, and the ugly. Anyone complaining about sharing a dorm is a fool. This is a hostel; sharing a room with other people isn't the problem. There are some positives worth acknowledging and I do have plenty of good memories from the hostel, but it's ultimately a mixed bag, and unfortunately more bad than good. The location is in the Parkdale neighbourhood. Historically a bit of a slum, the neighbourhood is rapidly gentrifying, so you get an interesting mix of Toronto's cool urban character while also seeing the ongoing crisis with housing and mental health -- there are plenty of transients in the area and some people may feel unsafe, although Toronto is largely a safe city and you're unlikely to experience any real harm. Despite what some reviews say, you're quite close to the urban core and can easily access the city's main attractions by transit. The clientele is primarily composed of two types: local Toronto residents down on their luck, and recent immigrants trying to settle in Toronto. Both types are only there because they cannot afford proper housing or more comfortable temporary accommodations. Guests are around 90% male, most over 35. Young women may feel intimidated by this and should definitely opt for the female dorms. The owner, Leanne, is actually a very friendly, pleasant woman to interact with, but the bottom line is always about money, and you can detect that she has some disdain for her clientele and does not put much effort into their comfort; you can feel how cheaply everything is maintained. The staff are a mixed bag, and even with individual staff members, your experience largely depends on their mood. Sometimes they will go out of their way to help you, other times you will be rudely shut out for very simple requests. Most of the staff live at the hostel and this detail is taken advantage of regularly. Workers are expected to perform at 150% and paid minimum wage to do so. Amongst both long-term guests and staff, there are moments of levity and joy, but most of the time, everyone seems bitter and exhausted over their circumstances. The dorms vary -- the cheapest have quite uncomfortable mattresses and are very shabby looking, but decent effort is made into maintaining cleanliness. The pricier dorms are nicer, but as of writing this, the most affordable dorms are still nearly $60 a night. Some bathrooms are quite modern and well maintained. The older ones are very run-down, but the hostel is in the midst of renovations to improve conditions. Speaking of, the ongoing renovations will mean constant noise, and the kitchen has been out of commission for literal months now, with no end in sight; one would think guests would be notified of this massive inconvenience and the rates reduced, but no, you will still be charged the full rate to live off of takeout or microwave meals, while a working kitchen is still advertised. As of writing this, the Wi-Fi is very shoddy. Only one network works with mediocre consistency -- the rest will fail more often than not, so some dorms will have no Wi-Fi at all. There is a large TV in the main room, although guests or staff are expected to provide their own streaming accounts. If you do not like vermin, there are recurring problems with roaches, bed bugs and mice. Despite all this, the motley crew of misfits and shabby living conditions make for a unique experience where you'll meet interesting people and learn a lot about yourself and the world around you. Stay for a night and you'll get a half-decent sleep with a slight bitter aftertaste. Stay for a month or longer, you'll learn new degrees of humility. A lot of potential, but very little love and a shoestring budget is put into this place. Stay here if the other hostels are booked up and you'll survive, but experience resent you didn't know existed.
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Solo
Rooms: 2
Service: 3
Location: 4

Was lied to about several things during the course of my stay including having my property taken i.e. roomcard and not initially being offered the money back I had paid for it as a deposit. Also had another staff member follow me around while I tried to go about my day, and then also remove things from my vehicle which I had been given prior permission to use as they did not see me as being able to afford it as possession and assumed it was another customers without checking in first. On top of this I was accosted by another guest who had previously been thrown out of another hostel because of his creepy and possessive behavior towards me and another staff member. I talked to another staff member but also I believe this man made a complaint about me and I was not given the proper chance to explain myself, but all communication with me went dead after this point including about the compensation I had put down for continuing services. I had to visit again in person, and was paid the least available balance they felt they could forfeit and which I had previously requested when we were on better terms before they had stopped responding. I almost had to threaten to go to either police or request legal action to have money returned to me, and only would have retrieved had I spent more of my time on this by showing up in person. The prices of the rooms were not as advertised either, and it was implied I would have one night for free to make up for other issues but was only offered an abysmal 10% discount upon arrival. They did have comfortable beds and clean rooms. Also most of the staff members clearly meant well and did their jobs properly. I did get to check in late upon arrival without extra payment but was only a few minutes over time to this. Update: Yes, I did. To which you hired me and then changed your mind without notice or discussion, and also tried to make off with my paycheques. Disrespectful at least and you should have compensated me for the extra wasted to try and get back the money I worked for. I expect an extra hundred dollars for the continued waste of time, and poorly advertised services. You listened to my personal problems which I had disclosed before working and then unwilling to accommodate these as well you decided to pray on them. You are a disgusting and dirty person: Leanne and you know you got rid of me because you are less qualified and feel entitled to try and steal as well feel you should profit off of my suffering. Weak.
Trip type
Business
Travel group
Solo
Rooms: 2
Service: 2
Location: 2
Safety
They have a women's only room with less bed for they same price, but they hotel is still predatory.

Very dirty and poor customer service. Upon walking in, the first thing I saw was a long carpeted staircase, half of which were covered in dust and construction tools. I had booked for three nights. Half an hour after I got there, I decided to leave the place due to safety and cleanliness concerns, despite the fact that I knew I would not get any penny back: 1- The floor in the room was covered with dirt and trash likely left by previous customers. 2- They told me there is no one present to open the door after 2AM, which means there is no one present after 2AM, which I found very concerning. As a young female, if there is no security guard or anyone I can communicate with in the immediate, it does make me feel very unsafe. 3- Since there is no one, they suggest we borrow one of their keycards to open the door for a $20 deposit. I specifically asked, and they do not give any kind of receipt or proof for the deposit... 4- Also, the room number I had was 5, and the password to the door was 5*** (can you guess the rest?) (please change it!). Would you feel safe in such a place? 5- The kitchen was also quite dirty, comparable to one of a 18-year-old who just moved out of their parents' house. I had previously booked through Expedia. I tried to communicate with Expedia and the hostel, and despite the many attempts Expedia has tried to communicate with them, the hostel decided to not reimburse any of the money (not even for the last night, which was three days later!). Their policy of no refund if no 72-hour notice is of course the best of excuses to not show any flexibility, especially considering the fact that they are so often booked out and can easily fill an empty spot. As I was leaving, I encountered two ladies who were upset at the fact that they had previously called and reserved beds for four nights and when they got there they were told that they only had availability for three nights. There are also two cute cats walking around, which is not advertised anywhere. I think most people would like it, if they are not allergic to cats like me. Despite all this, there are advantages to staying there: 1- It is quite cheap comparing to other places to stay. 2- The location is accessible with the 501 passing right in front of it.
Travel group
Solo
Rooms: 1
Location: 3

It's true the pictures are brighter than it is and yes, you can tell it is old and much used, but I had a good experience for the night I spent here. My room was clean and the linens were fresh, bathroom i used was clean, the kitchen looks new (i didn't use it), and I felt comfortable overall. Reception was polite, the dorm door has a code entry. It's not the fanciest hostel I've been in, but its not bad. I I think it's important to say Hi to ur bunkmate/fellows and establish some friendliness, and I felt safe in my 4-person female room. I wouldn't, perhaps, come with a large suitcase on a group vacation getaway, but the location and the price are fair. It was perfect for my purposes. My biggest con would be the volume of Queen St W as people leave clubs in the early morning, as there isn't much noise insulation, but it passes. I think if you have a longer stay and you are solo, you could make a friend or two. If I come back for a solo overnight trip (ie concert), I will stay again. Note the immediate step down upon opening the door from outside, it almost took me out.
Travel group
Solo
Rooms: 4
Service: 4
Location: 3
Walkability
Walkable to a point. Great for getting to Exhibition/Coca-Cola coliseum, etc. Liberty Village. Exhibition Go station
Hotel highlights
Great value

Upon arrival, the first thing that I noticed were the piles of garbage and old furniture outside of the building- not a very appealing first impression. The staff at reception was very kind and offered to help with luggage. Check in process was smooth. When booking online, it said that I would have a single bed and it looked as though it would be in a private room. When I got there, I learned that it was a bunk bed in a small shared room with three other females. Photos online should show a clearer representation of the bed and room. The place gave me more of a shelter vibe than a hostel vibe with guests that appeared to be staying there long term, mostly men. As a young female, I had some safety concerns knowing that there is no one at reception after 10 pm, although staff are on site but sleeping. I think I would have felt more comfortable if there was a lock and key to get into the bedroom rather than a padlock with a code that could easily be found out by other guests. It’s obvious that efforts are made to keep the place clean, the bathrooms looked and smelt clean but the overall building is just very run down so cleaning can only do so much.
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Solo
Rooms: 3
Service: 5
Location: 3

Most affordable place to stay that is close to Downtown. Pros: 1. The lady that checked me in has excellent customer service and answered all my questions. She even let me borrow a hairdryer and shampoo. 2. Affordable compared to a private room in hotel. 3. Walking distance to 2 bike share stations. 4. Bathrooms work well and are cleaned everyday. 5. Blanket they supplied is comfy, big, and amazing. Cons: 1. Mattress I slept on felt kinda cheap and had a bit of a bump in the middle. 2. I slept badly for the first 3/7 nights due to three roommates snoring at the same time. I was able to sleep after I bought earplugs. 3. No free breakfast. (you get what you pay for) Message to female/non-binary identifying individuals: My 10 bedroom mixed room was around 8/10 to 10/10 male. For around 5/7 nights I was there it was all male. If you are a solo female travel you may feel unsafe because of this. Some of the guys in my room slept in just their underwear and went in and out of the bathroom in just their underwear. I didn't mind this at all but if you are female -again- you may feel uncomfortable, just warning you. You also share the bathroom with them since it is inside the room. I believe there is the female only dorm which might be an option for you.

Let's start with the good: comfy beds and half decent location. Now the bad: instead of being the AVERAGE HOSTEL PRICE of $20-35 a night, it's a hostel charging the prices you would expect from a motel/hotel so for this price you might as well just go with a motel and get your own PRIVATE room for the same price instead of sharing a space with up to 16 strangers. They say they include a free breakfast, but there was not in fact a free breakfast... there wasn't any breakfast. Most of the building is under construction which is very annoying as crew is always in the way and should at least allow for a discount. The "kitchen" is just a tiny fridge, a microwave that doesn't work, and a few sinks that are actually meant for washing your hands after you come out of the bathroom. Those "chick studios" described are also not a thing... and many lounges are actually closed to guests, even the patio. This whole listing is a complete lie. For the listed price u get a bed in a shared room, enough fridge space for maybe one meal, and a microwave that won't heat your food. Enjoy!
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Solo
Rooms: 2
Service: 1
Location: 3

Hostel of average quality. They are well located and the location does easy access to bus/link trains, has also plenty of shops, supermarket and pubs at walking distance (including Metro and Dollarama). The rooms are spacious however all the common spaces looks old and a bit dirty, the fact also that they don't provide big lockers is not making you feel super safe, they do have small sized lockers, however they fit a small bag only (tho use these bring your own padlock). The WiFi connection is reliable and fast, ideal if you need to do some work too. Shower/bathroom is clean, however morning time, you may have to queueing a bit to use it. Reception hours are short from 8am to 10pm, they can accept late check-in up to 2am, however this has an additional fee, to get in/out after the reception hours, you can obtain a RFI card, you have to deposit 20CAD for the card, this is fully refundable when the card is returned. The staff is really friendly and approachable and happy to help about general information about the city.
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Solo
Rooms: 3
Service: 3
Location: 3
Hotel highlights
Great value

let's first establish a fact: This dump does not deserve a one star! The star is imposed by Google. This place should be shutdown by the authorities, it's infested by mice, it reeks, and the people who are running this racket are crooks, no shame, no ethics whatsoever! Please, before booking or even thinking to book a so-called "room" or "dorm" PLEASE, VISIT FIRST and see and smell for yourself then decide, you will thank yourself for that later! I am as we speak filing a complaint with the Consumers Council of Canada. It is a shame that Google has this advertised and other online booking platforms. This place should be shutdown. DO NOT TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, as I said, please visit then decide. The photos you see online are NOTHING like reality. It's a shame this is open for "service".
Trip type
Business
Travel group
Solo
Rooms: 1
Service: 1
Location: 1
Noteworthy details
Look somewhere else, you will not save money, you will end up getting an infection or even worse. For your own sanity, look somewhere else, or just take a look first before you decide.

Pretty good location, accessible by bus or train. I came at 2:30PM (check in was at 3:00PM). After ringing and calling for 10 minutes, a guest angrily came and opened the door for me. I found the reception myself to where no one was sitting. At 3:05, someone finally came and I checked in, where they asked me to pay a $20 deposit for a card to get into the hostel after 10PM, to which they gave me no receipt for. The room still wasn't ready at 3. Stayed here for three nights. The guests are very messy, people would leave their dirty socks and clothes on the ground in the common area, there were stains on the couches, hair and makeup in the bathroom. Everything in the bedroom had a layer of dust. The staff seemed fed up with everything, especially any time I would try to ask them something. The WIFI is basically non existent. Definitely has a cat smell, did not see any cats though. Stay here if you need to be in the area.
Travel group
Solo
Rooms: 2
Service: 2
Location: 5

Paid around 100$ a night for a double bed in a room by itself. This was one of the few places close enough to downtown for a decent price. The room was attached to a 10 bed dorm, so you need to walk through the dorms to get to it. The walls were very thin so you could hear any snoring or moving about in the dorm attached. The room came with a large bed, a mini fridge and a desk. The bed was very firm. The bedding and fridge were very clean but the rest of the room was pretty grimy. The shared bathroom for this room was in the dorm and was very dirty. I did find another one upstairs that was in much better condition. I would probably not recommend staying in the mixed dorms for females staying here alone, security seemed very minimal. The receptionists were very nice. Overall, it wasn’t the cleanest hostel I’ve stayed at, but it’s definitely the cheapest room within a reasonable distance to downtown, and there are some solid places to eat near by.

I stayed in this hostel after a wrong booking in another hostel while forced me to opt for this last minute solution. The hostel is far from the center and only busses can get you there (so make sure to purchase a ticket in the city center because there's no way to buy them at the bus stop). The hostel is in an old building in less than average condition... The rooms do have AC but they look like those of a refugee camp. The rooms are relatively clean given their state. There were people on the phone past 11.30 pm inside the room even after the light had been switched off, or watching videos with sound early in the morning. Incredible! Also, no refund can be given if you cancel less than 72 hours before arrival. So only consider this option if that's all you can afford or if that's the only one left, there are much more cost-effective options!
Rooms: 1
Service: 3
Location: 2

The room was 4 bunk beds in an apartment with another 2 rooms in the apartment exactly the same. With 3 washrooms. The showers were in a room together with just none transparent glass between them, only found 1 of the showers that actually worked correctly. The room had about 5 fans and one air-conditioner with wires hanging from everywhere. There were people walking in and out all day and they only have a small lockbox to put small items so make sure all bags are locked up and under the beds. The only thing good about it eas the location as it was a straight road all the way to the Eaton centre and either a 15 minute tram or 45 minute walk. Would not recommend unless you age really on a budget as it's very cheap to stay.
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Solo
Rooms: 1
Service: 1
Location: 2

STEER CLEAR OF THIS PLACE! They cancelled my reservation a few hours before I was meant to arrive in town (no explanation or apology provided), and then they completely ghosted me when I tried to get more information and find a solution. Called their phone number over 10 times that day - nobody ever answered. Left a voicemail, nobody called me back. Wrote an email, nobody ever answered. Treat yourself to a more legitimate place where they care about their guests and aren't looking to shortchange or disrespect anyone!
Trip type
Business
Travel group
Solo
Service: 1
Location: 2

I stayed at this hostel after my brother died of a drug overdose to deal with his affairs. When I left, I offered the hostel owner/employee some new narcan kits to keep on hand, given how much of an issue overdoses are in Toronto these days. Instead of politely refusing he said “oh no, we don’t need those. We don’t let those kind of people stay here”. Unbelievable to have staff that are so rude, naieve and discriminatory. Stay elsewhere.
Travel group
Family
Rooms: 3
Service: 1
Location: 4

We stayed in the private room and they got us an uber, Yeah it a bit rough so what, really was useful location, beds are comfy its warm and there was only one bug, we named it Simon, tbh we have more in the countryside, dont be snobs, loads of great shops, cafe sud forno has great coffee and FriendsButter Chicken curry house is just great, ty Toronto had a great time
Rooms: 3
Service: 5
Location: 5

Bed was to soft, and seemed to be a kids bunkbed for length, air worked 1st night not the second, person under me was very noisy and woke everyone up in the dorm, but past that the people were nice Leah and Paloma if I ha e spelled them correctly were very nice, and hope they are staying safe and enjoying themselves
Rooms: 3
Service: 3
Location: 3

Made memories for life, and learned a lot. Not all great, but all worthy lessons looking back. I enjoyed my stay... met very interesting people... I wouldn't do "hard" things there if I were you. WOW so many memories. I wish some of my other friends were with me while I was there.

The place is too dirty, the main entrance is hard to find, keep in mind it not an all inclusive hotel, but it gets the job done, shared bathrooms, there is a microwave, books, pillows and amenities, but it's mostly a place just to get around Toronto and have tours More

DO NOT STAY HERE. From the beginning this was a mess. Customer service was non existent. No one picks up the phone, we rang the doorbell 10 times and no one let us in, and they were just generally unhelpful. We booked an “private apartment”

Located in an historic neighbourhood in Toronto's Parkdale community, nestled among buildings that were built before the turn of the previous century, sits a quaint little hostel. The décor is simple and the space is spacious and clean.

Very rude staff. He made fun of me for forgetting my driver license in the car, and also made fun of me when I asked if I can change the room, he said in a sarcastic way the room is full unless you want to share the bed with a man! This

I made a reservation via booking.com. the checking time there mentioned from 10am. But when I asked the hostel it was at 3pm. I had to pay extra 25 for a early check-in. I was exceptionally needing the room for few hours to do a online

When I arrived there I had to wait for a long time for someone to open the door. When I finally was there I told the reception lady that I was going to leave my stuff there. She said yes, then I was waiting for doing check in (it was

Looks nothing like the pictures online, extremely dirty, and felt unsafe. I left an hour after arriving. Honestly this should be shut down I doubt it’s legal. Definitely do not stay here ESPECIALLY if you’re a female. More

Staff are super friendly, place is clean, quiet and reasonably maintained. Good mix of people, everyone is low key friendly but the time I stayed it didn’t seem party mode, but this is perhaps because it’s November

Pretty much what you expect from a hostel. Staff and other guests are friendly, it's pretty safe with 2 locking doors to the dormitory, lockers (there's a hardware store and a dollar store nearby that sell locks)

Ive stayed here many times. Unique place in a great location well worth the price. Not super fancy but I like that, nothing pretentious just pure hostel vibes.
Rooms: 4
Service: 4
Location: 4

A PLACE TO AVOID We booked room 3B for 3 nights, warned the host we would be arriving late and paid a 50$ late arrival fee 6 days before our arrival yet when we arrived NO ONE

How comes this place has a 4.7 rating on airbnb. The location is fine and...the guy at the reception was kind...and nothing else. That's all.