Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal

The best thing about the Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal is the location - but that's also the worst thing about it. As the name suggests, it's located in the heart of old Montreal. Right outside the hostel is a street with a few boutique shops and several nice (but pricey) restaurants, and horse carriages clop by at all hours. The streetfront location makes the hostel noisy at night, mostly from cars going by over the cobbled streets. For quick or cheap eats you'll need also to go elsewhere in the city. The nearest metro stop is a fairly easy five minute walk away.

On the plus side, the atmosphere of the place is charming. The entire hostel is carefully and artfully decorated. The main common room is a large "great room" combined with an open kitchen area. It's a space that's as beautiful, warm, and comfy as you could ever hope to find in any hostel. The hostel is very social, with the common room often becoming packed with people at night. Some people may find it to be a little "clicky," as groups of people form. It can be hard to find your niche, and depending on the crowd; some nights you might feel like an outsider if you don't speak French. There is one free internet computer, but be prepared for a long wait.

The rooms are painted in color themes and the bunk beds are made of sturdy solid wood. There is one private room, but it's perpetually booked very far in advance. Bathrooms are self-contained and clean. There's a continental breakfast available, but unlike some hostels, it costs extra and isn't much of a bargain. So do sheets. So while the hostel is cheap, there's no extras for that money. While the kitchen/lounge is inviting and friendly, there could be more planned activities/tours to create the type of community atmosphere that the place is going for.

This place has a few other downsides - when you first enter, there's a steep staircase to lug your luggage up before you even get to reception, and then further up to your room. Unlike most hostels, credit cards are not accepted at all -- it's strictly cash only. Safety also isn't the number one priority here; while the front door requires a code between 1:30 and 7:00 in the morning, the rest of the time anyone can come in and go up the stairs without needing to pass any security or being seen by the front desk. Some dorms, like the "Big Blue," don't even have a door, so people can come and go unimpeded. There are wooden lockers under the beds (bring your own lock or borrow one from the hostel), but the hostel still recommends that you keep valuables at the reception desk.