Clarence Castle

Toronto

8 of 19

Address	8 Clarence Square, Toronto Ontario, Canada Map
Price	From US$24.23/€16.46/£14.73 per person. Price may vary by season - Check Current Prices by Date Here

Location/Contact

Details

Their Description

Features

Free Breakfast
Kitchen
Lockers
Air Conditioning
Lounge / Common space
Phones (public or in room)
Bike Rental

The Hostelz.com Review

If you looking more for a quiet and homey place in a stressful and hectic city like Toronto, then the private-owned Clarence Castle Backpacker is an excellent place for you to stay, whether for a couple of nights or for long-term. It's a small place where about thirty people can stay. The owners and their staff are very friendly, they help you out with all your little problems -- it feels like home.

The Location

The hostel is situated on a park area just opposite a small and quiet street. It will take you about a five-minute walk to go down to the Toronto's waterfront. Shops, bars, restaurants, and clubs on King Street can be reached within five minutes and there is a gas station right next to the hostel. From St. Andrews metro station you will need about fifteen minutes by foot or you can take the streetcar (506, 504 -- west) on King Street to Spadina Street and there just around the corner is the hostel.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The dorms sleep five to six people -- they have mixed rooms as well as rooms only for boys and girls -- and come with their own bathroom (shower and bath) and a lavatory. There is plenty of space in the rooms and the beds are in a high position so that you can store your luggage underneath. It is all very clean and tidy. You get free linen, sheets and towels during your stay. Security seems very good with locking doors for each room and even to get into the hostel you need a key.

Common Spaces

The common area on the ground floor is next to the office which is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (if you call them you can arrange earlier or later check-ins). It's got chairs as well as couches to relax and a big flat TV. They do have a book shelf for book exchange and there are as well games which you can use for free. They do have an outside area (balcony) on the second floor where you can make a BBQ, enjoy the view of the CN-Tower, or just relax in the sun. The kitchen is on the first floor and is very clean and with everything you need (there aretwo fridges and a cooler as well as foot lockers). They provide free tea (different flavors) and coffee the whole day, as well as various cornflakes. There is a TV with DVD player between the first and the second floor. As well there is free wireless internet (very good connection all the time) but you can use the computers from the hostel too.

Summary

This hostel is the best hostel we stayed in so far. You do not feel like you're in the middle of a big city -- it's quiet and there are easy people around -- you can have a nice evening in front of the TV or a have a party or BBQ on the roof. It is very clean, tidy, secure, and in a great location -- everything you need in a hostel really. It has been rated the best hostel in North America in 2008 and we can agree. But be aware -- since there is just room for about thirty people and they are outstanding, you should book early to stay in that hostel.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
May 2009

Ratings & Comments

3.5 Average from 15 Ratings

This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites we don't censor out the negative comments.
We can't validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.

Comment by ANNE, England

April 2009

Lame
Bedbugs and also never any staff there when you need them -- need i say more!

Comment by mcgillengineer, US

May 2008

Terrible
The first time I rang the doorbell, the owner answered and just stood there staring at me. I thought he might have a problem with forty-plus-year-old guests. In any case, I chose to stay despite the irritatingly long list of childish rules. We were often forced to change rooms and beds every second or third day, to the point I almost left. And the derogatory comments made to the female guests in the kitchen during breakfast hours were not appreciated. Once I was made a spectacle of and called "little red riding hood" because I dared to appear in the kitchen in my pyjamas. Today the greatest humiliation came, I was kicked out of the hostel because in essence I printed too many pages on the hostel printer. I felt that since I was not eating the free breakfast or drinking the free coffee that they would forgive this error. Sadly they did not. My advice to future female guests, Reserve at your own risk and humiliation.

Comment by Curtis, United States

March 2008

Loved it
These guys have turned running a hostel into an art form. It's like a sanctuary for backpackers. The best hostel I've ever stayed in.

Comment by Trans-Canada backpacker, UK

January 2008

Awful -- to be avoided
I arrived at this hostel having spent a couple of nights at a different one in the downtown area. I had heard good things about Clarence Castle -- mainly about how clean and "peaceful" it is compared to most hostels. Looking back, I think that it was that description that proved to be my undoing. The relatively clean and quiet nature of the place is certainly apparent when you walk in, and it encourages you to check in. What isn't immediately obvious however is that the place is managed by two shockingly serious guys who spend their entire time eyeing with great suspicion what all the guests are doing -- even if all you're doing is reading a book or quietly on one of their computers or something. In the morning, I went to make a coffee in the kitchen and one of the owners, who was vacuuming nearby, actually came over, stood next to me, and ordered that I wash the coffee mug again because he assumed (without any justification) that I hadn't done a good enough job of it! Another time, the other owner angrily interrupted me from chatting to another backpacker (I was asking about getting directions somewhere) and told me that if I wanted information on something that I should address him only, and not hassle the other guests! He totally and unnecessarily embarrassed both of us. All in all, a huge shame. My stay at this place ruined my overall experience of Toronto. By the time I left, I was really glad to. It felt like I had been forced to join some weird cult just for the sake of a couple of night's sleep.

Comment by Andrew, Scottish

September 2007

Make sure you are informed of/adhere to the rules -- four Star!
Checking in after midnight looked to be a problem. I phoned and was told it wouldn't be -- someone would be around to let me in. Great! My plane on June 15th was late so by the time I found the hostel --- no one I asked directions knew of it, a kind native phoned it the place for me -- it was 1 a.m.! The New Zealander who let me in was a really nice guy, notwithstanding that he didn't know what to do with travelers cheques. He didn't show me the kitchen, which is fair enough because it was a trek upstairs and I agreed there was no need. Mistake! He showed me my private room -- good TV facilities, stripped wood, solid construction, restroom a couple of doors down, clean. Comfortable bed. In the morning I lay and read. Possibly I should have been out of the room a little earlier but it was nice to feel relaxed -- I was to move to a dorm for my second night (the dorm I was in had either four or six beds (in the form of bunks), mine was comfy -- the floors are wood but thankfully didn't creak much, the en-suite shower room/toilet was clean). Likes -- they had free internet, though only two Dell terminals. There didn't seem to be a time limit so I greedily took advantage to plan the rest of my stay! Obviously keep an eye out to see if anyone else is waiting. A nice woman sitting next to me was munching potato chips but trying to hide the bag. Eating outside of the dining area was against the rules, she said nervously. I didn't know that, but fine by me! I like a clean keyboard! Dislikes -- the guy who ran the place was decent about arriving late. In the event the nice employee from New Zealander didn't head off to bed for an hour or so after I arrived but hey, friendly service. But? The guy running the place has a very flirtatious/jokey/familiar manner that some might find overbearing. Put it this way, if you ran a hostel wouldn't you be flirtatious with everyone? I briefly met his wife and daughter. Nice folks. Nice hostel. Nice city (the nearby Coit Tower is overrated, unless you have money to spend inside!). My dislike was that he "caught" me eating in the kitchen-dining room after hours. I hadn't taken the sign on the door at face value about not eating after dinner hours -- the dining area is just outside one of the dorms so that's a good call, really but I was sitting munching raw food and I quietly pointed out to him that I hadn't used the kitchen and was being mouse-quiet -- actually, when I first entered there was a girl sitting there for a few minutes tapping away on a laptop and someone else went in as I was leaving. but he decided he wanted a piece of me. He pointed out the kitchen was outside a dorm room and I said I knew that. Now, ok, had I taken a tour of the place that first night and had I not being starving things would have played out differently, my bad, but his tone was gratuitously sarcastic and in the end just plain nasty -- "Eat up and get out." Point taken, I did, but good sir, take the stress away by putting a dorm lock on that door and print up a friendly rule card to give to customers at check in! In the morning in the dining area he was chatting away to someone. I felt ignored and no eye contact at check out. Kind of sad but all the best to him. In conclusion, if like me you like quiet and clean and make sure you know the rules and if you don't find jokey but well meaning flirtation overbearing, this is more obviously a four-star hostel. though there is a small television area this isn't a place that lends itself to the hostel experience of meeting many fellow travelers.

Comment by German Sisters, Germany

July 2007

Great, quiet, and clean hostel
It's the best hostel we've been to and we have seen a lot during our travels. It's not a party place but a friendly environment and you can party outside. The guys are very friendly and try to help you. We enjoyed our stay!

Comment by Renee, USA

June 2007

Excellent!
My first hostel experience. I stayed there last summer with my fifteen-year-old daughter and it was a really great place to stay. Danny was very friendly and helpful. We stayed in a six-bed room with bathroom. There was one other person in the room when we were there. The place is very clean. Quiet pleasant atmosphere. We walked everywhere and felt very safe. Will stay there the next time in Toronto. Highly recommended!

Comment by Gabriela, USA

June 2007

It's alright
Upon arrival, I had to ring the doorbell three times to get someone to open the door, the owner wasn't happy that I did that but he did make me wait a long time before he opened the door. The check-in was a bit slow since the owner likes to talk to set tons of rules for the hostel as he sat in his "office" which is a closet. This Hostel is located in the heart of downtown and very convenient for the traveler. In general the hostel is clean, however the bathroom that was in my room was neat because we kept it that way but they didn't clean it and the same garbage was there when I arrived and when I left. The owner seems to be full of sly remarks and comments, which are annoying, because I was on vacation I wasn't going to ruin it by fighting with him and having to look for a new place. He is a fake nice so if you can put up with it then stay there.

Comment by Mark, Australia

May 2007

For those not looking to party every night they are in Toronto and are looking for a more quiet hostel then Clarence Castle is the place that you have been looking for. Everything is brand new and the location can not be beat. Two minutes to Chinatown, even closer to the Fashion district, the clubbing district is a short stumble from and the CN Tower is two blocks away. For a little bit extra my mate and I shared a private room for almost three weeks. This room exceeded all expectations of a hostel. The two beds (double and twin) were new and comfortable, free wi-fi internet, Plasma TV w/cable and a DVD player. If you don't have your own laptop there are two PCs for you to use the internet on and it won't cost you a thing. There's a TV room with DVD player and and cable as well as a separate reading room with many books. The kitchen is new and clean with free breakfast (cereal, fruit, toast) until 11:30 a.m. The owners are always friendly, helpful, and accommodating for all their guests. Clarence Castle is by far the best hostel I have ever stayed in -- the only problem is that it was too hard to leave.

Comment by Greg Brosnan Australia excellent

January 2007

I have stayed in a fair few hostels in my travels and Clarence Castle is by far the best. It has a relaxed atmosphere and the owners are obviously very proud of there establishment. This is reflected by the way they present it and themselves. I met some great people there and had a great time. The only thing I would add would be a nintendo Wii and a separate toilet or bathroom for those who get in late and do not want to wake up the fellow roomies. Overall an excellent place that felt moor like home than a hostel. I will be back to visit.

Comment by Karen Golec

October 2006

I'm not a partier and I appreciated the quiet atmosphere of this hostel. The rooms were immaculate (if a bit hot) and I really liked the fact that there was a reading/conversation room separate from the TV room. The free internet was a nice touch and I didn't have to wait in line to use the computers and you just can't beat the location. It's within sight of the CN Tower and on a street car line just a few blocks south of a subway stop. I will definitely stay again and will be recommending it to everyone I know. The only other hostel I've stayed at in Toronto was an absolute dive by comparison.

Comment by A traveller

October 2006

Ok, so the place was very smart, quiet, and immaculately clean. However, the two guys that own and run the place are massively overprotective of the hostel, and seemingly spend their entire time either 'cleaning' and polishing perfectly spotless and clean surfaces and furniture or walking around scrutinising the guests' every action in an intimidating manner. This, combined with the fact that you are read the riot act on arrival and the massive series of overly strict and vaguely threatening rules posted everywhere made me feel very uncomfortable throughout my stay. I'm a self-evidently quiet, tidy, and considerate guy -- but that made absolutely no difference to the owners who were forever on the verge of chiding me for some small percieved indiscretion like placing my towel in the wrong place or something equally trivial or pointless. A real shame.

Comment by Tessa

August 2006

This is a great place! I was here in august, while I was travelling Canada from the east coast to the west and I'll recommend the hostel to everyone. The rooms are nice and you'll certainly have a good sleep here. Each room has its own bathroom, you can use the internet for free at any time (you don't have to wait all of your precious time in a line before using it), the kitchen is great and breakfast is served till noon. You'll get great service from the staff, who are very friendly and you can see the CN-tower from outside the windows of the 'Castle.' So, if you like a nice and friendly place, go to Clarence Castle!

Comment by KW

July 2006

This is a very clean and posh hostel, and also very quiet. If you go to bed early and are looking for something more like a mid-level hotel with shared rooms you'll probably think this is the greatest hostel you've ever encountered. However, if you are used to hanging out at more typical hostels, you might find it a bit annoying, like I did. Poor planning and overzealous management make this place too uptight for my tastes. I'm not some sort of screaming party-animal type either, just a guy who likes to stay up late sometimes and take it easy without feeling like I'm messing everything up and violating a bunch of rules. The decor is so nice that a minor spill can be a major incident, especially with management around. All the bathrooms are in the rooms, so if you are up late, you have to tromp through a room with sleeping people in it even to pee. Watch a late night movie while drinking a big soda or a couple beers and prepare for management to be on your case tomorrow. The kitchen is also inadequately isolated from the rooms, so it is absolutely off limits during the night -- not only can you not go in to get a drink or snack, but the only garbage/recycling is in there, so there is no way to throw anything away after eleven. oh and by the way, that garbage is also not allowed in your room.

Comment by Paul

May 2006

A great hostel. Brand new, newly renovated (actually still partially under renovation currently) with a great owner and staff, free lockers, free internet, safe and secure, beautifully decorated, bathroom in the room, fully stocked kitchen, free complete breakfast available until noon, great location two blocks from the CN Tower. If only all hostels were this nice. The downside is that you have to be quiet in the common areas after 11pm, so it is definitely not a fun social hostel. Actually, it's a very quiet hostel. They don't even allow cooking after 10 pm! But if you're looking to have fun, there's no reason you couldn't wander over to the Global Village Backpackers two blocks away (a keycard isn't required before 11pm), have a couple beers, and return to Clarence Castle for a good night's sleep.

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