Le Sous-bois

Le Sous-bois is a fair hostel if you're looking to spend little but still live in a clean place with working showers, toilets, and sinks. They give out free breakfast each morning and have a refrigerator that can be used by the guests. Breakfast often consisted of little bagels and a variety of toppings (jams, peanut butter, butter). Two computers are located within the eating room and internet use is free. However, as they are free, do not expect 100% service daily. While the keyboards are not French ones, the screen is, so it is best to be accustomed to computers if you do not speak French.

Location

Location is key for staying at Le Sous-bois. It is about five minutes from Vieux Montreal and Vieux Port. It is close to Place Jacques Cartier where there is much entertainment and little shops for tourists and Place d'Armes. Across from Place d'Armes is also La Basilique Notre-Dame. It's best to walk around instead of drive because of the location. If you want to travel somewhere further, such as Nouveau Montreal, you can take a Metro. We found the stop at Champ-de-Mars is the closest to the hostel. From there, you can take it to La Gare Centrale, McGill University, and Ste. Catherine.

We should mention that this hostel is located in an alley, but it is perfectly safe. There is a keycode each individual receives who is staying at Le Sous-bois and if you stay in one of the cottages, you receive a key to lock your room. Le Sous-bois is located within the offices of Le Guilleret, but is less expensive than that hotel. To check in and out, you must go through the office that has a sign saying "Le Guilleret."

What They Offer

We stayed in a double bed room and found nothing wrong with the surroundings. The beds are suitable and although there is only one lamp in the entire room, it shines brightly. The showers are little stalls with curtains and the sinks and toilets are the usual college type. Towels, a washing machine, and dryer are included, as well as sheets for the beds. If you choose to stay in bunks, beware that they are not very private and the men and women are not separated. There are two places full of beds which you may be assigned (upstairs and downstairs). There is a curtain for the bunks upstairs. The ones downstairs are mattresses.

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
August 2006