HI - Toronto Hostel

Not impressed
Stayed at HI-Toronto Hostel, 76 Church Street early summer 2007. Got to the room and the light switch didn't work. Couldn't figure out what bed was assigned in the dark and first picked the bed near the window with a bit of street lighting to put the sheets on. Felt around the wall looking for the washroom and found enough light from a washroom light to see the inside of the dormitory with about six beds and realized that my assigned bed was near the washroom and had to strip the first bed and bring the sheets to the assigned bed. Evidently there was some renovation going on because there was a note on the washroom door that the washroom wasn't completed yet and that occupants had to go down one floor and use a public washroom. Had paid for a room with a washroom in it (because the other rooms were full). Brought the note downstairs and told them that the washroom renovation looked complete and wanted to use it. No, was told to go downstairs to use a public washroom. Was refused a lower rate for having to use the public washroom because my bed was in the room with a washroom. Complained about the lack of screen on the window -- "Oh, our windows don't open that far anyway" Later found that it didn't matter -- no insects from the outside traffic. Complained about the lack of lighting in the room (no comment). One of them would have to go fumble around in the dark like me when one wanted to go put the note back on the door. Used the public washroom down one floor, Got done shaving and was motivated to hurry out while some retarded looking character started staring at me in the mirror. On the way back a little old man with a desperate look on his face wanted somebody to show him how to open a door with a plastic card. Older tourist the next morning in the kitchen wanting correct time from me with a nearby clock on a microwave oven. Found out why the lights didn't work. The light fixture had been removed and there were bare electrical wires dangling from the ceiling a few centimeters from the upper bunk. If anybody had left the light switch on after trying to turn the room light on, anyone trying to occupy the upper bunk could have been electrocuted trying to prepare their sheets.

I wouldnt stay again
When i arrived one of the staff said i'm finished now would you mind waiting for the next shift staff to help you! Twenty minutes later i was helped -- last thing you need after a long period of travel. The hostel in general -- particularly the bathrooms and kitchen -- were filthy! rooms are small and cramped but you expect that in a hostel so not a big issue. The activities that were "organised" well i would say not so organised. One night was drinking games -- i felt like i was eighteen again so the activities dont really cater for everyone. Other activities seemed to revolve around what the staff wanted to do and were very ordinary activities. There are a lot of long term stayers here so this changes the atmosphere as they stick to themselves and were quite cliquey. I was also sitting in the common area on my computer to hear a full discussion from supervisor or manager with another staff member about other staff. This was not a conversation for the common area couch nor was it appropriate for someone at his level. However is a good location. In general i wouldnt stay here again!

Could be better
The hostel itself is adequate, but some of the staff members are really not at all accommodating. When I checked in late at night, due to a late train, I was charged more than my confirmed reservation amount, and put in a room that was already full. It took several tries to convince the desk clerk to actually book me into a room with an empty bed. The hostel was not at all full, and once he finally got me a different room, it was an eight-bed dorm with only two occupants.

I love the atmosphere of this hostel! I've stayed in it many times now on our annual trip to TO, and I love it more each time. The staff are friendly and make you feel at home. It's right in downtown, so most sightseeing locations are a quick stroll away. Absolutely love this place!

I stayed in this hostel twice. Once with my teenage daughter and once on my own. The hostel is heavily overbooked, and they are juggling beds regularly, but what do you expect, it is downtown Toronto. The hostel has pay per parking right next door, although, my daughter's bed was cheaper than the parking. The place has a funky feel to it, the guests are from all over and the rooms, although, old and dingy looking, were clean. I recommend that you bring your own towel, although they say you don't need one, you often have to ask at the front desk for one. The staff was really pleasant, and Levi runs a great pub crawl! I will definitely stay here again.

this was an excellent hostle, the staff were very friendly, and extremely helpful. it was a great setting and a nice place. great place to meet new people, and a good location as its only a block away from yonge so you can take a subway anywhere you needed. i really am looking forward to staying there again sometime. i really enjoyed my stay and was considering staying longer. i hope this is some help to anyone trying to descide on where to stay. the rooms were a little cramped but with plenty of common rooms to hang out in, there was no problem. i definitely recommend it to anyone wanting a place to stay in toronto.

This is a great hostel. They have invested lots of money recently to improve facilities. The place has come on leaps and bounds. The staff were really helpful and friendly. There is always an event going on with a great atmosphere. I had a wonderful time and highly recommend it.

Not a bad hostel with some character and a good kitchen and decent rooms at a good price. The two-star rating is because the staff were terrible. I honestly was not far from throwing punches -- they aggravated me so much. I'm not going to get into details.

I enjoyed my stay. I don't believe people should complain when they can pay less than $25 a night. You can't go out for a good dinner for that price. It seemed like some residents had been there for months on end, like they lived there permanently. I found location to be great -- felt very safe.

I read the reviews before I went here. I didn't find this hostel that bad. There was not much going on in terms of the social side and some of the people seemed like permanent residents. However, the staff was friendly enough and it was clean enough. The cafe downstairs is nothing amazing, though. I would stay here again. It was in a good location, and close to a metro stop. Oh, and if you are wondering, there are private bathrooms.

An average hostel. Kind of shabby in a lot of little ways — like, nothing major enough to say "don't go," but enough to recommend looking for another place. I stayed there for a week in 2004, in the winter. On the night I was checking out, some poor guy who had booked over the phone — or at least thought he had — was being told that his bed had been given away because he hadn't used the Internet/confirmed/shown up at the right time. Basically, they were putting him out on the street in the cold, and didn't give a damn. The staff's harshness sticks with me every time I walk by the place.

Its true the rooms could use a coat of fresh paint, but the good location and the excellent little cafe make up for that! Its convenient to have cheap food on site. The showers were hot and there is even a functional elevator. The staff were really friendly and give great directions and tips! Walking distance to shopping on Younge St., a subway station, and lots of good pubs on Front St.

A "scary" hostel, especially in the 10-bed room. Only one dime light in the front, and a bathroom with peeling wallpaper. The beds were the dirtiest ones I have ever had. There were black dirty spots all over the bed, and some stairs in the bunk beds were broken. Bathrooms were okay. The staff were not friendly, and even cheated on you in the price. (They charged me the 10-bed room at the 4-bed room price.) But the location is okay, very close to downtown.

Thoroughly enjoyed my stay here. Some of the criticisms are correct but on the whole you can't fault it. The rooms do need improving, but the kitchen was very good and the communal area was great. I met some great people (Ironhirst and the legend) and I thought the staff were really friendly, especially Lori. Happy days.

This place was conveniently enough located - one block from King Street subway station, near St Lawrence Market and Yonge St., etc. I stayed for eight days and had no real problems with the bathrooms. And they have elevators for the upper floors - which work! You get sick of stairs after a while. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable, although incredibly busy. Minor complaints - it's an open lottery whether you get sleepable pillows or one-inch thick ones, and the lockers are on the small side. Oh, and you can buy CN Tower tickets here and save yourself a queue, but the CN Tower is overrated. (Incidentally, the CN Tower is 7-8 blocks away.)