I recently stayed at the canadiana hostel in Toronto and couldn't wait to write this review. I am actually on the train headed back to Windsor. I stayed in a room with a guy who has been there since april. When I opened up the door I was smacked in the face with this odour so bad it actually choked you. It smelled like clothes being worn in every day and not washed and the guy never showering for days. I left the door open while getting myself situated. Didn't help. Asked the staff for air freshener or to do something about the smell. The response was "that's weird, it was just cleaned". Don't know how you could miss the smell. I have had this happen a few times in my around 20 years of staying in hostels and every time it has been because of people living at the hostel and not traveling. Some places have a strict travelers only policy and rightfully so. You have to decide if you are a youth hostel for travelers or a homeless shelter. This is a good way to lose business. I will never stay there again and a dutch guy I met last night felt the same way. He originally booked 3 nights but was going to leave after the first night. The sign on the front of the building says voted best hostel in north America 2003. You may want to take another look at this place.
First time poster and that's the best you can do?
According to TripAdvisor with 290 postings they get a 4 star rating
According to Yelp with 29 postings they get a 4 star rating
According to hostelz with 2844 postings they get a 4 1/2 star rating
Thanks for that report. Did you see the same guy behind the front desk of the hostel? Perhaps he was also working there and that's why the staff wouldn't take action against him. I don't think anyone could tell me a story about hostels that would surprise me. That's why I've stopped staying in them. And I can usually find cheaper accommodation elsewhere (for example, hostels in Mexico where I often travel lately charge approx. 15 USD per bed, but I know lots of budget hotels where I get my own room starting at 10 USD.
unlike most hostels in many countries. those in canada are fair game for anybody that shows up homeless, streetfolks. not travelers per se.
First time poster and that's the best you can do?
According to TripAdvisor with 290 postings they get a 4 star rating
According to Yelp with 29 postings they get a 4 star rating
According to hostelz with 2844 postings they get a 4 1/2 star rating
The smelly guy gets to stay for free for posting positive reviews on websites.
I don't think anyone could tell me a story about hostels that would surprise me. That's why I've stopped staying in them.
I've been staying in (HI-YHA) hostels since November 1974 ... and in all that time have only spent two nights in a dorm - and they were both dreadful. And in many places (and with so many resources to research) I agree that hotel or motel rooms, or various apartments, can be cheaper than hostel private rooms in the same region.
The social vibe in HI hostels - especially larger ones in cities - is usually very good though, and I miss it a bit staying in hotels etc.
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