The Best Hostels in Toronto

Toronto hostels are cheap, comfortable and convenient. Though largely unappreciated by those of us who live here, Toronto hostels continue to be recognized in North America - and, in some cases, the world - for their quality. Toronto hostels provide a more than welcoming point of entry to tourists, youth and other visitors who come to Canada's largest city.

That said, of about 15 Toronto hostels, there are three that stand out and rank among Toronto's best. Which one to choose really comes down to location preference (east or west side), price as well as some specific features.

Here are my picks for the 3 best hostels in Toronto.

Canadiana Backpackers Inn
In the quiet heart of Toronto's Club District, on Widmer, the Canadiana Backpackers Inn occupies six Victorian homes gutted and replaced with broad, woodworked decor, Aboriginal art, and rooms named after Canadian idols like Celine Dion. It's casual comfort in a stereotypically Canadian environment.

The Inn is cottage-like, and aims for a home-away-from home feel. A fairly young crowd has access to free WiFi on long, glossy wooden tables and comfortable couches. Like many other Toronto hostels, there are computers available (at a light cost) as well as printers.

The staff (many of them extended visitors to Toronto) are friendly, energetic and accommodating. The people staying there, it seems, might also be as friendly. On a recent visit, a group of guys who have just recently met are talking and having a smoke on the rooftop patio as if they'd known each other for years.

The space on the roof needs a lot of work, but it's quiet, green and open. It overlooks a lower patio that's even more spacious. It's here that staff host BBQs, wine and cheese events, and other social gatherings.

Along with all of the conventional amenities, the Canadiana Backpackers Inn has a theatre room with about 20 vintage airplane seats and a large projection screen. For entertainment outside the walls, the hostel has a weekly event list that includes pub crawls, Steamwhistle brewery tours and pool competitions on their vintage table. Along one wall is a list of alternative Toronto sites to visit like Casa Loma and the Distillery District.

Along with a free pancake breakfast each morning, there's also a large kitchen with eating space and storage bins for each resident's groceries.

Summer prices range from $29 for a 6-8 bed dorm room and $70 for a private guest room. Weekly rates are available during the winter period (Oct. 1- June 30) only, between $150 and $390.

Hostelling International (HI Hostel)
HI Toronto is a colourful Church street hostel with nice views and a lot of sunlight. Rooms range from 10-person dorms ($29) to deluxe singles with private bathrooms ($99). The latter is for those who prefer the comfort of a hotel but like the social offerings of a hostel.

The lounge area has colourful artwork, couches, computers and a pool table. The patio, about five flights up, is currently under construction but should be ready soon. It has a great Eastward view of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives structure and the surrounding area. A staff member tells me they'll be hosting DJs and barbecues this summer.

Downstairs is a small restaurant area that serves breakfast and dinner at reasonable prices (some guest packages include meals). Beyond this area is a long and narrow kitchen to one side and a lounge area to the other, plus a TV room where guests can watch movies and international channels. The kitchen includes a shared food section where guests can leave behind what they no longer need for anyone else who might want it.

There are frequent walking tours for guests to get them acquainted with the immediate area and beyond. A large storage space stores luggage for guests who have recently checked out and need to temporarily store their luggage (There's also a wall fixture with a scale that weighs baggage).

HI Toronto's weekly calendar has fun and interesting events like International Night at The Rivoli, organized soccer games and watching the sunset at the CN Tower. There's also a popular $99 special that includes a two nights stay (10-bed room), a trip to Niagara Falls and admission to the CN tower.

HI is the most secure hostel I've been to. There are lockers in each room, as well as additional medium and large-sized spaces outside of the rooms and video surveillance at each exit. Besides the lock to each guest's room, there's also a key required to get past the lobby area.

The guests here seem more mature and experienced than at other Toronto hostels, and are, for the most part, warm and vibrant people. The location is quiet, but still very central.

Global Village Backpackers
At the bustling corner of Spadina and King West, Global Village Backpackers has a strangely similar outward appearance to HI, but with a much more relaxed atmosphere inside. There are plenty of spots to lounge inside with friends or laptops, or out on the patio. There's also, of course, a pool table.

At night, the lounge and patio area are open to the public, and GVB's downstairs becomes The Village Pub and the Departure Lounge; sometimes with live music and/or a DJ.

The only caveat that comes with having a great bar is that guests are not allowed any outside alcohol; which could mean, for some, being trapped at the hostel for a good portion of the trip. More likely, it could encourage hostel guests to interact with one another and develop a sense of community; however brief.

The in-house restaurant offers a free pancake breakfast each morning and a decent variety of lunch and dinner selections at reasonable prices.

The location is more convenient than any other hostel when it comes to transportation. 10 steps outside the door and you can travel in any direction by streetcar. Occupied at one time by the famed Spadina Hotel, the hostel is a nice fit for the vibrant neighbourhood.

The open concept design may not be ideal security-wise, but only because - in this area - it doesn't need to be. The employees I've seen, though, look like they could handle any problem if need be. Guests are also allowed up to their rooftop for a great view of the Toronto skyline.

With 175 beds, Global Village Backpackers is the largest hostel in Toronto. Rates range from $26 for a 6-10-bed dorm room to $75 for a private deluxe room.

See also: The best hotels in Toronto
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