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| - We found this hotel thru Yelp - and based on the great reviews, booked into it for a quick trip we had to make. (The location was *perfect*.)
It's an interesting place. If you are a no-frills type of person who values inexpensive accomodation over nice decor, this may be the place for you.
Here are my observations:
- One is hard pressed to find a better price for the location - which is at the south side of Chinatown, close to Kensington Market, a block away from Queen West, a 10 minute walk to the Universtiy subway station, a 20 minute walk to the University of Toronto main campus and Yonge Street and a 5 minute walk to Bathurst street car line (which gets you right to Exhibition Place). Really - the location is phenominal.
- The hotel is a converted condominium - and when I say converted, I mean bare bones conversion. Many of the things you take for granted with a hotel stay are non-existant - for example: Vented bathrooms, automatic locking doors, electronic key cards, hotel quality furnishings. Instead you get designer white paint on everything (including the fridge door), doors that you have to check and recheck that you've manually locked with a metal key, circa 1950s style kitchen table/chairs and a microwave from the early 90s - oh, and cathode ray TV. (Didn't know those still existed - ours gave out several years ago!)
- Everything was reasonably clean, where it counted. (For example - that 20 year old microwave I mentioned? The outside was a bit grungy looking - but inside, clean as a whistle.) The carpet has signs of wear.
- They are remodelling on floors 1 and 2 - so it will be interesting to see what result this has. The room we were in had signs of poor craftmanship on the original conversion - bad patches, paint over everything, tape on the A/C unit. This is a tough one - I want the great price - but I also want just slightly better workmanship. Hmmm...
- We weren't sure about the location at first - it's conveniently located next to a community housing project - however - we had no problems walking around the area, and we did walk extensively. We think it's safe, given standard precautions (i.e. - don't walk down unlit alleyways.)
- Parking lot is well covered with cameras. Parking is a reasonable price.
- Hotel staff were great, answering all questions, checking us in efficiently.
- Beds were squishy but I actually found them oddly comfortable - I had a great sleep!
- Some of our wireless devices had issues with connecting - others worked great without issue. Everything was able to connect, just that 1 device kept droppign the connection - so I'd say your luck with wireless is going to depend more on your device than on their network, which seems pretty solid.
- Overall hotel is well kept and clean - and quiet.
- The room we stayed in fit 3 people. You can put a cot in for $10 a night - but that would be *really* crowded with luggage - if you need a hotel for 4 people, really, you may wish to go elsewhere or get a 2nd room.
Update Nov 2013 - Returned - they have begun replacing the locks with more secure versions! Price has gone up a bit, but was able to say I'm a returning client and I got last visit's price. Always worth asking. Had a great night's sleep and was able to use the money I saved staying here on other fun things.
Would I return: Yes - I already plan to book there for a planned November visit.
Would I recommend: Depends on the person and what they value. People who love luxury hotel stays would not enjoy this hotel. People who only want a hotel room to store their stuff and sleep - and want to keep their money for other activities are a great fit. (We saw a lot of university students staying there.)
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