Fantastic Hostel in Toronto Near the Vibrant Kensington Market Neighbourhood!
I stayed at The Planet Traveler for three nights at the end of April 2016 as a solo female traveler and had an amazing experience there.
The hostel is situated inside a restored historic building and it is extremely eco-friendly with modern yet simple decor. The hostel is centrally located in a FANTASTIC neighbourhood on College Street and is within short walking distance (5 minutes) from the quirky, vibrant and diverse Kensington Market and Chinatown neighbourhoods where you will find lots of unique shops and a variety of ethnic restaurants. The hostel is also very close to Little Italy. You can get from the hostel to Toronto's downtown core area by foot (20-25 minute walk) or via a quick 10-minute streetcar ride (the streetcar stop for downtown is only a 5 minute walk from the hostel). Public transport is abundant and easy to find and two subway stations are also situated nearby (Bathurst and Spadina).
The staff that I interacted with during my stay at Planet Traveler were so friendly and helpful and they always appeared to be in positive moods. They were very knowledgeable about the city and its attractions and neighbourhoods and how to get around from place to place. I liked that I was provided with a detailed tour of the building upon my arrival, which was great.
I stayed in the 6-bed female dorm and although it was a small room and a little tight for six people, it was incredibly clean, the metal bunk beds were new and sturdy, and the mattresses and pillows were super comfortable. My bed was pre-made when I checked in which was a nice touch, and towels were provided. Each bed had two power outlets and a reading lamp, which made charging my phone in the nighttime very convenient. There were individual metal lockers located in a separate foyer area before entering the dorm (locks were provided as well) and the dorm had its own ensuite washroom with a shower. It was great to have a washroom so close-by!
The common areas in the basement of the hostel were really comfortable and cozy, with lots of couches and wooden tree stump stools and a flat screen TV. There were MAC computers for guests to use and the fully equipped kitchen was spacious and new. The complimentary breakfast was served from 7 AM to 1 PM and it was tasty and satisfying enough for me. It consisted of bananas, a wide assortment of cold cereals with milk, bagels with jam and butter and coffee and tea. There were a couple of wooden picnic tables for seating.
The Wi-Fi connection was very fast and strong everywhere in the building, which was great.
The rooftop patio was one of my favourite parts about this hostel. There was an indoor portion with seating and a self-serve bar area and an outdoor area with wooden tables, potted plants, and couches. I loved sitting on the rooftop in the early mornings and evenings while admiring the beautiful panoramic views of Toronto's downtown cityscape and skyscraper buildings along with the CN Tower. There were also great views of College Street and the Little Italy neighbourhood from the other side of the patio. During most evenings, the hostel staff organized group activities for all of the guests on the rooftop patio. I participated in the trivia night and it was so much fun and it provided me with the opportunity to meet some cool new friends as well.
Other amenities that the hostel offers include: laundry room (with a washer and dryer for a small fee); bicycle rentals for a fee; free and secure luggage storage room; and free local calls.
I especially loved the relaxed, casual and laid-back atmosphere at the hostel and the friendly, social and welcoming vibe. This is not a party hostel and I enjoyed the fact that I could get a good night's sleep.
I have nothing negative to say about my stay here and would highly recommend this hostel to anyone who is traveling to Toronto, and especially for independent and budget travelers! I absolutely loved the Planet Traveler and it has been one of the best hostels that I have stayed in so far during my travels.