I booked at quick trip to Toronto for a show, and after looking at different accommodation options I settled on The Only Backpackers Inn, mostly for price and location. I've done hostels before, including dorm rooms, but I'm close to 40 and a private room is higher on my list of priorities now. I booked a private queen. The room had a sink and shower in the room. There was a toilet and sink in the hall that was shared with another room (private queen) in the unit. Since it's only shared with one other room there wasn't a point where I had to wait to use the toilet. I think the setup for the toilets in the dorms would be different. The room/unit I was in also had a shared kitchen/living area and patio (again with just the one other room). I got a key card to enter the building and for the door for this unit, but there isn't a lock for the individual rooms. There's a lock on the inside of the door, but not outside when you leave. I had a luggage lock that I used on the room door when I left to go out. This isn't the most party hostel I've ever been too but there is a cafe/bar downstairs (The Only Cafe), so depending on when you're there it might be a little noisy. I had earplugs for any noise and it was fine. The location of this hostel is great, a 2 minute walk to the Donlands station, so you can get around easily. And Danforth has a lot of great local restaurants and shops too (close to Greektown). I think I paid $340 for 2 nights (weekend) in January. Not sure when I'll be back in Toronto, but this will be a contender for a place to stay. read more

We checked in late and they had our room ready, spot is a back packers dream. Our room made me feel like I was back in my own apartment was very modern and nice. Came back down for a beer and asked what was good to do. Everyone seemed like a traveler or even the people that frequent here seemed apart of the vibe . Very cool and dope spot to lay your head and explore the town ... bring locks tho very hobo Sheek... I would def stay again thanks read more

Very legit hostel. The rooms are clean. The staff is friendly and the waffles with fruit for breakfast are AMAZING. There is a strong sense of community. Everyone staying at the hostel is friendly and open to sharing stories and meeting new people from around the world. Here's a video of some good times hanging out in the TV room: https://youtu.be/-_ei2yCBZ18 It's about 25min from downtown so you can escape the hustle and bustle for bit but still get to all the attractions with ease. I highly recommend this place! read more

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Straight up, shout out to Toronto and it's beautiful inhabitants for showing your boy some love - the Asian girl who works at Guess downtown especially, I'd french kiss your elbows if you'd allow it. You fine like a $300 speeding ticket. I booked for one in a six bed mixed room at The Only Backpackers Inn to welcome 2015 in style, and I must say that overall my stay was quite pleasurable. This hostel is perfectly located just outside of Donlands subway station off Danforth Ave via green line, which I'd estimate is aboot (about) 20 minutes out from downtown i.e. Bay, Spadina. It's really cool that the trains here in TDot is one entire unit - so you can walk from one end of the train all the way to the other without ever exiting. I geek out over shit like this! The entrance itself at TOBI was a little confusing to spot at first, but ultimately I figured out that the check-in counter is located in their 1st floor coffee shop. It was a breeze after that, I was given a tour and then proceeded to my bunk. I must say that this joint is quite compartmentalized, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. They also provide a pro bono waffle and fruit breakfast and coffee, the perfect fuel to conquer a city on foot. My room didn't have a washroom but I didn't mind that too much, I was more disappointed that it hurt to walk on the skimpy ladder to get in and out of bed and also there was no mini lamp lighting for any of them. There is everything you would need at the 24hr 7Eleven right across the damn street, so you can tame all of your B.O. you've accumulated while shaking that ass at the local hip hop spot with a cheap deodorant stick. You smell me? It's not the best location if you're looking for the constant surroundings of downtown Toronto and Chinatown, but if you're on a budget and don't mind a little adventure, you'll be pretty satisfied about this spot. Go Red Sox!!! -Bean read more

The Only Backpackers Inn - Complimentary waffle w/ fruit breakfast - Hostels Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

This is an excellent hostel, which went above and beyond my expectations. We visited in freezing January, and were worried the hostel would be cold and uncomfortable, but we were not disappointed. Rooms were comfortable and spacious, there were enough toilets and showers for everyone, and staff were cool and friendly as well. Attached to the hostel is a café and bar, and you know what the best thing is? FREE WAFFLE BREAKFAST. Honestly, I was not expecting this, and was amazed at how good it was. Served with lots of fruit and juice, the breakfast made my mornings in Toronto. Thanks so much guys. Hope to be back again! read more

The hostel is clean. Location deserves a higher rating as the hostel is less than a block to the subway. Many, many eating establishments nearby. I am disabled but, the staff went out of their way to help me. If I ever return to Toronto, I would stay at The Only Backpackers. read more

Had a wonderful quick two day stay! Clean, comfortable and funky! Loved the Decor and the staff were great too. 10/10 would recommend. 4/5 stars because it was a bit loud (as the bar is down stairs) the one night, and my friend and I had to kill a bug we found in our room. Enjoyed the free breakfast (limited due to having no cook at the time of our visit, but who doesn't like some free breakfast!?) The late night conversations with the others staying in the hostel were great, lots of laughs. 7/11 is across the street which is awesome. Enjoy your time here!! read more

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The good: it's clean, the price is reasonable, and it's right by a subway station. The bad: the bunks were a bit creaky and being right above where live bands play can be noisy even after quiet hours begin. I also felt more crammed in than other hostels; you can touch a neighbouring bunk even if you have short arms. I won't say I'd never return if other places were filled, but it wouldn't be a first choice. read more

One of the best hostels I've ever stayed in. A complimentary waffle every morning from the downstairs juice bar with the freshest fruit on this planet. Awesome security. It's well kept and you definitely get your moneys worth. The bar downstairs sells cute craft beers (a little on the expensive side but there are plenty of cheap bars near the hostel). There's an LCBO not to far away and the hostel is located about two blocks from the subway. There's only one computer that people usually use for movie watching. Equipped with board games. I would 100% recommend this to anyone who's looking to stay in Toronto for cheap. read more

I booked a bed for May 15th 2018 at this interesting little venue on Danforth Ave just a few blocks east of the gateway to Greektown. I made a deposit to Hostel World via credit card and was given a reference/confirmation number. The company's Fine Points clause reminded me to bring ID and stated that the accommodations were not available to residents of the GTA. Great. No problem. I meet the requirements! I'm an Ottawa resident and I have ID. However, my anticipation at spending a night in an area in Toronto I once hung out in and which is close to family members was brutally deflated when I arrived with luggage, government photo ID (OHIP card) and confirmation number in hand at The Only Backpackers Inn. I was greeted by a cold and unfriendly staff member by the name of "Christian" who refused to accept my ID or the reference number. I was denied my reserved bunk bed accommodation and told to contact Hostel World for refund of my deposit. What did I do wrong you might wonder? Get this...my government ID lacked an address indicating and proving that I was not a resident of the GTA. Nowhere in the Fine Points does it state that government photo Identification WITH PROOF OF ADDRESS is required. I offered up my laptop to Christian which contains proof of my Ottawa address through monthly bank account rent withdrawals and utility bill payments. Christian, ever the unfriendly, unsmiling and unapologetic ONLY CAFE staff member (day manager? enforcer?) flatly refused to consider the laptop information and sent me packing. He did hand me a list of other hostels in the GTA which allowed me to book within the hour with Hi Toronto Hostel on Church St. near King subway station. The hostel is bright, clean, quiet and the staff very friendly and accommodating..a small spaghetti dinner was free that evening as was a hearty & healthy breakfast the next morning. Woop Woop! NOTE: Hi Hostel also requires photo ID and proof of non-GTA residency but they graciously accepted the information on my laptop as proof of my Ottawa residency. I have already booked my next trip to Toronto in June and Hi Hostel is waiting for me. I'm excited to be so close to downtown and relieved that I will never have to see Christian's stone-cold face again. Shame on you dude--and lighten up wouldja?? read more

I had such a great experience here! Everyone was really friendly! It was clean! And there was a great vibe! Would definitely go again!

My boyfriend and I stayed here for a night before flying out of the Toronto Airport because it was a lot cheap to fly Canada to Europe than US to Europe. Anyways, we had a great experience at the Only. The rooms were clean, warm, and quiet, as were the bar, cafe, and employees. A little noise from the bar, but it didn't keep us awake. After a good night of sleep in one of their 10-bed dorms we really enjoyed the waffle breakfast that was included in our stay. It had fresh fruit, real syrup, and excellent coffee. And the folks at the Only were nice enough to hang on to our luggage for the afternoon while we roamed the area and waited for our flight. It was fairly easy to get to via public transportation. However, Toronto's public transport is a little pricey. I think it cost us $15 to get around Toronto for one day and we did a lot of walking at that. But, it was extensive enough that we got around downtown and to the airport just fine. Overall, a comfortable and affordable place to stay right on the Danforth. Would recommend it and definitely stay again. read more