I booked a night at this youth hostel in an effort to save a few bucks. I hadn’t stayed in a hostel since college, and had forgotten what it was like. Needless to say, you don’t get a lot for your money, and I’ve since decided I’m too old for hostels! The staff was very friendly though, which helped a bit. The place itself was convenient to the major sights (20 min. walk to the Falls) and public transportation, but the area was a bit shady – I wasn’t too comfortable leaving my car parked behind the hostel, but the "Magic Mystery Bus" parked back there made me a little more at ease. There’s not much to see from the outside, and the inside wasn’t too grand either, but the walls were decorated with all sorts of painted characters, which brightened it up a little.
Fortunately it was a slow night, so we didn’t have to share a room with anyone. The rooms were tiny – comprised only of 2 bunk beds and a locker to put your stuff in. There was a musty smell in the air, and I questioned how clean the sheets really were. What do you expect for $18 CAN (approx. $12 US) per night? There were about 20 rooms on the floor and only 2 bathrooms – one with a shower. (Towels cost extra – $2 CAN). Downstairs was the common area with a kitchen, pay phone, pool table, and Internet access for $1 per 8 minutes.
All in all, I guess I can’t complain too much, we just needed a bed for the night, and that’s what we got. It’s not on my list of top hostels though, perhaps because it’s an American one – I’ve found most European hostels have offered a lot more for the money, as well as clean sheets.
Website: Hostelling International