i stayed here in june 2010 and on first impressions...i wasnt very impressed! We checked into our room which was a quad room very basic but its only for sleeping in! it was roasting tho so air con wud have been appreciated! the toilets were ok although 2 didnt work at the time.but the showers were horrendous they were absolutly filthy, covered with hair and other peoples leg shavings there were razor heads lying about as well. i felt dirtier coming out than i did going in. there was also a big gap so u could c out into the hall and they cud c u too! apart from all that though i found the staff friendly and helpful and the meals were gd and very decent price, the bar is gd and i loved the patio outside with the bar - a great way in which to meet people. Very gd location!!

It saddens me to see so many people hated their experience at GVB.
I've been 3 times now, and i would go back any day. I've had the best times at this hostel, it's bang in the centre of the entertainment district, and about a 20 minutute walk to dundas sq.

Yes, its grubby here and there but it's really it's nothing. I've met the best people at this hostel, and the bar and patio area is great, staff are friendly and there is lots of info on what to do in toronto and around the area.

There are only a few things that i could think of to complain, and thats the lockers and air conditioning. Don't expect to lock your belongings away as lockers don't exist, just a room in the basement where everyone puts their stuff.. saying that, i left mine there worried that it wouldn't be there when i got back to it but it was fine... fine for 3 weeks straight!
Another thing is, Toronto is HOT in the summer, and sharing a room with other people in that heat is kinda unbearable at night... sort out some air conditioning please!

When i think of Toronto i think of this place straight away, i love it.

Overall, i love this place. Perfect for backpackers and everyone is so friendly.

I got warm welcome and good service here. I wanna change my heli hike flight after office hour. He did it for me. Room is very beautiful. However, there are few table to have dinner for big group. We have to sit seperately from my friends. Again, i love the manager.

My Partner and I stayed here for a week in November 2011. The place is disgustingly filthy. Our room stank and the sheets were yellow and had stains and hairs all over them. Gross. There was nothing else in the room either and the shared bathroom was miles away and again filthy dirty. We are both used to backpacking and have stayed in hostels all over the world and this place is the worst we have seen! Staff were rude and unhelpful, breakfast naff. Basically a complete mess! We could not wait to leave!