Chestnut Residence

I stayed in a similar setup in Montréal, a university by academic year, a hotel by summer. I had a good experience there, so I figured I’d try it out in Toronto. They also had the cheapest rooms in the downtown area at $ 120/​night.
They charge $ 24/​night for parking. Not sure if that’s standard for the area, but I felt it was a little pricey.
The hotel staff wasn’t really friendly. The elevators took FOREVER. It literally took 10 minutes for an elevator to stop on our floor and bring us back down to the lobby. The rooms weren’t clean and the lighting wasn’t good. No internet. The beds were terrible, not comfortable at all and only came with one pillow. I was pretty sore waking up the next day. The hallways were loud in the middle of the night and some drunk students were knocking on my door at 3:00am because they confused my room with someone else’s.
I thought the free breakfast would partially redeem the hotel, but that was pretty bad too.
The only positive elements that came out of my experience were that I didn’t get bed bugs, I didn’t get a skin disease, and I’m still alive. Never again.

Zero stars if I could. We booked through
. Unaware that this really is t a hotel. It’s an aging dormitory, populated by foreign students.
No televisions in ANY room.
No wireless Internet, even for a fee. They will rent you a router, but no wifi. It’s 2013. Many newer computers don’t even have an Ethernet port to use this type of service. And you can just forget about using your phone or iPad.
Rooms are spartan at best. Outdated particle board furniture. Graffiti in the hallways. (Remember, it’s a college dorm)
Beds are very uncomfortable. Most campsite cots would give you more support.
Long story short, this place is a dive, in horrible need of a remodel and modernization. Not worth a fraction of the $ 120 a night we paid. AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID!!!

This is a college dorm that operates as a hotel during the summer and it is nothing short of a college dormitory. Actually, I have seen way better dorms. The hotel was going under serious rennovations so there was construction everywhere and elevators out of service. You can see wires hanging out of the tops of the elevators where it looks like signs use to be. The room has a very uncomfortable bed, a desk, and a dresser. There is also a bathroom in each room. The bed was so uncomfortable that I could barely sleep at night. I spent half of my trip with achy neck and shoulders which led to severe tension headaches. I suggest you being your own blanket and pillows, anything to make you feel more comfortable. I also saw a few bugs crawling around my room so make sure you check around.

We booked this hotel through
and stayed there for two nights.
We arrived Tuesday evening to find a line at the front desk, and only one worker. The line continued to grow as the British couple at the front of the line continued to ask question after question after question about the hotel and surrounding area. Then, a lady asked for internet. The worker went to get a modem, and then had her fill out a packet of forms… for a modem… all while ignoring the huge line.
We finally get to our room… and it is really no frills.
No TV, microwave, any of that.
No coat hangers.
An alarm clock that you have to plug in yourself and set the time to.
And, if you’re lucky like us, you’ll get a half empty bottle of blue powerade in a drawer and a used bandaid wrapper on the floor! Disgusting.
The AC didn’t work very well.
The shower, however, was very nice. The water got hot and the pressure was spectacular.
No WiFi (you could buy a modem for your laptop for $ 5 a day). I thought every hotel had WiFi nowadays. I mean, it is 2015.
The breakfast was decent (and free), except it didn’t open until 7AM, so if you need to get out early, like we did today, you’ll have to go elsewhere.
The front desk isn’t open until 7, either, so if you have questions, you have to ask the contracted security worker… with security being a loose term.
Spend your money at the Hilton Double Tree across the street.

Only been here for conferences and have to say that the venue is great for a graduate school event. Food is decent with plenty of rooms for breakout sessions.
Staff are accommodating and friendly and the venue does not interfere with the residence.

The Chestnut Residence operates as a hotel in the summer and I stayed there about four years ago, and against last weekend. I really loved it the first time. Great value ($ 100/​night) including a very nice breakfast. But this time it was somewhat less good — the elevators weren’t working properly, the room seemed a lot shabbier and less clean than before. The way the beds were made was annoying — top sheets used as bottom sheets which slip and fall off. Charging $ 5/​day for a modem that you have to set up yourself in the room if you want internet access during your stay… I don’t know. I probably won’t stay here again although it really is a decent price. Maybe it was just a bad week. Great location though.

Formerly The Colony Hotel, this is where I lived in first year Uni. It was the first year it existed, so I am going to assume they have worked out the kinks. (Think many 4am fire drills and drunk teenagers traipsing up and down 25 flights of stairs.)
I can’t believe no loud mouth U of T student has sounded off about this rez. Puzzling.
Anyway, I just think the internet needs to know that living slightly off campus in a massive city was a great experience. You’re right in the heart of downtown Toronto and still *very* close to school. The meal hall there is vastly superior to other residences and you get your own bathrooms.
Sincerely yours,
Nostalgic Nancy