Overview and Location
88 Bloor St West sits at the edge of Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood, a short walk from the University of Toronto’s St. George campus. The address is Toronto, ON M5S 1M4, Canada. The building’s coordinates place it near Bloor Street’s shopping corridor and within easy reach of public transit.
The property is listed with a Google rating of 3.6 out of 5 based on 1,304 reviews. The available room types are ensuite, non‑ensuite, and apartment. Minimum lease term is six months. Note that the property is currently tagged as “not available” in the system – this may mean limited or no live inventory; confirm directly with the operator before planning.
Who This Residence Suits and Who It Doesn’t
Suits:
- Students or young professionals who prioritise location near the University of Toronto. The walk to campus is under 15 minutes.
- People who want a balance between shared and private living options. With ensuite, non‑ensuite, and full apartment units, you can choose your level of privacy.
- Those who appreciate historic character. The building is a converted house, and reviews mention “tons of character” and art throughout.
- Residents who value in‑unit amenities: the property includes WiFi and a washing machine in the unit (as per tags).
Doesn’t suit:
- Anyone needing a short‑term lease (under 6 months). The minimum is half a year.
- Travellers with mobility concerns – multiple reviews point out there is no lift.
- Budget‑conscious students looking for the absolute lowest price in the city. With a monthly range of 1,500–1,700 CAD (indicative), this property sits somewhat above the city’s from‑price of 150 CAD per month (indicative). That city figure likely reflects a very basic shared room or a promotional rate; for a private unit in a central neighbourhood, 1,500–1,700 CAD is a realistic mid‑range option.
- Those who want a newly built, modern tower. This is a historic house, so finishing and layout differ from purpose‑built student residences.
What Residents Say
Three Google reviews are available and worth quoting verbatim. They paint a picture of the guest experience – note that reviews refer to the building as a hotel, but the accommodation type on this platform is student housing; the same physical building may operate both.
Ольга С (5 stars):
“This is a great hotel! We enjoyed our stay! The staff were polite and helpful. The room was clean and cozy, and the bed was comfortable, so we slept well. Complimentary coffee and tea were available 24/7 in the lobby. The free Wi‑Fi was reliable and worked well throughout our stay. The hotel has a warm and homey atmosp”
Jennifer Bouman (5 stars):
“This is truly a hidden gem!! The front desk attendant, Ash was the most welcoming and friendly employee. The fact that it’s a historic house means there is tons of character in the hotel. I loved all the art work throughout the property. As others have mentioned there is no lift. The complimentary coffee, tea and iced ”
Sylvie Nadeau (4 stars):
“We had a great stay. The beds were incredibly comfortable, the room was spotless and we loved the shower. The complementary iced coffee was a wonderful touch. We would certainly stay again! Sylvie & Roland”
These comments highlight three consistent positives: cleanliness, comfortable beds, and friendly staff. The lack of a lift is noted openly. The “hidden gem” phrasing suggests the property is not a high‑volume tower but a smaller, character‑driven space.
Price Positioning and Room-Type Guidance
The monthly price range is 1,500–1,700 CAD (indicative – confirm with the operator). For context, the city’s from‑price across all student properties on the platform is 150 CAD per month (indicative), which likely represents a shared room in a distant area or a short‑term promotional listing. 88 Bloor St West occupies a middle ground: more expensive than the rock‑bottom entry, but below purpose‑built luxury student apartments that can exceed 2,500 CAD.
Room‑type guidance:
- Ensuite – private bathroom within a shared apartment or cluster. Best for those who want privacy in washing facilities but are open to sharing a kitchen/living area.
- Non‑ensuite – shared bathroom. Usually the most affordable option within this property. Suitable for someone who does not mind a communal bathroom routine.
- Apartment – fully self‑contained unit (own kitchen, bathroom, living space). Highest price within the range, ideal for couples or those who prefer zero shared facilities.
Because the property only has a six‑month minimum lease, it is not suitable for exchange students on a single semester unless they arrange a sublet (not mentioned by the operator). The “not available” tag means that as of the data date (2026‑07), the operator may have limited inventory; you will need to check live availability.
Booking Timing
Given the “not available” status, standard booking timing advice may not apply. However, for similar historic‑house residences in central Toronto, the following patterns hold:
- Early booking (January–March for September move‑in) often secures lower rates and a wider choice of unit types.
- Summer (May–July) sees last‑minute availability, but the best rooms are usually gone by June.
- For a January start, book by October of the previous year.
Because this property is listed as not available, you should not rely on it as a first choice. Instead, use it as a reference for the neighbourhood price level and room‑type mix, then compare with other listings that show live inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 88 Bloor St West currently open for bookings?
The property carries the tag “not_available” in the source data as of 2026‑07. You must confirm directly with the operator whether any units are open for lease. The rating and reviews are from previous guests and may not reflect current occupancy.
How does the price compare to other student housing near the University of Toronto?
The monthly range of 1,500–1,700 CAD (indicative) is above the city’s reported from‑price of 150 CAD (indicative) but within a common band for private or semi‑private rooms within a 15‑minute walk of campus. Many newer purpose‑built residences start around 1,200 CAD for a shared room and go up to 2,800 CAD for a studio. This property offers a mid‑range option with historic character.
What are the main downsides mentioned in reviews?
Two drawbacks are consistently noted: no lift (elevator), which may be inconvenient for residents on upper floors, and the building’s age, which means it does not have the streamlined facilities of a modern high‑rise. Some reviews also mention that the property operates partly as a hotel, so the student housing experience may differ from a dedicated residence.
Sources & data date
Data sourced from amber student‑housing platform, retrieved 2026‑07. Prices, availability, and reviews are indicative and may change. Confirm all details with the operator before making any booking decision.
For live availability and current pricing, you can use the on‑site assistant at the top of the property page on the platform.
See also: listing details · browse more