Auberge Saintlo Montréal

Auberge Saintlo Montréal is a youth hostel on rue Mackay in downtown Montreal, part of the Saintlo network of hostels. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it is one of the most practical budget bases in the centre of the city.

There is a good range of rooms. Shared dormitories have ten, six or four beds with shared bathrooms, and the six- and four-bed rooms can be mixed or women-only. Private rooms include singles, twins, doubles and a family room for three, all with their own bathroom, and the double and family rooms have a television. That makes it a realistic option for families and couples on a budget as well as solo backpackers.

Breakfast is included and free, with a Montreal-style menu, and gluten-free bread is available on request. Guests also have a fully equipped kitchen for cooking their own meals, which keeps costs down on a longer stay. The in-house pub serves local beers at a charge, and there is a pool table, air conditioning, fast Wi-Fi and coworking spaces for anyone working on the road. A coin-operated laundry is available.

Check-in starts at 4pm and check-out is before 11am, so plan to store your bags or explore if you arrive early or leave late.

It suits solo travellers, students, groups of friends and budget-minded families who want a central location without hotel prices. The pub and the shared kitchen are the natural places to meet other travellers.

If you are choosing between Montreal's hostels, the free breakfast and guest kitchen are Saintlo's main advantages, while M Montréal, the other hostel in this guide, charges for breakfast but adds rooftop hot tubs and live music in its bar. Saintlo's private rooms all have their own bathroom, which is worth knowing if you are travelling as a couple or family.

The hostel says it is a short hop from the metro, and it lists Concordia University, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Lachine Canal among the places nearby. Café Myriade's original café is on the same street at 1432 rue Mackay, which is useful for a better coffee before a day of sightseeing. For bookings, call 514 843-3317 or the toll-free number 1 866 843-3317, or use the hostel's website.