Pros:
- Fantastic location in the heart of Toronto connected to the PATH network. Even in the middle of the Canadian winter, you can stay completely indoors from this unit and walk to the Scotiabank Area for events, to Union Station for access to Toronto's public transit hub, or walk through the PATH all the way to Eaton Centre...
- Top notch common areas and facilities including gym and both indoor and outdoor pools (although we did not get to use them due to Covid). The common areas are also immaculately maintained with many sitting areas with fireplaces and small nooks just to sit and relax...
- Very responsive and great follow up by OJ, the host, which included getting the cleaner to come to the unit within minutes when we had a small issue during check-in, and excellent follow up during our stay via text (responded within seconds sometimes!)
Cons:
- For my stay, we walked into the unit smelling of strong cigarette smoke due to the previous guest not abiding by the no-smoking policy of the host. The cleaner even left the balcony door open to air out the unit but the smell was still strong. There wasn't much the host could do beyond acknowledging and apologizing which he did.
- There was a slight hiccup during check-in. The rental includes the use of a private parking spot. In order to get into the parking lot, I needed to get the garage door opener from the unit before entering the garage. The garage door opener was not where the instructions stated it would be but was instead hidden in a drawer... The host responded very quickly when I contacted him - the cleaner came within 5 minutes and was able to find the garage door opener. Great recovery by the host but it did make for several anxious minutes when my car was illegally parked in front of the building while searching for the garage door opener. Not an issue at all if you're not planning to use the parking spot.
- The unit is part of a condo complex with 2 buildings with a shared concierge and common areas that connect the two buildings. Between entering the building from a locked entrance at street level (by tailgating other residents) and taking the first elevator to the 9th floor concierge reception, then finding the mailroom with the "keycafe" to claim your keyfobs, to going through another set of locked glass doors (unlocked by the keyfobs you just claimed!) and finding the right set of elevators for the right building... not to mention then figuring out how to get into the parking garage... the host could be providing clearer instructions and include photos to make things much easier for the first time visitor (I've been to the building many times so it was easier to figure out). On the flip side though, the building security is good given all the locked entrances that require keys to access.