Alexandria

I suspect you'll get differing opinions on your question. There are homeless shelters east of Yonge in the Jarvis area.

For travellers used to 'street people' including late night women on streetcorners, the area can be fine. You are correct, the hotel location is very convenient ... just north of Dundas.

It's an iffy area -- a bit isolated, and close to corners frequented by crack addicts and dealers. There are worse corners in Toronto, but it's definitely not one of the pleasant ones. If you're not used to walking around a big city at night, I would suggest taking cabs to the hotel at night.

LOL...... not an area I would recommend......and a note of caution.....in that area many of the 'late night women on street corners' are actually transvestites.

I do volunteer work a few blocks from this hotel and would never suggest anyone actually stay in that neighbourhood.

A few alternatives: have you looked at the Travelodge on King Street West? A little less central, but a nicer neighbourhood. There's also a list of budget hotels here:

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g155019-c58140/Toront…

I drive by this hotel almost everyday. I would never recommend someone, especially a lone female to stay there. I think of that hotel as being one where night time "business" is done. If you are looking for a budget hotel check out the ones that were recommended in previous posts and feel free to ask about those as well.

If you're on your own, and want to try something small and more comfortable, http://www.madisonavenuepub.com/madisonmanor/ check out Madison Manor (aka The Maddy). The Madison pub is a very happening pub in the U of T district near the ROM and Bata Museums. It's an old renovated Victorian series of houses that were turned into a "boutique" hotel. Younger crowd that drinks there, but you'd definitely be safer, and it's right off Bloor & Spadina. Price won't be bad, either, cuz it's not a mainstream hotel.

I would never put anyone I know in that Econo. In fact, I wouldn't even put someone I didn't know in it....

I think that people here are over-reacting just a tad. If the sight of hookers and homeless people are offensive to you - then the area, late at night, might not be the most pleasant to stay in - but those folks tend to mind their own business - so long as you're minding yours. The crack heads that folks here speak of are a little further east (steer clear of George Street, for example, as that street is rather run down).

The hotel is only a few blocks from the major tourist attractions, plus taxis are plentiful, and the TTC is only a couple of blocks away. Keep your wits about you - as you should anywhere in the city - and you'll have no trouble.

The area by day (and I live there - so take my word for it) is just fine. One block to the west of you, there is Ryerson University, one block to the north, you enter Canada's largest gay community. Jarvis Street is in the process of changing - and has been for the past 10 years or so. There are a couple of four-star hotels right near EconoLodge, as well as upscale condos. Basically, the area is going through a bit of a gentrification and the folks living in the community run the gamut in terms of income and status.

If you can get a good deal -- and if you don't mind a little bit of 'real life' from time to time, then I say go for it.