Dragon Gate Inn

Our room was spotless and fresh smelling, with hardwood floors, tile, and even a soaker tub. There was also a fridge, microwave, sink, and stone countertop, so staying for a week would be easy. The entrance is easy to miss, and this clearly isn’t a five-star hotel, but don’t let that put you off. Joaquin was a fantastic host and treated us really well. If you speak Spanish, he’ll be impressed. We had a great time enjoying the city’s culture.

The room was spacious, with a little kitchen that had a sink, stove, mini fridge, microwave, cups, and utensils. The bathroom looked recently updated, and there was air conditioning and closet space too. Staff were friendly and helpful, and check-in and checkout were simple. The lobby and outside may give the impression there isn’t much here, but we were happy with the room. Being right downtown meant I could walk to all the places I wanted to visit. Great affordable option in Toronto.

The thin walls made everything worse. I could hear the people next door talking through a connecting door with a gap beneath it. They stayed up until 4 a.m., even after I knocked and asked them to stop. The layout felt like a maze, and the whole stay was mentally draining and unsafe. I had booked a room with a private bathroom, but was given a shared one inside someone else’s room. With their bedroom door open, you walked straight into their bedroom, and once I saw more than I expected. They only told me this after taking a $200 damage deposit. I felt I had to accept their $30 discount. Management agreed to reimburse me after I complained, but sent only $30, the same discount they had already offered. Awful experience.

The black mold and water damage were in the kitchen and dining area. I asked the front desk to move us, but they said they’d clean it instead. Later, a few spots had been wiped on the surface, while mold was still embedded in the drywall and other areas hadn’t been touched. When I asked again to change rooms, I was told that wasn’t possible. We’d arrived in the evening with my kids, so I only noticed the damage the next morning. One of my sons woke up with a bad headache and sinus problems, though he’d been fine throughout the rest of our time in Toronto. I asked Dragon Gate Inn for a refund because I wanted them to address a health issue at their property. They refused, citing the cancellation policy, although I hadn’t cancelled. The rooms aren’t cared for, and management doesn’t seem to care about guests’ experience or basic health. I would not recommend staying here, especially with family. See the attached photos of the black mold.