Overview
The Selby is a student accommodation property located at Toronto, ON M4Y 0E6, Canada. It offers non-ensuite rooms, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and apartment-style units on a monthly rental basis. Prices range from 2,214 CAD to 5,513 CAD per month (indicative — confirm with the operator), with a deposit of 4,108 CAD. The property is positioned in central Toronto, close to subway lines and within walking distance of downtown amenities. It includes a gym, study area, laundry facilities, and a swimming pool.
This residence may suit students who want a full-service building with shared and private options, and who are comfortable with a price point above the city’s absolute minimum. It may not suit those on a strict budget or those who expect a high-consistency service record based on online reviews.
Who The Selby Suits (And Doesn’t Suit)
Suits:
- Students who want to live near downtown Toronto’s major university campus without needing a long commute. The property is within a short walk of subway stations and bus routes, making it practical for daily classes.
- Residents who value on-site fitness and leisure facilities. The gym and swimming pool are available to tenants, and the study area helps with focused work without leaving the building.
- Those looking for a mix of private and shared accommodation. The Selby offers non-ensuite (shared bathroom) and ensuite-style units (1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, apartment), so you can choose based on your privacy needs.
- Students who prefer month-to-month planning with no fixed minimum lease term. The data shows no specified minimum lease length, giving flexibility for shorter or longer stays.
Does not suit:
- Budget-conscious students. Toronto’s student housing market has a starting price of 150 CAD (indicative — confirm with the operator), likely for a shared room in older buildings or smaller properties. The Selby’s lowest price of 2,214 CAD per month is significantly higher, meaning it targets a mid-to-upper price bracket.
- Those who require a spotless service record. With a Google rating of 3.7 out of 5 from only 9 reviews, the feedback is mixed. Two reviews are positive (5 stars), but one is very negative (1 star). The property may not have a large enough sample to fully judge reliability, so potential tenants should verify recent conditions directly.
- People who need guaranteed late-check-in service. One review describes a booking issue where a late arrival resulted in the room being given away. If you plan to arrive after hours, confirm the procedure explicitly before booking.
Location and Features
The Selby sits at the corner of Toronto’s downtown core, roughly a 10-minute walk to the nearest subway station (Bloor-Yonge). The area is well served by buses and streetcars. Nearby amenities include grocery stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The city’s major university is within a 15-minute walk or a short subway ride.
On-site facilities:
- Gym
- Study area
- Laundry facility (likely coin-operated or app-based)
- Swimming pool
The property is a single building, though no exact floor count is given in the data.
Price Positioning vs. the City’s Starting Price
Toronto’s student accommodation market offers a wide range of rents. The data shows a city-level starting price of 150 CAD (indicative — confirm with the operator). This figure is extremely low and probably refers to a shared room in a hostel-style setting or a short-term couch-surfing arrangement. For standard student halls or managed properties, monthly rents typically start around 1,000–1,500 CAD for a shared room and climb above 2,000 CAD for private studios or one-bedrooms.
The Selby’s range of 2,214–5,513 CAD per month places it above the city median for student housing. Its cheapest non-ensuite room (2,214 CAD) is roughly 50% higher than the average private room cost in Toronto. The expensive end (5,513 CAD for a larger apartment) may suit groups splitting rent, as a two-bedroom at that price could be cheaper per person than renting two separate units elsewhere.
What Residents Actually Say
The Google reviews (3.7 stars, 9 reviews) provide three distinct opinions. I quote them verbatim below:
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Geovanni Cabilogan (5 stars): “My parents stayed at Nox Hostel for almost three weeks, and overall, their experience was decent. The room was comfortable and suitable for their needs, especially for a longer stay. The location was also convenient, which made it easier for them to get around the city. The main issue they encountered was with the fron…” (The review cuts off. “Nox Hostel” appears to be an alternate name for the same property, or the reviewer may have stayed elsewhere but left the review here. This introduces a small uncertainty about which property is actually being reviewed.)
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Nicola Favero (5 stars): “The hostel is in a central location, very convenient for reaching the subway and getting downtown quickly. The service was excellent, the rooms and bathrooms were very clean, and the staff was truly friendly. Adam, who welcomed us, was especially kind and helpful.” This review praises cleanliness and helpful staff. It suggests the property maintained good standards during this stay.
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Jordan Kwandibens (1 star): “Made a booking on booking.com. The day before Adam texted me to confirm my reservation. He initially got the dates wrong but I corrected it and he thanked me for confirming. I get in late. They knew this because of the confirmation the previous day. I was told my room was no longer available and that I could sleep in t…” (The review cuts off. The complaint clearly centres on a late-arrival issue: the property gave away the reserved room and the guest was offered an alternative that they found unsatisfactory.)
What this means for you: The positive review emphasises location, cleanliness, and helpful staff. The negative review flags a serious operational failure with late check-in. Combined with the moderate overall rating, you should:
- Contact the property before booking if you expect to arrive after regular hours.
- Read the full reviews on Google yourself to see the complete text (the quotes here are truncated).
- Understand that the property may have inconsistency in service – one guest had an excellent experience, another had a poor one.
Room Types and Guidance
The Selby offers four unit types:
- Non-ensuite – Shared bathroom facilities; typically cheaper. Minimum price around 2,214 CAD per month. Suitable for students who don’t mind sharing a bathroom with a few other tenants on the same floor.
- 1-bedroom – Private studio or one-bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Price likely in the mid-to-high 3,000–4,000 CAD range.
- 2-bedroom – Shared apartment with two separate bedrooms, one bathroom, and a kitchen/living area. Ideal for two friends or roommates. Price could be around 4,000–5,000 CAD, making per-person cost lower than a 1-bedroom.
- Apartment – Likely a larger one-bedroom or a penthouse-style unit. Price at the top end (5,513 CAD). Best for a couple or for someone who wants extra space and can afford it.
Guidance: If you need the lowest rent, choose a non-ensuite room. If you prioritise privacy and are willing to pay more, consider a 1-bedroom. For group living, a 2-bedroom apartment often offers the most floor space per dollar.
Booking Timing
The data does not specify an available-from date or a minimum lease term. This suggests the property may have rolling availability throughout the year, but peak demand in Toronto typically runs from August to October (start of the academic year). To improve your chances of getting the room type and price you want, consider booking by March 2026 for a September 2026 move-in. If you are flexible, the property may also have last-minute availability in mid-2027.
Always confirm availability directly with the operator before making travel plans. Use the on-site assistant (see final line) to check live occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
H3: Is The Selby safe for international students?
The property is in a well-trafficked downtown area with 24/7 transport links. The building likely has key-card access (common in modern student housing). However, no specific security features are listed in the data. You should ask the operator about CCTV, security patrols, and front-desk hours before committing.
H3: Can I pay the deposit in instalments?
The deposit is listed as 4,108 CAD (indicative — confirm with the operator). The data does not specify whether the operator allows instalment payments. Contact the property directly. Many student residences allow you to split the deposit into two or three payments, but this is not guaranteed.
H3: What is included in the rent?
The data does not list utility costs, internet, or other inclusions. Typically, purpose-built student accommodation includes water, electricity, and high-speed internet in the monthly rent. You must verify this with the operator. Also ask about heating and air conditioning costs during winter and summer months.
Sources & data date
All factual data (address, price, deposit, ratings, reviews, unit types, tags, city comparison) sourced from the property listing as of July 2026. Review quotes are from Google and are reproduced verbatim (some truncated). City starting price of 150 CAD is the lowest observed across 75 properties in Toronto; confirm with individual operators.
Next step
To check live availability for The Selby, use the on-site assistant at the top of this page – it can show current room types, prices, and move-in dates.
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