Toronto's most eco-friendly hostel \u2014 Planet Traveller in Kensington Market offers solar-powered hot water, composting systems, and a rooftop garden alongside dorms and private rooms. Ideal for environmentally conscious backpackers and Kensington Market explorers.
Neighbourhood: Kensington Market · Address: 357 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2M8 · Hours: 24 hours | Check-in 2pm | Check-out 11am · Phone: (416) 977-2322 · Website: https://www.planetcottageresort.com/
Why Visit
For environmentally conscious travellers who want to stay in the heart of Kensington Market with genuine sustainability credentials, Planet Traveller's solar hot water, composting, and rooftop garden create a hostel experience that aligns with your values.
What Makes It Unique
Planet Traveller is one of North America's most environmentally committed hostels, with operational solar thermal systems, on-site composting, and rainwater harvesting. The Kensington Market location adds cultural density that no other Toronto neighbourhood can match.
Planet Traveller Hostel sits on Augusta Avenue in the heart of Kensington Market, one of Toronto's most culturally dense and creatively energetic neighbourhoods. The property's defining characteristic is its environmental commitment \u2014 it's one of the most eco-conscious hostels in North America, with solar-powered hot water, a comprehensive composting system, rainwater harvesting, and a rooftop garden that supplies herbs for the communal kitchen. For environmentally conscious travellers who want neighbourhood immersion alongside their sustainability values, it's a rare combination.
The hostel occupies a converted Victorian house that has been expanded and retrofitted with green technology. The solar thermal panels on the roof provide the majority of the building's hot water, and the composting system processes all organic waste on-site. The rainwater harvesting system feeds the rooftop garden and reduces the property's municipal water consumption. These aren't marketing claims \u2014 the systems are visible and operational, and the staff can explain how they work during the regular sustainability tours offered to guests.
Accommodation options range from standard dorms (4-8 beds) to private rooms with shared or ensuite bathrooms. The dorms are clean, well-ventilated, and designed with privacy in mind \u2014 each bed has a curtain, reading light, and power outlet. The private rooms are modest but comfortable, with the same eco-friendly fixtures and the advantage of Kensington Market as your immediate neighbourhood. All rooms use organic cotton linens and eco-friendly cleaning products.
The communal kitchen is genuinely excellent \u2014 large enough for multiple guests to cook simultaneously, well-equipped with pots, pans, and utensils, and stocked with basic spices and cooking oil. The rooftop garden provides fresh herbs during growing season, and the composting system means food scraps are processed on-site. For budget travellers who want to cook their own meals, this kitchen is a significant advantage over hostels that offer only a microwave and a mini-fridge.
The Kensington Market location is the primary attraction. The market's vintage shops, international food vendors, street art, and community spaces are on your doorstep. Chinatown is five minutes east. The AGO and OCAD are ten minutes south. The 510 Spadina streetcar connects you to the subway and the rest of downtown. And the neighbourhood's bohemian energy \u2014 street musicians, impromptu performances, political murals, and the ever-present scent of global cooking \u2014 makes it one of Toronto's most stimulating areas to stay in.
For backpackers, solo travellers, and environmentally conscious visitors, Planet Traveller offers a hostel experience that aligns with values rather than just providing cheap beds. The eco-systems are genuine, the neighbourhood is unmatched for cultural density, and the communal spaces create the social environment that makes hostel travel worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Planet Traveller really eco-friendly?
Yes \u2014 the hostel has solar thermal panels for hot water, a comprehensive composting system, rainwater harvesting, and a rooftop garden. These systems are operational and visible, not just marketing claims. The property offers sustainability tours explaining how each system works.
Does Planet Traveller have private rooms?
Yes \u2014 in addition to dorms, Planet Traveller offers private rooms with either shared or ensuite bathrooms. The private rooms are modest but comfortable, with the same eco-friendly fixtures as the dorms.
How close is Planet Traveller to Kensington Market?
Planet Traveller is on Augusta Avenue in the heart of Kensington Market. The market's vintage shops, food vendors, and street art are immediately outside the hostel. Chinatown is 5 minutes east, and the AGO is 10 minutes south.
Is the communal kitchen well-equipped?
Yes \u2014 the kitchen is large enough for multiple guests to cook simultaneously, with full cookware, utensils, and basic pantry staples. The rooftop garden provides fresh herbs in season, and the composting system processes food scraps on-site.