Who This Residence Suits / Doesn’t Suit
5784 Elsom Avenue is a housing option in Burnaby, British Columbia, offered through a global student-housing platform. The property consists of non-ensuite rooms and full apartments, with a monthly rent range of CAD 1,100–1,400 (indicative — confirm with the operator). The minimum lease term is 6 months, which makes it suitable for students who need accommodation for at least one academic semester.
This residence suits:
- Students at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Burnaby is home to SFU’s main campus, and the address places residents within a short transit ride of the university. The building sits right across from a SkyTrain station and bus transit, as reported by a verified reviewer. This convenience is valuable for students who rely on public transport to attend classes, access libraries, or reach part-time jobs.
- Those who prefer a quieter suburban setting. Burnaby offers a lower density than downtown Vancouver, with more green spaces and a slower pace. If you want to avoid the constant noise of a downtown core and still have rapid transit access to Vancouver proper (about 20–30 minutes by SkyTrain), this location works well.
- Residents who value inclusive, professional service. One reviewer specifically highlighted that the hotel (the building is operated as a hotel but listed on the platform for student stays) employs people with disabilities on its breakfast team, calling it “a caring and inclusive culture.” This suggests the operator is attentive to community values.
- Travelers or students who want free underground parking. Ryan C’s review notes free underground parking. While many student accommodations charge extra for parking, this is a unique benefit on-site.
This residence does not suit:
- Budget-sensitive students. The city’s from-price for student housing is CAD 500 per month (indicative). 5784 Elsom Avenue starts at CAD 1,100 — more than double the market floor. Even considering that CAD 500 may represent a shared room in a basement or a very basic unit, this property is positioned well above entry-level options. Students on a tight budget will find cheaper alternatives among the 60 properties listed across Burnaby.
- Those seeking a dedicated student community. The building appears to operate primarily as a hotel (reviewers refer to it as “Holiday Inn” and “hotel”). While students are accepted, the atmosphere may be more transient hotel clientele than a student residence with common rooms, study spaces, and planned social events.
- Students who need ensuite bathrooms. The available unit types are “non_ensuite” (shared bathroom) and “apartment.” If you require a private bathroom in a shared room configuration, you would need to book the apartment type — which is more expensive — or look elsewhere for ensuite options.
- Early planners wanting confirmed availability. The property is tagged with “not_available” in the source data, and the “available_from” field is null. As of July 2026, the listing status is unclear. You should verify directly with the operator whether units are actually open for booking.
What Residents Actually Say
Three Google reviews are associated with this address. While they reference “hotel” and “breakfast,” they describe the same physical property listed on the student platform. Here are the verbatim excerpts:
Ivy Lai (rating 5/5): “The hotel staff were extremely professional, and the location was very convenient. The breakfast was delicious with a wide variety of options. I was especially impressed that the hotel employs people with disabilities as part of its breakfast service team, which reflects a caring and inclusive culture. The bed was very”
Ryan C (rating 5/5): “We’ve stayed at this Holiday Inn location several times over the years due to the convenient location and cleanliness. While the hotel is on the older side, our sheets were clean, nothing smelled nasty, and the large TV was a nice treat for our family (we usually don’t watch TV). Parking is free and underground, and yo”
Nina Pantazopoulos (rating 5/5): “Stayed for 4 days/3nights and everything was great. Rooms were clean and comfortable. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Complimentary breakfast was great with multiple hot breakfast items (eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, hash browns, etc) Right across from skytrain station and bus transit. Walking distance to grocer”
Key themes that emerge:
- Cleanliness and comfort are consistently praised. Ryan C explicitly mentions clean sheets and no unpleasant odors despite the building being “on the older side.”
- Location is a standout: directly across from a SkyTrain station, bus stops, and walking distance to a grocery store.
- The complimentary breakfast is appreciated — hot items like eggs, bacon, pancakes.
- Staff professionalism and friendliness are highlighted by two reviewers.
- The building is described as “older” but well-maintained.
One limitation: these reviews reflect a hotel stay experience, not a long-term student residence experience. Students living there for a full semester would not receive daily housekeeping or complimentary breakfast (likely). You should ask the operator what services are included for student tenants, as the reviews may not reflect the student housing setup.
Price Positioning vs City’s From-Price
Burnaby’s overall from-price for student housing across the platform is CAD 500 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). 5784 Elsom Avenue starts at CAD 1,100 and goes up to CAD 1,400. That is 2.2 to 2.8 times the city’s floor price.
If CAD 500 represents a shared room in a basement suite or a small private room in a house with shared facilities, then CAD 1,100 for a non-ensuite room in a hotel-style building is at the upper-middle range. For context, among the 60 properties listed in Burnaby, this one falls into the higher-priced tier. Full apartments at the top end (CAD 1,400) are comparable to mid-range one-bedroom rentals in Metro Vancouver, though utilities and amenities may be bundled.
Given that Simon Fraser University is a major draw, students often compare this property against purpose-built student accommodations near SFU, which typically range from CAD 800–1,200 for shared rooms. 5784 Elsom Avenue is on the higher end of that spectrum but includes free parking and breakfast (if the student lease includes that). Without breakfast, the value drops. Always confirm the inclusions before committing.
Room-Type Guidance
Two unit types are offered:
- Non-ensuite: You share bathroom facilities with other residents. This is typical for budget-focused students. The price starts at CAD 1,100. You will have a private bedroom but a shared bathroom and likely shared kitchen (check with operator).
- Apartment: A self-contained unit with private bathroom and kitchen. Price reaches CAD 1,400. Suitable for couples, advanced degree students, or anyone who values privacy and cooking independence.
If you are a first-year undergraduate on a budget, the non-ensuite is more affordable, but be prepared for a 6-month minimum lease. If you are a graduate student or someone who needs quiet study space, the apartment could justify the premium.
Note: the source data does not specify kitchen facilities for non-ensuite rooms. Given it’s a hotel building, some rooms may lack cooking equipment. You must ask the operator whether tenants can cook meals in a common kitchen, or if the rooms are limited to a microwave and mini-fridge. The complimentary breakfast mentioned in reviews is likely a hotel perk, not a student tenant benefit.
Booking Timing
The data shows “available_from: null” and “tags” include “not_available.” This strongly suggests that as of the data collection date, the property may not be accepting new reservations. It could be sold out, temporarily closed, or removed from the active inventory.
If you are interested, treat this as a lead rather than a confirmed booking. Contact the operator immediately via the platform’s on-site assistant (see final line) to ask:
- Is 5784 Elsom Avenue currently accepting student tenants for 2026/2027?
- If yes, what is the earliest move-in date?
- Are there any refurbishment plans that could affect availability?
For 2027 planning, the general advice for Burnaby student housing is to book 3–6 months in advance. Properties near SkyTrain stations, like this one, tend to fill earlier. November–February is a good window for September 2027 move-ins. If you are aiming for January 2027 intake, start looking in September–October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the complimentary breakfast available to student tenants?
The Google reviews mention a “complimentary breakfast” with hot items, but those reviews are from hotel guests. If you are renting through the student platform as a long-term tenant, you will likely not receive daily breakfast. The listing does not include meal plans. Confirm with the operator whether any meals are included in the rent.
How far is 5784 Elsom Avenue from Simon Fraser University?
The property is located in Burnaby near a SkyTrain station (likely Metrotown or Patterson, based on address details). One reviewer says it is “right across from skytrain station and bus transit” and “walking distance to grocery.” Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby campus is approximately 8–10 km away. Commute by SkyTrain and bus takes about 25–40 minutes depending on schedule. Driving takes around 15 minutes.
Can I break the lease early? What is the cancellation policy?
The minimum lease is 6 months. The source data does not include deposit or cancellation terms. Hotel-style properties sometimes offer more flexible terms than purpose-built student housing, but you cannot assume that. Ask the operator directly about early exit penalties, subletting options, and whether a deposit is required. The deposi field is “null” in the data, meaning it may be zero or simply not listed — verify.
Sources & data date: 2026-07
For live availability and to confirm current pricing, lease terms, and move-in dates for 5784 Elsom Avenue, please use the on-site assistant available on this page.
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