Toronto Hotel Tips by Bwana_Brown

Now I have stayed in a number of hotels all over the world - yet the Grand really impressed me with its elegance! The decor of the hotel was all first class - marble and brass everywhere! As for my room, it had an entrance area with its own sofa and TV, before making your way past a small kitchen area into the bedroom where there was another larger TV and a nice desk for computer work. The bathroom was also very plush with mirrors and everything done up in white. The same quality applied to the meeting room and meals that were brought in to us!

Unique Qualities: In addition to its amazing swimming pool (see later Tip), its roof-top boasts a patio garden with heated whirlpools and a great view out over Toronto. The hotel also offers complimentary full breakfast, in-room movies and a shuttle service to anywhere in the downtown financial core of the city. My room rate was US$125 or US$140 with all taxes.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: 416-863-9000
Address: 225 Jarvis St, Toronto, ON M5B2C1
Directions: In the main downtown area, only a few blocks from anything.
Website: www.grandhoteltoronto.com

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter

The swimming pool at the Grand Hotel really is something worthwhile! The photo from their brochure shows its features much better than anything that I could have taken!

Unique Qualities: This two-storey neo-classical pool has hand painted murals of the Garden of Versailles surrounding it.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Address: 225 Jarvis St, Toronto, ON M5B2C1

During my June, 2004 visit, the meeting was set up for the Delta Chelsea. This is a rather non-descript hotel from the outside, but I rather liked its interior lobby area with its decor and attached Bar, Pub and Restaurant areas. My room on the 23rd floor was standard stuff and it was very comfortable and quiet. When I called room service for an item that I needed, they responded in no time at all, faster than I have experienced in most other situations like that (same thing for their check-in/out services). The going rate for my room was C$139 plus another $21 in taxes, etc. for a nightly cost of C$160 (US$120). They also charged $1.50 everytime you used the telephone, even if it was using a calling card or toll-free number.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: 416-595-1975
Address: 33 Gerrard St W, Toronto, ON M5G1Z4
Website: www.deltahotels.com
Other Contact: billings@deltachelsea.com

In October, 2004 I was returning to New Brunswick from a business meeting in Chicago but had to overnight at Toronto's Pearson Airport. The Sheraton Gateway is a nice option if you need somewhere to spend a night there, since it is located right on the airport grounds.

The hotel was full, but I had a reservation, so they upgraded me to a suite at the same price of C$170 (US$140) with taxes included.

Unique Qualities: Very comfortable and quiet, despite being at the airport. Plush rooms and they charge US$1.60 for each internet connection (first hour is free from useage charges). I did not have much chance to sample their amenities since I arrived at 9 PM and left at 6 AM.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Address: Terminal 3, Toronto, ON L5P1C4
Directions: Beside Terminal 3

Arrangements had been made for all guests of the August, 2007 wedding Sue and I attended to stay at the Howard Johnson motel in the suburb of Markham, located about 30-minutes drive directly north of the downtown core of Toronto. We were all located on the ground floor level and occupying several of the rooms on both sides of the corridor at the end of the motel closest to you in this photo.

Check-in was efficient, staff were friendly, housekeeping and room service both worked very well. The basic room rate (for two) was C$79 but ended up at C$90 (US$85) after various taxes were added on.

Unique Qualities: Our room had a very comfortable Queen-sized bed, nice TV, good air-conditioning, mini-refrigerator and was very quiet. The motel itself is located close to where the 404 and 407 highways intersect but, because it is in an area of suburb office towers we had no outside noise problems at all. The following are featured on the motel's website:

"Larry & Frankies family restaurant & lounge is open Monday to Friday from 6am - 2am, and weekends from 7am - 2am or enjoy the convenience of room service. With an extensive selection of continental cuisine they're sure to satisfy your every craving! Our fitness and recreation center is open daily from 6am - 11pm. Come play in our large indoor pool, relax in the sauna or whirlpool, or simply sit back and enjoy a good book on the pool deck. Enjoy the conveniences of your home away from home such as in-room refrigerator, coffee maker, iron/ironing board, hairdryer, and free local calls & high speed Internet access. We also offer coin laundry, valet dry cleaning, 24 hour business centre and free parking."

Sue and I enjoyed a glass of wine and beer in their Larry & Frankies restaurant upon arrival after our 1400-km two-day drive from Fredericton (we broke it up with a stop in Drummondville, Quebec because my 82-year old mother was travelling with us). Later, I was impressed by their excellent breakfast at a reasonable rate.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Motel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: 905-479-5000
Address: 555 Cochrane Dr, Markham
Directions: Take exit 27 off the Don Valley Parkway (Highway 404) then the first right off Highway 7 (heading East), followed by another right off Highway 7 and then continue to drive a short distance around the next corner
Website: www.hojomarkham.com