Toronto Hotel Tips by mikey_e

The Royal York has been in business since 1929, and was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway company as the largest hotel in the Commonwealth (Union Station had been inaugurated by the Prince of Wales two years earlier). The site, however, had been used for various hotels of much smaller proportions since 1853. It has 28 floors and the original plan contained 1048 rooms - although there was a massive ($100 million) renovation conducted between 1988 and 1993, which may have altered that number. The hotel has, essentially, any service you might ever need, from hairdressing to catering to gift shops, laundries and fitness facilities. It doesn't come cheap, though - the best available rate for a single person per night in late August is CAD270.

Unique Qualities: The Fairmont Royal York is one of those hotels that could probably be put into either the accomodation or the things to do category. This is one of the most famous hotels in Canada and has a long history. Organizations that want to impress visitors or conference participants will put up guests here or throw banquets in one of the many banquet rooms. If you stay here you can certainly say that you have had a unique Toronto experience.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: (416) 368-2511
Address: 100 Front Street West Toronto, On M5j 1e3, Toronto
Directions: Across from Union Station
Website: http://www.fairmont.com/royalyork

The rooms here are pretty much similar to those in any downtown Mariott - that is, after all, the beauty of staying in a chain hotel. In fact, much of what you will find here is standard, although the area around the Eaton Centre and thus the Mariott is not the greatest in terms of night-time strolls. Although violence on the Yonge Street corridor is largely overblown, the other streets around the hotel (Bay and Dundas between Yonge and University) can be pretty deserted after dark or on weekends, so just be aware of your surroundings. Only those rooms high up will have good views, as every building in this part of Toronto is some sort of skyscraper.

Unique Qualities: The Toronto Mariott Downtown Eaton Centre is one of those cozily placed hotels that abuts a large shopping centre. It is conveniently located near the Sear flagship store (and thus close to the Dundas subway station) and only steps from the City Hall and Nathan Philips Square. This is an ideal location for anyone coming to Toronto for New Years, as you are steps away from not only the main city festivities, but also close to the club district (Adelaide and Richmond between University and Peter) - although probably not walking distance in the deep freeze of winter. If you're here during the summer and on a weekend, consider the pretty patio restaurant of the hotel for brunch. Bay Street is unlikely to be busy on off-business hours, so you can be assured of a quiet meal.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 1 416 597 9200
Address: 525 Bay St, Toronto, ON M5G2L2
Directions: Right beside the Eaton Centre Shopping Mall
Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yyzec-toronto-marriott-downtown-eaton-centre-hotel/

I have to admit, I've only ever stayed in a hostel once, in Montreal, and it was hardly a Hostelling International hostel - more like a former abbatoir with some bunk beds and a really creepy owner. Nevertheless, I've heard pretty good things about this place, and it does have brand power to back it up. Be careful, though, as you need to be a member of the Hostelling International network to be able to stay there (I think that requires you to buy a HI membership).

Unique Qualities: HI has some obvious price advantages - it's way cheaper than most places you can stay in Toronto. Its also close to some of the main tourist attractions in the city, like St. Lawrence Market and the Eaton Centre, as well as the theatres and restaurants around those points. It also happens to be located at the southern end of the Gay Village, which means that it is close to many gay-oriented bars, restaurants and clubs. The location advantage, unfortunately, also happens to be a disadvantage. On the one hand, things in this area are more expensive than other areas of the core, and the neighbourhood is a little seedy, with many homeless people sleeping in nearby St. James' Park and fair number of drug dealers hanging out a bit farther east.

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Theme: Hostel
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 1-416-971-4440
Address: 76 Church St., , Toronto, Province of Ontario 2G1
Directions: East of Yonge, closest to King and Queen stations
Website: http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel011006.en.htm
Other Contact: toronto@hihostels.ca

I have never spent the night in the Westin Harbour Castle, but I did visit friends there one New Years Eve a few years ago and so I did get to see the rooms and the lobby of the building. The double rooms are not exactly lavish or luxurious, but the hotel is quite a impressive one, especially the lobby and the security (which stops people from coming and going to the rooms without a key). The rooms are not small, but they don't afford a huge amount a space. Similarly, the washroom is well equipped by not lavish. In all, this is a comfortable place to stay and especially convenient if you plan on spending most of your time at the very end of the core.

Unique Qualities: The Westin Harbour Castle is located right on the harbourfront. That means, more likely than not, that you will have a great view of the Lake if you are on any side other then the north, and a hideous view of the Gardiner Expressway if you are too low down on the north side. If you're higher up on the north side you get a good view of the downtown core. The Westin is rather isolated from the hustle and bustle of the core and provides great access (especially in the summer) to many of Toronto's outdoor sights, as well as the PowerPlant Art Gallery and the Queen's Quay Shoppes.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: (416) 869 1600
Address: 1 Harbour Sq, Toronto, ON M5J1A6
Directions: Right by the ferry docks and Harbourfront
Website: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1084&PS=PS_aa_NE_Google_castle_harbor_westin_111306_NAD_FM