Toronto Hotels
Toronto’s luxury hotel scene has exploded in the last few years, but its high-end scene is only one side of the story. Away from the central areas you’ll find plenty of trendy boutique hotels, B&Bs and youth hostels to cater for all tastes and budgets. The best hotels tend to be located on the fringes of the downtown area, although downtown itself has several luxury hotels as well as a selection of lively hostels. The city’s outskirts and airport area are good budget accommodation.
The Toronto hotels below have been handpicked by our guide author and are grouped into three pricing categories:
Luxury (over C$250)
Moderate (C$120 to C$250)
Cheap (up to C$120)
These Toronto hotel prices are the starting prices for a standard double room and include taxes and breakfast unless otherwise specified. Hotel prices are subject to a provincial sales tax, levied at 5%, as well as a federal goods and services tax of 5%. This is usually added to the bill at the end. Tipping is expected in Toronto and porters are usually given a C$5 note for their efforts.
Luxury
Fairmont Royal York Hotel
The tallest building in the British Empire when it opened in 1929, the massive Royal York even now is a prominent feature of Toronto's Lake Ontario skyline. Amenities include a business centre, indoor lap pool, 24-hour fitness centre, spa and children's wading pool.
Address: Financial District, 100 Front Street West, Toronto, M5J 1E3Telephone: +1 416 368 2511.
Website: http://www.fairmont.com/royalyork
Hazelton Hotel
Since opening in 2007, the Hazelton in the ritzy Yorkville district has drawn a steady stream of actors and hipsters, many attracted by its proximity to luxury boutiques and Toronto International Film Festival events. Amenities include a lap pool, fitness centre, spa, private screening room and 24-hour room service.
Address: Yorkville, 118 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, M5R 1C4Telephone: +1 416 963 6300.
Website: http://www.thehazeltonhotel.com
The Westin Harbour Castle
This is a mammoth 38-storey, twin-towered hotel with 977 rooms that looks straight out onto Lake Ontario. As well as boasting spectacular views, the Harbour Castle features 70,000 square foot of meeting space, tennis courts, an indoor pool, whirlpool and giant windows throughout. The rooms are exceptionally comfortable and well equipped.
Address: , 1 Harbour Square, Toronto, M5J 1A6Telephone: +1 416 869 1600.
Website: http://www.westinharbourcastletoronto.com
Moderate
Cambridge Suites
Located in the heart of the Financial District, this all-suites hotel is designed with the business traveller in mind. The experienced staff can handle all kinds of business occasions, from state-of-the-art presentations to informal breakfast meetings. All rooms have work areas that are comfortable, well designed and feature two double-line telephones and high-speed Wi-Fi access.
Address: Financial District, 15 Richmond Street East, Toronto, M5C 1N2Telephone: +1 416 368 1990.
Website: http://www.cambridgesuitestoronto.com
Eaton Chelsea
Canada's largest hotel, the glass-clad, sky-high Eaton Chelsea tries to cater for everybody within its 1,590 guest rooms. For families, there are Nintendo games, a bottomless cookie jar and kids' discounts in the restaurants. While for business travellers, there is a dedicated floor of rooms equipped with cordless speaker telephones, faxes, well-stocked desks and back-friendly chairs.
Address: Downtown, 33 Gerrard Street West, Toronto, M5G 1Z4Telephone: +1 416 595 1975
Website: http://chelsea.eatonhotels.com
The Gladstone Hotel
Built in 1889, The Gladstone is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Toronto and is now one of the city's most exciting, with artist-designed rooms and exhibition spaces. Guests have instant access to the Toronto art scene - either by going outside to enjoy the city's art and design neighbourhood, or simply by enjoying the paintings in their rooms.
Address: , 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto, M6J 1J6Telephone: +1 416 531 4635.
Website: http://www.gladstonehotel.com
Cheap
Bond Place Hotel
Its downtown location coupled with remarkably cheap room rates makes this one of the most popular hotels in the city. The rooms are clean, comfortable and well-designed with facilities that you would expect of a much more expensive hotel, and many of Toronto's biggest malls, clubs and sightseeing attractions are within an easy walk.
Address: , 65 Dundas Street East, Toronto, M5B 2G8Telephone: +1 416 362 6061.
Website: http://www.bondplace.ca
Super 8 Downtown
Super 8 is a cheap and cheerful hotel set close to the Gardiner Expressway in Chinatown. With decent continental breakfasts, a gym and massage room, plus flatscreen TVs, microwaves and fridges in all rooms, make this an excellent budget choice. There are hot tub suites available at reasonable rates too.
Address: , 222 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, M5T 3B3Telephone: +1 647 426 8118.
Website: http://www.super8.com
The Strathcona
A popular budget hotel, The Strathcona is located directly across from the city's main railway hub, Union Station. Aiming itself at the budget business traveller, it provides corporate rooms with Wi-Fi access and has a full service meeting room and 24-hour business centre. All rooms are en suite.
Address: Theatre/Financial District, 60 York Street, Toronto, M5J 1S8Telephone: +416 363 3321.
Website: http://www.thestrathconahotel.com