Andrea

I Am planning a week's vacation in Toronto mid-August with my husband and our four sons. We are on a very limited budget. We are checking out lodging outside the downtown Toronto area, to save money. The Best Western Metro Inn on Kingston Rd is well-priced, and only 8.3 miles to Toronto. Is there a lot of traffic getting in to Toronto from there? Is this a nice location? Is it crazy to stay outside the city? Is it a nice place to stay? <BR>Any information would be very helpful. <BR>

Cheryl

If I were you I wouldn't stay there unless you had a car and were going to drive downtown each day. <BR> <BR>It's just that it is far too difficult to get downtown easily from there without one. Also there isn't much around it but strip malls and such. <BR> <BR>Being a Toronto resident I don't really know much about the rates at the different places but I think there is a Comfort Inn up on Charles Street near Bloor that might not be too bad. Plus I think there's one on Adelaide and Jarvis. Maybe you should check them out. I'll see if I can think of any toher places that might be somewhat reasonable but also convenient for getting around. <BR> <BR>Cheryl <BR>

Brian in Atlanta

I would concur that that BW is too far out to enjoy the city. <BR> <BR>My favorite budget hotel in Toronto is the Days Inn on Carlton. Great location, right next to Maple Leaf Gardens. Check it out at www.days-inn.com. Rooms are a bit smallish but the rates are usually worth it. <BR> <BR>

elizabeth

I agree with the other posters - Kingston Road is too far. <BR> <BR>Have you considered trying Priceline.com for hotels. It seems that the Sheraton and Marriott hotels both participate quite actively in auctions and some of the prices are amazing (plus you have nothing to lose if your bid isn't accepted). If you're interested check out this web site first - it's detailed instructions on how to bid, as well as postings of winning bids by city to give you an idea of what to bid. <BR> <BR>Good luck!

elizabeth

Ooops - here's the web site <BR> <BR>http://pub4.ezboard.com/bpricelinean...iabidding.html

Andrea

Thanks, all, for your most valuable advice. I will check out info on the local lower-priced establishments. It sounds like it's worth a little bit more money to stay in town. <BR>- Andrea

elizabeth

My family just got back from Toronto and OW MY &$*#@^$*^@#. Traffic out the you know what. The public transportation is nice there and I would suggest staying at a hotel in the outskirts that is close to a subway station. You can go to most anywhere via subways and streetcars. Don't forget to ask for transfer tickets. They allow you to go from subway to bus and bus to subway without paying more. <BR> <BR>My in-laws, husband and myself all agree that we would not visit Toronto again. 3.5 million people is a lot for us. We sat in traffic for hours and it never really let up and it was everywhere. 12 lanes of traffic. Niagra Falls is a nice drive. I would suggest the boats that go up to the falls and the butterfly conservatory. <BR> <BR>For restuarants - I LOVED - Marche on York Mills. I don't know if this is a chain in town or not. We just visited that one. It's my Yonge St. and York Mills.

Sherri

What price range are you looking at? <BR>

Andrea

Hi, Sherry. We need two rooms, since there are six of us. We were hoping to spend under $75 per room (US dollars). We are staying from monday through thursday. Most low-end hotels are already booked up.

elizabeth

Hi Andrea: <BR> <BR>Have you considered a bed and breakfast? There are a couple right downtown that fit your price. Let me know if you're interested and and I'll find the names/addresses. <BR>

andrea

Hi, Elizabeth. The B&Bs I've investitaged on the internet all charge per person, which ends up being too costly. But if you know of any that are nice and inexpensive, I would be interested. Thanks for your help! <BR>Andrea

KATHY

Andrea, <BR> <BR>I live in the U.S. and just got back from Toronto a few weeks ago. We stayed downtown at the Novotel. It was a really nice hotel. It cost a little more then what you wanted to spend, but it was well worth it. We paid $179 Canadian dollars per night which converts to about $125 U.S. dollars per night. Some things that will save you money if you stay there are <BR>1. You won't have to rent a car. This hotel is 2 blocks from the subway station and within walking distance of many attractions. <BR> <BR>2. Your 4 sons, if they are children get breakfast free of charge in the hotels restaurant. It is not just a continental breakfast. It's a full breakfast buffet. That will safe you quite a bit of money. I know because I have a teenage son myself. <BR> <BR>If you have any more questions please email me at [email protected]. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Kathy <BR>

Andrea

Just got back from vacation (sigh). Wanted to thank all of you for your help - especially to Elizabeth, and to Kathy, Sherri, Brian and Cheryl, for your input. <BR>We had a great time, and did not do nearly as much as we had planned. But it was a very relaxing and enjoyable vacation. The kids LOVED the Toronto Islands, and we spent two of our five days there. The Science Center is FABULOUS (the 4 boys especially enjoyed the Sports Exhibit). We found Ontario Place to be a very sane and relaxing amusement park! The people in Toronto were very nice and helpful. We all want to come back next year again! <BR> <BR>We ended up staying in Scarborough at the Best Western Metro Inn. Coming from New York City, we were glad to have a quiet place to escape to at night. Though it is nothing special, it is affordable (a big hit with my husband), does have a pool (a big hit with the kids), and serves complimentary breakfast (a big hit with me). The people who work there were also very nice. <BR> <BR>I took the boys one evening to Scarborough Bluffs to climb the rocks and skip stones. What a pretty place!!!! On the way out of the parking lot, I noted that there were quite a few cars parked there, but I hadn't seen anyone. The kids got a kick out of my naivete - apparently it is something of a lover's lane. No wonder - it is awfully pretty. <BR> <BR>Thanks again! It sure was nice to get away to such a great city! <BR>