I'll be in Toronto next week for two days and I'm looking for a reasonably priced hotel. These two offer the best deals and receive good reviews. Which one would you suggest? I'll need parking as well.

Thank you!

Both hotels will be able to arrange parking. There's no lot that is park of the Strathcona, but there is a lot run by the municipal government (Gree P parking -- the symbol is obvious) right next door. I do not know the rates.

And there are many other parking lots closeby. The father west, the less the rates.

Don't know about a garage at the Bond Place. Never noticed one, but there may be one in the basement. There's a Green P lot nearby, at the corner of Dundas and Yonge Street, underneath the Dundas Square open space (sort of like a plaza)

Strathcon is nearer some theatres, and more restaurants. Bond is near several theatres, lots of restaurants, and the giant Eaton Centre shopping centre.

Both close to subway stops.

A friend who is a world traveller and used to some very nice hotels stayed at the Strathcona last year, and said it was very nice. Not luxury, but neat, clean, tidy, decent service, etc.

BAK

Thank you, BAK, for your note. I finally settled on a different hotel! Victoria, on Yonge Street. Parking was easy despite the busy area: at the Esplanade, not very far, you can park for $13 a night (or something like that). I found the hotel quiet - I had a room at the back - and very clean - but the lobby is in need of renovation. Service was helpful too - they suggested a good Italian restaurant at a walking distance from the hotel. I booked the room through their Web site.

Thanks for the note. Feedback is always important, so wwe can pass on more info to other travellers.

That's two reports on the Victoria in two days -- the other one mentioned grungy carpets, but was generally happy with the hotel, too.

BAK

Re the Victoria Hotel - the report mentioned more than the condition of the carpet: "I stayed at the Hotel Victoria, which was a great location (subway station on the corner), and a pretty good price, but my room was tiny, stained carpet, no bathtub (just a shower) and a bit of a smell. "