ek

Hello,
My husband and I are planning 3 nights in Toronto in late March. Though we thought we'd love to stay at one of the "hipper" hotels on West Queen West (Drake or Gladstone), we were discouraged by reviews of noise and lack of parking.

So we've narrowed it down to Cambridge Suites, the Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre, and Hilton Toronto. Any suggestions on which to pick?

We would like to get around mostly on foot if possible and we want to be very close to lots of good restaurant/bar choices - the less touristy, the better.

Also, how far a walk should we expect to the West Queen West area? Or is that too far on foot? (We've lived in NYC for many years so we're used to walking!)

Thanks in advance for any tips/thoughts.

SallyCanuck

All those hotels are very close to each other, central, near transit, etc.

I've done it with a friend - walked west along Queen to the Gladstone but we were poking into shops and taking our time and it was August, not March which will likely still be cold and possibly snowy. We spent about 5 hours doing it.

The Queen 501 streetcar heading west will take you to the Drake and Gladstone.

Best bet for getting around on transit is to buy a day pass and you can jump on and off as you wish. http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/

ek

Thanks, Sally. I'm hoping the weather will be a little milder in a few weeks so that we can enjoy strolling around!

frogoutofwater

I'm not sure what your price range is. You might also consider Le Germain, if you want to stay in a hip hotel. It's a little south of Queen St, and west of the other hotels you've mentioned (but not as far west as the Drake). Not sure about parking though - on the other hand, if you're staying in Toronto, you really don't need a car (and it can be an expensive hassle to have one).

Apres_Londee

Walking to Parkdale from Yonge Street would be quite a trek, but as the other posters have said, you can always hop on a streetcar (I feel old because I always think of the Gladstone and the Drake as these hard core places to drink, lol)

Leslieville, on the opposite side of town on Queen Street East, has a lot of really good restaurants and bars that are definately non-touristy- Gino Rana's, Barrio, Kubo Radio, Tomi Kro's, and others. You might want to check it out one night.

LJ

If you want a neat, non-touristy walk with lots of restaurants and ethnic diversity, you could also try the Danforth.

Just jump on the subway at your hotel, head north up the Yonge line and then east at Bloor to Chester. Its a fun area with lots to see.

If you had more time, you could repeat the process heading WEST at Bloor and out to Bloor West Village (Jane station and walking east along Bloor).

Queen Street West is great: if you are a foodie, don't forget The Spice Trader, The Olive Pit and The Healthy Butcher.

ek

Thanks to all for the great restaurant and neighborhood suggestions! Leslieville and Danforth sound like good areas to check out.

We have three nights to try great dinner places. Friday we'll probably stick close to the hotel as we'll be driving in that day. If you have any suggestions on a nice place to have a romantic dinner Saturday or Sunday night, they would be greatly appreciated!

frogoutofwater, thanks for the hotel suggestion. I wish we could stay at Le Germain as it looks like a fantastic hotel, but unfortunately it is a bit out of our price range.

LJ

I still think Sotto Sotto (on Avenue Road) is one of the most romantic restaurants in TO. Check out their website.

BAK

Hotels -- of the three you mentioned, I think of the Huilton as pretty much the dullest hotel in toronto, except maybe for the Metropolitan.

March hotel prices could be somewhat flexible, so calling Le Germain might be a good idea.

The Marriott is fine, and a two minurte walk from the Eaton Centre, which in turn leads to underground walkways all over downtown, if the weather is bad.

The Cambridge Suites might turn out to be the best value in room size per dollar, and it's a good location, but it, too, lacks any sense of lobby action and verve. Regardless, a fine hotel.

BAK

Any of the three put you close to lots of good restaurants

ek

Thank you BAK. We ended up booking at Cambridge Suites the other day as, like you said, it seemed to be the best value for the room size compared to the others.

ek

Just wanted to thank all of you for your responses. We just got back from 3 nights in Toronto and had a great time.
We stayed at the Cambridge Suites and had a very enjoyable experience there. The location is great for exploring, with Yonge and Queen streets just a block away. The staff at the hotel were friendly and warm. The rooms were spacious and clean. And the hotel is so easy to get to from the expressway.
We wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.
p.s. - had a great meal at nearby Harlem restaurant. delicious modern southern menu!