I'll be attending a convention in late June and already have a 4 day TTC pass. Would like some suggestions on what areas are close to the subway. Bloor-Danforth line is O.K. I don't mind being outside the downtown Toronto area as long as its close (walking distance) to a subway stop and a safe neighborhood. I noticed that the TTC has a couple of different lines but its difficult to get info on what hotels are around the different stops.

Thanks

If the convention is at the main downtown convention center, there's a good argument in favor of picking a hotel within walking distance, even if you have a TTC pass.

If the convention is at Exhibition Place, or in the Harbour Castle's convention center, or the Sheraton Centre, or another big hotel, there's an advantage in being close to the location.

Hotels in Yorkville (Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, Intercontinetal, Windsor Arms,) are close to several subway stops.

Old Mill is near the Old Mill subway stop, but you might as well stay closer.

So, we really do need to know where the convention is.

BAK

Thanks BAK The convention is located at The Metro Toronto Convention Center. We plan on only staying in the hotel to crash so to cut down on cost we can be located outside of town.

As stated in the original question We really don't mind being outside of the downtown area in the suburbs but still close (walking distance) to any subway line. You suggested the Old Mill. I see that is located off the Bloor-Danforth line. That is O.K. as we don't mind being out of the downtown area for cost reasons. Do you have any other suggestions of hotels that would be located along the Bloor-Danforth Line? We can always use our TTC pass to transfer to the Yellow line to get down town. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards,

Joda632

There are not a lot of hotels outside the downtown / midtown area, and some of these are not bargains, near the subway.

Up Yonge Street, north of Sheppard, is a Novatel, and it is nice enough but you should compare prices with the downtown Novatel. For ten bucks a night, you probably should stay downtown and enjoy the city.

The reality of Toronto is that it's a central-focussed city, much like New York. There's no real point in staying in Queens, either.

The Sheraton Four Points is on Lakeshore Blvd., and easilly accessible by streetcar from downtown Toronto, And the streetcar is a pleasant five block walk from the convention center. The old Executive Motor Lodge on King Street has turned into a Travelodge, and is accessible by streetcar, or a few blocks walk, from the convention center.

BAK

We don't know how tight the budget constraints are, but here are a few suggestions.

The Quality Hotel Midtown (on Bloor West) is close to both the Bloor and the Yonge-University Lines. It's in the middle of the University of Toronto, which is in the middle of a lively and attractive residential district that includes a lot of older (early 20th century houses). It feels very safe, and there's lots of activity well into the late night (because of the students). Good cafes, some bars, good bookstores (Book City). Very close to the upscale shopping neighbourhood of Yorkville, and near several museums.

If your budget has a little more room, there is a Marriott on Bloor St, just East of Yonge.

I don't think you're going to save buckets of money by staying outside the downtown core. There are so many hotels down there, the prices stay reasonable.

For a first time visit, I would tend to stay away from the hotels downtown that are east of Church, south of Bloor and north of Front. That area gets a bit seedy; there's some prostitution and drug-dealing (although also some quite lively neighbourhoods and nice houses, restaurants etc - it's just that the neighbourhood is a bit mixed). There is a Days Inn that I've heard is quite reasonably priced about half a block east of Yonge on Carlton (therefore, very close to the subway and on the streetcar line that will take you to the College St strip of bars and restaurants).

Have you considered using priceline.com? My wife and I use it for our trips to Toronto. All of the 3* downtown hotels are located close to subway lines and are relative bargains, and if you want a better hotel you can get a 4 or 5* for less than you would pay to stay at a Holiday Inn. Try visiting biddingfortravel.com for information on how to use priceline.