A friend has asked me for help in identifying a good hotel for a 3 day visit to TO. He and his wife will be heading up to a Jay/Red Sox game, stopping in Niagara first.

They have never been to the city before so would like somewhere relatively central. They like older more charming areas rather than skyscraper modern. They love to eat, go to museums (will visit the ROM) and walk. But they also prefer to be close to public transportation. They will drive up so need a hotel with parking.

Price range I have to guess at and I'm thinking $175 to $225 a night would work though I know they would appreciate a good value too.

Would love to hear suggestions.

We stayed at the Hotel Strathcona.There's a public parking next door.Paul

Older and more charming makes me think Bloor and Avenue Road - Hyatt or Four Seasons. Close to the subway, the Annex neighbourhood, Yorkville.

Sally's recommendations are good. Those hotels can be pricey but depending on when they're coming and days of the week, they might get a good deal.

They should also try Priceline. I've heard of people getting rates as low as $69 a night at the Sheraton across from city hall. While it wouldn't be considered charming, it's a great rate right in the heart of the city.

Closer to the UofT/Annex area, they could try the Holiday Inn at Bloor and St. George. It's very close to the ROM and Gardiner Museums and the lively Annex strip of Bloor Street and a long walk or short subway ride to the Rogers Centre. Also try the Holiday Inn on King Street and the Novotel on the Esplanade.

The Strathcona gets decent reviews too. You can also do a search for it here.

Thank you all. I will pass this information along to my friend.

A quick comment on the Toronto Four Seasons... even if they can get a good deal, I wouldn't recommend it. I stayed there for a friend's wedding was very dissapointed. I told the front desk they should be ashamed to call themselves a Four Seasons.

For too long they got away with being shabby... now with the Ritz Carlton etc. coming into town they have had no choice but to build a new hotel.

My $0.02.

The location of the Grand Hotel is "older" but I certainly would not call that neighbourhood "charming" by any means. Would not recommend it.

Jerry

Older, charming (well, depends on your taste...)

You can always get parking arranged through the hotel.

The King Edward
Park Hyatt

Both steps from the subway and the Hyatt is across the street from the ROM

I would start with the Bloor/yorkville area. The Marriott Bloor is central, the Intercontinental Bloor (as opposed to the Intercontinental on Front) is close to the subway and the museums. Further downtown I use Priceline to book rooms and got the Sheraton for $70. The Marriott Eaton Centre is central as well. Cambridge Suites, 1 King West has rooms.

There's also a Holiday Inn Express at Jarvis and King, a great area especially on Saturday. Be sure to go to the St. Lawrence Market and the north market across the road. It's a very lively neighbourhood. When I'm a zillionaire that's where I'm buying my big condo.

It's a subway ride to the ROM and a walk to the ballpark.

Thanks to all of you for the great suggestions. They liked the idea of Yorkville and will look in that area.

I passed along all the suggestions and they booked the Strathcona. They got a good deal and are really looking forward to their trip. Thank you to all for your suggestions.