I’m hoping that you can offer some advice on hotels in the area. My wife and I are traveling to Toronto in the near future. We’re looking for hotels that are nice, in a safe area, close to the downtown, tourist spots and nightlife (with the ability to walk about safely after dark). The hotels we are considering are the Metropolitan Hotel, Sutton Place, Delta Chelsea, Marriott on Bloor, and the Fairmont Royal York. We are also considering an area outside of downtown and staying at the Inn on the Park in Don Valley. This resort mentions that it is close to parklands, which sounds nice but we have no idea what the parklands are. Can you advise us on this as well and what there is to do in the Don Valley area. Your input is greatly appreciated. We’ll be in the area for 3 days and then travel on to Niagara Falls. Thanks for your help.

You keep emphasizing 'safe'. Virtually anywhere you would want to go in Toronto is 'safe' within reason. Choose your hotel according to what interests you most in Toronto, (i.e. the central city with it's shopping, theatres and many other attractions or the more serene uptown areas). But compared to any large American city Toronto is very 'safe'. <BR> <BR>As Peter Ustinov is rumered to have said, 'Toronto is New York as done by the Swiss' - which means it abides by the Canadian credo of Peace, Order and Good Government. Well, maybe the latter point need some work.

I think Gary has summed it up pretty nicely; the only comment I would make is that the Inn on the Park is in a semi-suburban area which, while it's nicer than most, is a bit bleak. It's true that it's close to parklands. The Don Valley Parkway which takes you in to downtown Toronto is surrounded by parkland, much of which is wonderful to hike through, and I think (not positive) that there are still riding stables in there somewhere. However, the hotel itself is nothing much. I think you'd probably enjoy the city more if you stayed at one of the other places you've mentioned.

Definitely stay downtown...it'll be a much more enjoyable experience. You can get very good rates by using Priceline. Try http://www.biddingfortravel.com/ for bidding tips...

Thanks for your help. We've decided to stay in the downtown area. We've narrowed our hotel choices to three hotels, the Delta Chelsea, The Sutton Place and the Metropolitian...any recommendations?

My preference would be one that you seem to have eliminated. The Marriott <BR>Bloor/Yorkville is in a great area of Toronto. Bloor St. is similar to Rodeo Drive or Fifth Avenue. You are on the subway line and can go underground between buildings if necessary. Within several blocks you will find great restaurants and shops. I like to put out-of-towners in this area as it is upscale and interesting. Sutton Place is several blocks south of Bloor and close to govt. buildings and the University of Toronto. I would not suggest the Metropolitan Hotel because I don't like that area particularly, Delta Chelsea is fine for bus & tour groups, the Royal York is not small or new enough, glad you have eliminated the Inn on the Park. What's your price range?

Like Jon, I am planning a trip to Toronto...I'm considering early Oct. I saw in Rants and Raves that the Le Meridien didn't fare well and seemed a bit ostentacious.. I am seriously considering the SkyDome. I am looking for comfort, a good sized room, downtown convenience, and preferably a jacuzzi..I'm a romantic.......and prefer no "family-friendly" spots. Any suggestions-?

Delta Chelsea, Sutton and Metropolitan are all within short walks of the subway ssytem. Delta is centrally located and does serves a lot of groups as it is a large hotel by Toronto standards. Sutton's location isn't ideal as it is at least 10 minutes walk to what most visitors see. Metropolitan is located on a side street close to Eaton Centre and Queens St. The location is fine but not bustling.

We're looking at a price range of about $200.00 to $230.00 Canadian. The Delta offered us $199.00 for Signature Club and the Sutton is offering a $219.00 package on the web which includes breakfast and parking. I think I will also try the Marriot on Bloor to see what they have available. It gets confusing as there are so many choices to pick from.

I think each of the downtown hotels you mentioned would be fine. I second (or third) the suggestion of staying downtown, not way out at the Inn on the Park. The Royal York is right downtown, so could be quite convenient. What sort of things are you hoping to do or see in Toronto? That might help narrow the choices. <BR> <BR>In response to Teresa, I wouldn't call the Skydome Hotel romantic or non-family-friendly!! There are a number of very nice, romantic hotels downtown, but to narrow them down, what sort of price range are you looking at (in Cdn)? <BR> <BR>Mike

I would personally stay at the Royal York (in one of the upgraded rooms) or the Crowne Plaza on King. There is also a Holiday in on King. And for a nice view, try the Radisson Admiral - harbour view. All of these are walking distance or a short cab ride to shops, restaurants and the theatre district. <BR>The Marriott is a good choice if you want to stay in mid-town. Very trendy, <BR>upscale neighbourhood with shopping, retaurants and the museum nearby. All of these are in safe, well populated areas. <BR>In my opinion, the Metropolitan and the Delta Chelsea are not in the nicest areas of the city.

Jon, you're not interested in Priceline? You can get the $200/night hotels for less than a third of that price...

Another one to consider is the Novotel at 45 The Esplanade <BR> <BR>We stayed here and liked it very much, close in, lots of good pubs and places to eat. Nice rooms. Good breakfast service. Covered parking. Easy access to everything. Novotels in general are nice hotels and this one is no exception. <BR> <BR>Web info at <BR>http://www.novotel.com/novotel/JSPVi...an=liste_hotel <BR> <BR>be sure to pick Novotel City Centre

Jon - No one has mentioned the quality differences in your hotel choices. The Kempinski Sutton Place Hotel is listed as one of the premier properties in the world (source:Great Hotels and Resorts). It is very often used as the home base for the movie industry, and the Lobby bristles with visiting Celebs. It is elegant and first class. Of course, you are never sure of the room quality in your package (janitor closet?). <BR> <BR> The Delta Chelsea is overrun with families, airline crews, and tour groups...Although in a good location for shopping, the hotel often struggles with having rooms ready and in "processing" the guests. The food court is great if you are dragging six kids along, but its not a "wife and I" recommendation. <BR> <BR> The Metropolitan is located in the City Hall area, which is centrally located to the tourist activity but not noted as a luxurious or special property. The restaurant has received poor reviews and there is nothing of note in staying there. <BR> <BR> Don't stay at the Inn on the Park unless you expect to visit Canada's Wonderland Theme Park or the Children's oriented Ontario Science Museum. It is simply too far from the City. <BR> <BR> For the Poster on the SkyDome, The place is overrun with Kids! There is a Hard Rock Cafe, and if there is an event at the stadium, you face the possibility(IT REALLY HAPPENED) that some nut in the crowd will pull the fire alarm on his way out of the building. <BR> <BR>Finally, my recommendations... Four Seasons Yorkville, Park Hyatt Yorkville, Sutton Place, Westin Harbour Castle, Marriott Bloor-Yorkville. Have Fun

My suggestion would be the Westin Harbour Castle. It's right on the lake, across the street from the Air Canada Center and a few blocks from their subway. Most of the visiting sports teams stay there so maybe you'll get a chance to see a famous athlete!

This statement takes the cake: <BR> <BR>"The Metropolitan is located in the City Hall area, which is centrally located to the tourist activity but not noted as a luxurious or special property. The restaurant has received poor reviews and there is nothing of note in staying there." <BR> <BR>Check out this hotel (one of only a handful in Toronto, rated as "Four-Star"). compare it with the others mentioned, in the the online Mobil TravelGuide: URL- http://www.exxonmobiltravel.com/

Anybody looking for a terrific bargain should consider the refurbished Strathcona Hotel. It is just down the street from the Royal York, so shares all the convenience of locatin near the train station and walking distance to many downtown attractions. Although the rooms are small, so are the Royal York rooms, and the Strathcona is half the price. Another plus is a wonderful attentive staff. (I wanted to post a rave for it, but was disappointed to see it not listed on the fodors site.)

I thank you all for the input...re: the SkyDome..After posting, I perused the rest of this site...quite informative and full of resouces...in fact, I was lead to another site where I wound up with a heck of a deal at a hotel I might not have considered if not for your recomendations..Again..thank you

Sometimes I am amazed at the info. that is posted here. The person who said they wouldn't stay at the Inn on the Park unless they were going to Wonderland or the Science Centre does not seem to realize that Wonderland is approx. 45 mins. from the Inn on the Park while downtown is only about 15 mins. from the hotel. It isn't the distance, it's the fact that when I choose a place to stay in a new city I want to be able to walk out of my hotel and enjoy the sights and soak up the local culture. In Toronto, I feel that means downtown or Yorkville/Bloor Street. I love to visit Harbourfront but I wouldn't put my guests there.

Jon, just re-read your price range...definitely try the Park Hyatt, Avenue Road and Bloor. Has surpassed the Four Seasons(which is across the street) in class. Doesn't matter whether you get a north room or south room altho' the North rooms are newer. Try for one of their online packages. Their spa is superb.