King Edward Hotel in Toronto a Good Choice?
 

I have been reading the postings on Toronto for suggestions on hotels in Toronto. We like small luxury-style hotels in a location convenient to the theater. I haven't read much in this forum about the Le Royal Meridien King Edward. Has anyone stayed there?

The King Edward is a big, old, but rennovated and veryluxiourious hotel. It's close to the Pantages Theatre,the Stl LWarence Center, and the Hummingbird Center theatres, but is quite a walk to the Royal Alexandra Theatre and the Princess of Wales. <BR>Toronto's only real small luxury style hotel is the Windsor Arms, but it's a ten-fifteen minute cab ride to themajor live theaters in Toronto. It is,hiowevr, adjacent to Toronto's finest (most expensive) shopping, near gret bookstores, close to fine restaurants, etc., near Bloor Street West and Avenue Road, in the Yorkville District. <BR>The King Eddy is just at the edge of intereting parts of Toronto for tourists. It's close to the subway, there are good restaurants nearby, and ashotels go, it's among the top seven in the city. (Four Seasons, Hyatt Park Plaza, probably the Windsor Arms, the Intercontinental, Sutton Place, Royal York) <BR>Good, expensive restaurant in the hotel. <BR>BAK

Thanks, Brian, for your very informative response. Sounds like you know the area well!

The King Edward is wonderful!! If it's in your budget, get a suite on the 10th floor. Great staff, excellent service.

Thanks! One more question...is the King Edward within walking distance of the Bluma Appel theater?

Last summer we did a special rate with the King Edward for a club level room and free parking, very little extra charge from the standard rate. Included was a wonderful relaxed breakfast buffet in a club lounge every morning, with some of the best smoked salmon I've ever eaten. Check that out, it was so much nicer than the usual hotel breakfast routine.

I've now stayed twice at the King Edward and both times I was upgraded to a large suite- large bedroom, large bath, and separate large living area. The room was nice (not luxurious), but the hotel is very old and the common areas are in need of updating, particularly the hallways and elevators. On both of my visits, there were large conventions at the hotel and it was very crowded. I didn't get a chance to try any of the dining facilities as the conferences kept everything very booked.

The King Eddy is literally around the corner from the Bluma Appel Theatre which is one of the theatres in the St. Lawrence Centre. It's a wonderful neighbourhood and full of restaurants. In fact, the Toronto GTG was there last night!

Regarding walking to the the Princess of Wales and Royal Alex, yes, it's a bit of a walk but straight along King Street, west past Yonge, Bay and University. I'd say it would be no more than a half-hour stroll, if that.

I stayed there about 4 years ago, after getting it on Hotwire for about $70 per night. I thought it was very good and as people have said, its very convenient for the subway

Geordie

Just returned from another stay in Toronto and I have to say that I prefer the Westin Harbour Castle over the King Eddie. Yes, it's further from the theater, but the other benefits outweigh this. The hotel is much newer and isn't so shabby. My room had a wide sweeping view of the lake - I was on the 34th floor.

Next time, I won't hesitate to choose the Westin over the King Eddie.

The Windsor Arms would seem to be a fine hotel, but have a look at the room photos on their own site. They look like some no-tell motel. It is difficult to imagine a hotel that charges $500 for a room having showing such wretched room photos on their own site.

I wouldn't recommend the Fairmont Royal York. The reception staff do not seem as polished as they should be given it's a Fairmont property. In fact, I find the QC property, Chateau Frontenac, is not any better also.