In the US boards a few canadians recommended Toronto for a fun, quick trip from NYC (we've already been to Quebec).
We'd only have 2 nights- any great centrally located boutique hotels that can be suggested (not chains, we like something with a bit of attitude, albeit a W or Westin or Kimpton isn't that bad either...)
Thanks -
(also, difference btwn Montreal and Toronto? We like good food and good music!!

Not much French in Toronto.

Hotel Le Germain, on Mercer Street, in the entertainment district.

Windsor Arms, on St. Thomas Street, almost in Yorkville, half a block to Bloor Street, which has the fanciest shops.

1 King West is a combo hotel and condominium; spectacular architecture, good location, bargain prices. Good location for shopping, theHockey Hall of Fame, walk to the Distillery District, Saturday morning breakfast at the St. Lawrence Market.

BAK

Probably the Drake or Gladstone Hotels might appeal to you if you like boutique and music. Lots of restaurants in the area to choose from as well. Suites at 1 King are also also good.

See some recent articles:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/travel/story/
0,,1800116,00.html

http://tinyurl.com/pwcu4

Try that again:

http://tinyurl.com/mq36o

I think the main difference between Montreal and Toronto is that Toronto is essentially a very North American city - English speaking, but very multicultural - lots of different minorities, lots of different cuisine, lots of languages heard on the streets, etc. It's Canada's business centre, so as a result, that's a dominant feature of Toronto's "persona", so to speak.

Montreal on the other hand, is quite unlike any other city in North America. It was once a part of a French colony back in the 17th and 18th centuries, so its history is rooted in French culture. The architecture of Montreal reflects this as does the language! However, Montreal's also very bilingual. Signs are in French, but most people speak both English and French (something you don't see very much outside of the province of Quebec otherwise). Montreal's an artist's city - great food, great ambiance, different neighbourhoods.

I suppose Montreal and Toronto have similarities in terms of great dining scenes, but the atmosphere is very, very different. Toronto's famous for being more business-oriented while Montreal's more eccentric.

Also, if you've been to Quebec City before, Montreal is much, much larger and more cosmopolitan. Toronto is also very large and very cosmopolitan.

I understand that the Drake and the Gladstone have recently been redone but the only thing is that they're not very central. I think if you were coming for longer than a couple of days that might be fine, but if you're only here for two days, you'd probably get more done/seen on foot if you stay in the core.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel is another boutique choice - http://www.cosmotoronto.com/

The Gladstone rooms are small - those that were on display during Open Doors were, anyway, but the bar and restaurant are popular.

The Drake (http://www.thedrakehotel.ca/home.asp) is sponsoring an art night on Sept 30 http://www.thedrakehotel.ca/nuitblanche.asp - sounds interesting.