Toronto for 2 days - where to stay and what to see
Jan 2nd, 2005, 07:25 AM
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Toronto for 2 days - where to stay and what to see
We will be in Toronto for 2 days in September as part of our trip to Niagara Falls. We would like to find a budget priced hotel in a safe area as my adult daughter and I are traveling together. We are most interested in visiting historic areas of the city and historic sights and homes. What should we plan to see in our limited time? I am open to bidding on Priceline and wondered if the downtown area is our best choice? I would also like to book a hotel in case Priceline doesn't work out. In checking Travelocity I found a good rate for the Strathcona Hotel and am considering checking their website directly. Would this hotel be a good choice?
Jan 2nd, 2005, 01:21 PM
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Welcome to the Canada forum. Glad to see you here.
"Budget priced hotel" is a bit of a problem in Toronto, compared, to, say, Cleveland or Deluth. toronto's the most expensive city in Canada, perhaps tied with Vancouver and Montreal.
that said, the Strathcona is a fine hotel for those watching their money. It's next door to the Fairmont Royal York,a nd the location is excellent for tourists. It's iun the heart of downbtown, near restaurants, and a five minute walk from the entertainment district.
Neighborhood's fine for women; one of my woman friends lives a block away.
You can walk to a great many parts of the city that you'd be interested in, and it is a short walk to two subway stops that will get you easily and inexpensively to other historical/interesting parts of Toronto.
There are varying definitions of downtown. My definition extends from Scollard across the north (a couple of blocks north of Bloor Street) down to Lake Ontario on the South, with Bathurst Street on the west, and (modified recently) Parliament on the east.
Mid-Town is around Yonge and St. Clair, and Up-Town is around Yonge and Eglinton.
But other people figure the north edge of dowwntown is College Street / Carlton Street (same street and it changes its name as it crosses Yonge); Mid-town is from around Summerhill up to Lawrtence Avenue (again, a few blocks east and west of Yonge) and Up-town is Yonge and Sheppard, north on Yonge to Finch.
The most convenient hotel locations are in three clusters. 1/ Along Bloor Street, from Church in the east (Mariott Yorkville) to St. George (Quality Hotel Midtown).
Within a big circle that ranges from just north of Toronto City Hall down to Front Street, east to Jarvis and west to Spadina.
It's a toss-up which of these is best. Stay in one and go visit the other.
And there are two good hotels along the lake, (Westin Harbour Castle and Radission.
The Strathcona is popular with European tour groups, and is recently renovated., One of my friends is a world traveller, used to very good hotels, and he had no complaints when he was booked into the Strathcona by a client.
BAK
"Budget priced hotel" is a bit of a problem in Toronto, compared, to, say, Cleveland or Deluth. toronto's the most expensive city in Canada, perhaps tied with Vancouver and Montreal.
that said, the Strathcona is a fine hotel for those watching their money. It's next door to the Fairmont Royal York,a nd the location is excellent for tourists. It's iun the heart of downbtown, near restaurants, and a five minute walk from the entertainment district.
Neighborhood's fine for women; one of my woman friends lives a block away.
You can walk to a great many parts of the city that you'd be interested in, and it is a short walk to two subway stops that will get you easily and inexpensively to other historical/interesting parts of Toronto.
There are varying definitions of downtown. My definition extends from Scollard across the north (a couple of blocks north of Bloor Street) down to Lake Ontario on the South, with Bathurst Street on the west, and (modified recently) Parliament on the east.
Mid-Town is around Yonge and St. Clair, and Up-Town is around Yonge and Eglinton.
But other people figure the north edge of dowwntown is College Street / Carlton Street (same street and it changes its name as it crosses Yonge); Mid-town is from around Summerhill up to Lawrtence Avenue (again, a few blocks east and west of Yonge) and Up-town is Yonge and Sheppard, north on Yonge to Finch.
The most convenient hotel locations are in three clusters. 1/ Along Bloor Street, from Church in the east (Mariott Yorkville) to St. George (Quality Hotel Midtown).
Within a big circle that ranges from just north of Toronto City Hall down to Front Street, east to Jarvis and west to Spadina.
It's a toss-up which of these is best. Stay in one and go visit the other.
And there are two good hotels along the lake, (Westin Harbour Castle and Radission.
The Strathcona is popular with European tour groups, and is recently renovated., One of my friends is a world traveller, used to very good hotels, and he had no complaints when he was booked into the Strathcona by a client.
BAK
Jan 2nd, 2005, 02:24 PM
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BAK's description is very helpful; I would only add a couple of thoughts.
I would recommend against most hotels that are East of Yonge Street, South of Bloor and North of Queen - especially those located on or near Jarvis Street (a N-S street). There are a number of budget hotels (e.g. Quality Inns, Primrose Hotel) in this area. While it's not dangerous, most of it is rather seedy and there are shelters for the homeless, as well as evidence of prostitution, drug dealing and drug use, etc - rather mild in comparison to most cities, but somewhat disconcerting for some people. I realize that I've excluded a few nice hotels and good budget finds by advising against this neighbourhood, but if you are looking for "safe and comfortable", pick a different neighbourhood for your first visit, and then explore this area looking for a budget option that suits your comfort level for a second visit. I'm not too familiar with the priceline categories for Toronto, but I expect that a lot of 3* and 3 1/2* hotels in downtown might be located in this area. You might want to pitch for 4* and up in order to avoid this neighbourhood.
The hotels that are right on Yonge Street in this area (eg. the Delta Chelsea, Marriott Courtyard, etc) will expose you to some seediness (a few strip clubs, adult bookstores, and the people who are attracted to such things), Yonge St itself is not dangerous - it's too busy day and night. It's the old-fashioned and still very popular commercial strip in Toronto - so all sorts of people walk up and down it.
I would recommend against most hotels that are East of Yonge Street, South of Bloor and North of Queen - especially those located on or near Jarvis Street (a N-S street). There are a number of budget hotels (e.g. Quality Inns, Primrose Hotel) in this area. While it's not dangerous, most of it is rather seedy and there are shelters for the homeless, as well as evidence of prostitution, drug dealing and drug use, etc - rather mild in comparison to most cities, but somewhat disconcerting for some people. I realize that I've excluded a few nice hotels and good budget finds by advising against this neighbourhood, but if you are looking for "safe and comfortable", pick a different neighbourhood for your first visit, and then explore this area looking for a budget option that suits your comfort level for a second visit. I'm not too familiar with the priceline categories for Toronto, but I expect that a lot of 3* and 3 1/2* hotels in downtown might be located in this area. You might want to pitch for 4* and up in order to avoid this neighbourhood.
The hotels that are right on Yonge Street in this area (eg. the Delta Chelsea, Marriott Courtyard, etc) will expose you to some seediness (a few strip clubs, adult bookstores, and the people who are attracted to such things), Yonge St itself is not dangerous - it's too busy day and night. It's the old-fashioned and still very popular commercial strip in Toronto - so all sorts of people walk up and down it.
Jan 2nd, 2005, 05:37 PM
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Thanks so much BAK and Kate_W for your advice. I have a map of Toronto and will study what you have told me. I'll probably come back with more questions after doing more research. We've never been to Canada and are excited about visiting Toronto since it fits in well with our trip to Niagara Falls.
I found a couple of reasonably priced hotels - the Days Inn at 30 Carlton and the Comfort Inn at 15 Charles. Are these in the areas you recommend avoiding? I am also going to check biddingfortravel and see what hotels are coming up through Priceline and check back with you. While I do have a map I'm afraid I sometimes have difficulty determining where a hotel is located simply by a street address. Hope you can help me determine where to choose to stay for our visit. I checked the Strathcona website and it doesn't show availability for our dates in mid September. I'll give them a call and see if they have anything available. That hotel sounds like a good choice if we can get a reservation.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer my post.
I found a couple of reasonably priced hotels - the Days Inn at 30 Carlton and the Comfort Inn at 15 Charles. Are these in the areas you recommend avoiding? I am also going to check biddingfortravel and see what hotels are coming up through Priceline and check back with you. While I do have a map I'm afraid I sometimes have difficulty determining where a hotel is located simply by a street address. Hope you can help me determine where to choose to stay for our visit. I checked the Strathcona website and it doesn't show availability for our dates in mid September. I'll give them a call and see if they have anything available. That hotel sounds like a good choice if we can get a reservation.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer my post.
Jan 2nd, 2005, 05:41 PM
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Oh man, this thread has turned a corner really fast. Why the attack on Kate_W? She's only offering an observation on the activities in certain areas.
I don't "condemn" people who visit strip clubs and adult bookstores (otherwise I'd have a very small circle of friends, I'm sure). I just wouldn't choose to stay near places like that on a holiday if I had alternatives. And I'd bet many other people feel the same way, and would thank someone who informed them in advance.
I don't "condemn" people who visit strip clubs and adult bookstores (otherwise I'd have a very small circle of friends, I'm sure). I just wouldn't choose to stay near places like that on a holiday if I had alternatives. And I'd bet many other people feel the same way, and would thank someone who informed them in advance.
Jan 2nd, 2005, 06:01 PM
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The Days Inn is about a quarter block along Carlton from Yonge Street, and a five minutes walk to Winners, a clothing store loved by many Canadian women for its wide selection and bargain prices.
Subway station next to the hotel, and the neighborhood's fine.
The Comfort Inn is next door, more or less, to a building where I had an office 30 years ago. I'd still go to theneighborhood. Again, five minutes or less to the subway, and ten minutes walk to the most expensive stores in the city. The Comfort Inn is an old hotel --probably 50 years at least, but I think it's safe to assume it's been updated recently.
There's less to do right around the Days Inn than in the other neighborhoods. For historiacal things, the Strathcona's closer. For an interesting walk on a September evening after supper, pick the Comfort Inn.
Anyway, keep asking and we'll keep answering.
BAK
Subway station next to the hotel, and the neighborhood's fine.
The Comfort Inn is next door, more or less, to a building where I had an office 30 years ago. I'd still go to theneighborhood. Again, five minutes or less to the subway, and ten minutes walk to the most expensive stores in the city. The Comfort Inn is an old hotel --probably 50 years at least, but I think it's safe to assume it's been updated recently.
There's less to do right around the Days Inn than in the other neighborhoods. For historiacal things, the Strathcona's closer. For an interesting walk on a September evening after supper, pick the Comfort Inn.
Anyway, keep asking and we'll keep answering.
BAK
Jan 2nd, 2005, 07:07 PM
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Intrepid1 - I did not intend to condemn people who work at or visit strip clubs or adult bookstores. Their presence on Yonge Street, however, does contribute to what some peole would call a "seedy" atmosphere. The neighourhood is not dangerous - just not what some people are looking for. And it is a bright, busy place with many different kinds of restaurants and shops. It will suit some but not others.
Jan 3rd, 2005, 07:37 AM
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If you are open to Priceline bidding, this seems a great way to get a good deal in downtown Toronto (and Niagara Falls if you choose).
In May last year I used Priceline successfully for both Toronto and Niagara Falls. I got the Courtyard by Marriott in Toronto for US$32 per night and the Renaissance Fallsview at Niagara Falls for US$35 per night. Both were 3* wins but the Rennaissance Fallsview has since been upgraded to a 4* on Priceline.
The Strathcona used to be rated a 3* on Priceline but has since been downgraded to a 2* I think. Many people used to avoid bidding 3* in this zone because the Strathcona was considered a bad hotel compared to the others that come up on Priceline. Now it's been downgraded that isn't an issue but it may be something to consider if you are going to book that hotel.
Another option is to look at Hotwire - see www.betterbidding.com for help with identifying Hotwire hotels and also Priceline bidding. I would expect Priceline to be cheaper but you'll be less likely to be able to identify the hotel in advance. For example, the Sheraton Centre is an easy spot on Hotwire (I just put in two random September dates and it showed up at US$77).
In May last year I used Priceline successfully for both Toronto and Niagara Falls. I got the Courtyard by Marriott in Toronto for US$32 per night and the Renaissance Fallsview at Niagara Falls for US$35 per night. Both were 3* wins but the Rennaissance Fallsview has since been upgraded to a 4* on Priceline.
The Strathcona used to be rated a 3* on Priceline but has since been downgraded to a 2* I think. Many people used to avoid bidding 3* in this zone because the Strathcona was considered a bad hotel compared to the others that come up on Priceline. Now it's been downgraded that isn't an issue but it may be something to consider if you are going to book that hotel.
Another option is to look at Hotwire - see www.betterbidding.com for help with identifying Hotwire hotels and also Priceline bidding. I would expect Priceline to be cheaper but you'll be less likely to be able to identify the hotel in advance. For example, the Sheraton Centre is an easy spot on Hotwire (I just put in two random September dates and it showed up at US$77).
Jan 3rd, 2005, 09:47 AM
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Just to add my two cents-I stayed at the Comfort Suites City Center @ 200 Dundas Street East for two nights during the middle of august.
The hotel is about 5mins walk from the Eaton Center and has good rates considering its central location.
The hotel is about 5mins walk from the Eaton Center and has good rates considering its central location.
