Travelling to Toronto by car via Niagara Falls with hubbie and sons (aged 15 and 8)in early August. Found this forum (where have I been?!!) about a week ago - love it. Have read many recommendations to the point where I am totally confused! Trying to base hotel according to our activities. 15 year old into sports and music (jazz, show tunes) and 8 year old likes sports and active. Bluejays game will be a must as well as hockey hall of fame. Shopping not a priority unfortunately. We also like museums. Friend suggested the Royal York, I have 1/2 price card off rack rates at Crowne Plaza, have read good and bad about Delta Chelsea, and good things about Cambridge Suites and Marriott Eaton Centre. Any thoughts? Being so late in planning, my choices may be limited. Thank you all in advance. ps. How's Ottawa weather and activity wise in mid April?

All of the hotels you mention are in the downtown core. Being summer, you could walk to most major tourist destinations. Probably have to take the car or experience our quite good public transportation system for the Royal Ontario Museum or the Art Gallery of Ontario. Delta Chelsea is so so, seems like it caters to big groups. Crowne Plaza good location for Skydome (baseball) and Hockey Hall of Fame with good access to numerous restaurants all within walking radius. Book early as the city is hosting World Youth in late July. Enjoy our beautiful city.

I just got back from a stay at the Marriott Eaton Centre and I was very pleased with it, rooms were very clean and in very good shape, lobby is very nice and the service is good. You can also get Pizza Hut pizza from room service in addition to more adult dining. Parking garage is right there...can't tell you how much it is though. It's centrally located in so far as it's just a walk or short bus/subway ride to whereever you want to go. There are a couple of coffee shops 1-3 blocks away or McDonald's for cheap breakfast. Also good pretty inexpensive Chinese/Thai food a block away, as well as a Red Lobster if your sons are not adventurous diners. Also a nice grocery store a block away on the lower level of the small mall on Bay and Dundas.

We have stayed in all the hotels you mention and would stay in any again EXCEPT the Delta Chelsea. We like the Crown Plaza because it is fairly new, good location and large rooms. We stay at the Cambridge Suites when we travel with our adult son. It is nice to have a separate living room with sofa bed and a separate bedroom as well as a refrigerator. It is so easy to get around Toronto on public transportation and by foot that you could stay at any of these.

We stayed at the SkyDome hotel since we are also sports fans - (I think it is now a Renaissance Hotel). Fine hotel, but I am sure not the best priced or best accomodations - it was really fun for kids to stay in wall of Skydome - got to watch them open the roof while we ate breakfast. Easy to navigate subway system to museums and Hockey Hall of Fame. Hotel and rooms are a little too "concrete and steel" for some, but the atmosphere was worth it for our family. You can pay extra and watch a Blue Jays game from your room. Since no one goes to Blue Jays games, you can also get really good seats in park. We also walked to Chinatown and CN Tower.

The hotel the kids will remember is the Royal York. Spectacular lobby, interesing shops, dominates the skyline, etc. That's the place to pick if you want memorable.<BR><BR>All the hotels are fine, otherwise.<BR><BR>BAK

If you book a hotel, you may still want to check the Marriott website the week before you go to see if they have an ylast minute specials at the Marriott Eaton Centre. I just booked this weekend for $129 Cdn (about $83 US).

Why anyone would pay $129 for a hotel in Toronto is beyond me, when they can get a three star hotel room from $23-$50 US a night. Use priceline.com, but first visit www.biddingfortravel.com, and check out what others have bid.

I don't blame you for being confused! I'm confused and I live in T.O. The nice thing is that there are so many choices and you can't go wromg with any of them. If I had friends with family I would put them at the Sheraton Centre or the Crowne Plaza. If they could get into Cambridge Suites they would have extra space and be well-located. If shopping isn't your thing then you don't need to be so close to the Eaton Centre. Forget the Chelsea, you have better options.If you like jazz then check out jazzintoronto.com for who is playing and where. Eat at Marche when you go to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Have them bring their rollerblades and go over to the Islands to spend time there. Head to The Docks Entertainment Complex for a spectacular view of Toronto and lots of fun things to do there.

Thank you all for your help. Went back and read older postings too and decided on Cambridge Suites. Never read anything negative about it - besides ignorance is bliss! We will be happy anywhere and this setup give the 8 year old a little more room. Brian - we will definitely stop and take a look around the Royal York. I can't wait!! Thank you all again. Any suggestions or ideas really appreciated.