OK...my first time to Toronto here!! We are planning on coming Oct 7-9. I am thinking about bidding on Priceline for a hotel in the "downtown" region (looks like it goes from Gardiner to DuPont & from Don Valley Pkwy to just past Bathhurst St). We are four 30 somethings looking to be in walking distance to the heart of the "action", is this a good area for that? i.e, good bars, restaurants, etc? We're thinking of going to the Hockey Hall of Fame & possibly the Leafs/Habs game that Saturday evening.

Hotels that are listed as possibilities in this region (4*) are: Park Hyatt, Sutton Place, Le Parker Meridien King Edward, Hilton Toronto, Metropolitan, Intercontinental Toronto, Westin Harbour Castle and the Sheraton Centre. Any worries about any of those hotels?? Any one of them better for location than the other?

Thanks for any advice you can give....I have been given the task of finding the hotel & I don't want to let anyone down!!!

The downtown area descibed is definately the one you want. All of the hotels sound good. Naturally each will have advantages and disadvantages but with Priceline you don't get to choose. Keep in mind that since I live in the area I never stay in Toronto hotels.

Several thoughts...

First, all fine hotels.

Second, since it appears you have a map, all those hotels are east of Spadina, and all of west of Jarvis Street, making them even more central.

The Westin Harbour Castle is south of the Gardiner Expressway, but not far enough to matter.

There are two Intercontinentals within this area; one on Bloor Street and one on Front Street.

All are within easy walks of three 'action" areas. Some the Yorkville Area, some the St. Lawrence Market area, and some the Entertainment District.

I don't thnk there's an advanage to any oarea over the other. The Sutton Place would be my last choice from the list, because it's a little out fo the way (surrounded by government buildings) but all this relly means is another 5-7 minutes of walking.

King Eddy is closest to the Hockey Hall of Fame, but you can get there easily enough from all the others.

These are all fancy places, by Toronto standards. Sheraton and Hilton have indoor-outdoor pools.

BAK

Thanks, that's good to know. I was concerned that there was one of those hotels that would be in a distant area from the nightlife, etc. I feel more comfortable going the Priceline route now!! I've noticed that most people have been getting the Sheraton Centre for rates of about $60-$65, which seems like a great deal, but with my luck I'll get whatever oddball hotel is on the "fringe" of where we want to be. I'll bid w/ more confidence now!

Thanks again!

Woo hoo! Got the Sheraton Centre for $64 on Priceline. We called the hotel directly & they said that their valet parking was $33/day.....any cheaper options you can advise me on???

You don't need and don't want a car in downtown Toronto. Parking is expensive, and it's easy to get around on foot, by subway or the occasional taxi.

I think that you're missing the point, KateW. The OP is looking for a less expensive place to park the car while staying at the Sheraton, not how to get around in Toronto. Are you suggesting that they travel to Toronto by plane, train or bus, rather than driving?

Yeah KateW, we're driving in from MI. No way around it. I realize that it'll be parked & we won't touch it until we depart, but nonetheless, we need a place to park. Thanks for any tips.

Yes, I would like some tips on parking too...I'm coming to Toronto tomorrow and I'm staying in the Soho Metropolitian Hotel...I got a great rate on Expedia--(it was even on sale on top of the usual deal). I know the parking is going to be expensive though. Is there anywhere near you can suggest that may be cheaper than the hote?

Gee, laverendrye, at the time I made the comment I don't think I was missing the point because cassidy2002 hadn't indicated that they were driving to Toronto (many tourists arrive by other routes but then think that they need to rent a car once they get here). But now that cassidy2002 has explained why they need parking, we can move onto other other options.

I can't think of a specific budget option. I can tell you that there are some decent lower priced lots when you get just a few blocks out of the downtown core, but you might have to move your car from one location for the morning and another for the night. The Sheraton is in the heart of the business district (and beside the entertainment district), so it's always really expensive. If you go north up Bay Street (a little to the east of the Sheraton), there are a few lots once you get north of Dundas (about a 5-7 minute walk from the Sheraton) that have early bird rates, around $9.00 if you're in by 8:30, out by 6 pm. The City Hall underground parking lot directly across the street from the hotel is fairly expensive on the weekdays (about $13 for 8am-6pm) but probably is a lot cheaper for overnight and weekend parking. I saw a review on tripadvisor for the Sheraton where the reviewers said they paid $35 to park their car for three days at the city hall parking lot. The Cambridge Suites Hotel just a little east and south of Queen and Yonge (also close to the Sheraton) has parking as low as $5 for daytime on the weekends; they might have good 24 hour rates, too.

So, City Hall might by the best if you're going to park it and leave it.

Elisachristina, I don't know if you have your heart set (or $ committed) to the Soho (since you booked on expedia, maybe you can't change plans), but the Cambridge Suites have good parking rates for guests.

Thanks for the tips! I'm going to print this thread out! I am very much looking forward to this trip!

cassidy..I'm staying at the Sheraton on Sept 11. I also got this hotel from priceline. I'll post a report when I get back.

Thanks lucygirl!!

The $33 is valet parking. How much if you park it yourself int hehotel garage?

Anyway, there's a city fo Toronto parking garage connected to the hotel by a tunnel, where the rates will be somewhat lower.

I know all day across the road is $13, but I don't know the 24 hour rate.

The Sheraton is across from Toronto city hall, which has a huge plaza in front of it. Under the plaza is a giant multistorey parking lot.

When you enter the garage from in front of the hotel (there are other entrances to the garage, too) you drive toward the parking area by passing the door to the hotel.You can unload in front of the hotel, and then have one of you just drive the car across the street.

THAT SAID, For four people in Toronto, driving around makes lots of sense, depeneing on where you want to go. Casa Loma, the Zoo, the Distillery District, Ontario Place, Old Fort York (can't imagine you wanting to visit this, but it is a cool plce for history buffs), a drive through various neighborhoods, a visit to The Beaches, are all easy to do in a car with four people, so check on in and out privileges with the car via the hotel parking lot. It may turn out cheaper.

As for resstaurants, clubs, etc.; there are lots to walk to fromt he hotel, and no worries about coming home in a car after drinking at dinner and into the evening.

BAK

The Sheraton is awesome! My husband and I just left two days ago. Great location, pretty much walking distance to everything and the trains are really close. Don't have a car! there is no need for a car in toronto. If you are traveling rent a car when you plan to leave. Have a great time!

Topping for Lucygirl....

Lucy~ How was it?

my wife and i just finished 10 days at the film festival, this was our 10th year. we took our bikes for the first time. a great way to get around. many many riders. many major streets have bike lanes. drivers seem to watch out for bikes, not so for pedestrians.

a lot of bike trails in city and surrounding areas.

GREAT!!!

My computer's been down so I haven't been able to write. I'll post a full report later tonight.