I have reservations at the Westin Harbor Castle for November this year. Is this a good time to visit Toronto weatherwise? Also, Is the WHC considered a luxury hotel comparable to other WEstins? Is it in walking distance to nearby attractions like the CN tower, good restaurants?

The Westin is a very nice hotel. I have never stayed at other Westins, but this one is right on Lake Ontario with beautiful views from most rooms. It has two towers of about 25 floors each. It has a great pool on about the 5th floor. Valet parking is expensive there, so consider parking in the large lot on the east side of the hotel. You will not be able to predict Toronto weather in November. It could be snowing, it could be balmy. Because the Westin is located on the harbourfront, the Gardiner Expressway is between the hotel and downtown. You can walk to places along the harbour, but I would recommend a taxi or public transit to places like the CN tower. Taxis are cheap in Toronto, and the streetcar pulls up very close to the hotel. The Hockey Hall of Fame and the Air Canada Centre are both quite close to the Westin as well.

I've walked from there to major attractions, and it really is a pretty good hike.<BR><BR>In pictures, it looks closer to the CN Tower and the downtown attractions and SkyDome than it feels to your feet, especially if it is a cold and rainy Novermber day, which is quite possible.<BR><BR>I like the hotel itself. I've been in very nice rooms, I've eaten good meals, I've attended well-catered meetings.<BR><BR>But if I was a tourist in November, I'd pick a hotel on the city-side, not the harbor side, of the expressway and the railway tracks and several other east-west roads down there.<BR><BR>Hilton, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza, Royal York, several Marriotts, Holiday Inn on King are all roughly in the same category (Royal York is special in lots of ways).<BR><BR>Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, Windsor Arms are fancier, more expensive.<BR><BR>BAK

I just got this hotel for $34 a night (+ tax) in August!<BR><BR>See www.biddingfortravel.com for my winning bid and others like it.

Thank you all for your responses. Glad to hear it is a nice property. Is there restaurants and places to see around the harbourfront?

The Westin is at the east end, more or less, of the developed Harbourfront area, with several OK restaurants, some art galleries, boats to take on harbour cruises, and more.<BR><BR>Lots to do down there, even in the late fall.<BR><BR>BAK

I usually stay at the Sheraton in Toronto but last week I stayed at the Westin. It was MUCH nicer, conveniently located, had a terrific piano bar, great pool, and very nice rooms! A 5 minute walk to the subway at the Royal York Hotel allows you to get everywhere!

Thanks Jill and Brian..<BR>Jill, since you have stayed there recently, can you tell me if this westin has the "heavenly bed", their signature bed? Also, did you have a chance to do any shopping in the area near the WEstin? One more thing, where to eat near the WEstin, not interested in incredibly expensive restaurants, actually looking for a quick bite for breakfast and lunch (inexpensive) and nice place for dinner. Thanks for your help!!!

Amy, if you walk west from the hotel to Queen's Quay (about 5 mins), you pass a Second Cup and in Queen's Quay itself, there's a Tim Horton's as well as 3 or 4 quite good moderately priced restaurants. The Pearl upstairs serves good Chinese and a dim sum at the w/e. Il Fornello downstairs has good salads and pizzas. Enjoy the city and don't forget to pack some warm stuff!

Just got back from the Westin and absolutely loved it! We had the best view of both the harbour, and the CN Tower/Sky Dome from our room. The rooms were great as was the bathroom. Did not note a heavenly bed. Again, the workout facilities were great and offered squash, tennis & basketball in addition to the usual. And the service from the staff was impeccable! They treated us like royalty.<BR><BR>One added bonus is that you are right at the ferry for Toronto Islands since it leaves from the Westin property.<BR><BR>As for breakfast places, we ate breakfast at a small cafe I believe it was called Cocoberry Cafe that was less than 5 minutes from the hotel (the concierge recommended it). We enjoyed that though service was a little slow since they were packed. Also had breakfast at the coffee bar at the hotel - we had a couple bagels there which was really quick!<BR><BR>We went to dinner at Benihana's one night and really enjoyed that for about $45 CAD/$30 USD each. It's nearby at the Royal York Hotel. You might consider Marche' for lunch or Sunday brunch. It's a real experience, lots of different foods to choose from served at different stations. It's located at Bay and Front I believe. Hope this helps.