Westin Harbour Castle/Toronto
 

Am tentatively booked here for a late summer trip to Toronto. I've read good reviews on Fodor's and other magazines about the hotel. Planning to see Phantom, the usual attractions--CN Tower, Casa Loma, a Blue Jays game, Toronto Island, etc. Liked the location in proximity to parks/trails as we're runners. Is this hotel recommended by you fellow visitors and Torontonians? <BR>

Hi Lynn - the Westin Harbour Castle is basically a big convention hotel - the service will be fine/probably somewhat faceless, etc. You'll be able to walk to the SkyDome/CN Tower/Eaton Centre from the hotel. The area is good for running/etc but a little 'disconnected' from the rest of the city (there's a large expressway that runs between the lakefront and downtown/uptown - it kind of serves as a pyschological barrier for some - although as mentioned walking to many attractions is easy). <BR> <BR>There's another hotel down the street from the Harbour Castle that's also on the water, but a lot smaller. Friends of mine stay there often and love it, and it might be less expensive. It's called the Radisson Plaza Hotel Admiral - they're web site is https://www.radisson.com/torontoca_admiral/ <BR> <BR>Hope you enjoy your stay.

Lynn - just one other thought. There's not too many good restaurants on the water (mostly touristy type places or hotel dining rooms)

Lynn, <BR> <BR>As someone who lives in Toronto, I'd advise against staying by the water - you're far removed from any decent shopping, eating, museums and neighbourhoods and just about everything else. The above post is right about the Gardiner Expressway - unfortunately wom idiot planner put it right on the lake front, obstructing the view and creating a lot of exhaust for runners/cyclists. I'd suggest looking at the Royal York - it's on Front St., is still very close to all the activities you listed (CN Tower, SkyDome, Toronto Island), and you can walk down to Harbourfront and enjoy an afternoon by the water without being stuck there all the time. The Royal York is also right on the subway line (Westin is not) and is a much more of landmark in Toronto than the Westin. It's also a short walk to some of the city's best activities and areas - the Royal Ontario Museum on University Avenue, the Art Gallery of Ontario on Dundas St. West,St. Lawrence Market on Front St., a beautiful indoor outdoor food and crafts market that is really quite lovely. If you want fancy shopping, go to Bloor Street between Yonge and Avenue Rd - its designer shopping heaven. Southern Spadina is our China town, and while the traffic is insane, it's an experience to walk down the road. Have a good time.

Elizabeth describes the location of this hotel very well. You do feel sort of cut off from the city due to the rather unattractive freeway between you and the city. And there's not much to do (surprisingly) down by the water. If you're looking to stay at a larger hotel more "intown" I have stayed at both the Toronto Hilton and Toronto Sheraton and found both a little nicer than the Westin (and they're right across the street from each other).

Thanks for the above info. I am looking in the Park Plaza (Hyatt), Four Seasons or Royal York to change from the Westin, however, it doesn't look too good for the Hyatt, they're asking $402/night, American!!! It's 4****, but can't be nice enough to pay that much/night. Any more feedback will be appreciated. <BR>

Lynn, <BR> <BR>They've just refurbished the Park Plaza, but I can't believe they quoted you $400 US/nt - there is no way that hotel is worth that much. Don't do it! The Four Seasons is between $300 and $600 CDN/nt, and it is just across the street from the Hyatt, in Yorkville, a very pretty, elegant neighbourhood with fabulous shopping and eateries. It's a beautiful hotel, they redid all the rooms last year. You could also try the Sutton Place on Bayview, but it's a bit stuffy and isn't as well located as the Four Seasons or Royal York. Let me know if I can be of anymore help.

Just an addition to the above post - if you are runners, the Four Seasons would be a good location. The hotel supplies a jogging map with two different routes mapped out for you that go through the lovely, tree lined, residential neighbourhoods of the Annex, Casa Loma and Forest Hill. Very little exhaust and traffic.

Actually, we are now also considering either the Hilton or the Sheraton. I'm worried about the size of rooms at the Royal York after reading several entries. As of right now, we have a tentative package reserved with Yankee Holidays, but I'm going to do just a little more homework before deciding further. Is the Delta Chelsea as touristy as I think it is?...everyone you talk to seems to go there, but I have seen no references about it here. Yes, I was also surprised at the room quote on the Park Plaza/Hyatt. So surprised that I called back a second time for a requote--we are also "gold card" Hyatt members, whatever that's worth, and in this case, was worth nothing evidently! When the res. agent quoted me $402/night, I asked her to repeat it twice, and then I asked her what this property was rated. She said 4****, and I said, thanks, but no thanks... <BR>

I don't think the Delta Chelsea is any more touristy than the others; it is just bigger so more people have stayed there. It has been too many years since I have stayed there to make a fair comment. Sort of located in a no mans'land between Downtown and Bloor St. The most recent place I stayed in Toronto that I liked was the Marriott behind the Eaton Centre. Certainly handy to see the Phantom and easy walking distance to the CN Tower, SkyDome, Queen St. West, etc.

Lynn, I didn't know what dates you are travelling, but I did a quick check on Hyatt's web site and found that rooms can be had for $335 Canadian for August 19-22. Try their web page and type in your travel dates. It may be that you're going over a particularly busy weekend, but it's worth a shot.

Lynn <BR> <BR>I wouldn't advise on the Chelsea. It's not as good a street or location as the Hilton or Sheraton. The Sheraton would be a good idea if you're coming in summertime, as they have a huge pool on the roof top. It's at Queen and University, which is an excellent downtown spot, right on the subway line.

Lynn - would you consider a bed and breakfast? There are a few in the downtown(ish) area that are nice (and WAY less expensive). Let me know if you're interested and I'll look into it abit more.

THANK YOU so much everyone for your help. I'm so glad I posted the question about the Westin before I confirmed. I have finally made a decision and after much research, booked at the Hilton, which was at a decent rate that includes cont. breakfast everyday. I tried Brian's suggestion and went to several websites, including Hyatt which again quoted $402/US/night on the website for the Park Plaza. It would have been nice to stay in that area, but considering the amount of time we're going to be in our room, the price isn't practical. You've all been most helpful, thanks again! <BR>

I think you made a good choice Lynn. I used to stay at the Hilton when I was in the city for business. Did you happen to get an executive floor room? I think these are the only ones that offer free breakfast. If so, you should also have access to the executive lounge which has a free, serve-yourself bar and beautiful view of the city. Be sure to take advantage (we certainly did)!

Brian - how was your visit to Toronto - the weather was much better than originally promised and the subways were running! Also - let's bring back Dr./Mr. Abate to the Europe thread! <BR> <BR>

I didn't get any inclination that we're on the executive floor. The rate that I got is the same rate I got on their website for long weekends, I forget specifically what it's called, but on the website it didn't mention breakfast. I was actually quite impressed with the Hilton res agent, which doesn't occur all to often when making hotel reservations. She did everything she could to obtain my booking, including offering several different rates (I guess when she realized she wasn't where she needed to be to get the booking) getting me a king, n/s room, with Cont. Breakfast and offering to answer any other questions twice AFTER I already booked. She was in no hurry to get me off the line. Other chains that I spoke to today when asked, "is that your best rate", simply said "yes" and the conversation was over. She went the extra mile. I'll give Hilton the thumbs up for service on this booking. Anyway, we'll have to see if the executive floor is part of the plan. BTW, does anyone know what kind of Toronto tour is offered from the packaging agencies like Yankee Holiday? Is the tour something you can get once in Toronto and is it necessary? We were originally booked with Y.H., but now I've made my own arrangements except for the tour. <BR>

I've found in my visits to Toronto that the best things about the city aren't covered in an organized tour. I think the best things about the city are: <BR> <BR>1. The people. Everyone is so friendly and down to earth, even in situations that you wouldn't expect them to be (i.e. hostess of an ultra-hip restaurant). <BR> <BR>2. The neighborhoods. When my wife an I go, we spend most of our time (all day) walking down Bloor St. West, College St. W, Queen St. W and all the cross streets inbetween. There are hundreds of interesting shops, bars, clubs, restaurants. On Bloor St., in a 1 mile stretch, we saw family-run restaurants from 10-12 different nationalities. No exaggeration. <BR> <BR>3. The streets. We never felt unsafe and even in February had the sense that this is truly a 24-hour city. <BR> <BR>4. Public Transport. Clean, quick and efficient. The streetcars are more fun because you can see more of the city as you go. <BR> <BR>5. The exchange rate (though Canadians may not agree)! <BR> <BR>One other thing, if you are staying more that 2 nights, it will be worth your while to pick up a VAT refund form as you can get a refund of the VAT taxes for large purchases of items to bring home and for the VAT on your hotel room. You can pick up the form at the airport (or the hotel may have it) and mail it back in with your original receipts).

Do not book tours before you get to Toronto. There's a tour desk in the lobby of the Hilton, and the people running it get constant feedback from guests regarding the quality of tour guides, what attrations are best, etc. You should wait until you get to Toronto. <BR>The front desk staff were happy to hear how satisfied you were with the reservations staff. <BR>The roof top bar at the Hyatt is still a Toronto institution, and you can still get there easily enough from the Hilton. Just take the subway from the entrance outside the Hilton hotel for several stops northbound. Get off at the Museum subway stop, and walk one block to the Hyatt. <BR>BAK <BR>

Thanks, Brian. I ended up creating my own package for less $$, and it includes things we want to do--such as take in a Blue Jays game, the Phantom, and the Hotel w/daily breakfast. The tour we had originally booked had in dinner at the CN Tower and the tour of Toronto, which if we want either, we can do like you said and make arrangements once we're there. What can you tell me about the Beaches I've read about? Is this a shopping area? Is it worth visiting?