Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it wasn’t? What if you could reduce the cost of your accommodation to zero while still enjoying the comforts of home? That’s what house swaps promise. House swaps have been around for decades. It was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They became all the rage but then were soon eclipsed by sites like Airbnb. But as travel prices skyrocketed post-COVID, more and more people have turned back to house swaps as a means of saving money while they travel while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of an Airbnb). House swaps are exactly what they sound like. You sign up, list your home, and then swap with someone else in another city. They stay in your place and you stay in their place. The biggest and most popular platform for swaps is HomeExchange . And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with a house swa...
Posted: 5/20/24 | May 20th, 2024
Toronto is a sprawling metropolis known for its diversity. Over half of the city’s residents were born outside of the country, making it one of the most multicultural cities in the world. There’s not just a Chinatown and Little Italy here, but also a Greektown, Koreatown, Little India, Little Poland, Little Portugal, and even Little Malta!
Toronto also boasts iconic landmarks like the CN Tower (one of the tallest free-standing structures in the world), an expansive waterfront, and an endless array of museums. There’s tons of amazing food here too. I never get bored when I visit.
I’ve been to Toronto a lot over the years (it’s a short flight from where I grew up). The city is big, spread out, and has a ton of hotels to choose from. But I know from experience that not all of them are great. So, to help you have fun, save money, and enjoy the city, here’s my list of the best hotels in Toronto:
1. Ace Hotel
This four-star hotel is in the Garment District (which is conveniently located between Chinatown, hip Queen Street West, and Toronto’s downtown). Walking into the expansive lobby feels like you just walked onto the set of a Wes Anderson film, with its minimal retro-chic design that features lots of pastel tones and soft wood paneling. I love that the lobby is also an ultra-cool cocktail bar (literally called The Lobby) that gets lively at night with the city’s fashionable set. (In the mornings, you can get appropriately trendy breakfast foods here, like loaded avocado toast and a smoked salmon flatbread.) The hotel also boasts a rooftop bar with incredible views and regular DJ nights, as well as a fitness center.
Rooms come in small, medium, and large (there are suites too) and have a decent amount of natural light thanks to the large picture windows. I love all the uniquely Canadian touches, like in-room record players with Canadian vinyl albums curated by a Toronto record label, minibars filled with locally made products, and comfy beds adorned with custom, locally made quilts. All rooms have 55-inch TVs too, and the beautifully tiled bathrooms feature walk-in showers (some have tubs), designer toiletries, fluffy bathrobes, and hair dryers.
2. The Fairmont Royal York
Located directly across the street from Toronto’s Union Station (the city’s main train station), the Fairmont Royal York is an iconic five-star hotel with a storied history. It opened in 1929 as a railway hotel and was always Queen Elizabeth II’s official residence when in town. The hotel has kept with the décor and style of the time, and I love all the elegant Old-World charm. I really enjoy soaking up the atmosphere over a cocktail in the moody Art Deco-style lobby. The hotel also boasts an indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center with a sauna and steam room, and a restaurant that serves a giant breakfast buffet.
The stately rooms have ample space and a good amount of natural light, as well as a minibar, desk, small table, flatscreen TV, plush bathrobes, slippers, and a tea/coffee maker. The large, tiled bathrooms have walk-in showers with excellent water pressure and complimentary toiletries. They charge for Wi-Fi (which I think is ridiculous for a hotel of this caliber), but if you sign up for a free Accor hotels account, you can access the Wi-Fi for free. Overall, the Royal York is the best choice for luxury in the heart of downtown, close to all the city’s major landmarks and attractions.
3. The Broadview Hotel
Located in hip Riverside, the historic property was originally built in 1891 and has since been restored into a beautiful, four-star boutique hotel. The rooftop bar has great views, and there’s a cute café downstairs that serves breakfast in the mornings. I particularly love the spacious rooms’ lush red draperies, high ceilings, large windows, and dark wood floors. The décor adds a bit of whimsy too, with terrarium plants, funky floral wallpaper, and even a record player in each room.
The rooms are filled with lots of light and also have a desk, flatscreen TV, minibar, a French press coffee maker, and a wardrobe. The pillowtop beds are super comfy and adorned with luxurious Italian sheets. I also appreciate the little reading lights set into the headboards (perfect for when I read at night). While the bathrooms are a bit small and lacking some features (I found that there was nowhere to hang or put things), the huge walk-in showers have great pressure and locally made toiletries.
4. Park Hyatt Toronto
Toronto’s Park Hyatt is located in Yorkville, an upscale neighborhood known for its high-end shopping, fine dining, and luxury hotels. A five-star property, the entire hotel has a contemporary and sophisticated design, with sleek furnishings, tasteful art pieces, and a harmonious color palette. The in-house eatery is an upscale steakhouse (that serves hearty breakfast dishes like steak and eggs) and there’s a small fitness center here too.
The rooms are nice and spacious, with lots of natural light thanks to the large windows. In-room amenities include Bluetooth speakers, a 55” flatscreen HDTV, a safe, minibar, blackout curtains, and a Nespresso coffee maker. The bathrooms are large and feature walk-in rain showers and complimentary, luxurious toiletries. I generally find that Park Hyatt properties never disappoint (they’re a good place to use points so I stay in them a lot).
5. The Yorkville Royal Sonesta
The Royal Sonesta is also in Yorkville, directly across the street from the Royal Ontario Museum (one of my favorite museums in the city). This four-star hotel boasts a heated indoor rooftop swimming pool, a massage studio, a vodka bar (featuring over 50 vodka varieties from around the world), and an in-house eatery with a menu inspired by the cultural diversity of Toronto.
I like that the rooms have a modern, minimalist design, with lots of natural light. They also feature a large desk, seating area, Nespresso machine, flatscreen TV, and minibar. The large marble bathrooms have walk-in showers (I thought the water pressure was a bit low though), plush bathrobes, and slippers. I like that there’s a 24/7 fitness center too.
6. Pantages Hotel Downtown
This sleek high-rise hotel is right in the center of the action in downtown Toronto. Pantages is particularly well suited for those with theater tickets, as it’s just a stone’s throw away from several historic performing arts venues. I love that you’re right next-door to the historic Fran’s diner too. It dates to the 1940s and is open 24 hours, serving up classic diner fare (including excellent breakfast plates).
The rooms are incredibly spacious and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows and beautiful hardwood floors. I really like the design of the rooms, with their lush royal blue draperies, plush area rugs, and unique artwork on the walls. Rooms also feature a large desk, Keurig coffee maker, a safe, and a flatscreen TV (deluxe rooms or suites include a little kitchenette). I found the beds nice and comfy, with cozy comforters and high-thread-count sheets. The huge marble bathrooms were recently updated and are really nice, with walk-in rain showers and luxury bath products.
Canada’s largest city is bursting with unique neighborhoods filled with interesting things to see, do, and eat (I love eating my way around the city). There are a lot of hotels to choose from here, but pick one of the list above and you’ll be sure to have a fun time in Toronto!
Book Your Trip to Canada: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Need a Rental Car?
Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Canada?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Canada for even more planning tips!
Photo credits: 2 – Ace Hotel, 3 – The Fairmont Royal York, 4 – The Broadview, 5 – Park Hyatt Toronto, 6 – The Yorkville Royal Sonesta, 7 – Pantages Hotel Downtown
The post The 6 Best Hotels in Toronto appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
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