Toronto hotels

Toronto has a staggering smorgasbord of accommodation options with everything on offer from celebrity-crammed designer pads in the hipper hoods of the city to gleaming downtown towers with high-rise prices to Victorian mansions seeing a new lease of life as cheerful, family-run inns. Meanwhile, the trend of four- and five-star condo-hotels that double as luxury residences and hotel accommodations continues to make its mark on the skyline.

While there’s the obvious cluster of names and chains downtown, you’ll have a distinctly different stay in the city if you opt for a room or suite even just a ten-minute walk from downtown’s towers. Yorkville, where Downtown becomes Midtown, offers some swanky and some good mid-priced chain hotels. Queen West, in the West End, wins for artistically-inclined design hotels.

Things to consider before booking

• Despite the profusion of rooms, Toronto is a big convention town and rooms can be surprisingly hard to snag — even during the iciest months of February — so book well ahead any time of year. If visiting during September — Film Festival month — book way in advance.
• Around the school holidays in March is a good time to nab a price deal — everyone from Ontario who can heads to warmer climes during this time.
• Most of the larger hotels have cheaper rooms on weekends.
• Older Victorian hotels and inns often do not have a lift.
• In most hotels, breakfast is not included, but there’s no shortage of breakfast place round the city. In cheaper hotels and b&bs, breakfast is usuallly included.
• Quoted hotel rates always exclude the steep 13 per cent city tax.

I've been reviewing places to stay in Toronto for the eight years I’ve lived in Canada. The ones I've picked for Simonseeks range from a selection of the finest, fanciest five stars the city has to offer, to the best down-to-earth value digs properties. You'll also find suggestions for really good b&bs and for the city’s best hostel (Global Village Backpackers).