Visiting Toronto first time?

Question

I am visiting Toronto over memorial weekend with my wife and kids. What are some best places to stay with reasonable price for couple of nights.

Answer 1

Novotel at 45 The Esplanade, is right downtown, and yet in a relatively quiet spot with slower traffic,  walking distance to everything, including modern grocery store (Dominion on Front Street) and a historic "farmers market" (St.Lawrence Market), walking distance to Hockey Hall of Fame (take a look at the awesome hallway attached to it, and food court and pharmacy downstairs), walking distance to Union Station, TTC (subway and streetcars), taverns with live music, restaurants like the family restaurant The Organ Grinder, or the Bier Markt with hundreds of choices for the parents, or conventional Deli foods at "Shopsy" or fancy fare at Biffs or a Greek restaurant, or oriental The Spring Roll,...the list goes on and on;  walking distance to the Ferry Docks to go over to the Islands, a lovely place to rent a bike or rent a canoe and boat around the island lagoons, and a family place with rides for young kids; walking distance to "Harbourfront", with free concerts, walking distance even to CN Tower, and see the amazing new and old architecture around Roy Thomson Hall...This hotel has an indoor swimming pool too, and the price is reasonable.

Answer 2

I'd recommend the Courtyard Marriott downtown. It's right on Yonge Street (which is the major north-south street in Toronto), and is pretty reasonably priced considering you're at the heart of the downtown core. It's in a good area that's busy 24 hours a day, which is why I recommend it to you. If you're travelling with your wife and kids, you want to stay in the busy parts of the city for convenience (the subway runs up and down Yonge) and the added safety of 24 hour traffic. Lots of food places around there, and it's a 10 minute walk down to the CN Tower, Skydome, and all the attractions down on the waterfront. Hotels down on the waterfront are pretty expensive, which is why I wouldn't direct you to the hotels down there.

I'll warn you now: Toronto has a BIG homeless problem. The city's not nearly as dangerous as similar-sized cities in the US, but it's something of which to be mindful. There's no danger associated with it, but expect to be asked for change frequently. There are quite a few nice hotels along Jarvis Street, but the area east of Jarvis is a bit seedy-looking and low-income, so there are more homeless people who dwell around there than other areas. I'd recommend staying clear of the places on Jarvis with the family.

Hope it helps, and enjoy Toronto! It's a fantastic city!