Located at the shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is the most populous city in Canada. Like Vancouver, Toronto is also divided into neighborhoods. The oldest St. Lawrance neighborhood dates to 1793. It borders with more contemporary Financial and Entertainment Districts. The area is home to many museums, galleries, sports clubs, and some of the best hotels in Toronto.
Toronto is an international business, finance, arts, and sports center. The municipality is vibrant, multicultural, and attracts over 43 million tourists every year. It’s also known as one of the most gay-friendly cities in the World. You won’t get bored while visiting the city. Its varied cultural landscape provides enough entertainment for several lifetimes. Check our list of top seven things to do in Toronto for some ideas.
Where to stay in Toronto
Toronto has much to offer when it comes to accommodation. You will find here a wide range of choices. The city boasts plush 5-star resorts, upscale boutiques, lively hostels, and cozy B&Bs. Most hotels stand in two popular areas – Old Toronto and Yorkville.
Old Toronto is home to several smaller neighborhoods, including the bustling Entertainment District. Yorkville is a famous affluent fashion and shopping center. The high number of hotels in those areas may make selecting the right one a tad challenging. Here is our list of eleven best hotels in Toronto, Canada, to help you make the right choice. If you’re planning for a quick visit, why not pick one of the 11 Best Hotels Near Toronto Airport instead?
Hotel X Toronto by Library Hotel Collection
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This lovely waterfront property stands on the premises of the historic Exhibition. It’s an ideal spot for long lakeshore walks far away from the bustling downtown. The proximity of Billy Bishop Airport makes the hotel a nifty starting point for City Sightseeing Helicopter Tour. The hotel should be your top choice if you look for quiet relaxation.
Hotel X features elegant modern decor. Floor-to-ceiling windows make the interior bask in warm natural light. Some overlook Lake Ontario. Within the hotel premises, you will find a massive wellness center with a rooftop pool. There are also an on-site movie screening room and an art gallery. Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas.
The hotel features two restaurants. Pétros82 serves delicious Mediterranean cuisine inspired by Greek traditions. Maxx’s Kitchen offers comfort North American menu. Handcrafted cocktails you can get at the rooftop Falcon SkyBar. You can also get a cup of coffee at Nespresso Café or the on-site Starbucks. Be prepared, though, to spend quite some money on meals and drinks. They are on the expensive site. The nearest restaurant and bar areas start over a kilometer away from the hotel. You may not be able to dine out comfortably.
Shangri-La Hotel
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Situated in the strict downtown, Shangri-La is perfect for lovers of upscale experiences. The hotel features sophisticated artistic decor. Floor-to ceiling windows offer a splendid skyline panorama. Rooms have flat-screen TVs, coffee machines, and minibars. Bathrooms boast marble soaking tubs and showers.
For fitness enthusiasts, Shangri-La has a wellness center with an indoor pool, a gym, and a spa. Healthy treats are available at the Health Club’s juice bar. If you crave outdoor activities, not far from the property starts the Heart of Downtown Bicycle Tour. In the hotel’s proximity, you can also find the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Art Galery of Ontario is only a 15-minute-walk away.
Once you finish exercising, head to Shangri-La’s Bosk Restaurant. The lovely venue serves a variety of Asian dishes. The hotel also has two on-site bars offering excellent cocktails. Outside of Shangri-La, there are plenty of exceptional dining venues and pubs for you to discover. Give a try to culinary explorations with the Kensington Market and Chinatown with Snack & Drink Tour.
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto at Yorkville
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This top-class hotel stands in the heart of fashionable Yorkville. The neighborhood overflows with upscale boutiques and design studios. It’s home to the quirky Bata Shoe Museum and the Royal Ontario Museum. Back streets hide picturesque Victorian houses with decorative gardens.
With its posh decor, Four Seasons fits perfectly in the narrative of Yorkville. Bright voguish rooms offer an exquisite urban panorama of Toronto. The hotel features an expansive gym with an indoor pool and a sizable spa. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. Families will find here not only suitable rooms but also a variety of children-oriented services. There is also an on-site electric vehicle charging station. You can park your vehicle at the hotel premises too. It costs CAD 55 per day.
Four Seasons spoils for meals with the french-inspired Café Boulud. For cocktails and appetizers, you can head to the hotel’s d|bar. But you should also definitely venture outside. Yorkville streets are lined with stylish cafes and fine-dining restaurants. It would be a pity not to try any of them.
Bisha Hotel Toronto
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This exquisite property stands in the heart of Toronto’s Entertainment District. The lively area is a Canadian answer to Broadway. You will find here theaters, concert halls, and performing arts centers. The district also features most of the downtown nightclubs.
Bisha‘s decor couldn’t reflect better the nature of the hotel’s location. Each Bisha guest room has a unique look with a Hollywood twist. The property’s 9th floor has been designed by Lenny Kravitz and his Kravitz Design Inc. The hotel hosts three restaurants and a lobby bar. The menu varies from French to North American to Japanese. Bisha also boasts a seasonal rooftop pool and a fitness center. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi in all places.
You should consider staying in Bisha if you are interested in urban art. The hotel lies only 10 minutes away from Toronto’s Graffiti Alley. The property is also a good starting point to explore Lake Ontario. You can do it with style with the Luxury Toronto Islands & Lake Ontario Sailing Adventure.
The Hazelton Hotel
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This boutique hotel is another upscale Yorkville accommodation. It boasts an elegant classic decor that blends perfectly with the fashionable surrounding. Hazelton‘s rooms are spacious and bright. Some have access to lovely balconies overlooking the bustling city. The hotel has a variety of accommodation available for families. It also allows pets and offers both pet grooming and walking services. Wi-Fi is free of charge and accessible throughout. You can also park your vehicle on the site for CAD 49 per day.
Hazleton makes sure to keep you entertained. You can book a movie night in the hotel’s Silver Screen Room or splash in an indoor pool. A full-service spa and a fitness center are also at your disposal. The hotel’s restaurant, One, offers French and Italian cuisines. It also has a cocktail hour, during which you can try the best-handcrafted drinks.
The hotel restaurant isn’t your only choice. Outside of Hazelton, there is an abundance of excellent dining venues waiting for you. You won’t also get bored when it comes to shopping or entertainment. The property only lies 200 meters away from Bloor Street. It’s also the closest 5-star hotel to the famous Cosa Loma – one of Toronto’s must-sees.
The Ritz-Carlton
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The Ritz-Carlton stands in Toronto’s Entertainment District, 5 minutes away from the iconic CN Tower. Sights such as Ripley’s Aquarium, The Hockey Hall of Fame, and Royal Alexandra Theater are less than 500 meters away. The starting point of the Toronto: Harbor and Islands Sightseeing Cruise is also nearby.
The hotel features stylish classic decor with spacious rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows. All guest rooms include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and deep soaker tubs. Within the premises, you can enjoy an indoor saltwater pool, hot tub, and sauna. The hotel also features a well-equipped gym and a spa.
When it comes to food, you can choose from two different venues. TOCA serves delicious Italian cuisine. It also offers a great selection of the cheeses for you to enjoy. For refreshments, you can also head to Ritz Bar. The venue works as a café in the mornings and as a cocktail bar in the evening. Or you can hit the town and check if the local nightclubs are indeed the best in Toronto.
The St. Regis Toronto
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St. Regis stands in Toronto’s Financial District, neighboring with the Entertainment District and the St. Lawrence Market. Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame lies barely 400 meters away from the hotel. This Hall is a starting point for the excellent Craft Beer, History, and Culture Tour. The property boasts elegant, classy decor. Large, bright rooms feature flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, coffee makers, and free Wi-Fi. Pets are allowed on the premises without extra charges. The hotel has an electric vehicle charging station. But parking on the site is comparatively pricy – CAD 60 per day.
To stay fit, St. Regis offers access to an expansive spa and fully-equipped fitness center. There’s also a heated indoor pool with a splendid skyline view. For refreshments, you can stop at the hotel’s juice bar. Louix Louix, St. Regis on-site restaurant, serves delicious North American comfort food. Cocktails you will find at the stylish Bar Adelaide. Or venture outside – St. Regis neighbors with a large variety of excellent dining venues.
The Ivy at Verity
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This lovely boutique hotel occupies a restored 1850’s chocolate factory. Guest rooms at The Ivy at Verity boast vivid, artistic decor. Each is uniquely decorated and features a private balcony with a garden view. Flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi are available. Pets are not allowed at the premises. The Ivy has a minimal number of rooms. It ensures that the hotel never gets loud and overcrowded.
This is a perfect overnight space for solo female travelers or lesbian couples. The hotel provides a women-only gym and spa with an ozonated pool, jacuzzi, and sauna. Meals are served in the hotel’s cozy, intimate dining venue, George Restaurant. You will find there a variety of local delicacies and a large selection of wines.
The property is a perfect getaway to Toronto’s dining scene, particularly the Distillery District. You can explore it with the Distillery District Walking Tour. The trip is an excellent introduction to the newly-emerging local foodie scene.
The Anndore House
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The Anndore House is a fabulous, chic hotel located on the edge of Yorkville. The property stands conveniently 350 m from the dining scene of Church Street. Bloor Street’s “Mink Mile” is also a short walk away. Anndore’s rooms have a fashionable contemporary design. They are equipped with flat-screen TVs. You will also have access to an iPod compatible vinyl record player. Wi-Fi is free of charge, and pets are allowed at the premises. Private parking is one of the cheapest in town at CAD 35 per day.
Be prepared that there is no spa or fitness center available on the site. Instead, you can start your day with coffee and pastry at the lovely Scarlet Door Cafe. For more substantial meals, head to the hotel’s Constantine Restaurant. The venue serves a variety of Mediterranian dishes and an excellent choice of wines and cocktails.
The Anndore House is a gay-friendly accommodation. In fact, we have put it on our list of top 11 Gay-Friendly Hotels In Toronto. The hotel lies in the proximity of the Church and Wellesley district. This district is known for a vibrant gay scene. The area is also famous for a vibrant Drag culture. You can dive into it with a fun-filled Drag Bar Crawl in Toronto’s Gay Village.
Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square
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This charming hotel stands 5 minutes away from Toronto’s waterfront. It’s a perfect starting point to explore Lake Ontario and Toronto’s Islands. The Islands Ferry Services lie 400 meters away from the hotel. Le Germain boasts modern, sport-inspired decor. Guest rooms are spacious, equipped in flat-screen TVs and DVD players. You will also find there a coffee maker, a fridge, and a minibar. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.
The hotel offers a sizeable, well-equipped gym. You can also book a massage service for an extra charge. For hearty meals, head to the hotel’s Bar le Germain. The restaurant serves a variety of comfort food, cocktails, and wines. But no worries, if you prefer something more sophisticated. The dining scene of the Entertainment District is less 0.5 kilometers away.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto
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Standing steps away from CN Tower, Delta Toronto is a lovely waterfront choice. The hotel features a bright modern design. Rooms are spacious, equipped in floor-to-ceiling windows. Some offer a splendid panorama of Lake Ontario.
Delta features four on-site restaurants. Soco Kitchen + Bar serves the Mediterranean-inspired menu. Soco to Go and The Roof at Soco both offer North American cuisine. Cocktails and more potent drinks you can find at Char No. 5 – Delta’s Canadian Whisky Bar.
Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout. The property features a fitness center with an indoor pool, hot tub, and a yoga studio. You can also rent bicycles or stroll to Ripley’s Aquarium. The aquarium is a starting point of a fabulous Niagara Falls Day Tour.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Toronto:
- Kensington Market -Toronto’s Neighborhood International Food Tour – Enjoy Toronto’s multicultural cuisine at Kensington Market. The tour will allow you to taste flavors from more than six countries. It has excellent vegetarian options. There also no pork on the menu.
- The Pork and Bacon Walking Food Tour of Toronto’s Hogtown History – This tour, on the other hand, is all about pork. You will learn why, at one point, Toronto had the nickname “Hogtown.” A visit to Toronto’s best butcher shops will give you an insight into Canada’s pork industry. You will also have more than one chance to sample the delicacy.
- Toronto: See & Taste the City Guided Food Tour – Immerse yourself into Toronto’s foodie scene. Choose one of two options and sample all the must-eat Toronto dishes. Historic Distillery District and Queen Street bakeries await you.
Recommended Activities In Toronto:
- Downtown Toronto Bike Tour – This excellent tour will take you on a bike ride across Toronto’s downtown. You will visit Chinatown, Kensington Market, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and City Hall. The guide will tell you stories about Toronto’s culture and history. You will also be able to sample food at markets along the way.
- Algonquin Group Camping Adventure (2 Day) – This fantastic tour will take out of Toronto and into the wilderness. For two days, you will be able to enjoy one of the most beautiful national parks in Canada. Don’t spend your whole summer in the city.
- Toronto: City Sightseeing Helicopter Tour – Select a route and lift in the air to enjoy an aerial panorama of Toronto. This tour will provide you with unforgettable views of Lake Ontario and the city skyline. Hard for a better summer adventure.
