Where to stay in Toronto

What a night costs

Budget

$300

Mid-range

$620

Luxury

$1,000

2nd cheapest of 3 areas, about $70 a night less than Yorkville.

Where we'd book

• The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto ↗LuxuryTop-rated luxury hotel with a spa, steps from the theatres.
• Fairmont Royal York Hotel ↗LuxuryGrand 1929 hotel directly opposite Union Station.
• Hilton Toronto ↗Mid-rangeLarge hotel in the Financial District with a pool.
• The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar ↗BudgetSimple rooms above Toronto's famous jazz bar on Queen Street West.

The verdict

The heart of downtown Toronto, from the Financial District and Union Station to the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Scotiabank Arena and the theatres of King Street West.

Minutes to the sights

• CN Tower10 minwalk
• Union Station10 minwalk
• Ripley's Aquarium of Canada11 minwalk
• Rogers Centre13 minwalk
• Scotiabank Arena13 minwalk
• Nathan Phillips Square16 minwalk

Stations and airports

5 min to Union Station. Union Station is the city's hub, with the UP Express to the airport, GO trains and Line 1 of the subway. The 504 King streetcar runs along King Street, and the PATH walkway links stations, offices and malls underground.

What a night costs

Budget

$400

Mid-range

$690

Luxury

$1,100

The dearest of the 3 areas, about $250 a night more than Old Town & St Lawrence.

Where we'd book

• Four Seasons Hotel Toronto ↗LuxuryTop-rated hotel with a spa and indoor-outdoor pool.
• The Hazelton Hotel ↗LuxuryIntimate five-star hotel on Yorkville Avenue.
• The Anndore House, part of JDV by Hyatt ↗BoutiqueStylish hotel on a quiet street off Yonge.
• The Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel Toronto ↗Mid-rangeWell-rated hotel on Bloor Street by the subway.

The verdict

Toronto's most upscale neighbourhood, with five-star hotels, designer boutiques on Bloor Street, the Royal Ontario Museum and quiet Victorian side streets.

Minutes to the sights

• Royal Ontario Museum8 minwalk
• Nathan Phillips Square17 min
• Union Station19 min
• Art Gallery of Ontario21 min
• Scotiabank Arena23 min
• St Lawrence Market23 min

Stations and airports

15 min to Union Station. Bay, Bloor-Yonge and St George stations are on the edge of the neighbourhood, with Line 1 running south to Union Station in about 15 minutes and Line 2 running east and west along Bloor.

What a night costs

Budget

$295

Mid-range

$440

Luxury

$500

The cheapest of the 3 areas, about $250 a night less than Yorkville.

Where we'd book

• Nester Finn St Lawrence Market ↗BoutiqueTop-rated hotel a block from the market.
• Executive Hotel Cosmopolitan and Spa ↗BoutiqueSuites with kitchens and a spa near King Street.
• The Novotel Toronto Centre ↗Mid-rangeWell-rated hotel on The Esplanade behind the market.
• Holiday Inn Express Toronto Downtown by IHG ↗Mid-rangeGood-value rooms with breakfast near St James Cathedral.

The verdict

Toronto's oldest neighbourhood, around St Lawrence Market, the Flatiron Building and St James Cathedral, a short walk from the Distillery District and Union Station.

Minutes to the sights

• St Lawrence Market2 minwalk
• Union Station13 minwalk
• Scotiabank Arena16 minwalk
• Distillery District17 minwalk
• Nathan Phillips Square20 minwalk
• Jack Layton Ferry Terminal20 minwalk

Stations and airports

10 min to Union Station. King and Union subway stations are a 10 minute walk away, the 504 King streetcar runs east to the Distillery District and west to downtown, and the UP Express leaves from Union Station.