Where to Stay in Toronto When You Visit (Updated 2023)

Posted: 4/11/2023 | April eleventh, 2023

While it might lack the scenic views of Vancouver or the historic allure of Montreal, Toronto has loads going for it.

The CN Tower, one of many tallest free-standing constructions on this planet, may be discovered right here, and there are quite a few museums and galleries, together with the Ontario Science Center and the Royal Ontario Museum. There’s additionally an enormous Chinatown, boasting tasty low-cost eats; the laid-back Kensington Market and its hippie vibe; and the attractive coast of Lake Ontario.

Understandably, with over three million individuals calling the town house, Toronto occurs to be fairly unfold out. And whereas it has an honest public transportation system, it’s a good suggestion to plan out which neighborhood you’d like to remain in — ideally primarily based in your pursuits and way of life — so that you received’t waste an excessive amount of time (and cash) in transit).

To enable you resolve the place to remain in Toronto, I’ll spotlight the most effective neighborhoods beneath, so you’ll be able to select the realm that fits your journey type and price range, as all of them have their very own really feel.

But, earlier than I get to the specifics, listed here are some widespread questions I get requested about neighborhoods in Toronto:

What’s the most effective neighborhood for first-time guests?
The centrally positioned Downtown Yonge is possibly probably the most bustling a part of Toronto. If it’s your first time right here, it’s the place to be.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for purchasing?
Yorkville is overflowing with nice purchasing alternatives. Everything from distinctive boutiques to multinational chains are represented right here.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for foodies?
Kensington Market and Chinatown, which neighbor one another, are two of the oldest districts — and a terrific swath of city in the event you’re hungry.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for partying?
The Danforth has a big Greek immigrant inhabitants and is, usually, a enjoyable place to spend time in. But as soon as the solar goes down and the lights come on, additionally it is probably the greatest areas for partying too.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for feeling like a neighborhood?
Home to the University of Toronto, the Annex is centrally positioned and bustling with younger college students marching to class or hanging out at one of many many eating places and cafés on this neighborhood.

With these questions answered, right here beneath is a extra particular breakdown of every neighborhood, with some really useful lodging, so that you’ll know the place to remain in Toronto.

Where to Stay in Toronto for First-Time Visitors: Downtown-Yonge

Downtown Yonge encompasses many microneighborhoods in central Toronto, together with the Entertainment District and an enormous purchasing space. If you’re right here for the primary time, it is a fairly good and bustling place to base your self for some time. You’ll be within the middle of the motion and might get to any a part of the town from right here.

Plus, there are many fascinating issues to see and do right here: the Toronto Eaton Centre, Yonge-Dundas Square, the Canon Theatre, Maple Leaf Gardens, and Old City Hall. You’re only a brief jaunt to the CN Tower as effectively.

The Best Places to Stay in Downtown Yonge:

• BUDGET: St. Lawrence Residences & Suites — When it involves price range lodging, there are only a few, if any, choices on this a part of city. This no-frills however snug property, positioned simply over the border in St. Lawrence, is it. The lodge rooms are on the small aspect, and the extra budget-friendly choices have a shared rest room, however the rooms are clear and comfortable. The rooftop lounge is a pleasant place at sundown.
• MIDRANGE: Chelsea Hotel — This place affords spacious rooms and nice views of the Toronto skyline. Rooms have blackout curtains, plus-sized plasma TVs, extra-comfy king and queen beds, and occasional machines. There’s additionally a espresso store and wine bar on the premises.
• LUXURY: Pantages Hotel Downtown — This basic high-rise lodge within the middle of the motion is a smooth, trendy property and a really luxurious place to put one’s weary head. The 105 rooms have thick queen and king mattresses, Keurig espresso makers, high-thread-count sheets, plush towels, marble bogs, rain showers, and luxurious tub merchandise. The lodge is especially effectively fitted to these with theater tickets, because it’s only a stone’s throw away from historic performing arts venues like The Ed Mirvish Theatre and The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre.

Where to Stay in Toronto for Shopping: Yorkville

If you’re seeking to max out your bank card and/or come house with some fairly issues, your greatest wager is Yorkville. The neighborhood is flush with outlets and boutiques, its streets flanked by inviting storefronts which can be simply screaming “buy me!” Here you’ll discover every part from Hermès to Versace to the Montreal-based jeweler Maison Birks. Many upscale manufacturers have their flagship outlets proper right here.

The Best Places to Stay in Yorkville:

• BUDGET: Yorkville Plaza Suites — Given that the neighborhood has such an upscale vibe, it’s no shock that you just received’t discover any hostels right here. And price range lodging are few and much between. But Yorkville Plaza Suites is comparatively inexpensive. All rooms have espresso makers, a fridge, a small oven, and a desk.
• MIDRANGE: The Yorkville Royal Sonesta — The Royal Sonesta boasts a heated, indoor, rooftop swimming pool, a vodka bar, and an in-house eatery with a menu impressed by the cultural range of Toronto. The rooms have marble bogs, docking stations, LCD televisions, and occasional makers.
• LUXURY: Park Hyatt Toronto —This 219-room property (together with 40 suites) opened 1936; in 2017, it underwent an enormous renovation, and the property reopened in 2021. The rooms have Bluetooth audio system, blackout curtains, and Nespresso espresso makers. The in-house eatery is an upscale steakhouse.

Where to Stay in Toronto for Foodies: Kensington Market and Chinatown

Kensington Market is a hip, eccentric, and eclectic neighborhood that pulls locals from throughout city. The streets are lined with funky espresso outlets, road meals carts and vans, and small eating places that mirror the ethnic and culinary range of Toronto as an entire.

Just to the south is Chinatown, the place you’ll be able to feast on an array of Asian fare to your coronary heart’s and abdomen’s content material: Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, and, after all, Chinese eating places abound on this energetic and enjoyable neighborhood.

The Best Places to Stay in Kensington Market and Chinatown:

• BUDGET: The Planet Traveler Hostel — Set on the northern border of Kensington Market, this eco-friendly hostel boasts free breakfast and enjoyable rooftop bar with nice views. The hostel has a mixture of sleeping choices, all of which have cozy beds with nightlights.
• MIDRANGE: The Beverley — Located simply to the east of Chinatown and Kensington Market, this three-star boutique lodge affords rooms with thick, snug mattresses, wood flooring, and colourful partitions. In the foyer, there’s all the time complimentary high-quality espresso.
• LUXURY: Ace Hotel — Just south of Chinatown is the Ace Hotel. The inside appears to be like such as you simply walked onto the set of a Wes Anderson movie, as there are many outdated typewriters and taxidermy. Rooms are available in small, medium, and enormous — these are actually the names — and all have document gamers, walk-in showers, and minibars crammed with regionally made merchandise.

Where to Stay in Toronto for Partying: The Danforth

Home to the most important Greek group in North America, the place the road indicators in are in English and Greek, the Danforth (aka “Greektown”) is the place to come back when you have got a hankering for souvlaki or moussaka otherwise you need to see the place they shot elements of the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

But it’s additionally a enjoyable place to get together. The neighborhood has a plethora of nice bars and can also be house to the Danforth Music Hall, the place native and worldwide acts take the stage.

The Best Places to Stay within the Danforth:

• BUDGET: The Only Backpackers Inn — With a ground-floor espresso bar, a quaint pub stocking over 200 beers from world wide, and a barbecue space, this hostel is a enjoyable, snug place to spend just a few days. There are small dorm rooms and personal rooms, a few of which have their very own kitchens. Breakfast is complimentary.
• MIDRANGE: Colour Cube Guest House — Located west of Danforth, the Colour Cube Guest House is — you guessed it — colourful. Rooms are vivid and cheery, awash in greens, purples, oranges, and blues. Guests have entry to an on-site scooter rental.
• LUXURY: The Broadview Hotel — Located south of Danforth, the Broadview is probably the most luxurious property within the East End of Toronto. The iconic, historic property has 58 rooms, with excessive ceilings, cozy beds, massive home windows, darkish wood flooring. The rooftop bar has nice views. This design-friendly lodge is a perfect home-away-from-home in Toronto.

Where to Stay in Toronto to Feel like a Local: The Annex

Sitting subsequent to the St. George campus of the University of Toronto, the Annex is bustling with college students and different younger individuals who stroll the streets to patronize the neighborhood’s many indie bookshops, funky cafés, inexpensive eating places, and bustling bars. If you’re seeking to mix in and really feel like a neighborhood, the Annex is an efficient place to base your self .

The Best Places to Stay within the Annex:

• BUDGET: University of Toronto New College Residences — Here you’ll discover over 200 beds for short-term stays, most of that are single rooms with both single or double beds. It’s no frills, however there’s free Wi-Fi and coin-operated laundry on the premises.
• MIDRANGE: Madison Manor Boutique Hotel — This Victorian-style B&B is extremely charming and positioned only a brief stroll from the subway. Suites have their very own fireplaces and the on-site pub has nearly 200 beers on faucet. The rooms, whereas small, are cozy and cozy.
• LUXURY: The Four Seasons — Located a few blocks west of the Annex, the Four Seasons is the epitome of luxurious. Rooms have gorgeous views via the floor-to-ceiling home windows, plus a stereo system, desk-side charging stations, granite bogs, and plush robes. The in-house eatery is Café Boulud from super-chef Daniel Boulud.

Toronto has a various mixture of neighborhoods, and all appear to have their very own persona and magnificence — even the areas that neighbor each other. While it’s simple to get round Toronto on public transportation, it’s all the time a aid to be staying within the a part of city that jibes together with your pursuits and magnificence. You’ll not solely save time however cash too, making certain which you could benefit from your go to Canada’s hottest metropolis.