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Best bets for a place to stay in Toronto

Frommer's top accommodation picks in Toronto for every style and budget.
An entrance to the Delta Chelsea Hotel i
The entrance to the Delta Chelsea Hotel in downtown Toronto.Geoff Robins / AFP - Getty Images file
/ Source: Frommers.com

Best Historic Hotel: The (gloved) hands-down winner is Le Royal Meridien King Edward, 37 King St. E. (tel. 800/543-4300), which was built in 1903 and is a sterling example of Edwardian architecture and opulence (thanks to a major renovation and several facelifts). The lobby, with its pink marble columns and ornate frescoes, has seen the crème de la crème of society trot through over the years. In the 1960s, the Beatles holed up in the King Eddy while 3,000 fans stormed the lobby.

Best for Business Travelers: The Metropolitan Hotel, 108 Chestnut St. (tel. 416/977-5000), is just a few minutes from the Financial District, and its amenities are competitive with those of its pricier competitors. Features include a 24-hour business center and in-room amenities such as fax/modem hookups, large work desks, and cordless two-line phones. The restaurants, Hemispheres and Lai Wah Heen, are favorite sites for business lunches.

Best Budget Hotel: Given the location and amenities, it's hard to beat the Hotel Victoria, 56 Yonge St. (tel. 800/363-8228), for price. The hotel is close to the Eaton Centre, Chinatown, and the Financial District, and its double rooms start at C$105 (US$84) per night.

Best Hotel Dining: The prize goes to Senses, 318 Wellington St. W. tel. 416/961-0055, at the Metropolitan SoHo for its divine combination of delicious fare, sensuous setting, and impeccable service. Close runners-up are the Hilton Toronto's very grand dining room, Tundra (tel. 416/860-6800); the Fairmont Royal York's new offering, Epic (tel. 416/860-6949); and the Park Hyatt's restaurant, Annona (tel. 416/924-5471).

Best Gay-Friendly Hotel: Everyone comes to the Clarion Hotel & Suites Selby, 592 Sherbourne St. (tel. 800/387-4788). In a Victorian building in a predominantly gay neighborhood, this Belle Epoque hotel draws gay, lesbian, and straight travelers.

Best for a Stylish Stay: The Hôtel Le Germain, 30 Mercer St. (tel. 866/345-9501), one of Toronto's boutique hotels, is a stunner, with its dramatic design and lots of artwork in public and private spaces alike (even the elevators).

Best for Travelers with Disabilities: The Fairmont Royal York, 100 Front St. W. (tel. 800/441-1414), pays a lot of attention to accessibility. The adaptations accommodate wheelchair users, the visually impaired, and the hearing impaired.

THE BEST SPLURGE HOTELS
Park Hyatt Toronto, 4 Avenue Rd. (tel. 800/233-1234): Talk about having it all -- the Park Hyatt boasts a beautifully renovated Art Deco building, top-notch service, and one of the best views in the city from the rooftop terrace lounge. This is a place to relax and let yourself be pampered.

SoHo Metropolitan Hotel, 318 Wellington St. W. (tel. 800/668-6600): This boutique property makes the best use of technology I've ever seen at a hotel. From the comfort of your bed, you can open and close the drapes. The in-room safe will hold (and recharge) a laptop computer, and the bathroom floor heats up on command.

The Sutton Place Hotel, 955 Bay St. (tel. 800/268-3790): It's not printed anywhere, but this hotel's motto appears to be "Ask, and you shall receive." The high staff-to-guest ratio means that there's always someone around to do your bidding.

THE BEST MODERATELY PRICED HOTELS
Delta Chelsea, 33 Gerrard St. W. (tel. 800/243-5732): This is a longtime favorite with budget-minded families. Greatest hits include a playroom with live bunnies and fish, a video arcade, and a waterslide. It also offers children's programs, a day-care center, and kid-friendly restaurants. There are two pools -- one for tykes and one for adults -- and many rooms have refrigerators or kitchenettes.

The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W. (tel. 416/531-5042): It's somewhat out of the way, but because the Drake is in a hot neighborhood, it's hard to complain. The hotel fosters a sense of community by hosting music events, literary readings, and other festivities. If you hate feeling like a tourist, this place is for you.

Hotel Victoria, 56 Yonge St. (tel. 800/363-8228): This property offers the best value in town. Double rooms start at C$105 (US$84) per night, and for this you get excellent service; a smallish but well-appointed room; and proximity to the Eaton Centre, Chinatown, and the Financial District.

For a complete listing of Frommer's-reviewed accommodations, visit our online hotels index.

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