Where to stay in Toronto?

Stay in the Entertainment District, a must!

The Entertainment District is one of the city's best-known neighborhoods, not only because it's located in Old Toronto, but also because it's home to some of Canada's greatest landmarks. An ideal place to stay, it's one of the best areas to visit.

First and foremost, this area is home to the vast majority of sites of interest. Notably the CN Tower, one of Toronto's must-see landmarks. It's possible to visit this iconic building, and from the top of its 553 meters, you'll enjoy a breathtaking 360° view. The Hockey Hall of Fame is located here. Fans will discover a collection of Stanley Cup memorabilia, as well as many other activities.

This is one of the busiest areas, day and night. This is due in no small part to its sports complexes, such as the Air Canada Centre or the Roger Center, which host a variety of disciplines such as baseball and soccer. Bars, restaurants and nightclubs are everywhere, and families will love Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, as well as musicals at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

Getting around couldn't be simpler, with both Union Station and the subway nearby. There are several stations in the district, including St. Andrew and Osgoode. Buses and streetcars are also convenient, running along King Street and Queen Street.

When it comes to where to stay, the opportunities are endless: there are chain hotels, youth hostels and apartments aplenty. Prices are quite high, but not accessible to all, even if you book well in advance.

Lodging in the city center, between buildings and the old town

Staying downtown, adjacent to the Entertainment District, means choosing a dynamic, lively neighborhood. Less expensive than the Entertainment District, it lets you stay in the heart of the Canadian metropolis, close to all the must-sees. A curious blend of modern and old !

It's both a business and residential district. Filled with skyscrapers, it's home to many interesting sights, such as Chinatown, a Chinese quarter with numerous Asian restaurants and markets. Kensington Market, meanwhile, is the bohemian corner, with tourists enjoying pedestrian areas, markets and trendy bars. Also nearby are Baldwin Village and the Garden District, both ideal places to stay in Toronto.

The atmosphere here is warm and friendly. Stroll around and you'll find museums and galleries. The nightlife is equally lively, with a succession of trendy restaurants and bars. It's great to be able to enjoy both the rooftops and the authentic atmosphere of the old town.

As far as public transport is concerned, the area is served by bus , streetcar and metro. For the latter, lines 1 and 2 are particularly useful!

There's a wide range of accommodation on offer. Tourists enjoy hotels, some of them luxurious, and apartments of varying sizes. Accommodation is available to suit all budgets, as long as you book in advance, as this is a very popular area.

Stay north of the city center, a chic student district

In addition to the Entertainment District and downtown, you can also stay north of the city center. Here, the atmosphere is calmer and quieter.

For example, you can stay in Yorkville: chic and trendy, this is where you'll find luxury boutiques and designer houses, as well as chic cafés. The evening atmosphere is equally refined, with upscale bars and restaurants.

With theUniversity of Toronto right next door, The Annex is a popular student hangout. Bookshops, bars and concert halls abound here. For history buffs, the area is also home to the Royal Ontario Museum.

To get to the heart of Toronto, simply take subway line 1. Travel time is around twenty minutes. The easiest way to get around is by subway, streetcar or bus.

As for where to stay, bearing in mind that this is a rather chic area, prices are generally high. You'll find something to suit every budget, but you should be aware that most of the accommodations are fine luxury hotels.

Stay west of downtown, hip and festive

Lodging west of the city center lets you take advantage of the many different atmospheres the surrounding area has to offer.

Little Italy, Little Portugal or Little Tibet, different cultural atmospheres and restaurants with diverse cuisine await you here. West Queen West is the area's artistic corner. Here you'll find independent galleries, hipster-filled cafés and graffiti, especially along Graffiti Alley.

King West Village, just below, is a former industrial area. It's the place to be at night: discos, restaurants and rooftop bars line the King Street artery. The lively, late-night atmosphere is a great place to stay.

Finally, Niagara is a place of entertainment. Here you'll find theaters, parks, field hockey and soccer tournaments, and much more. Pushing even further west, you'll find High Park, Toronto's green lung.

You'll find the streetcar lines most useful. It will take you no more than 30 minutes to reach the CN Tower from Niagara, the furthest point.

Resolutely less expensive, the area offers lower rates than the rest of Toronto, for all types of accommodation. But keep in mind that even if prices are coming down, it's still pretty expensive, as in any metropolis. You'll also find some fine, prestigious hotels here.

Peripheral sectors attached to Toronto

A final option for budget accommodation in Toronto is to move to the outskirts. For this, you can opt for areas such as Etobicoke, North York or Scarborough. More remote, they allow you to enjoy the Canadian metropolis without breaking the bank.

First, Etobicoke, to the west. This very large area stretches over 20km. Quieter, it features golf courses, green spaces such as Centennial Park, and museums. City Centre West is the quieter sector, with nice places to eat and drink. Toronto airport is located here.

North York, to the north, is lively and multicultural. If you're looking for museums, this district is home to the Ontario Science Centre, Black Creek Pioneer Village and the Aga Khan Museum. There are also parks such as Downsview Park and Edwards Gardens, both great for a stroll.

Scarborough, to the east, is more natural, with its cliffs above Lake Ontario. It's a great place for hiking and visiting the Toronto Zoo. Travelers will appreciate the Asian-style restaurants scattered throughout the area.

As for where to stay, some are less expensive, such as in Scarborough. Those in the north and west are also cheaper than the other districts mentioned above, although still quite expensive. Nevertheless, this is the best solution if you're looking to keep the budget down by all means.

If you choose to stay here, you'll save money, but you'll inevitably lose time in transit. This is despite the presence of streetcars and subway trains in some places. This will depend on the location of your accommodation, but on average it will take you a good 30 minutes to reach the city center.

What's more, as some areas of these districts are not well served by public transport, apart from the bus, they are better suited to travellers with a vehicle. So it's a question of price versus location.