We list the best hotels, hostels, B&Bs and guesthouses in Toronto as recommended by travel experts from CNN, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s, Fodor’s, New York Times and more. All hotel recommendations have been referenced with customer reviews and we only listed places that have at least a 4 out of 5-star customer review rating.
Best cheap hotel in Toronto: The Strathcona Hotel
Best boutique hotel in Toronto: The Drake
Best luxury hotel in Toronto: Four Seasons Hotel Yorkville
“The 37-room Gladstone Hotel is as much art destination as sleeping quarters: the first two floors are filled with exhibitions, and each room was designed by an artist. The Sunday bluegrass brunch is packed with children.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Toronto, Canada.
“This gleaming 55-story tower in the leafy Yorkville neighborhood sprung from the drafting table of celebrated designers Yabu Pushelberg, known for their elegant yet modern sensibility.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Toronto.
“Le Germain Hotel Toronto on Mercer Street, is one of two Toronto locations of this Canadian boutique hotelier. Located in the downtown entertainment district, across from the Second City comedy theater, it offers a centralized home base for exploring.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Toronto, Canada.
“Cost will keep most away, but for those looking for a splurge (or exercising a corporate account), the Shangri-La Toronto offers the standard high level of service and comfort the chain has become known for.”
“The Thompson’s 102 guest rooms (some with balconies) have floor-to-ceiling windows, heated bathroom floors and unique lighting features, along with plasma TVs and iHome docking stations.”
“Here’s a home-away-from-home in Toronto’s trendy West Queen West neighborhood. From the tiny Solo room to the extra-large Suite, the Drake Hotel is the perfect place for travelers looking for a more eclectic place to lay their heads.”
“Competitors in the luxury hotel class have in recent years made it harder for the Hazelton to uphold its self-professed reputation as Toronto’s most exclusive hotel: but try it will, and you’ll only benefit from its efforts. Sophisticated, dramatic and sexy.”
“The hotels in Canada’s biggest city tend to skew either unremittingly corporate or standard bohemian-chic. This lush new exception—a literal urban oasis that takes sustainability seriously—is distinguished by its biophilic design, impressive conservation programs, and real community mindedness.”
Featured in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2022 Hotlist.
“With its glossy wood, big brass maple leaves, neutral earth tones and original artwork, the Ritz-Carlton is a luxurious tribute to Canadiana. The hotel’s 263 guest rooms, all at least 41 square meters, provide views of the CN Tower and Lake Ontario.”
“This contemporary hotel in a slick condominium complex is a short walk from the shops and restaurants on King West and Queen West, plus the bars and clubs in the Entertainment District.”
“The Royal York is the Grand Dame of Toronto’s hotel scene, an imposing stone and copper-roofed structure that’s firmly anchored in a sea of steel and glass. It’s been a star since it officially opened in 1929, a favorite for royalty, celebrities, movie directors and regular folk.”
“The 12-room Hotel Ocho, a former textile factory dating from 1902 in the heart of Chinatown, was built with the local cutting-edge design team Design38. The downstairs bar, lounge, restaurant and coffee shop draws locals.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Toronto, Canada.
“The 229-room, all suite Cambridge Suites Toronto is centrally located downtown, close to subways and attractions like the St. Lawrence Market. Portico, the hotel’s restaurant, is pricey but quite good.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Toronto, Canada.
“One of the best hotels in Toronto, dollar for dollar, the Grand’s 177 suites are all done up to strike a tasteful, understated tone. They come with fully equipped kitchenettes and all the regular features — TVs, CD and DVD players.”
Recommended by:
New York Times, Lonely Planet, Fodors, Frommers, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Fodors, Forbes, CNN, Frommers, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, Fodors, Frommers, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, Fodors, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CNN, Lonely Planet, Frommers, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CNN, Lonely Planet, Fodors, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet, Fodors, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CN Traveler, Forbes
Recommended by:
CNN, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CNN, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CNN, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times
Recommended by:
New York Times
Recommended by:
CNN
Located along the banks of Lake Ontario, the most distinguishing feature of this city is the CN Tower which dwarves the entire the city.
Kensington Market
It is a bohemian neighbourhood that attracts a hippie crowd to its art spaces and store-front. It is home to trendy bakeries, bars and cafes and a wide range of restaurants offering global cuisines. You can get a feel of the world by traversing the lanes of the Market.
Harbourfront
You will come across galleries, performance arenas and craft centres jostling for space along the water-front. You have shopping centres with retailers as well as casual shopping. There are many parks and trails which provide the hotels with a beautiful view.
Riverdale
It is a multicultural community with a strong Greek influence on the food scene. There is a strong presence of Asian flavour. One can escape the hustle bustle of the city and get lost amidst the Victorian architecture.
The Annex
Located in downtown Toronto is the home to the famous University of Toronto. Thus, it has a young gentry thronging the several fraternity houses. There is a vibrant social scene with independent stores and a mixed range of cuisine. Popular restaurants and hotels have branches in this neighbourhood.
Downtown
It is the heart of Toronto and is thronged with people both on business and vacation. You will find small budget hotels as well as imposing 5-star hotels. Dotted with skyscrapers, this place has much to offer in terms of diversity.
Also check out our guide about the best areas to stay in Toronto.
If you're looking for an affordable hotel in Toronto, then book The Strathcona Hotel. It's an excellent budget hotel offering great value for money. It's in a good location, it's been recommended by travel experts and the hotel has excellent customer reviews. Also check out our list of the best cheap hotels in Toronto.
You like some luxury but don't like the famous chain hotels. If you're looking for the best boutique hotel in Toronto, you should check out The Drake. It's a very cool hotel that has been highly recommended by travelers and experts.
Also check out our list of the best boutique hotels in Toronto, it's a manually curated list of the most unique and romantic hotels in the city.
If money isn't a problem and you're looking for a luxury hotel in Toronto, then go for Four Seasons Hotel Yorkville. The hotel offers excellent service, it's in a top location, it has been rated very highly by previous guests and renowned travel critics have recommended it.
Also check out our list of the best luxury hotels in Toronto, it's a manually curated list of the most exclusive 5-star hotels in the city.
Looking for a good and affordable private room or cozy dorm? Check out Planet Traveler Hostel. The hostel has been highly rated by backpackers. Also check out our list of the best hostels in Toronto.
Try Le Germain Hotel or The Grand Hotel & Suites if you're looking for a delicious breakfast at a hotel in Toronto. Both have excellent customer review ratings for breakfast.
If you're looking for a room with a view, then try Hotel Thompson. The hotel offers amazing views of Toronto according to recent customer reviews.
For a 3-star hotel you have to pay around $140 per night and for a 4-star hotel you would be looking at $200 per night. If you're after a luxury 5-star Toronto hotel then you can expect to pay around $450 per night.
Try The Hazelton Hotel if you're looking for a romantic getaway in Toronto, it has some excellent recent customer reviews by couples.
If you're looking to stay in Toronto with your family, then try Le Germain Hotel. The hotel has excellent review ratings by families.
Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour With Boat Cruise and Optional Fallsview Dinner. Appreciate the full grandeur of the Niagara Falls area by day and night on this full-day tour from Toronto. Price: $136.
Toronto: Harbor and Islands Sightseeing Cruise. Enjoy a short cruise in the Toronto Harbour to enjoy views of the Toronto skyline and visit the Toronto Islands. This tour features live narration designed to entertain and inform as you explore the region. Price: $20.
Downtown Toronto Bike Tour. Get to know the best of Toronto on this guided, 3.5-hour bike tour. Learn about the history, culture and architecture of the largest city in Canada. Price: $68.
More things to do in Toronto
Toronto is an incredibly diverse and vibrant city with so much to offer. From amazing restaurants, cafes, and bars to historical sites, unique shops, and gorgeous parks, Toronto has so many different landmarks and activities that it’s hard to know where to begin when planning your trip. If you’ve never visited Toronto before, or if you last visited years ago, now is the perfect time to plan a getaway there. With hotels offering great rates at the end of summer, fall is the ideal time to visit this beautiful city. Before you book your ticket and start researching activities in Toronto, read our essential travel guide first!
Best time to visit Toronto
While Toronto is a great city for a weekend getaway, it is also a great place to visit on a longer holiday. Winter is the coldest time of the year in Toronto and is therefore the least popular time to visit. During the cold months, you might find yourself spending a lot of time indoors, which can get a bit boring after a while. On the other hand, summer is the busiest season in Toronto, and it can be hard to find a quiet corner in which to relax. If you want to visit Toronto but don’t know when to go, we recommend visiting between September and October, or April and May. These are the ideal months to visit Toronto because they are neither too hot nor too cold.
Sightseeing in Toronto
During your visit to Toronto, you absolutely must take a tour or two. There are so many different tours available in Toronto, so no matter what your interests are, there is a tour out there for you. If you are interested in architecture, we recommend taking the Doors Open Toronto tour. This is a free annual event that allows you to explore over 60 buildings in and around Toronto that are normally closed to the public. If you are more interested in history, a tour of the Casa Loma or the Royal Ontario Museum is a great choice. Casa Loma is a beautiful castle that was built in the early 1900s by the same architect who designed the roof of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The Royal Ontario Museum is Canada’s largest museum and one of the largest museums in North America.
The best restaurants in Toronto
Toronto is famous for its diverse and unique food scene. If you are visiting Toronto and only have a short amount of time to try as many of the “best restaurants in Toronto” as possible, we recommend eating at restaurants that serve types of food that are unique to Toronto. If you are a huge fan of Italian food, eating Italian in Toronto is a must. You can’t go wrong with eating at Buca or Stockyard or any of the other popular Italian restaurants in the city. If you want to try something a little different, Chorizo and Co. is a great place to eat Mexican food. If you are craving Asian food, you can’t go wrong with eating at any of the many popular Asian food joints in Toronto, like My Shanti or Pho King. Last but not least, Toronto is known for its Chinese food, and one of the best Chinese restaurants in Toronto is called Fresh.
Visiting Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum is Canada’s largest museum and one of the largest museums in North America. The museum has so much to offer, so you have to make time to visit all the different exhibitions. The best way to see it all is to purchase a ROM pass. This pass allows you to skip the line and visit as many times as you want to. There are a couple of different ROM pass options to choose from so you can find one that fits your budget and interests. If you don’t have time to visit all the exhibitions, we recommend visiting the Nature In Motion exhibition and the Endangered exhibition. The Nature In Motion exhibition is a fascinating exhibition about the evolution of movement in the natural world. The Endangered exhibition is a truly moving exhibition about how humankind is accelerating the extinction of plants, animals, and insects.
Climbing to the top of the CN Tower
You have to visit the CN Tower at least once in your life. This iconic Toronto landmark is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world and is the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. The tower offers visitors a number of different experiences, but our recommendation is to go to the top of the tower and climb the stairs to get an unforgettable view of the city. The CN Tower is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round, so you can easily visit it during your stay in Toronto. The view from the top is breathtaking, and it is a great way to get a feel for how big and diverse Toronto really is. If you don’t have time to climb the stairs, you can also visit the Look Out level, which is located on the second level of the tower. This level offers a fantastic view of the city, but you don’t get the same experience as if you climb to the top of the tower.
Seeing the sunset at Harbourfront Centre
If you love nature and beautiful views, Toronto has many great parks, but Harbourfront Centre is our top recommendation. This park offers a fantastic view of the Toronto Harbour, and it is the perfect place to watch the sunset while you are in Toronto. Harbourfront Centre is located near downtown Toronto, so it is an easy place to visit during your stay. The park offers plenty of seating and green space to relax, so it is a great place to spend an afternoon. The best time to visit Harbourfront Centre is at sunset. You don’t want to arrive too early as there won’t be much to see, and you don’t want to stay too long as the park closes at 11 p.m.
Bottom line
Toronto is a fantastic city with so much to offer. The city is a great place to visit at any time of the year, but the best months to visit are from September to October or April to May. During your visit, you must take a tour or two, eat at one of the many unique restaurants in Toronto and visit the top tourist attractions such as the CN Tower, Harbourfront Centre and the Royal Ontario Museum. If you have time, you can also climb to the top of the CN Tower, visit the Nature In Motion exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum and watch the sunset at Harbourfront Centre.
We recommend you read our guide about where to stay in Toronto. It provides an excellent overview of the most popular areas, highlighting the main attractions and hotel recommendations for each area.
If you like our list of the best hotels and hostels in Toronto, then you should also check out our selection of recommended hotels in Montreal or the best hotels in Vancouver.