Skip to Content

The Absolute BEST Area to Stay in Toronto +Our Top 6 Hotels!

The Absolute BEST Area to Stay in Toronto +Our Top 6 Hotels!

This blog may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.

If you’re wondering what the best area of Toronto to stay in as a visitor is, we’ve got a clear answer for you. It’s Old Toronto, aka Downtown Toronto. 

Bailey and I have been traveling the world together for the best part of a decade now, and when we visit a new city, it’s often hard to work out where the best area to stay REALLY is, because blogs don’t tend to give you a straight answer. So we wanted to take all of the confusion out of it. 

We know Toronto well, and downtown is definitely the best area to base yourself as a visitor. It makes your life so much easier being close to the best attractions and public transport, and when you take tours in Toronto, they’ll often pick you up for free around here. 

So if you’re considering where to stay in Toronto, keep reading and we’ll explain why Old Toronto is our pick! 

Don’t have time to read the full article? If you want to book a hotel right now, we love the luxurious Fairmont Royal York if you want to treat yourself or the modern One King West Hotel with 5 subway stations nearby so it’s easy to get around.

What is the BEST Area to Stay in Toronto for Visitors? 

Map of the best place to stay in Toronto
Map of the best place to stay in Toronto. The stars and hearts are all the top attractions!

Old Toronto, or Downtown Toronto, is the best area to stay if you’re here as a tourist. It’s easily the most convenient place to base yourself for sightseeing in Toronto because it’s close to many top attractions, so you’ll be able to walk to lots of them! It’s also well connected to public transport, so you can save money and beat the traffic.

Old Toronto is also easy to get to from the airport. It’s only a 22-minute drive from the airport to downtown, or you can save money by taking the Union Pearson Express train, which takes 25 minutes, but more on that to follow. 

Downtown Toronto is also home to many of the city’s best bars and restaurants, so it’s a prime pick for anyone who wants to experience the top nightlife around. It’s also safe and home to some excellent shopping, and it’s close to the bustling and scenic harbourfront area. 

The terms “Old Toronto” and “Downtown Toronto” are often used interchangeably. Technically, Old Toronto is the area that was incorporated as a city in 1834, and then destroyed by the Great Fire of Toronto in 1904. Downtown is a slightly smaller area that’s bordered by Bloor Street, Dupont Street, Don Valley, Bathurst Street, and Lake Ontario, but this is really a trifling difference and as a visitor, you don’t need to worry about it too much. 

Downtown Toronto is actually the area with the second largest concentration of skyscrapers in North America after, of course, Manhattan. It’s a really cool area and we love staying here because you’re in the heart of the action, but you also have easy access to sites and attractions that are a little further out. 

Pros to Staying in Old Toronto/Downtown Toronto

A raining day in Old Toronto in the CBD
A rainy day in Toronto in the CBD

Close to many major attractions 

Old Toronto is home to many of the best things to do in the city. In this relatively small area, you have the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Toronto Art Gallery, the iconic CN Tower, and the St. Lawrence Market, which is an awesome place to discover Toronto’s food scene, just FYI. It’s also home to the amazing Ripley’s Aquarium, and Yonge-Dundas Square, which is like Toronto’s answer to Times Square in NYC! 

And when you stay in Downtown Toronto, you’re also super close to the Distillery District, which is one of our favorite areas of Toronto to explore. Once a huge distillery complex, it has now been redeveloped into a thriving tourist area with a ton to do. It’s also close enough to Old Toronto that you can walk there in 30 to 40 minutes, depending on where your hotel is located, or easily take the train, subway, or streetcar.

If you stay in Old Toronto, you’ll also be within easy reach of the entire waterfront, which is a fantastic part of the city to explore. Plus, you can catch the ferry from here to the Toronto Islands, which is another must-do! 

Basically, staying Downtown means that Toronto is your oyster.

Lots of train stations 

Toronto has a great rail network and many of the major stations are in the Old City. This means that you’re super well-connected to pretty much everywhere in Toronto, and you can save money (and the planet!) by taking the train to visit attractions that are a little further out. 

For example, Union Square, King, Queen, St Andrew, Osgoode, Dundas, and St. Patrick are ALL in this area. These are all big transport hubs, so you won’t have to change trains a million times to get where you want to go, and you can walk to all of them. It’s a real game-changer!

Bailey at a train station in Toronto on her way to Casa Loma, Toronto
We got the train!

Connects to the airport

I don’t know about you, but I hate it when I get off of a flight … and have to spend another 1-2 hours traveling to my hotel, not to mention the added cost. Downtown Toronto is 20-25 minutes from the airport, so it’s super easy. 

If you’re in a group, you can get a taxi from the airport to Downtown for $80-$100 CAD. Alternatively, you can arrange this private transfer in advance for $114 CAD for two people if you want the peace of mind that there’ll be a driver waiting when you arrive.

However, by far the cheapest way to get from Toronto Airport to the city is to take advantage of the Union Pearson Express. It costs $12.35 CAD to get the train from Toronto Pearson Airport to Union Station, and then if necessary, you can catch a connection from there along Line 1 Y, which covers most of downtown, so you should be able to get off close to your hotel. 

The Union Pearson Express takes 25 minutes and trains run every 15 minutes, from 6 am until 1 am. It’s so convenient! 

In the best area of the city

Downtown Toronto is the heart of the city. There’s a ton to do here, from top attractions to great bars and restaurants, so it’s THE place to be. Plus, lots of tours and day trips from Toronto leave from hotels in this area, so it’s perfectly located for pickup and dropoff. 

Old Toronto is also very safe. You can feel safe walking around (with the normal precautions you’d take in any large city) and crime rates are low, especially for the center of such a major city. 

Cons to Staying in Old Toronto/Downtown Toronto

Waterfront in Toronto Downtown
Waterfront in Downtown Toronto

Hotels are generally more expensive

Probably the biggest drawback to staying in Old Toronto is that hotels are more expensive here. It’s the best area of the city, and the accommodation rates do reflect that. 

However, I would urge you to think carefully before choosing a cheaper hotel in a further-out area. Once you arrive, staying downtown allows you to save a lot of money on Ubers because you can easily access so many places on foot, or via public transport. It’s a huge time-saver, too, so I think it’s worth spending a little extra to stay here because it will give you a better experience overall, and probably end up costing less in the long run because Ubers aren’t cheap these days! 

Traffic 

The downtown area can get quite busy in terms of traffic, which is a pain if you’re planning on renting a car and driving in and out of the city a lot – especially at rush hour. However, you can avoid this by using public transport, which is very easy to access in Old Toronto, and much cheaper than a car rental, too. 

What are the Best Hotels in Old Toronto/Downtown Toronto?

1. Fairmont Royal York Hotel – $$$

Fairmont Royal York Hotel room
Photo credit: Fairmont Royal York Hotel

The Fairmont Royal York is luxe from top to bottom. It’s no surprise this is where celebrities and royalty (like Queen Elizabeth!) have stayed while in Toronto.

With a historic ballroom, three dining options, and a gorgeous skylit indoor pool, you’ll have to force yourself to leave and go explore the city. But once you do, you’ll be just steps away from Union Station, so getting around via public transport really couldn’t be easier. It also means that you can get the train from the airport directly to the hotel! 

Meanwhile, the Hockey Hall of Fame is two blocks away, and you’re also about a 20-minute walk from both the waterfront and the Distillery District

I think this place would be perfect for a romantic stay or celebrating a special occasion, and rooms usually start around $500-$600 CAD for most of the year, although king suites and studios can reach over $1,000 CAD. 

Related Read: While the Fairmont looks a bit like a castle, you can see a real castle in Toronto with a visit to Casa Loma!

2. Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square – $$$ 

Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square room
Photo credit: Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square

With chic yet welcoming rooms and the trendy Bar le Germain lounge and restaurant on site, Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square is definitely a cool place to stay in Downtown Toronto. Plus, the showers are rain showers equipped with Molton Brown toiletries, which are always a treat to use. 

This upmarket hotel is very well-rated and its location is so convenient. It’s right next to Scotiabank Arena if you’re going to catch a Toronto Maple Leafs or Toronto Raptors game. It’s just a 15-minute walk from Union Station, a 10-minute walk from the CN Tower, and very close to the waterfront area. You couldn’t ask for a better location! 

Guests rave about the breakfast with freshly made omelets (yum!) and the filtered water available on every floor is a nice bonus. Plus, even though it’s located downtown, the rooms are surprisingly quiet.

You can book a room here for as little as $295 CAD during the off-season, but during the summer in Toronto, you’re usually looking at $400-$500 CAD per night.

3. One King West Hotel and Residence – $$

One King West Hotel and Residence room
Photo credit: One King West Hotel and Residence

The One King West Hotel and Residence is a sleek and modern hotel with spacious, sparkling clean rooms. It takes less than 10 minutes to walk from here to both the Hockey Hall of Fame and St Lawrence Market, and you’ve got 5 (yes, 5!) subway stations right on your doorstep, so it couldn’t be easier to get around the city from here. 

This is also the kind of hotel you’ll actually want to spend a little time in, too, especially since it’s got a great gym and restaurant on site. The lobby is very grand so you’ll feel like royalty when you arrive, and some of the rooms offer awesome city views to boot.

Rooms here start from $399 CAD per night but can go north of $600 CAD, so it’s worth reserving your room in advance to secure the best price, especially since they have a generous cancellation policy.

4. The Novotel Toronto Centre – $$

The Novotel Toronto Centre room
Photo credit: The Novotel Toronto Centre

The newly renovated Novotel Toronto Centre is smack dab in the middle of the action! It’s only a 5-minute walk to St Lawrence Market or the Hockey Hall of Fame and a 15-minute walk to the ferry terminal for the Toronto Islands.

It’s an upmarket place to stay, with marble bathrooms, huge double beds, and an indoor swimming pool. There’s also a cocktail lounge on-site and the sophisticated Cafe Nicole Bistro. Also, the WiFi here is strong throughout the property, which isn’t always easy to find at a hotel, believe me! 

Rooms here start at $215 CAD in the off-season but can reach triple that in the peak of summer, but they usually hover between the $400 to $500 CAD mark at the most popular times. 

5. Holiday Inn Express Toronto Downtown – $$

The Holiday Inn Express in Downtown Toronto is just a 20-minute walk from the awesome Distillery District and just 5 minutes from the St Lawrence Market. Or jump in an Uber or taxi for the quick 6-minute drive to the CN Tower or Rogers Centre.

It’s a modern and functional hotel that has everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a coffee machine for the caffeine addicts among us. We like the fact that the price per night includes a cooked breakfast so you can wake up in the morning and fill up with eggs, bacon, pancakes, and fresh fruit before heading out for the day. 

You can get a room here for as little as $180 CAD per night, but prices do go up to between $350-$600 CAD per night during the peak summer season. Again, it’s worth booking in advance to save money.

Related Read: Toronto can be expensive, but you can balance your budget with a few of our favorite free and cheap activities in Toronto. We have 25 things on our list!

6. The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar – $

The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar room
Photo credit: The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar

The Rex Hotel is one of the most wallet-friendly hotels in Old Toronto, and it’s also a fun place to stay! They have live music every night in the on-site bar, and the location is just perfect. The hotel is on Queen Street, just steps away from Osgoode station, so it’s ideal if you’re looking for an affordable base to explore Toronto from. 

The Rex has also been a top place to hear jazz and blues in Toronto since the 1980s, and they host 19 shows per week. It’s a family-owned spot and has been for over 40 years, so if you’re looking to stay somewhere cheap, friendly, and fun, this is a good choice.

Prices for a double room with a shared bathroom start at $117 CAD per night during the winter months, rising to $195 CAD during peak tourist season. 

Why I Love Old Toronto/Downtown Toronto

Daniel poses for a photo with the current Stanley Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada
Hockey Hall of Fame!
CN tower in Toronto from below
CN Tower in Toronto from below

Old Toronto is hands down our favorite place to stay in the city because when you stay here, you’re perfectly located to explore the city. Downtown is safe, beautiful, and close to all of the best attractions, and there are tons of fantastic places to eat and drink in the area. 

I have stayed in other areas of Toronto, such as Church and Wellesley, when I’ve visited Toronto in the past, but I found them to be too far out and there were lots of homeless camps around, so they didn’t feel as safe as Downtown Toronto. Now, I stay in Old Toronto every time I visit because it’s so much more convenient, and such a lovely area to explore. 

Related Read: Now that you know where to stay, check out our perfect Toronto weekend itinerary for ideas!

Things to do While You’re in Toronto

Views from the Canadian side of Niagara Falls looking down at the cruise below Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is close enough for a day trip!
Bailey eats miso soup at Miku in Toronto
We love eating at Miku!

Toronto is a city filled with tons of things to do and see. So once you have a place to stay, it’s time to fill up your itinerary with all the top attractions and activities!

  • Check out the view from the CN Tower -The tallest building in the city and all of Canada, heading up the CN Tower is a must! The main observation deck is on the 33rd floor and if you’re feeling brave, there’s a glass floor or the Edgewalk that takes you outside to walk high above Toronto! General admission is $43 CAD.
  • Eat great food! – With so many different cultures and restaurants, Toronto is a foodie heaven! Miku Toronto is the best sushi restaurant in the city with a big outdoor patio. Food tours in Toronto are also top-notch and we enjoyed this walking food tour to help us try a variety of tasty dishes from butter tarts to pierogies to maple syrup and the chance to explore the iconic St. Lawrence Market.
  • Go sailing – For a unique cruise, climb aboard a 1930s schooner with this Toronto tall ship cruise. You’ll help the crew raise the sails for the journey from Toronto Harbor to Lake Ontario. There are panoramic views to take in and kids love it when the crew fires the ship’s canyon! Tickets are available online for only $43 CAD and cheaper for kids.
  • Watch a hockey game – Hockey is HUGE all over Canada, so taking in an NHL game while you’re here is sure to be a fun night and a great rainy-day activity. While I’m a diehard Oilers fan, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the home team here and the atmosphere is a lot of fun. Tickets range from $150 – $350 CAD and you can buy tickets on Viator. If it isn’t hockey season, pop into the Hockey Hall of Fame instead to see the famous Stanley Cup!

One of the best ways to experience Canada is by hitting the road. Some of the best things to do and attractions are located in remote areas between destinations. For that reason, we highly recommend getting your own wheels!

  • Rent a car – To simply rent a vehicle, search on Discover Cars where they compare tons of different rental companies near you. This way you can easily compare prices, features, policies, and more!
  • Rent a campervan or motorhome Motorhome Republic is great for finding a motorhome or campervan to rent in Canada. With your own home on wheels, you can camp in beautiful places and save money on accommodation!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!

If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.

SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.

SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.

Book your travel insurance with SafetyWing here!

Thanks for reading!

Bailey and Daniel take a selfie at Casa Loma, Toronto
Thanks for reading!

Hopefully, this guide on the best area to stay in Toronto has you sold on staying in Old Toronto! It’s so convenient to explore the city when you’re already staying downtown and can walk or catch the subway to the best attractions. Plus, some of the hotels here are truly bucket list worthy (looking at you Fairmont Royal York!) so staying downtown is a true part of your vacation – not just a place to sleep.

If you’re looking for more help planning a trip to Canada, you’re in luck! This is my home country, so have a look at our other Canada blogs or related blogs about Toronto below to get you started.

How to Spend 4 Days in Toronto – For First-Time Visitors

5 BEST Bike Tours in Toronto

The 5 BEST Niagara Falls Tours from Toronto