Downtown is definitely the place you want to be.If you haven't gotten a hotel yet, I would recommend the Sheraton, you won't need to cab or walk anywhere! Another good option if you are on a budget is to go on priceline where you can bid on a hotel (but you can't choose which one and once one accepts you, you're stuck with it), select downtown area, 3 stars plus, and bid 70-80 dollars. This should get you the Sheraton, which is a $200+ value but is in no way guaranteed. You could get any hotel downtown and be totally stuck with it so if you need rigid plans than this is probably not the best options. If you are on a serious budget, there are several small hostels and b&b's you can look into.

There are other places that are very lively too that you can check out for good nightlife. The Yonge and Eglinton area (dubbed "Young and Eligible") has TONS of places to go out and that would be a short TTC or cab ride away.

The downtown west side is best. Look at a bed and breakfast, west of University Avenue and south of Bloor St. Or check out the Super 8 chinatown, Travelodge on King St. Holiday Inn on King or one of the other chain hotels on Bloor W.

Wow thank you, that I call a quick answer. As I am a member of the Accor Favorite Guest group, how is the Novotel Toronto Centre at 45 The Esplanade located compared to the mentioned Sheraton?

Many thanks & cheers,

bowmore

The Sheraton is more centrally located, but the Novotel is really close to the St. Lawrence Market (www.stlawrencemarket.com) and old town Toronto. It's not a bad spot to be in. I'd ask for a room with a small refrigerator to put away anything you might buy there to snack on.

Nothing is very far away in the entire downtown core, whether you stay at Sheraton or Novotel. We're a very safe place for walking around. The Esplanade is a perfectly good area for restos and bars, altho the Richmond area has a slightly younger vibe.

thanks for all the tips. i am actually in toronto and for now staying at the the fairmont york hotel for business. right now looking for an alternative but as i found out toronto is a big city but the downtown area is small enough to walk around so i guess i just go for the best deal i can find. i had a really great time yesterday at a bar called gorilla monsoon at queen street west. they apparently have live music every night and i was surprised how warm and welcoming their staff and guests were to me. canada rools!

cheers,

bowmore

Glad you're enjoying yourself. You've definitely ventured into a good part of town down by Gorilla Monsoon. Don't forget to pick up a free NOW magazine from a green newspaper box. The new one just came out today. Tons of live music every night of the week.

would even look into Queen street. You will find much to do there and it is fairly close to everything.

Have fun on your trip in Toronto!

i am finally back in switzerland and again like to thank you for all the tips. i finally ended up staying my whole stay in the fairmont york hotel, i got a a discount and i guess i was too lazy to pack..

toronto is really a great town and i even saw two shows at the fringe festival, was a lot of fun!

take care & cheers,

bowmore

Cool, so glad to hear you enjoyed yourself and got a good feel for the city. You seem to have similar tastes to me. I was wondering, if I had to choose between visiting Basel, Bern or Zurich, what would you choose? I'm planning to do a side trip from Alsace, France next year.

Thanks!

-UF