Where to Stay in Toronto: Complete Guide for Every Travel Style

Discover the best neighborhoods and hotels in Toronto, from downtown luxury stays to local boutique gems, with practical tips and options for every type of traveler.

Planning your first trip to Toronto and wondering where to stay? Having lived here for over six years, I’ve had friends visit me from all over the world – and I’ve taken every excuse to explore my own city through staycations and weekend getaways. Whether I’m showing guests the Royal Ontario Museum or relaxing near the waterfront, I’ve gotten to know which neighborhoods really shine depending on what kind of trip you’re planning. With its vibrant neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and diverse accommodation options, choosing the perfect place to stay in Toronto can be the key to an unforgettable experience.

Whether you’re here for world-famous sites like the Royal Ontario Museum, looking to enjoy live music and the Entertainment District, or planning a day trip to Niagara Falls, this comprehensive guide will help you decide exactly where to base yourself. From luxury hotels with views of Lake Ontario to budget stays near Kensington Market, there’s something for every travel style.

What About Staying Outside Downtown Toronto?

While most first-time visitors stay in or near Downtown Toronto for convenience and walkability, other parts of the city like North York or Etobicoke may be better suited to certain travelers.

If you’re planning a longer visit, traveling with a car, or visiting family in the suburbs, areas like North York can offer quieter, more residential accommodations. These neighborhoods are well-connected to the downtown core via TTC subways and buses but lack the dense concentration of attractions you’d find in the center of the city.

North York is ideal if you’re interested in local attractions like Yorkdale Mall, the Aga Khan Museum, or Downsview Park. Just keep in mind you’ll likely rely more on public transit or driving to reach places like the Royal Ontario Museum, St. Lawrence Market, or the Toronto Waterfront.

Best Areas to Stay in Toronto

Quick Links to Neighborhoods:

• Downtown Toronto
• Entertainment District
• Queen West & West End
• Kensington Market & Chinatown
• Distillery District
• Toronto Waterfront
• Midtown Toronto (Yorkville & The Annex)

💰 Budget Legend:

• $ – Budget-friendly
• $$ – Mid-range
• $$$ – Luxury

Use this guide to find your perfect hotel match in Toronto based on your travel style and budget.

Use this interactive map to explore Toronto’s top neighborhoods and hotel locations mentioned in this guide.

Downtown Toronto

Best for: First-time visitors, major attractions, business trips

Downtown Toronto is the heart of the city. Home to major landmarks like the Royal Ontario Museum, Hockey Hall of Fame, and St. Lawrence Market, it’s the ideal spot if you want to be close to everything. You can walk to the Toronto Waterfront, catch a ferry across Lake Ontario, or hop on a city tour.

• The Rex Hotel ($) – A clean, central stay with great value and nightly jazz.
• Town Inn Suites ($) – Spacious suites with kitchenettes, great for longer stays.
• Mid-Range ($$): Chelsea Hotel – Large rooms, indoor pool, and close to shopping and dining.
• Mid-Range ($$): DoubleTree by Hilton – Comfortable stay with a rooftop patio and great location.
• Luxury ($$$): The Ritz-Carlton Toronto – Steps from the Entertainment District, it offers 5-star service, skyline views, and a world-class spa.
• Luxury ($$$): Fairmont Royal York – A historic Toronto icon with timeless charm and luxury service.. Home to major landmarks like the Royal Ontario Museum, Hockey Hall of Fame, and St. Lawrence Market, it’s the ideal spot if you want to be close to everything. You can walk to the Toronto Waterfront, catch a ferry across Lake Ontario, or hop on a city tour.
• Budget: The Rex Hotel – A clean, central stay with great value and nightly jazz.
• Mid-Range ($$): Chelsea Hotel – Large rooms, indoor pool, and close to shopping and dining.
• Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton Toronto – Steps from the Entertainment District, it offers 5-star service, skyline views, and a world-class spa.

Entertainment District

Best for: Nightlife, dining, sports events, and shows

Note: The Entertainment District is part of the larger Downtown Toronto area but stands out for its vibrant nightlife and cultural attractions.

Toronto’s Entertainment District is where the city comes alive at night. Catch a Raptors game, attend a Broadway-caliber show, or enjoy world-class dining. It’s also a launch point for Niagara Falls day trips and sightseeing tours.

• Bisha Hotel Toronto ($$) – Sleek design, rooftop lounge, and located in the heart of the action.
• SoHo Hotel ($$) – Elegant and modern with personalized service.
• Shangri-La Toronto ($$$) – Elegant rooms, spa, and one of the city’s top restaurants.
• Luxury ($$$): The St. Regis Toronto – 5-star luxury with a heated saltwater pool and butler service.
• Mid-Range: Le Germain Hotel – Modern, stylish, and offers a boutique feel with business-friendly amenities.
• Mid-Range: Hyatt Regency Toronto – Spacious rooms with excellent access to the city’s nightlife. is where the city comes alive at night. Catch a Raptors game, attend a Broadway-caliber show, or enjoy world-class dining. It’s also a launch point for Niagara Falls day trips and sightseeing tours.
• Boutique Hotel: Bisha Hotel Toronto – Sleek design, rooftop lounge, and located in the heart of the action.
• Luxury Hotel: Shangri-La Toronto – Elegant rooms, spa, and one of the city’s top restaurants.
• Mid-Range: Le Germain Hotel – Modern, stylish, and offers a boutique feel with business-friendly amenities.

Queen West & West End

Best for: Trendsetters, creatives, boutique hotel lovers

Note: Queen West is a sub-neighborhood within Downtown Toronto, known for its edgy art scene and fashionable vibe.

Consistently ranked one of the “coolest neighborhoods in the world,” Queen West is packed with art galleries, fashion boutiques, indie cafes, and live music venues. It’s perfect for travelers who want a hip, local vibe.

• Boutique Hotel: The Drake Hotel – A cultural hub with nightly events, rooftop dining, and an art-forward interior.
• Boutique Hotel: Gladstone House – A historic building turned art-focused hotel, with a different artist-designed room on every floor.
• Boutique Hotel: The Beverley Hotel – Stylish, modern, and located directly on Queen Street West.
• Mid-Range: Sonder at The Liberty – Chic apartment-style rooms with full kitchens in a walkable, creative neighborhood.
• Budget: Studio 6 Toronto – Functional suites with kitchenettes in a trendy neighborhood.
• Budget: The Alexandra Hotel – Simple, affordable, and within walking distance of both Queen West and Kensington Market.Consistently ranked one of the “coolest neighborhoods in the world,” Queen West is packed with art galleries, fashion boutiques, indie cafes, and live music venues. It’s perfect for travelers who want a hip, local vibe.
• Boutique Hotel: The Drake Hotel – A cultural hub with nightly events, rooftop dining, and an art-forward interior.
• Boutique Hotel: Gladstone House – A historic building turned art-focused hotel, with a different artist-designed room on every floor.
• Budget: Studio 6 Toronto – Functional suites with kitchenettes in a trendy neighborhood.

Kensington Market & Chinatown

Best for: Budget travelers, foodies, and local culture

Note: Kensington Market and Chinatown sit on the western edge of Downtown Toronto and offer a unique cultural experience just minutes from the core.

Kensington Market is Toronto’s most bohemian district. It’s a multicultural hub filled with vintage shops, global cuisine, murals, and coffee shops. Stay here if you want to explore the city like a local.

• Budget: Planet Traveler Hostel – Eco-conscious, rooftop views, and friendly staff.
• Budget: The Only Backpacker’s Inn – Laid-back vibe, craft beer bar, and free breakfast.
• Mid-Range: Chinatown Travellers Home – Affordable rooms close to streetcars and local eats.
• Mid-Range: Kensington Suites – Apartment-style accommodation with kitchens and excellent walkability.
• Short-Term: Many Airbnb-style stays in walk-up apartments or historic homes.Kensington Market is Toronto’s most bohemian district. It’s a multicultural hub filled with vintage shops, global cuisine, murals, and coffee shops. Stay here if you want to explore the city like a local.
• Budget: Planet Traveler Hostel – Eco-conscious, rooftop views, and friendly staff.
• Mid-Range: Chinatown Travellers Home – Affordable rooms close to streetcars and local eats.
• Short-Term: Many Airbnb-style stays in walk-up apartments or historic homes.

Distillery District

Best for: Couples, history lovers, and photographers

Note: The Distillery District is located on the eastern edge of Downtown Toronto, known for its historic charm and pedestrian-only streets.

With its cobblestone lanes and 19th-century architecture, the Distillery District offers charm and character. This pedestrian-only area is especially beautiful during the winter lights festival and is close to downtown.

• Boutique Hotel ($$): The Ivy at Verity – A peaceful, upscale retreat with a spa and fine dining.
• Luxury ($$$): One King West Hotel – A stylish skyscraper hotel just a short walk away.
• Mid-Range ($$): Novotel Toronto Centre – Comfortable and close to the Distillery District and St. Lawrence Market.
• Mid-Range ($$): The Omni King Edward Hotel – Historic hotel with refined interiors, located a short walk away.With its cobblestone lanes and 19th-century architecture, the Distillery District offers charm and character. This pedestrian-only area is especially beautiful during the winter lights festival and is close to downtown.
• Boutique: The Ivy at Verity – A peaceful, upscale retreat with a spa and fine dining.
• Luxury ($$$): One King West Hotel – A stylish skyscraper hotel just a short walk away.

Toronto Waterfront

Best for: Scenic views, summer travelers, families

Note: The Toronto Waterfront is part of the Downtown area, offering lakeside relaxation just steps from the city’s top attractions.

If waking up to views of Lake Ontario sounds ideal, consider staying near the Toronto Waterfront. Walk to the ferry terminal for island adventures, cycle along the lakeshore, or relax at one of the outdoor cafes.

• Luxury: Delta Hotels by Marriott – Modern design with lake views and indoor pool.
• Luxury: Westin Harbour Castle – Panoramic views, lakeside dining, and family-friendly rooms.
• Mid-Range: Radisson Blu Downtown Toronto – Rooftop pool and quick access to tours.
• Mid-Range: The York Boutique Suites – Furnished condos near the water, ideal for longer stays.
• Family-Friendly ($$): Hotel X Toronto – Resort-style amenities, including a kids’ play center, spa, and rooftop bar.
• Budget ($): Neill Wycik Backpackers Hotel – Great location and budget rates during summer months.If waking up to views of Lake Ontario sounds ideal, consider staying near the Toronto Waterfront. Walk to the ferry terminal for island adventures, cycle along the lakeshore, or relax at one of the outdoor cafes.
• Luxury: Delta Hotels by Marriott – Modern design with lake views and indoor pool.
• Mid-Range: Radisson Blu Downtown Toronto – Rooftop pool and quick access to tours.
• Family-Friendly ($$): Hotel X Toronto – Resort-style amenities, including a kids’ play center, spa, and rooftop bar.

Midtown Toronto (Yorkville & The Annex)

Best for: Museums, upscale shopping, and quiet nights

Midtown offers a quieter alternative with upscale shopping, tree-lined streets, and quick access to the Royal Ontario Museum and University of Toronto. Ideal for those seeking a refined yet central experience.

• Luxury Hotel: The Hazelton Hotel – Five-star service in fashionable Yorkville.
• Luxury Hotel: Park Hyatt Toronto – Recently renovated with elegant rooms and a rooftop bar.
• Mid-Range: Kimpton Saint George – Boutique charm with artistic touches.
• Mid-Range: The Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel – Classic style, excellent location, and amenities.
• Budget: Annex Loft Suites – Spacious and stylish for longer stays.
• Budget: University of Toronto Summer Residence – Clean and affordable rooms (available seasonally).Midtown offers a quieter alternative with upscale shopping, tree-lined streets, and quick access to the Royal Ontario Museum and University of Toronto. Ideal for those seeking a refined yet central experience.
• Luxury Hotel: The Hazelton Hotel – Five-star service in fashionable Yorkville.
• Mid-Range: Kimpton Saint George – Boutique charm with artistic touches.
• Budget: Annex Loft Suites – Spacious and stylish for longer stays.

Best Toronto Hotels by Category

Luxury Hotels in Toronto

• The Ritz-Carlton Toronto
• Shangri-La Toronto
• Hotel X Toronto
• The Hazelton Hotel

Boutique Hotels in Toronto

• The Drake Hotel
• Gladstone House
• Kimpton Saint George
• The Ivy at Verity

Budget Hotels in Toronto

• The Rex Hotel
• Planet Traveler Hostel
• Studio 6 Toronto

Frequently Asked Questions: Where to Stay in Toronto

Final Tips: Booking Your Stay in Toronto

• Book early during peak seasons such as summer, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September, and holiday markets in December. These events can significantly impact hotel pricing and availability.
• Use Booking.com or Expedia to compare deals.
• Consider using the TTC subway or streetcars for quick, cheap travel.
• Plan a day trip to Niagara Falls if you have the time.

From sleek skyscraper hotels near Lake Ontario to funky hostels by Kensington Market, the options for where to stay in Toronto are endless. Whether you’re visiting for culture, food, or just to explore Canada’s most exciting city, this guide has got you covered.

• Book early during peak seasons (summer, Christmas markets, TIFF).
• Use Booking.com or Expedia to compare deals.
• Consider using the TTC subway or streetcars for quick, cheap travel.
• Plan a day trip to Niagara Falls if you have the time.

From sleek skyscraper hotels near Lake Ontario to funky hostels by Kensington Market, the options for where to stay in Toronto are endless. Whether you’re visiting for culture, food, or just to explore Canada’s most exciting city, this guide has got you covered.

More Toronto Travel Guides:

• [3 Days in Toronto Itinerary]
• [Top Things to Do Year Round in Toronto]
• [Ultimate Guide to the Royal Ontario Museum]
• [How to Spend a Day at Niagara Falls from Toronto]

Ready to book? Start by checking Toronto hotel options on [Booking.com] today!