Niagara & Toronto: Family of 5 needs lodging advice

[3angelsmom]

I'm in the process of planning a short trip next month to Niagara Falls (Canadian side) & Toronto. I've searched the old threads and found some helpful information, but not a solution to my problem.

We're thinking of driving up and spending 2 nights in Niagara Falls, then 2 nights in Toronto. This isn't solely a budget trip - as in I'm not looking for the cheapest possible way to do things - but I'm a budget-minded person and want to save where I can.

I have SPG points to use and my original idea was to stay in the Marriott Fallsview in Niagara (fell in love with the pictures and think I found a decent rate of $145 that includes breakfast & WEGO passes), then use the points at a Sheraton or Westin in Toronto. The problem is, the max occupancy for a Sheraton/Westin standard room in Toronto is 4. If I get 2 rooms or upgrade to a suite, I'll have to use all my points plus pay $350+ OOP (for 2 nights).

So, my question to locals and those who have visited: what would you do... Is it feasible to stay in Niagara the whole time and make a day trip or two to Toronto? or stay at the Sheraton in Niagara and pick a different hotel in Toronto? If so, what do you think of the Sheraton at the Falls? And are you aware of a centrally-located Toronto hotel that will accommodate 5 in a standard room or a reasonably-priced suite? (i.e., the Marriott Fallsview has a "family suite" option that is not much bigger, but its 2 rooms, can accommodate 6 and is only $30 more). Thoughts? Both cities seem to have lots to see & do

 

[pigletto]

The drive from Niagara Falls to Toronto is not something I would want to do in 2 day trips honestly. We do it often (family in Toronto) and depending on traffic you could be looking at 2 hours to downtown, 2 hours back. 4 hours of driving really cuts into your day. It's possible, but would be annoying I think. It's also all highway and not a pretty or exciting drive.

Sheraton at the Falls is lovely. Dh used to work at the Marriott when it opened. I've stayed in both and would happily stay at the Sheraton.

I'm not sure about something in Toronto that would sleep 5 though. I am sure there is something. I assume for Toronto you want to be downtown?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

One option that would sleep 5 in downtown Toronto that I can think of off the top of my head is the Residence Inn in the Entertainment District (they have one and two bedroom suites available). Its a great property and located very close to the CN Tower.

I agree wholeheartedly with pigletto......making Toronto a day trip twice from NF would make less sense than a stay-over in TO. Traffic to and from can really stink.

 

[3angelsmom]

Thanks for your replies

I did more research and the residence inn is $525/nt although I haven't looked for a discount code yet. The other 2 that will accommodate 5 in the city are the Econo Lodge which got horrible reviews on Trip Advisor and the Ramada.

How about staying a bit farther out? What's it like to drive/park in Toronto? To compare, I won't consider driving in NYC, but I can drive around Washington DC and Philly albeit white-knuckled the whole time

 

[jennyjinx3]

There is a Mississauga / Meadowvale Residence Inn that sleeps 5....it is about a 30-40 minute drive to downtown from here depending on traffic. Or You could also drive to nearest subway station (probably Islington) and park there, take subway into the city too.

 

[magsmum]

We are a family of 5 and stay in spg hotels all the time. Call the spg line and book through them. We often can't book for 5 on the website but can with the rep. We book two double beds and travel with an air mattress. Sometimes we are give complimentary cots by the hotel. We have not stayed in Toronto, but the Westin in Montreal let all five of us stay. Can you double check that to see if they will allow 5 (3 are kids is the clincher for them) in a room?

If you are really lucky, you will get upgraded to a suite upon checkin -or you can see what the upgrade points cost would be at that point.

Good luck!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks for your replies

I did more research and the residence inn is $525/nt although I haven't looked for a discount code yet. The other 2 that will accommodate 5 in the city are the Econo Lodge which got horrible reviews on Trip Advisor and the Ramada.

How about staying a bit farther out? What's it like to drive/park in Toronto? To compare, I won't consider driving in NYC, but I can drive around Washington DC and Philly albeit white-knuckled the whole time

Ouch. That's a ridiculous price. Even with a discount of some kind, its going to be crazy expensive. Another property that might accommodate five in a room is the Grand Hotel Toronto.....they list a two bedroom suite at $339 per night which would definitely be big enough for your crew, but so would the Grand Double Room at $219 per night if they can bring you in a cot (its worth a call to inquire). All of their room rates include a full breakfast buffet in the morning.

What activities were you planning in Toronto? Everything downtown (CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, Eaton Centre)? Or something further out (like the Toronto Zoo or Canada's Wonderland)? If you were planning on visiting either of the latter, you could definitely get more options for larger accommodations at better prices than what you will find downtown, as many downtown properties are specifically geared to the business traveller.

The worst part of driving in Toronto is the traffic. Get yourself a good GPS and ready yourself for traffic delays, and you should be fine .

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We stayed at the Embassy Suites Fallsview right next door to the Marriott. The suites are large and sleep 6 IIRC though 2 in a sofa bed. They include free hot breakfast (not just continental) each morning and each evening a manager's reception with free soda/juices & 1 free alcoholic drink for each guest over 21. I know this doesn't help with your points situation but you could all fit in 1 room.
Also Fri & Sat night were crazy high prices so we took a few days off and stayed Sun & Mon nights. 2 nights were plenty of time. We did Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls, Butterfly Conservatory, Observation Tower-thing & some other stops. It was a package offered by the hotel. Not cheap but we got to see everything in a short time.
Sorry, we didn't go to Toronto so I can't help you there.

 

[antmaril]

Like the previous poster, we stayed at The Embassy Suites Fallsview - LOVED it. Had a big two-room suite overlooking the Falls. Terrific breakfast and evening reception. We, too, went mid-week, to keep the cost down. Loved Maid of the Mist. Have been to NF many times in my life, and had never experienced the Maid of the Mist - big fun!

I haven't been to Toronto in a long time, so I really can't make any recommendations.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[2ndStarr]

O Another property that might accommodate five in a room is the Grand Hotel Toronto.....they list a two bedroom suite at $339 per night which would definitely be big enough for your crew, but so would the Grand Double Room at $219 per night if they can bring you in a cot (its worth a call to inquire). All of their room rates include a full breakfast buffet in the morning.

I 2nd this. We live on the border and regularly spend weekends in TO. The Grand is our home when we're in town. Its a decent price, great location, breakfast is awesome, they have a pool and, wait for it... two huge rooftop jacuzzis that are amazing a night when the city is lit up. The rooms are nice and big and the staff has always been pleasant. The underground parking garage has some tight turns and tiny spaces, but its manageable. We have stayed in everything from the one bed regular room to a two bedroom suite at the Grand and have loved each one.

In NF our favorite spot is the Doubletree. The rooms are great. The pools (in and out) are really nice. I find it to be much quieter than a lot of the other hotels in the area. Its set a block back from the main drag where most of the hotels are, but still very easy to walk to everything and in full view of the falls. Also they give you warm chocolate chip cookies at check in.

 

[it's kelly]

We visited last year and stayed at the Wyndham Garden Fallsview. It was a couple blocks from the falls but the walk wasn't bad. You can also ride the lift up/down instead of walking. There is a Perkins (maybe it was Friendly's) onsite and a Tim Hortons across the street.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Have you considered a bed and breakfast in Niagara-on-the-Lake? It's just a short drive to Niagara Falls, but beautiful and quiet.