Hotel Tips for Toronto etc....

MrMerkinball · May 2011

Hey there,

I manage a hotel downtown Toronto, and on many occasions, have helped board members in the past with cheap rates, upgraded rooms etc.

This year, I will have a much harder time helping out. The film festival is a crazy time for our city. It's part of my job to ensure there are no discounts during this time (so I can't very well turn around and give discounts to my friends - as much as I would want to).

So I will offer you all a few insider tips, so that you can enjoy our city and the shows without breaking the bank.

1. Book now. A standard philosphy is to build a base of business, and once hotels reach a certain threshold, rates will jump by 20-50%. Rates for film fest are going to jump soon. Hotels typically look 90 days out, and that timeframe is coming up quick. My hotel is selling at $209 now for Sept 11-12, but a month from now, we will be up to $240, and eventually into the 300's.

Also - as hotel managers - we keep our eyes on dates where there are a spike in bookings or inquiries. The more people price shop these dates - the quicker the rates go up.

2. Don't count on priceline or hotwire. Those options will not be there for these dates......at least not for long

3. The longer you stay, the cheaper the rate. a 3 or 4 night stay is gold to a downtown hotel. Discounts are offered for longer stays

4. Join a frequent stay program (Starwood/Delta Privilege etc) before arriving. This will get you free phone calls, internet, and maybe breakfast - depending on the program.

If you would like advice about any hotels dowtown (price/value/reputation/location etc) post here and I will let you know. I am not going to steer you towards my hotel - that's not cool (plus we will be full anyway).

For those whom end up at my hotel - I will do my best to upgrade if possible.

Don't want to post the name of my hotel as I don't want to come accross as advertising for business. I just want to help as many of you as possible.

Cheers

Jon

sparky_fry · May 2011

thanks for the advice. I booked yesterday at: EconoLodge Downtown Toronto on jarvis. it was 276 for 2 nights with taxes/fees included. It was one of the cheapest i could find and its in walking distance to the acc. I'm afraid to hear what you have to say about this place

LeafsJaysCubsRaptorsFan · May 2011

sparky_fry wrote:

thanks for the advice. I booked yesterday at: EconoLodge Downtown Toronto on jarvis. it was 276 for 2 nights with taxes/fees included. It was one of the cheapest i could find and its in walking distance to the acc. I'm afraid to hear what you have to say about this place

Are you sure it is walking distance? I don't think it is.

MrMerkinball · May 2011

Econolodge is a 15-20 min walk. it's do-able

LeafsJaysCubsRaptorsFan · May 2011

MrMerkinball wrote:

Econolodge is a 15-20 min walk. it's do-able

Yeah map makes it look worse. Lol

sparky_fry · May 2011

dmbpjfan4ever wrote:

sparky_fry wrote:

thanks for the advice. I booked yesterday at: EconoLodge Downtown Toronto on jarvis. it was 276 for 2 nights with taxes/fees included. It was one of the cheapest i could find and its in walking distance to the acc. I'm afraid to hear what you have to say about this place

Are you sure it is walking distance? I don't think it is.

well google maps says 2.3 kms, 30 mins walking. they usually overestimate walking times too. I've walked from further to the ACC. address is 335 jarvis in case anyone else is wondering

grjammer · May 2011

Thanks for the info! I'm thinking about booking at the Novotel...it looks relatively close and the rate is not bad right now...

xavier mcdaniel · May 2011

I was going to hold on booking until I actually got tickets. Do you think since those went on sale next Tuesday the 24th, booking either later that day or the following day would be a problem?

PillowPants · May 2011

i booked today at the

Isabella hotel - $202.92

and the The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto - $562
trying to get a best rate price match on this one

thoughts on these?

PillowPants · May 2011

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

I was going to hold on booking until I actually got tickets. Do you think since those went on sale next Tuesday the 24th, booking either later that day or the following day would be a problem?

book a refundable now?

sparky_fry · May 2011

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

I was going to hold on booking until I actually got tickets. Do you think since those went on sale next Tuesday the 24th, booking either later that day or the following day would be a problem?

thats what i thought too but theres no cancellation fee when i booked mine so its worth the chance either way

grjammer · May 2011

PillowPants wrote:

i booked today at the

Isabella hotel - $202.92

and the The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto - $562
trying to get a best rate price match on this one

thoughts on these?

I stayed there for the 09 show at the Molson Amp. It is a really nice hotel. I remember the valet parking being a little steep but it was convenient. As I recall, it is basically across the street from the ACC.

LeafsJaysCubsRaptorsFan · May 2011

grjammer wrote:

PillowPants wrote:

i booked today at the

Isabella hotel - $202.92

and the The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto - $562
trying to get a best rate price match on this one

thoughts on these?

I stayed there for the 09 show at the Molson Amp. It is a really nice hotel. I remember the valet parking being a little steep but it was convenient. As I recall, it is basically across the street from the ACC.

Yes Weston harbor is basically across the street

BLACK35 · May 2011

Is the International or Incontinental Convention centre right there also, close to ACC i mean? I think its around $200 a night, pretty good i figure for downtown and the short walk

whitepants · May 2011

Trust me, with TIFF in town during the same time, if you even *think* you want to go to the Toronto shows, you better book the hotel first, then procure tickets later. Hotel prices are higher during TIFF time anyway.

LeafsJaysCubsRaptorsFan · May 2011

BLACK35 wrote:

Is the International or Incontinental Convention centre right there also, close to ACC i mean? I think its around $200 a night, pretty good i figure for downtown and the short walk

Yes. Intercontinental hotel is right next to the metro Toronto convention centre. You can take the path and just walk inside to the acc

mjb · May 2011

there is a new Le Germain hotel located right in Maple Leaf Square which is a new development that is pretty much connected to the ACC. It would be my bet if money was no option, of course with TIFF in town, dates seem to be blocked out. People may have to think outside the downtown core for these shows.

Vart · May 2011

I just booked the Novotel. It was $521 USD for three nights. I checked around and this seemed like the best deal for a hotel that isn't a complete dump. I really wanted to stay at the Westin Harbor again(got the $55 priceline deal last time), but it was over $700 for three nights.

MrMerkinball · May 2011

BLACK35 wrote:

Is the International or Incontinental Convention centre right there also, close to ACC i mean? I think its around $200 a night, pretty good i figure for downtown and the short walk

Intercon is a perfect location...200 is a good deal for that one during TIFF.

MrMerkinball · May 2011

Vart wrote:

I just booked the Novotel. It was $521 USD for three nights. I checked around and this seemed like the best deal for a hotel that isn't a complete dump. I really wanted to stay at the Westin Harbor again(got the $55 priceline deal last time), but it was over $700 for three nights.

Novotel is close. 521 for 3 nights is reasonable. You are super close to the Biergarden (great option for a pre party I would say....)

Vart · May 2011

I'm going to try to get a AAA discount when I check in. I didn't know what the code was on the website, and the girl I spoke to on the phone wasn't very helpful.

Do you mean the Bier Markt? After looking at their website, I t looks like I will be spending quite a bit of time there over the three days.

Hotel Tips for Toronto etc....

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