Toronto
 

Looking for comments on 2 hotels in Toronto,
The Grand and The Intercontinental. Don't know which one to pick.

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I would opt for the InterContinental on Bloor near Avenue Road. It is the better of the two properties, particularly given its location. The Grand is more a long-stay hotel, reasonably high standards and quality, but for visitors is not in the greatest of neighbourhoods, being on the edge of Toronto's tenderloin district. [I know, because I live quite nearby.] I would think the Grand is less expensive than the IC, but the IC is located in the heart of Toronto's tendy "Park/Madison Avenue" district nearby shopping in Yorkville and along Bloor Street, good restaurants of all sorts, and Museums and art galleries. It is also on the subway line, so you can get around to other districts easily.

Of course, the IC has its own FF program through Priority Club. Not sure if the Grand is associated with any airline or other such programs.

Hope this helps. Glad to read you are not being scared off by the SARS stories. Most of us hardly notice it in the way the media is playing it up.

I have almost always stayed at a different property during my visits to Toronto, but the IC was the only one that really spoke to me. I've stayed there three times. The pool on the 8th floor is a little small, but it's just a lap pool really. Great location, as Shareholder mentioned, right across the street from the ROM and not far from some nice restaurants. To that end, I would have to recommend Sotto Sotto. I think the address is 116 Avenue Road, just a short walk north around the corner from the IC. Excellent Italian food!

(I heard about that restaurant, incidentally, in an AA inflight magazine... who knew...) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by bpauker (edited 04-18-2003).]

I am in YUL lounge and just an ad for the grand stating you can earn Aeroplan miles there--for whatever they are worth these days. I agree though that the IC is a better property and probably more expensive by a long shot

I just returned from Easter Weekend in YYZ. Unlike Canada Day, Labour Day, Molson Indy or Caribana, this is hardly a busy weekend. I haven't even mentioned those dreaded four letters yet -- S.A.R.S.

Judging by the traffic on the 401, most people were heading out of the GTA.

Even the GLOBE & MAIL featured a front-page story on thier business section last Friday that said the Fairmont Royal York was gonna have to lay off full-time employees.

My question is, what are hotels doing to being people back into T.O. ?????

I certainly haven't noticed any "significant deals" at the hotels.

Has anyone else??

I even heard that Tourism Toronto was delaying launching thier "Together in Toronto" summer program until later to get a feel for the economy. Maybe some hoteliers will drop thie rates.

Any feedback is appreciated!