Toronto- Sheraton Centre vs Westin Harbour Castle
Feb 7, 2017, 12:03 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SNA
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite (Lifetime Platinum), HHonors Gold
Posts: 241
I've only been to Toronto once, and I stayed at the Sheraton. I was thoroughly impressed with my stay. Upgraded to a Junior Suite on the 40th floor with amazing views of the city. Really nice lounge with amazing views as well. Lots of great restaurants, bars, etc. within walking distance. Would definitely stay there again.
Feb 7, 2017, 2:26 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Body in Downtown YYZ, heart and mind elsewhere
Programs: UA 50K, refugee from AC E50K, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 5,132
The Sheraton is in a much nicer location vs the Westin. There's nothing unsafe about the Westin; it's just rather dead down there. On the plus side, the Westin can have nice views if you're on the south side of the building and it's a short walk to Harbourfront which is pleasant even in winter. There's a streetcar stop right outside the Westin that will get you quickly to Union Station which leads to many other transit options. And of course, it's a Westin so you'll get the Heavenly Sleep bed and the White Tea soaps etc.
The renovated rooms in the Sheraton are decent - nothing hugely special but they're nice enough. If you need parking, you're better off parking under City Hall. (The parking options near the Westin are rather limited and not worth the effort IMHO.) The breakfast in the Sheraton lounge is strictly a continental affair but it's adequate. The view from up there is one of the nicer ones in the city so be sure to take a moment of pause to enjoy it. And depending on where you really need to be, direct PATH access can be awesome. (But if you've never done PATH, you'll likely get a little lost.) During the week, at daytime PATH will be very busy. In the evenings it gets very quiet and on weekends it's a ghost town down there.
One potential downside to the Sheraton is that it's a large convention hotel. So it can be very busy at times depending on what's going on. The convention spaces below the Sheraton are some of the largest in Toronto. If there's a big one going on, you'll have to put up with large crowds, longer waits for elevators and more people in the various hotel restaurants. It's nothing insurmountable, but it's something to be aware of.
The renovated rooms in the Sheraton are decent - nothing hugely special but they're nice enough. If you need parking, you're better off parking under City Hall. (The parking options near the Westin are rather limited and not worth the effort IMHO.) The breakfast in the Sheraton lounge is strictly a continental affair but it's adequate. The view from up there is one of the nicer ones in the city so be sure to take a moment of pause to enjoy it. And depending on where you really need to be, direct PATH access can be awesome. (But if you've never done PATH, you'll likely get a little lost.) During the week, at daytime PATH will be very busy. In the evenings it gets very quiet and on weekends it's a ghost town down there.
One potential downside to the Sheraton is that it's a large convention hotel. So it can be very busy at times depending on what's going on. The convention spaces below the Sheraton are some of the largest in Toronto. If there's a big one going on, you'll have to put up with large crowds, longer waits for elevators and more people in the various hotel restaurants. It's nothing insurmountable, but it's something to be aware of.
Feb 7, 2017, 8:04 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,004
Excellent - Sheraton it is.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Feb 9, 2017, 3:08 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Previously top-tier everything, now a happy free agent
Posts: 1,003
The Sheraton is in a much nicer location vs the Westin. There's nothing unsafe about the Westin; it's just rather dead down there. On the plus side, the Westin can have nice views if you're on the south side of the building and it's a short walk to Harbourfront which is pleasant even in winter. There's a streetcar stop right outside the Westin that will get you quickly to Union Station which leads to many other transit options. And of course, it's a Westin so you'll get the Heavenly Sleep bed and the White Tea soaps etc.
The renovated rooms in the Sheraton are decent - nothing hugely special but they're nice enough. If you need parking, you're better off parking under City Hall. (The parking options near the Westin are rather limited and not worth the effort IMHO.) The breakfast in the Sheraton lounge is strictly a continental affair but it's adequate. The view from up there is one of the nicer ones in the city so be sure to take a moment of pause to enjoy it. And depending on where you really need to be, direct PATH access can be awesome. (But if you've never done PATH, you'll likely get a little lost.) During the week, at daytime PATH will be very busy. In the evenings it gets very quiet and on weekends it's a ghost town down there.
One potential downside to the Sheraton is that it's a large convention hotel. So it can be very busy at times depending on what's going on. The convention spaces below the Sheraton are some of the largest in Toronto. If there's a big one going on, you'll have to put up with large crowds, longer waits for elevators and more people in the various hotel restaurants. It's nothing insurmountable, but it's something to be aware of.
The renovated rooms in the Sheraton are decent - nothing hugely special but they're nice enough. If you need parking, you're better off parking under City Hall. (The parking options near the Westin are rather limited and not worth the effort IMHO.) The breakfast in the Sheraton lounge is strictly a continental affair but it's adequate. The view from up there is one of the nicer ones in the city so be sure to take a moment of pause to enjoy it. And depending on where you really need to be, direct PATH access can be awesome. (But if you've never done PATH, you'll likely get a little lost.) During the week, at daytime PATH will be very busy. In the evenings it gets very quiet and on weekends it's a ghost town down there.
One potential downside to the Sheraton is that it's a large convention hotel. So it can be very busy at times depending on what's going on. The convention spaces below the Sheraton are some of the largest in Toronto. If there's a big one going on, you'll have to put up with large crowds, longer waits for elevators and more people in the various hotel restaurants. It's nothing insurmountable, but it's something to be aware of.
Maybe this is just coming from the Doubletree (where elevator wait times are extraordinary... had to plan in 15 extra minutes in the mornings) downtown, I found the Sheraton elevators to be pretty quick.
They have two banks of elevators (three if you count the Richmond tower bank on the other side of the hotel). Each bank serves half the floors (I think 1-25, and then 25-43) so it's never a terribly long wait, though yes, it can get crowded if there is a convention group in town.
Feb 9, 2017, 8:57 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 284
Will travel to Toronto in mid-April and found this thread about Toronto hotels. I have just decided to stay at Sheraton based on the comments. Thanks!
Feb 10, 2017, 2:16 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Calgary, AB
Programs: AC SE 100k MM, SPG Platinum, Hilton, Hyatt Gold, Airmiles, AMEX
Posts: 144
I've stayed at both these hotels many times and echo the comments here. The Sheraton was a bit of a dive for a while until the renovations. The gym is top shelf and so is the club lounge. The Westin is nice for escaping DT in busy times and enjoying the lake view in the nicer months/days, however the hotels is quite old and feels like an old westin. I have never gotten a suite or anything resembling an upgraded room at Sheraton and find the rooms a tad claustrophobic. The new renovations are nice though and it is well situated in the path for meetings, etc. +1 on parking in the City Hall lot, the valet is a ripoff and madness.
Feb 11, 2017, 4:26 am
#22
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 19
im a torontonian and yes..sheraton is better. location location location
the westin is by the lake area which is detached from the downtown..
the westin is by the lake area which is detached from the downtown..
Feb 11, 2017, 4:18 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
The Sheraton is in a much nicer location vs the Westin. There's nothing unsafe about the Westin; it's just rather dead down there. On the plus side, the Westin can have nice views if you're on the south side of the building and it's a short walk to Harbourfront which is pleasant even in winter. There's a streetcar stop right outside the Westin that will get you quickly to Union Station which leads to many other transit options. And of course, it's a Westin so you'll get the Heavenly Sleep bed and the White Tea soaps etc.
The renovated rooms in the Sheraton are decent - nothing hugely special but they're nice enough. If you need parking, you're better off parking under City Hall. (The parking options near the Westin are rather limited and not worth the effort IMHO.) The breakfast in the Sheraton lounge is strictly a continental affair but it's adequate. The view from up there is one of the nicer ones in the city so be sure to take a moment of pause to enjoy it. And depending on where you really need to be, direct PATH access can be awesome. (But if you've never done PATH, you'll likely get a little lost.) During the week, at daytime PATH will be very busy. In the evenings it gets very quiet and on weekends it's a ghost town down there.
One potential downside to the Sheraton is that it's a large convention hotel. So it can be very busy at times depending on what's going on. The convention spaces below the Sheraton are some of the largest in Toronto. If there's a big one going on, you'll have to put up with large crowds, longer waits for elevators and more people in the various hotel restaurants. It's nothing insurmountable, but it's something to be aware of.
The renovated rooms in the Sheraton are decent - nothing hugely special but they're nice enough. If you need parking, you're better off parking under City Hall. (The parking options near the Westin are rather limited and not worth the effort IMHO.) The breakfast in the Sheraton lounge is strictly a continental affair but it's adequate. The view from up there is one of the nicer ones in the city so be sure to take a moment of pause to enjoy it. And depending on where you really need to be, direct PATH access can be awesome. (But if you've never done PATH, you'll likely get a little lost.) During the week, at daytime PATH will be very busy. In the evenings it gets very quiet and on weekends it's a ghost town down there.
One potential downside to the Sheraton is that it's a large convention hotel. So it can be very busy at times depending on what's going on. The convention spaces below the Sheraton are some of the largest in Toronto. If there's a big one going on, you'll have to put up with large crowds, longer waits for elevators and more people in the various hotel restaurants. It's nothing insurmountable, but it's something to be aware of.
Also, as has been mentioned, the Sheraton can get quite busy and congested, so it can be hard to get elevators, seats in the lounge, up & down to the pool, etc...
My last stay last summer at the Westin was outstanding. We were contacted in advance by some some kind of in-house concierge, upgraded to a lovely suite, and were greeted with welcome gifts in our room for the kids. The pool area was very nice and while the rooftop restaurant was over-priced with pretentious service, room service was excellent.
All things being equal, I'd stay at the Westin. With the advent of the Air Canada Centre, you can access the PATH quite easily with a sort walk, and in the summer the waterfront location can't be beat.
Parking at City Hall across the street from the Sheraton is about half the cost of valet parking, but be forewarned there are no in & out privileges.
Cheers,
Jan 9, 2019, 7:23 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA Global Services, TSA Pre✓, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,115
How is Platinum recognition at the Sheraton?
Feb 4, 2019, 7:33 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Charlotte
Programs: UA 1k, Marriott LT Titanium, '20 Ambassador
Posts: 150
Choosing between the Sheraton and Marriott Eaton for a weekend stay. Appears the Marriott lounge is closed for the weekend, anyone know if the Sheraton's is open? Probably would eat out at least one night, but nice to have the option for snacks/drinks vs just breakfast.
Feb 4, 2019, 9:31 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,520
Sheraton had a policy that all lounges are open 7 days a week. So unless Marriott changed that policy, lounge should be open.
