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#5537 by HighFlyer
18 Apr 2005, 23:16
Any good V Flyer recommendations for Toronto? :D

Staying over Christmas, flights are booked but still need to find the hotel! Looked at the Sheraton but it has had bad reviews on Trip Advisor so not sure whether to go ahead with that one [:(].

Im looking for a nice hotel that is close to attractions such as the Eaton Center and CN Tower. Ive been looking at the Cambridge Suites but their site has no availability at the moment.

I welcome any recommendations, and also any for Niagara. Im there for two nights and am pencilled in at the Sheraton at the Falls, although that also had some bad reviews [:(]

Any advice gladly welcomed to this Canadian Virgin :D
#60328 by jaguarpig
19 Apr 2005, 11:49
http://toronto.lemeridien.com/

Not stopped at the King Edward for about 10 years but it was fine. It's within easy walking distance of the Eaton centre and the CN Tower, mate of mine stayed last year good rate and said it was excellent.
#61016 by mcjock
22 Apr 2005, 23:11
Hi Highflyer,

I go to Toronto on business quite a bit - its a great city!

I've actually stayed at the Sheraton a few times and always found it to be good. I guess like most large hotels its very impersonnal, and the Sheraton is truely massive, with several shops, bars and reataurants inside the hotel complex. The location is really good - if you get a room on a particular side of the hotel you look out onto a square (forget the name), where they have a massive Christmas tree. They also have a fireworks and laser show in that square around Christmas time (at least they did last year).

The Eaton centre is 5 mins away and CN tower about 1 mile south. Do not stay at the Delta Chelsea - it is truely aweful (small rooms, bad service and seems in chaos the whole time, also its in slightly seedy area). The Courtyard Marriott is in the same area - not bad but would not recommend it either.

I've also stayed at the Marriott in Bloor Yorkville - it was really good and its in a fantastic area. Yorkville is a really smart part of Toronto with some good little restaurants and bars, as well as expensive shops (if you are into shopping!!).

Toronto has a very simple and efficient underground system which means you can get to most sights pretty easily regarless of where you stay downtown. The CN tower is certainly worth a visit - there is a glass floor on the first level, which you can stand on loking straight down!!

Not sure if you know but Tornonto and Niagra get very very cold in winter. Niagra is amazing to see but the place is pretty tacky - cheap version of Vegas and Disney world!

Any specific questions feel free to ask - I've been there many times.
cheers and enjoy
mcjock
#61892 by anteo
01 May 2005, 15:39
I stayed at the Sheraton in 2001 and had a very pleasant stay there. The bar was very modern and classy, with sports screens and stock quotes ([:p]) and the half in half out swimming pool is good for all year round. The hotel is connected to the PATH network, with several small eateries directly under the hotel if you dont fancy the expensive hotel breakfasts.
#61919 by HighFlyer
01 May 2005, 19:46
Thanks for the replies guys!

We have booked the Sheraton on the Falls for Niagara, its only about £75 a night so even if its not all that at least its cheap. We are still toying with the Cambridge Suites for Toronto.

quote:Not sure if you know but Tornonto and Niagra get very very cold in winter.


Yes - i didnt think about that too much did i? I guess ill have to go back when its spring to do the Niagara tours as Maid of the Mist wont be running, i honestly hadnt contemplated how cold it is in Canada in Winter so probably not the best idea i have had. Still, im sure i will have a great time in Toronto though.
#113809 by locutus
23 Apr 2006, 22:31
So Highflyer, where did you stay in the end? How was it?

I booked for the Delta Chelsea (before I saw the comments here). Though booked a signature club room, which look quite nice, and the price seemed ok too. Still, I can always cancel! [?]
#113812 by HighFlyer
23 Apr 2006, 22:52
Locutus,

Well, for one reason or another, i never actually made it to YYZ in the end [:I]

But, im banking on VS re-starting their YYZ service in the near future, so i will make it over there at some point!

Let us know what you thought of the Delta Chelsea on your return! Although, im likely to choose my hotel based on the miles/points earning possibilities - ooh the trials and tribulations of mileage whoring :)

Thanks,
Sarah
#113827 by mcmbenjamin
24 Apr 2006, 01:12
YYZ is a cool place. Stayed at the Sheraton at the airport. No problems. I normally show up without a booking and if you flirt with the Guest Relations Specialist (err, desk clerk) they will hook it up. (Yes with the rate but more importantly with a room facing the airport.)

I would not fly Delta to YYZ as the terminal they use is crap and IIRC there is no lounge at all so no PP access. I would fly Air Canada from LGA or JFK as they are running the new E175 or E170 which are pretty off the hook. They should have the Sat TV in every seat back by them. YYZ is a hub for AC and they use a new terminal. Would be able to access the lounge with BD or Star Gold status. IIRC - JetBlue does the Sat TV mod for the E170 for AC. Certianly would make sense.
#113830 by HighFlyer
24 Apr 2006, 01:27
Originally posted by mcmbenjamin

I would not fly Delta to YYZ as the terminal they use is crap and IIRC there is no lounge at all so no PP access. I would fly Air Canada from LGA or JFK as they are running the new E175 or E170 which are pretty off the hook. They should have the Sat TV in every seat back by them. YYZ is a hub for AC and they use a new terminal. Would be able to access the lounge with BD or Star Gold status. IIRC - JetBlue does the Sat TV mod for the E170 for AC. Certianly would make sense.


My original plan was to fly to EWR and connect to YYZ with CO for the tier points and miles [:I] Okay, its not a lot of miles, but miles are miles after all :)

Thanks,
Sarah
#113833 by mcmbenjamin
24 Apr 2006, 01:42
Originally posted by HighFlyer
[i]
My original plan was to fly to EWR and connect to YYZ with CO for the tier points and miles [:I] Okay, its not a lot of miles, but miles are miles after all :)

Very correct Sarah but consider EWR-YUL is only 348 miles and there is no minimum mileage credit so you would only earn 696 miles round trip with no TPs. You would earn more by staying at a Hilton for the night.

Image


I would suggest that you travel with Air Canada. Checked EF and they do pimp the E175 from Newark, NJ multiple times a day. It is also worth considering doing EWR-YYZ-ORD-EWR to allow shopping in Chicago's Water Tower Place and Magnificat Mile (tons of shops; Needles Markup, Virgin Mega Store, Apple Store, Nike, and everything else). I know some great bars at serve really good macaroni and cheese. Also could net three segments to credit to the Star A carrier of your choosing.
#113834 by HighFlyer
24 Apr 2006, 01:50
Hey Ben

Your right on the lousy miles thing ... although im working out my calculations based on my not flying in Economy [:I]

Oooh you had to get me with that macaroni and cheese didnt you! You know how much i adore American macaroni!! - although making a trip over the water just to sample some could be considered crazy

Mr Reiffer ... [i] Haircut run was so yesterday ... you up for the Macaroni run? :D

Thanks,
Sarah
#113837 by mcmbenjamin
24 Apr 2006, 03:43
Originally posted by HighFlyer
Hey Ben

Your right on the lousy miles thing ... although im working out my calculations based on my not flying in Economy [:I]


First Girl I see. Well looked at the fares, CO offers International Business for about $1,300 return (EWR-YYZ). There is only a snack service on this flight in International Business but you get a TP. The economy fare on the same days/flights prices at $377.54.

If you have SkyTeam status (DL, CO or NW preferably) you may get a free upgrade as they get free standby upgrades.

Maybe there are cheap options. A VS Z thur fare with 42 advance notice via JFK or EWR is 1911.00 quid. Not too bad and certianly cheaper than buying a VS LHR-JFK Z return (1886.00 quid) plus the CO F EWR-YYZ return (~950 quid).

BTW - IIRC things to do in Espana sp? (Spain) in late December with really cool bosses.

Oooh you had to get me with that macaroni and cheese didnt you! You know how much i adore American macaroni!! - although making a trip over the water just to sample some could be considered crazy

Mr Reiffer ... [i] Haircut run was so yesterday ... you up for the Macaroni run? :D

Thanks,
Sarah


The name of the bar is Stanley's Kitchen and Tap. Pretty off the hook. Certianly an American place. According to my kin fork' that live in Chicago (and about 4 blocks from Stanley's), each bar in area has a certian MLB (Baseball) team that fans of that team flock to on game day to watch the game on TV. Always a fun time! The dinning part of the place is set up like a 1960s/1970s normal American family room. Certianly would be a good location for a V-Flyer piss-up.

Yea so I am bored off my a$$. Six days off of school til finals and got caught up at work. DingleBerry does help with emails but will switch to the Treo 700w so I can look at attachments and BTooth at the same time or quit for real. May have to I could study but I did all semester. Most classes I only need a 50 percent to keep my A grade in the class. Care factor for school = maybe 20 percent. Have fun!
#113859 by HighFlyer
24 Apr 2006, 10:31
Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
First Girl I see. Well looked at the fares, CO offers International Business for about $1,300 return (EWR-YYZ). There is only a snack service on this flight in International Business but you get a TP. The economy fare on the same days/flights prices at $377.54.

If you have SkyTeam status (DL, CO or NW preferably) you may get a free upgrade as they get free standby upgrades.

Maybe there are cheap options. A VS Z thur fare with 42 advance notice via JFK or EWR is 1911.00 quid. Not too bad and certianly cheaper than buying a VS LHR-JFK Z return (1886.00 quid) plus the CO F EWR-YYZ return (~950 quid).


To be honest, its not an issue now. I made these plans to go to YYZ a good while back, i dont really need the TPs now, so my original plan of accuing extra has gone out of the window - plus im expecting to fly direct to YYZ on VS metal anyway, removing the need to transit through either EWR or JFK - and saving me a fair few bucks :)

Your right about through ticketing though, thats how i originally booked it and the fare came back a lot cheaper!

The name of the bar is Stanley's Kitchen and Tap. Pretty off the hook. Certianly an American place. According to my kin fork' that live in Chicago (and about 4 blocks from Stanley's)


Thanks for the tip! I am planning to fit ORD into my schedule at some point as i still have not managed to actually visit the city, so will certainly check it out - especially if Macaroni is involved! [:I]

Have fun studying! Catch you soon!

Thanks,
Sarah
#113948 by locutus
24 Apr 2006, 18:51
Well, I was advised to fly into BOS, so that's what I've done. Need to book the hop to YYZ and then down to NYC at some point. May try CO for the second part, but they don't seem to go from BOS, so will probably go with United for that.
#115085 by The_Banking_Scot
30 Apr 2006, 13:13
Hi,

I liked the Toronto Hilton ( good facility, good rooms, good fitness facity and pool and very good location)

The Niagara Falls hilton is also very good ( pool has a water slide ) and the restaurant on the 34th floor offers great views over the falls.
Regards

TBS
Virgin Atlantic

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