Hotel Advice Downtown

[Dunderberg]

Hi All,
I will be in Toronto July 30 - Aug 2. I made a reservation at Courtyard Marriott where I've stayed several times before. Today I received an email from them stating that due to the Caribbean festival that they will not be allowing any non- guests upstairs. And to prove you're a guest you have to get some kind of UV stamp at checkin and be scanned by a staff member every time you go upstairs. Well that sure beats the hell out of any outcall possibilities.

So I have two questions

1. Can you recommend another hotel in the same area approx same price that is "escort friendly". Maybe the Holiday Inn on Carlton?

2. Is the Caribbean festival so rowdy or dangerous that it merits this kind over the top behavior by Courtyard.

Thanks

 

[Chloë.]

You are probably going to have to pay considerably more, but I wouldn't even try the holiday inn if I were you.

Pretty sure they have the same policy in place.

P.S. It isn't the festival that causes the rowdiness but the part of the demographic that attends that is usually up way past the time all the events are over, roaming the streets of our entertainment district. Think young adults 18-24 in packs, and a LOT of them American. Add alcohol and other recreational drugs and scores of people and you have mayhem. It's a given.

I'd say the Hilton by University & Richmond as it is geared to a more business-traveller environment or the Intercontinental by Simcoe and Front. Multiple entrances (Not the Intercontinental though). No key access. Far away from front desk elevators.

I would search out hotels that seem like they have a more business traveller vibe versus a party vibe, as there may be less of an issue with guests.

I would also recommend calling the hotel's front desk and directly asking about their particular guest policy for Caribana weekend, as "you have heard things". Simplest 45-second conversation you'll ever have.

Makes choosing a hotel that much easier. Takes guess work out of your equation.

Some other hotels to consider calling that don't have key access as well:

Kind Edward
The Westin
Fairmont Royal York
Soho Metropolitan

If you don't care about key access and are willing to pay, these hotels rarely give any problems:
Trump
Ritz Carlton
Shangri-La
Four Seasons (if you don't mind travelling 10 mins north of the DT core)
Le Germaine (1 by the ACC)

Hotels to AVOID that weekend, as I'm almost sure they all have something in place or the vibe will be a problem:

Sheraton (50/50 on this one but the vibe will be quite different than normal)
One King West
Holiday Inn & Expresses - ALL locations.
Eaton Chelsea
Hilton Garden Inns, Peter & King and Jarvis & Dundas
Double Tree Hilton near Dundas
Strathcona
Residence Inn
The Grand Hotel

 

[Dunderberg]

Hi Chloe,

Thanks for the very thorough answer. I really appreciate the advice.

 

[GGGDickson]

You are probably going to have to pay considerably more, but I wouldn't even try the holiday inn if I were you.

Pretty sure they have the same policy in place.

P.S. It isn't the festival that causes the rowdiness but the part of the demographic that attends that is usually up way past the time all the events are over, roaming the streets of our entertainment district. Think young adults 18-24 in packs, and a LOT of them American. Add alcohol and other recreational drugs and scores of people and you have mayhem. It's a given.

I'd say the Hilton by University & Richmond as it is geared to a more business-traveller environment or the Intercontinental by Simcoe and Front. Multiple entrances (Not the Intercontinental though). No key access. Far away from front desk elevators.

I would search out hotels that seem like they have a more business traveller vibe versus a party vibe, as there may be less of an issue with guests.

I would also recommend calling the hotel's front desk and directly asking about their particular guest policy for Caribana weekend, as "you have heard things". Simplest 45-second conversation you'll ever have.

Makes choosing a hotel that much easier. Takes guess work out of your equation.

Some other hotels to consider calling that don't have key access as well:

Kind Edward
The Westin
Fairmont Royal York
Soho Metropolitan

If you don't care about key access and are willing to pay, these hotels rarely give any problems:
Trump
Ritz Carlton
Shangri-La
Four Seasons (if you don't mind travelling 10 mins north of the DT core)
Le Germaine (1 by the ACC)

Hotels to AVOID that weekend, as I'm almost sure they all have something in place or the vibe will be a problem:

Sheraton (50/50 on this one but the vibe will be quite different than normal)
One King West
Holiday Inn & Expresses - ALL locations.
Eaton Chelsea
Hilton Garden Inns, Peter & King and Jarvis & Dundas
Double Tree Hilton near Dundas
Strathcona
Residence Inn
The Grand Hotel

I personally use King West but meet in the lobby bar and he's up. I like the Pantages, Cambridge Suites, the Met now a Hilton I think. Alot of switching. But you are right have to pay more a lot more. Never had a problem bring ladies up if they are with me.

Good luck.