30 Carlton Street, Toronto, Canada | (618) 248-8274
Modern decor with bright lounge area in lobby
Central to Toronto’s major shopping districts and next door to Maple Leaf Gardens
Clean rooms and suites have flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges
Large pool with adjacent outdoor rooftop patio
Free Wi-Fi
Small fitness center with a good variety of equipment
On-site spa for everything from massages to manicures
Attached gift shop and Starbucks
Large meeting rooms for business presentations
Parking garage under hotel
Tiny guest rooms
Generally lacks character
Pricy parking
Renovated in 2010 with a bright, modern overhaul to the rooms, lobby, and hallways, the three-pearl Holiday Inn Downtown Toronto Centre is nothing fancy. But it’s still a warm, welcoming property in a safe, convenient part of town just between the city’s two major shopping districts -- the Toronto Eaton Centre and Bloor-Yorkville area. Rooms (and even suites) are on the small side and thus not ideal for families planning to spend a lot of time in the hotel, but the pool with its outdoor patio offers a relaxing respite from downtown, as does the attached Caesar Spa. Virtually every hot spot in the city is within easy access and, for sports fans, the famous Maple Leaf Gardens is right next door. Compare rates at the nearby and enormous Chelsea Hotel for a bigger indoor pool.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Airy lobby and rooftop patio, but otherwise nondescript
You would never think much of this Holiday Inn based on its old, unattractive exterior, but inside, the lobby is comfortable with bright red couches and chairs, tall ceilings, and plenty of space. Besides the lounge area and glass casings advertising gift shop items, however, the communal space is rather nondescript. The bar and restaurant are clean and classy with small leather chairs and glass walls, just decorated enough -- with fresh orchids and drop lights -- to hint at luxury, but not enough to make the area feel stuffy or overly pretentious. Many of the guests are business travelers or couples on a budget visiting Toronto.
Location
Shopping and Starbucks within seconds
The hotel is located on Carlton Street, which has many apartment buildings and retail options, including a Starbucks attached to the hotel and a Bed, Bath and Beyond store. Church Street, home to Toronto’s popular LGBT neighborhood, the Toronto Eaton Centre, and the high-end Yorkville neighborhood are all within a 20-minute walk from the hotel. The University of Toronto and newly transformed Maple Leaf Gardens are short jaunts away and the subway is just around the corner, offering access to Ripley’s Aquarium, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the CN Tower within 20 minutes. There's a charge for parking at the hotel.
Rooms
Modern and basic but tiny
The Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre's tiny guest rooms and small suites have a back-to-basics feel. Finding floor space to put your luggage is actually an issue, although the rooms are clean with large, comfortable beds, vibrant prints on the wall, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and wood furniture. Beige carpet and orange bed runners look drab. Upgrading to a suite doesn't provide much more square footage. Single sinks and glass enclosed shower stalls are standard in the bathrooms. Passing another person in the bathroom or hallway involves backing up a few steps, but for individuals planning on exploring the city and simply using the room to sleep and shower, the spaces are adequate.
Features
The basics, with bonuses like a rooftop patio, parking, and an in-door pool
There are no surprise luxuries here, but the business features are good: an unstaffed business center, large meeting rooms, and private limousines for hire. There's a small fitness center with a few treadmills and stationary bikes and an average-sized indoor pool with an attached rooftop patio and lounge area, the hotel’s most inviting feature. There’s also a restaurant and sports bar, parking garage with elevator access to the hotel, and a front desk known for its attentiveness. The small on-site spa offers manicures and massages. There's a Starbucks attached to the lobby.
