A family vacation often involves staying in hotel accommodations.  Depending on the hotel, this can either be a pleasant or difficult experience.  Many hotels offer services and amenities catering to families to make their travel experience more enjoyable. If you are planning a visit to Toronto, we have compiled a list of the top Toronto hotels for families.

Chelsea Hotel

The Chelsea Hotel is one of the most family-friendly hotels downtown Toronto has to offer. This hotel has thought of everything when it comes to travelling with kids and their rates are quite reasonable!

After checking in at the kids check-in desk, your whole family will want to explore the Family Fun Zone.   There is an indoor family pool featuring a corkscrew water slide (Note: water slide only open on weekends).  Younger kids can visit the Kid Centre for playtime and visit the two resident bunnies. For an extra charge, kids can be left in the care of hotel staff at the Kid Centre for up to two and a half hours.  Older kids can hang out in the Club 33 Teen Lounge that features a pool table and arcade games.

In terms of accommodation, the Chelsea Hotel offers a 2-bedroom family fun suite, featuring a DVD player and Xbox for the kids.  There is also a kitchen with fridge, stove and microwave.  For those on a tighter budget, there are also 1 bedroom suites and regular rooms too.

The downtown location of this hotel is stellar! It’s just blocks away from from attractions such as:

• the Eaton Centre;
• Yonge & Dundas Square;
• the Art Gallery of Ontario;
• Nathan Phillips Square (City Hall);
• Hospitals;
• Kensington Market and Chinatown; and
• many restaurants and theatres.

Westin Harbour Castle

While it’s not a castle, this hotel is a landmark on Toronto’s waterfront with its unique design.  The Westin Harbour Castle is one of the closest hotels to the Toronto waterfront and features an indoor pool overlooking Lake Ontario.  If the weather is nice, a rooftop outdoor tennis courts are located steps from the pool.

The hotel often offers special packages for families; often with promotions for a discounted rate on the second room.  As part of recent renovations, the Westin Harbour Castle now offers a Westin Family Kids Club with a movie room with massaging bean bad chairs, board games and crafts!

The hotel’s concierge can also help you make the most of your family vacation by offering arrangements for babysitting services and family activity itineraries.

The Westin Harbour Castle has an amazing location on the waterfront of lake Ontario. This hotel is located steps away from:

• Ferry docks to the Toronto Islands;
• the Harbourfront Centre on the newly redesigned Queens Quay (pronounced “Queens Key”);
• Ripley’s Aquarium;
• CN Tower; and
• Air Canada Centre.

Novotel Toronto Centre

With a video game play area, indoor pool and personalized welcome gift, kids are sure to enjoy staying at the Novotel Toronto Centre.  Parents will also like this hotel where up to two children under age 16 can stay and eat for free.

The Novotel has a variety of rooms available, including 1 bedroom “junior” suites (no door separation) and family rooms with a trundle bed.  If your kids are old enough to have their own room, a second room can be booked at a 50 percent discount.  On Sundays, families are allowed a late check-out until 5 pm (upon request and subject to availability), giving you more time to explore Toronto.

The Novotel is located on the Esplanade, one of our favourite neighbourhoods in Toronto. It is steps away from:

• the Hockey Hall of Fame;
• St. Lawrence Market;
• the Sony Centre;
• the Air Canada Centre; and
• Union station, the subway and the GO bus terminal.

Four Seasons Toronto

For those savvy family travellers seeking a bit of luxury in their lives, the Four Seasons Toronto offers luxurious accommodations with personal services and amenities perfectly suited for families.

Children staying at the Four Seasons are greeted in their room with a special welcome gift, along with a kid-sized spa robe and slippers.  Kids also receive an activity guide containing a children’s room service menu, colouring pages, games and a scavenger hunt around the Yorkville neighbourhood. Video gaming systems are also available upon request, or board games for a more ‘old school’ experience!

This hotel offers large, well-appointed rooms, with the available option of one-bedroom suites.  An indoor pool, with a dedicated family change room, will provide an easy activity for kids.

The hotel concierge can arrange babysitting services and make any necessary reservations for your family at local attractions or restaurants.

Room service at the Four Seasons offers unique kid-centric amenities, such as a cookie decorating kit and s’mores.

Savvy Tip: Feel better about splurging on luxury accommodations by saving a few dollars on parking by using the municipal ‘Green P’ lot across the street from the hotel.

This newly-built hotel is located in the heart of Toronto’s posh Yorkville neighbourhood, which is located steps away from:

• the Royal Ontario Museum;
• the Bata Shoe Museum;
• the Gardner Museum;
• the University of Toronto
• Queens Park Legislative Building
• TTC subway stations; and
• Restaurants and shops

Residence Inn by Marriott Vaughan

Through personal experience, the Residence Inn by Marriott is our favourite hotel brand for family vacations. This hotel offers practical family friendly features that make travelling with kids easier.

The indoor pool is great for kids to splash around and makes for an easy activity.  We especially love the affordable one-bedroom suites that include full kitchens.  Once the kids are in bed, the parents can stay up and enjoy the evening!  Every morning, they offer a really good hot breakfast buffet included in the price of your room.

Located just north of Toronto, this hotel has free parking and is close to loads of kid-friendly attractions and family restaurants.  Nearby attractions include:

• Canada’s Wonderland;
• Legoland;
• Vaughan Mills Outlets (shopping); and
• Reptilia
• A TTC subway station within walking distance, offering a direct route to downtown without the hassle of a car!

If you know what to look for, you can make hotel stays an enjoyable experience for your family vacations.

Full Disclosure: We’ve provided links on this post which may pay us a commission.  We were not paid to endorse any products or services. We are simply trying to cover our expenses for this website. Thanks to the Four Seasons for allowing use of a photo.