Toronto's cosmopolitan atmosphere is the perfect setting for upscale hotel giants and independent inns alike. Accommodation in key tourist districts or with a view of the quintessential sites is particularly expensive. Budget offerings are available, though prices are still likely to increase substantially during the peak summer season.

The city is huge, so it's recommended that visitors choose a district that they're particularly interested in like the Theatre District or Chinatown and then begin the hotel search. Everything from five-star establishments to cosy and historic inns is available in virtually every district.

The Four Seasons is one of the hotel giants with consistently positive reviews. It is luxurious and well-appointed, with a range of excellent restaurants and full guest amenities. Fairmont Royal York is another of the city's most exclusive hotels situated near Union Station. For something more discreet but just as luxurious, consider the Windsor Arms with its poolside fireplaces, spacious rooms and evocative neo-Gothic design.

The Downtown district is Toronto's all-inclusive draw. The architecture is a unique blend of styles, some of which are contemporary to when the city was being built in the early 19th century and others that were being reinvented. The buildings exhibit everything from Renaissance to Art Deco. Hotels in this area share the streets with thousands of restaurants and wide selection of shopping and entertainment venues.

Chinatown is everything visitors would expect, and the hundreds of thousands of ethnic Chinese who live here maintain the district's authenticity. Hotels in every budget operate here close to the open markets, stylish Chinese restaurants and traditional storefronts. The largest hotels flank the Dragon City Shopping Mall.

Another subset of the Downtown area is the entertainment district that hosts one of the world's most important English-language theatre districts. Guests in this area can choose from a schedule of 10,000 annual performances or spend afternoons browsing the numerous art galleries and museums found here. The most concentrated strip of entertainment is found on King Street West.

Queen Street hosts a funky assortment of boutique hotels, cafés and second-hand stores dealing in everything from vinyl records to vintage clothing. The abundance of privately-owned establishments fosters an independent spirit in this part of town. Private inns and small-scale hotels are widespread on Queen Street.