I go to Toronto from time to time for pleasure. Toronto is an expensive city, so I like the fact that for around 130$ CAN on expedia
you can (sometimes) book an apartment in the Grande Residence at the Sutton Hotel on Bay Street.

The great advantage for travelers is that the apartments are rather big (salon and bedroom) and contain a kitchen (fridge/stove/
dishwasher/coffee maker/dishes/cutlery/pots/some utensils) The last two times I was there the bedroom had a nice view on the North West part of the city. The kitchen was clean, but no frills - fabulous for preparing breakfast or other meals if you don't feel like eating out. Of course to do this, you have to plan ahead. The hotel doesn't supply
any of the basics with the kitchen in these apartments, not even complementary coffee (although the first time I was there I grumbled about this and managed to get some at the front desk).

Sure, the furniture is not gold-plated - this is no honeymoon suite with chocolates on your pillow - but if you're just looking for a conveniently located place to sleep while spending your time enjoying the city this is a great bet. The rooms are clean, maid-service every day.

Parking in Toronto is expensive, but the Sutton's rates are ridiculous
(25$ per vehicle/self-park - 32$ for valet parking). Cheaper parking can be had at the outdoor lot belonging to the Basilain Church just at the first light north of the Sutton and to the left). I managed to get 24 hour parking there for 12$. So if you don't have much luggage and don't mind walking 50 metres, this is a great option.

My husband and I were celebrating his 40th birthday this past weekend and so I thought we'd book a room at the Sutton Place.

I was pleased to see that they were offering a room at $123.25 for the night, but that it was in La Grande Residence at the Sutton Place. I thought, "what a deal, it must be nice if it's at the Sutton Place Hotel". Boy was I wrong!

My heart sank when I saw the room and I think the birthday boy's heart sank too, but I didn't want to make light of it since I didn't want to spoil the weekend.

If you just need a room to sleep, it's fine, but if you are hoping to celebrate an anniversary, birthday or special occaision...go somewhere else.

We should have stayed home...our house is a million times more luxurious than the outdated, drab rooms at La Grande Residence at the Sutton Place.

La Grande Residence is contained within the Sutton Place Hotel. Its rooms have not been updated unlike the Sutton Place rooms. I attended a conference at the hotel, and had planned to stay in a Sutton Place room, but the studio kitchenette at La Grande was $10 less per night, and I thought it might be nice to have the kitchen facilities.

I found the room adequately appointed, but a little depressing (bathroom in need of an update). I would consider it 2.5 stars.

There are less expensive, more up-to-date suite type rooms nearby, although I liked the convenience of staying at the conference hotel.

I used the gym everyday and it was better outfitted than average.

My wife and I had booked at the start of 2004 for10 days in a one room appt late July early August. When we read some of the reviews we were quite nervous. However we loved staying here. Our appt (on the 19th floor) was spacious, clean and freshly decorated. The bathroom was clean and all caulking and grouting was snow white. The aircon worked. Apartment was well furnished and the kitchen and 2 large TVs beyond our expectation.

Yes some of the furniture had some scratches but overall was quite presentable and very comfortable.

Reception was efficient and room service thorough. Some of the lobby staff were a bit disinterested when they found we were in an appartment and weren't requireing valet parking - but hey thats lobby staff!

Overall we were delighted with the apartment which, given its excellent location, we thought to be brilliant value for money