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The City Has Everything

When visiting any large city there are always lots of activities to see and do. If you have chosen a downtown hotel then you are close to the action, and if you are staying at an airport hotel then the action is a short drive from your hotel.

One of the nice things about staying in a hotel is that every hotel, regardless of if it is a downtown hotel, a boutique hotel, an airport hotel, chain hotel or independent hotel, is that there is usually a hotel concierge who can assist you in planning your stay. Additionally, pretty much every hotel has a hotel information kiosk which has information about events and attractions near the hotel you are staying in. Many hotels also provide an attractions map upon check in and show the distance from the hotel to the hot spots.

For those who want to get an overview of the city, it is best to check with the hotel staff as many of the hotels are on a city tour bus route which will pick up passengers right in front of their hotel. If you are visiting on business, many hotels will offer shuttle service to convention centres, and if a hotel hosts a large convention, often there will be a dedicated conference representative in the hotel lobby.

With museums, theatres, shopping, dining and attractions, the best person to get your information from is the hotel concierge or any hotel staff member. As they are from the area, they know the city best. When it comes to dining, a hotel staff member would be able to guide you to some lesser known restaurants near the hotel which may not necessarily be well known, but offer great experiences. Hotel staff can also tell you where all the best shopping deals are close to the hotel. Never be afraid to ask a hotel staff member for their recommendations as they are the ones who know the area around the hotel the best.

Exploring new cities and destinations are what makes a trip more memorable. Venture outside the hotel’s doors and find a world waiting for you. Why dine in the hotel restaurant, when you can explore the local flavors of the city which can be just around the corner from the hotel. And remember, Guide books can only tell you so much, but a hotel employee who has worked and lived near the hotel can offer more information and reveal hidden secrets to the area the hotel is in, so when you arrive, make sure you introduce yourself to the hotel staff and enjoy your stay.

Kensington Market

Website: www.kensington-market.ca

Location: Downtown Toronto

Kensington is a place for reflection. One of the most popular spots in Toronto’s downtown, Kensington Market is a place where you can go to help you understand what’s going on in your own head and to pick the brains of the creative and intellectual folks around you. It’s a place for a cold beer or a hot cup of tea, for food and friends and discovery. Mural in Sonyas Park by bookchen Mural in Sonyas Park by bookchen

As much as I love to seek out new places, I’ll always have my favourites — a few gems that I feel will always be places of comfort to me. One is Sonya’s Park. It’s a tiny, hidden piece of paradise, tucked just behind Big Fat Burrito on Oxford Street. I bet you wouldn’t even notice it if you were standing right in front of it — I know I didn’t at first. It’s quietly joyful, a place that seems like it’s been loved by the community, with its bright murals and well-tended vegetable garden planted along one edge and plants hanging from recycled bags and backpacks along that same wall. I go there when I most need to understand myself — when I need to sit and think, and most of all, when I just need to be.