In May and June 2023, we travelled from east to west across Canada. From Halifax in Nova Scotia to Montreal in Quebec, to Toronto in Ontario, to Vancouver and Whistler in British Columbia. Along the way some night trains and commuter trains, the Niagara Falls and – imagine this – a bus journey. A true Trans-Canada Train Trek.

We noticed during the planning of our Canadian trip that hotel prices had soared, and finding a good price-quality for accommodation was rather difficult.

Especially Toronto proved to be very expensive. As a solution I found a 2-bedroom suite with a fold out bed in the living room at the Residence Inn by Marriott Toronto Downtown / Entertainment District which was more or less both affordable for five persons and close to the station and city centre. The downside was that Timothy as the single on the trip was forced to relive his childhood nightmare of having to sleep in the awful fold out bed.

The two bedrooms where nice and spacious, the master bedroom was gigantic with a king-size bed and a working desk, the second bedroom was a bit smaller with just a queen size bed and no desk.

The bathrooms where both en-suite in the bedrooms, which was slightly annoying as Timothy would be forced to ‘invade’ the privacy of a bedroom if ever he wanted to make use of a toilet. It would have been better if there was a standalone toilet in the common areas. The bathrooms themselves where quite tiny, just containing a toilet and a tub-shower combination. The washbasin was just outside the bathrooms in the bedroom. This meant that while someone was in the bathroom at least the others still could use the washbasin.

In between both bedrooms there was the common area/living room/kitchen. This was well equipped and the kitchen provided everything you needed if you would have liked to prepare your own meals during a longer stay. It had a big fridge and freezer, proper cooker, oven and microwave as well as all cutlery, plates, bowls and utensils you could need. Even dish soaps and dishwasher tablets where provided.

The sofa in the room converted into a make shift bed. Timothy was able to get some shut-eye here, but it wasn’t very comfortable.

On the second floor the hotel offered both a basic pool and gym. The pool was nice to plunge into and the hot tub was delightful to soak in. the gym was basic but had all necessities.

This was also our only hotel that had breakfast included in the room rate. It was a basic affair on the ground floor lobby but had a daily varying offer of hot and cold breakfast dishes. It wasn’t anything spectacular but it was a good and solid offering.

All in all we had a good stay as the location was fantastic, Timothy wasn’t very thrilled about his nights in the fold out beds but the other beds did provide for a good night’s sleep. Maybe best just book this room with a maximum of 4 adults.

2023 Trans-Canada Train Trek

1. REVIEW | Brussels Airlines Brussels to Munich in Economy.
2. REVIEW | Lufthansa Premium Economy Munich to Montreal.
3. REVIEW | Air Canada Economy Montreal to Halifax.
4. Flying Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa and Air Canada Brussels – Munich – Montreal – Halifax in minimal economy.
5. HALIFAX | Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.
6. REVIEW | The Westin Nova Scotian Halifax.
7. NOVA SCOTIA | Sampling Halifax.
8. REVIEW | VIA Rail Canada night train 15 ‘The Ocean’ from Halifax to Montreal.
9. QUEBEC | Meandering Montreal.
10. REVIEW | InterContinental Montreal.
11. FORMULA 1 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal track walk.
12. MONTREAL | Dining solo at Monarque felt like being part of a tv show.
13. MONTREAL | Exporail – Canadian Railway Museum in Saint-Constant.
14. REVIEW | VIA Rail train Montreal to Toronto in business class.
15. ONTARIO | Touring Toronto.
16. REVIEW | Little Canada museum in Toronto.
17. TORONTO | CN Tower.