Toronto's downtown core is considered safe and walkable. You can also use the subway, buses, or streetcars. They all belong to the TCC system. You can transfer from one to the other as long as you pick up a transfer slip at the origin. You can pay in cash ($3.25 CAD adults, kids ride free) or buy tokens at select subway stations. There is a bus service from Pearson to the subway (green line – change at Spadina, St. George, or Yonge/Bloor to the Yellow line southbound for the hotel), surcharge may be in effect for that bus line. You can hail taxis on the street anytime. It gets busy during rush hours (roughly: 8am-9:30am, and 4pm-6pm).
Tipping is customary in Canada. For restaurants a minimum 15% tip is expected. Of course, if you are not satisfied you can make that known by no tipping or tipping less. Tipping more is also appreciated and common.
Tipping for taxis is also expected at about 15%.
The currency is Canada is the Canadian dollar. The smallest valued coin available is 5c. All prices are at the end rounded to the closest 5c.
Most credit cards are accepted. Most places would accept credit cards with a pin or without. For most things you do not need to have cash.
Some places will accept USD but the exchange rate will probably be not that great.
Most purchases incur a 13% sales tax. The tax is not included in the price quoted.
The hotel is at the core of downtown Toronto. Any search online search online 2 will point you to several sites that you can visit if you can afford the time. While there are many interesting things to see and visit, if you are short on time and need to take a short walk around, a suggestion would be to explore the area bound by Yonge St on the East, Spadina on the West and two blocks north of Bloor on the North. Weather permitting, a stroll along the pier on lake Ontario on the south should be pleasant as well. Go south on Bay St (just East of the hotel) and then turn right and walk westwards along the pier.
There are tons of options for foodies around the area and below ground as well. Check http://www.opentable.com for reviews and reservations to most restaurants. Nearby there are lots of restaurants on Yonge St (most are North of Queen St W), on Queen st W (go west a few blocks), and similarly on King St W (SW from the hotel).
The closest playground to the hotel that I am aware of that is open to the public is Grange Park. There is a smaller playground on the west side of the municipal building but I think it's open only to the city's daycare.
The Eaton Mall is one block East of the hotel. It's a shopping mall.
The hotel's 1st lower level connects directly with Toronto's PATH underground PATH system. Several stores and food options await there during daytime. It's a good challenge trying to orient yourself downthere. Never managed to do it myself.
Niagara Falls is also “nearby” but you'll need a full day and transportation to visit. Many tour operators offer day trips.
If you have little ones, they may enjoy the Aquarium, the CN Tower (it may be more cost effective to book a lunch there as it includes also the admission fee to the tower's observation decks), the Roundhouse Park just across CN tower (several trains in display and, in the summer, a short mini-train ride). Steam Whistle Brewery is there too and offers tours of their distillery.
The Toronto Zoo is fun as well but you'll need transporation for that (TTC busses will take you there but it is a long ride – 1+ hour). Riverdale farms is within the city and offers a glimpse of farm life which may be appealing to little ones.
The Royal Ontario Museum can be of interest to visitors of all ages (e.g., dinosaurs, and ancient, middle ages and more recent artifacts and works of art).
Nearby the hotel is Brookfield Place which an atrium designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Marche, on its east side, offers many different food options under one roof. The Hockey Hall of Fame is there too.
If you like coffee, you'll find many cafes around Toronto. A nice one block SE of the hotel is Dineen Coffee Co. at 140 Yonge st.
The St. Lawrence Market is worthwhile a visit for lunch. It's closed on Sundays and Mondays.Near there, on Frederick St, is Neo Cafe another great coffee place.
For film buffs there is the TIFF Bell Lightbox nearby (350 King St W.) and the restaurants there are excellent too. (TIFF = Toronto International Film Festival.)
For fans of standup comedy, Toronto's Second City is definitely worth a visit. It's the sister site of Chicago's Second City.
The Distillery District is also interesting to visit with its many nice restaurants, galleries, and cafes.
You like beer? Try out beerbistro nearby.
(*) Disclaimer: ISCA does not endorse any of the sites mentioned in this section. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list. They are just a set of suggestions from Andreas. Neither he nor ISCA are receiving anything in return.