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Hotel
The Comfort Hotel Downtown is central, pleasant, and is giving us a good rate. It's at 15 Charles St. E., which is two blocks from Bloor and Yonge. This is where the two main subway lines cross. It's easy to get to from the airport or train station. There are lots of restaurants and shops in the very walkable vicinity.
Rooms are $118CDN [approximately $104US] per night [King $128, Suite $189], single or double occupancy. Additional guests are $10 each. Prices do not include 15% taxes. Smoking and non-smoking rooms are available. This rate is available to Corflu members before and after the convention weekend as well as for the Friday and Saturday nights of the convention. Free wireless Internet access is available in guest rooms and function space. Underground parking is available (including in and out privileges) on a first come/first served basis and is $17 per day plus 15% taxes.
Reservations can be made by calling 416 924-1222 or emailing [email protected] and mentioning Corflu or our account number, 102798. For hotel information, there is a website at http://www.choicehotels.com/hotel/CN228 though the Corflu rate is not available through it.
NOTE: One last update - the room block is now closed. The hotel website is showing rooms still available at the discounted rate (50+ 'Mature Traveller' or CAA/AAA Auto Association) of CDN$130.49 which is around US$112.
Getting to the Hotel
Public Transit from the Airport
It's easy to get to the con hotel by public transit from the airport. There is an express bus to the subway, though don't expect good signage for finding the bus stop-the Greater Toronto Airport Authority has a pretty lukewarm attitude towards the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). At Terminal 1, the bus stop is on the Ground Level (below Arrivals) near Entrance R. At Terminal 2, the bus stop is on the Arrivals Level, inner roadway at Pillar #17. At Terminal 3, the bus stop is on the Arrivals Level, outer roadway between Pillars C8 and C12. (If you don't have this information with you when you arrive, there's no need to panic. The staff at the information kiosks can point you in the right direction.)
It's a 20 minute bus ride to the subway, at Kipling Station. From here, board any train (they're all heading eastbound) and about 30 minutes later you'll be at the Bloor-Yonge Station. All this for CDN$2.75. The bus driver cannot make change, so buy a coffee if you have to break a large bill.
When you exit the train at Bloor-Yonge Station, take any of the stairs/escalators/elevators that go up to the Yonge line platforms. (Don't take the stairs/escalator signed "Yonge St. East Side" unless you want the scenic route.) When you're there, walk the entire length of the platform to the stairs/escalator/elevator that take you to the turnstile level. Exit the double doors, and keep left, to the Hayden St. exit. Across the street is a parking garage, and you'll take the 'Walkway to Charles St.' (as signed). Once you're through the walkway you'll be right in front of the hotel.
Public Transit from Union Station
Follow the signs to the Subway. Take a Yonge train ("Northbound to Finch Station") to the Bloor-Yonge Station. To get to the hotel, follow the paragraph above save for the first step, as you're already on the Yonge line platform.
Driving Directions
If you are approaching Toronto from the west, follow the Queen Elizabeth Way (which all the locals refer to as 'The QEW') into Toronto. It will eventually turn into the Gardiner Expressway. Take the Jarvis St. exit and bear left onto the Jarvis St. North ramp. Turn left at Lower Jarvis St (which turns into Jarvis St. after a few blocks) and go 1.8 miles to Charles St E. Turn left and go 0.3 miles to the hotel.
If you're driving from eastern Ontario, follow Hwy 401 to the Don Valley Parkway. Take the Bayview/Bloor exit and follow the signs to Bloor St. Turn right onto Bloor St. Go 0.6 miles to Jarvis St. and turn left. Go 0.1 miles to Charles St. E. and turn right. Go 0.3 miles and you're at the hotel.
We've checked the directions provided by both Google Maps and Mapquest and they're sane.
Parking Information
There is a municipal parking garage across the street from the hotel. Rates are $1.50 per half hour, with daytime (7am to 6pm) maximums of $10 and evening/night (6pm to 7am) maximums of $5. There are no in/out privileges. Alternatively, if you're willing to park a short subway commute from the hotel, we can set you up with a "Temporary Parking Permit" which allows you unlimited parking on the residential streets in the con-chairs' neighbourhood. This costs $15 for an entire week, but needs to be arranged in advance. Contact us by April 22 if you're interested.
The TTC has a number of commuter parking lots, but overnight parking is prohibited. Thus, this wouldn't useful for out-of-town visitors.
Travel
Entering and Leaving Canada: Americans
U.S. citizens do not require passports or visas to travel to Canada. However, they must produce sufficient documentation to establish their identity and citizenship. The following documents are proof of U.S. citizenship; documents that do not incorporate a photograph must be accompanied by supporting government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license:
- U.S. Passport (expired is OK)
- U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
- U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
- U.S. Certification of Birth Abroad or Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- U.S. birth certificate
(Adds Jim Caughran: "In practice, it's my experience that the border guards are more interested in things to charge duty on than being strict about identification. Canada wants tourists." And adds Colin: "But do you want to test the humour of the BHS when returning home?") U.S. permanent residents who are not citizens should bring proof of permanent residence. While the U.S. will require passports from just about everyone starting Jan. 1, 2007 (air or sea travel) or 2008 (land travel), until then U.S. citizens do not require a passport to re-enter the U.S.
Entering Canada from the U.K.
British Citizens and British Overseas Citizens who are readmissible to the United Kingdom do not require visas.