Delsuites' Blog - Page 15 of 91 - Short Term Rentals In Toronto
Downtown Toronto Condos, Family Vacations in Toronto, Toronto Entertainment, toronto toursim

Toronto in Film: Toronto’s Film Festivals

July 20, 2022
Toronto film festival photo by Martin Lopez on Pexels.

The film industry is big in Toronto. Everything from major Hollywood movies to Emmy-winning TV series like Schitt’s Creek and Orphan Black have been shot here. We’ve hosted superhero battles, futuristic space cities, and an endless stream of prop New York taxicabs.

Toronto’s known for an expert local talent pool, great locations, and thriving studios like Pinewood and Revival. But it also has a sophisticated, international audience of local moviegoers to show your finished product.

Whether it’s audio, video, documentaries, or short films: here’s a tour of the Toronto film landscape for both film lovers and filmmakers.

Toronto International Film Festival

When it comes to Toronto film events, the granddaddy of them all is TIFF: an 11-day extravaganza of gala premieres, industry sessions, awards, and networking opportunities.

Founded in 1976, it’s one of the biggest public-accessible film festivals in the world. It’s big enough to have grown its own dedicated five-story film centre: home to a film reference library, learning studios, event spaces, galleries, and vibrant year-round international programming.

With dedicated tracks for national cinemas, pulp, and documentaries, TIFF has nurtured an incredible range of film cultures in Toronto and abroad.

The 2022 edition of TIFF runs from September 8-18.

imagineNATIVE Film + Media Festival

All things Indigenous media—and we mean all of them—make it to imagineNATIVE. The world’s largest Indigenous media and film festival, imagineNATIVE puts on a blizzard of screenings, concerts, industry events, and interactive showcases—all from the vibrant world of Indigenous arts.

Running as a festival since 2000, it’s made a significant mark: early winners of its Best Dramatic Feature award have included Taika Waititi and Reservation Dogs creator Sterlin Harjo. Films produced as part of its Embargo Collective commissions have screened at TIFF and Sundance.

Today, that initial concept has bloomed into partnerships with the Canadian National Film Board and the Berlinale, a film producer mini-lab, tours, and community screening series.

ImagineNATIVE 2022 takes place from October 18-30, both physically and virtually through their digital platform.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival

Can’t get enough horror, science fiction, or action movies? Toronto After Dark Film Festival is all about the pulp, the cult, and the straight-up fun.

With over 10,000 eager viewers each year, Toronto After Dark hits both the highbrow and low, with enough room for moody Scandinavian horror, Troma films, Hollywood hits, and homegrown creations. It boasts a thrillingly international lineup, having showcased films from Israel, Thailand, Mexico, Iran, and Korea.

Hosted at Toronto’s downtown Scotiabank Theatre, the 16th edition of Toronto After Dark takes place from October 19-23, 2022.

Inside Out Film and Video Festival

Canada’s largest and most prestigious LGBTQIA+ film festival had a grassroots beginning in 1991 at Toronto’s Euclid Theatre. Since then, Inside Out has grown into an entertainment juggernaut, with funding and training programs, a school distribution program for new artists, grants, scholarships, and funding forums.

Now hosted at the TIFF Bell Lightbox and co-screens selected films with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Netflix, and Crave. Its own permanent distribution platform operates year-round, and its awards have recognized films from Canada, China, Australia, Argentina, and everywhere between.

Inside Out’s next edition takes place in May 2023.

Hot Docs

Toronto’s all-documentary film festival, Hot Docs, screens over 200 films from around the world every year—and adds on professional development programs, a full industry conference, and a developed schools program.

An annual festival since 1993, Hot Docs expanded to its own dedicated theatre—the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, formerly the Bloor Cinema—in 2012. It also recently launched a podcast festival, complete with a dedicated creators’ and industry forum devoted to the art of audio drama.

Hot Docs is set for an April 2023 return, and the Hot Docs Podcast Festival goes live in January 2023.

A city for movie-lovers and movie-makers

Whether you’re enjoying hot new films, making them, writing about or selling them, DelSuites can be your home base during Toronto’s film festival season. Call us at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com to find out how we can offer you a comfortable, fully-featured furnished rental—and help you reach the stars.

Entertainment, Events, Family Vacations in Toronto, Toronto Family Travel, toronto toursim, Vacation Travel

Discover Toronto in Six Summer Festivals

July 5, 2022
Toronto summer festivals photo by Maarten van den Heuvel on Pexels.

After two years on hold, Toronto summer festivals are back in action.

From music to theatre, cultural celebrations, and family-oriented fun, they’re a perfect way to enjoy something new, discover a neighbourhood, or spend some much-needed time together.

Here are some of the shows, events, and festivals—indoors and outdoors—that you’ll want to see this summer.

Beaches International Jazz Festival

Big Band, Dixieland—the Beaches have it all. This year’s Jazz Festival is already on, but you’ve got all month to catch it at a string of locations in Toronto’s East End Beaches and Leslieville neighbourhoods.

The main stage shows are the prime attraction, but this year’s jazz festival brings a double handful of fun interactive activities. Learn to swing dance at Jimmie Simpson Park on July 8-9, or see Streetfest transform Queen Street East into a massive, blocks-long concert on the weekend of July 21-23.

The jazz festival runs from July 2-24, with most events public and free of charge. https://www.beachesjazz.com/

Toronto Fringe Festival

It’s the festival that launched Kim’s Convenience, Broadway’s The Drowsy Chaperone, and the team behind Come From Away. And it’s the most fun way to see what might be next.

Toronto’s 34th annual Fringe Festival takes over eleven downtown venues this month with theatre, comedy, storytelling, dance, and musicals, as well as a full kids’ program. With over 1,200 independent, grassroots artists, Fringe is the perfect afternoon for anyone who loves new, fun, experimental, and offbeat shows—and it costs less than a good restaurant lunch.

This year’s Toronto Fringe runs from July 6-17, 2022. Single or multi-show passes are available now, with discounts for kids and teens. https://fringetoronto.com/

Toronto Caribbean Carnival

Toronto has Caribbean roots—and every year, we like to show it.

Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival—or Caribana, for us locals—is the largest Carnival celebration in North America. While the major festivities kick off July 28th, Caribana is a month-long ode to everything Caribbean: from calypso showcases to kids’ events to crown junior kings and queens.

It’s all a buildup to the massive Grand Parade, a whole day of music, dancing, and some of the most incredible costume work anywhere. It’s accompanied by steel pan performances and Carnival Flavours, a showcase for Caribbean food and drink from across the islands.

The party runs from July 7-30, with tickets and event information available at https://www.torontocarnival.ca/.

The Canadian National Exhibition

How about an old-school county fair—but in the city? It’s a Toronto kid’s most beloved cheesy summertime destination—with plenty of room for all ages.

This year’s Ex brings back the traditional mix of fairground rides, a late-night midway, a Biggest Vegetable competition, kids’ sports tournaments, and everyone’s annual dip into weird food that is bad for you (deep-fried butter, anyone?). There’s also a few steps into the future: a dedicated Gaming Garage, complete with esports and FIRST Robotics tournaments.

For music fans, the Ex is also the place for shockingly cheap live shows. This year’s mix at the Bandshell runs from indie rockers Hawksley Workman and JJ Wilde to familiar Canadian musicians like Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn, and The Spoons.

This year’s Ex runs from August 19-September 5, with all-day passes available. https://www.theex.com/

Toronto International Film Festival

Some events put a city on the map. The Toronto International Film Festival does it with a great big star.

2022 marks the 47th year of this internationally-renowned film festival—one that draws stars, media, and major industry movers and shakers alike to Toronto. It’s a marquee event for film fans—a chance to meet creators, attend Q&As, and see premieres from around the world—and a vital industry conference, wrapped into one. And with programming tracks like quirky cult favourite Midnight Madness or national showcases, it’s a chance for any kind of movie lover to see something sweet, gory, action-packed, incisive, or just plain awesome.

This year’s TIFF runs from September 8-18, and ticket packages are on sale now, with final schedules due at the end of August. https://tiff.net/

International Festival of Authors

Toronto’s most prestigious literary festival is back at the Harbourfront Centre for the Arts this September.

With a hybrid in-person/online format for its 43rd edition, IFOA is bringing marquee authors for readings, interviews, and panel discussions to highlight what’s important and vital about books.

The lineup’s due to be announced late summer, and the festival itself runs September 22-October 2. https://festivalofauthors.ca/

Whether you’re traveling from far away or just from around the corner, let us show you Toronto at its best. Call DelSuites at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com to find out how we can open the gates to discovering Toronto’s festivals.

Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Family Vacations in Toronto, Toronto Entertainment, Toronto Family Travel, toronto toursim

Toronto in Eight Quirky Local Museums

June 29, 2022
Toronto local museums photo by Jeff Smith on Unsplash

Local museums can be the best part of a trip abroad: an afternoon of culture you can’t find anywhere else. Fun, affordable, and frequently family-friendly, they’re a great way to find the more laid-back and local side of a city.

If you’re an art-lover, history buff, doing it for the ‘Gram, or just like getting a little culture while you get your steps in, here are some of Toronto’s best lesser-known museums.

Mackenzie House

It’s not everywhere that a city’s first mayor was also its most famous—and failed—revolutionary. Tucked between hospitals, hotels, and high-rises, Mackenzie House—William Lyon Mackenzie’s original 1858 townhouse—is a downtown shrine to Victorian Toronto.

Come for practical tips on daily 1800s life, stay for the political scandals and century-old spicy opinions. Features: a working 180-year-old printing press you can try yourself. 82 Bond Street.

Market Gallery at St. Lawrence Market

St. Lawrence Market is one of Toronto’s most famous foodie attractions. But it’s also home to a lesser-known local history museum and gallery on the second floor—a space that held Toronto’s first City Hall and was lost behind boarded-up doors until the 1970s. (Yes, you can lose an entire City Hall.)

The Market Gallery hosts rotating exhibits from the City’s fine art collection and notes on the historic architecture. Start with a little culture, end it with a sandwich. 2nd Floor, St. Lawrence Market, 95 Front Street East.

The Myseum of Toronto

One of the quirkiest museums Toronto’s got, Myseum is a year-round, city-wide project produced and hosted all around the city. The result? Something that’s part art collective, part distributed historical museum, made of crowdsourced collections and digital walking tours.

While most of their past exhibits are available online, new ones are mounted annually in locations around the city–usually starting in April.

Spadina House

The closest thing to Toronto’s version of Downton Abbey! Spadina House shows off early 1900s Toronto in a sprawling, elegant hilltop mansion—complete with servants’ quarters and evolving architectural décor.

The five-acre grounds, though, are a feature all by themselves, including gardens and a heritage apple orchard that hosts everything from events to autumn cider festivals. Features: Close enough to Casa Loma to make a day of it. 285 Spadina Road.

The Textile Museum of Canada

A favourite of costumers and fashionistas alike, The Textile Museum takes a subject that feels niche—the art and history of fabric—and makes it fascinating. Behind an anonymous side-street door lurks five floors of textile history, modern art, event space, and programs—complete with a gift shop.

With collections that start local and stretch to Peru, China, and Serbia, there’s something for everyone, even if they’re not an enthusiastic crafter. 55 Centre Avenue.

The Toronto Railway Museum

Model railroad fans unite! And—regular railroad fans too. The Toronto Railway Museum packs historical trains, a train-driving simulator, and lots of information into an indoor-outdoor exhibit space. There’s a steady collection of artifacts inside: maps, tools, dishes, and uniforms used by conductors past.

While small, it’s conveniently tucked away right beside the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and Ripley’s Aquarium on the waterfront—so there are lots of options for a full day out. Features: A mini-train ride. Because nobody says no to tiny train rides. 255 Bremner Boulevard. 

The Bata Shoe Museum

While this attraction has a little more profile than the rest, it’s not every day that a city devotes a whole museum to—shoes. Open since 1995, The Bata Shoe Museum grew from the private collection of shoe company executive Sonja Bata: a trove of rare and traditional footwear from around the world.

The result? A fascinating mix of modern couture, ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Italian artifacts, history, and celebrity kicks. And a sometimes surprising social insight into how they’re all connected. Features: Enough glitter for your fashionista friends, and enough depth for an anthropologist. 327 Bloor Street West.

Riverdale Farm

Sometimes you just need to have a cow. Or some goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, and horses.

Riverdale Farm is the destination for downtowners who really just need something fluffy to pet. Part working farm, part historic Victorian site for learning about rural life, the farm dates back to 1849. Features: tobogganing hills, hiking trails, a wading pool, picnic areas, and year-round crafts. And the best part for families: admission is always free. 201 Winchester Street.

#

The authentic Toronto neighbourhood experience deserves a Toronto neighbourhood stay. Call DelSuites at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com to find out how we can open Toronto up for you to discover.

 

Downtown Toronto Condos, Etobicoke, Markham, Mid Town, Mississauga, North York, Relocation, Scarborough, Toronto Condos

Four Ways to Use Furnished Rentals—Without Leaving Town

June 14, 2022
Long-term rentals photo by Stephanie Harvey on Unsplash.

How many things can you do with a furnished Toronto rental condo? It’s been a long time since furnished rentals were just for business travelers, even though we can often still think of them that way. But a temporary home built for long-term stays—30 nights or more—can bring a flexibility and freedom to your life, even if you already live in the same city.

Here’s four ways furnished rental apartments can get you where you want to go—right at home in Toronto.

Hold out for the right home—and save your money

A fully-furnished, serviced condominium doesn’t seem cheaper than a normal rental. But if you’re finding a place to call home in less-than-perfect conditions, it can be a way to save big money in the long run.

Whether it’s location, the condition of the space, rowdy neighbours, or a landlord whose problem-solving style doesn’t match yours, there are lots of reasons a lease can go bad—and be very expensive to break. From storage, reclaiming rent money, service installation fees, lost working time, and more, those abrupt and necessary moves are anything but cheap. And they have a terrible habit of adding up, since emergency expenses never show up one at a time.

If you’re not loving your housing market options, a stable and temporary home can save you both money and stress. A DelSuites furnished condo is a chance to really find the right long-term apartment, while turning crisis expenses into predictable ones. You’ll know exactly what you need to budget, and be able to keep the stress spending under control.

Or, if you’re contemplating putting money on a down payment, it’s a way to know that if construction or closing is delayed, you won’t be left scrambling. You can pick out the home you really want—and keep your life on plan and on budget, whatever comes your way.

Be closer to family when they need you

Toronto’s increasingly a city of dense, compact condominium neighbourhoods—and when our loved ones need us nearby, it’s not always easy to fit everyone into an open-concept home. It’s always easier to have help—but it’s no fun to choose between help and getting on each other’s nerves with the very predictable, very different ways adults live our lives.

If your family’s welcoming a new baby, dealing with a challenging illness, grieving a loss, or preparing for any major life change, a furnished rental can be a way to stay the right kind of close by. A furnished rental in the neighbourhood can keep loved ones on hand for emergencies or care, without turning it into a question of how to share space 24/7.

It’s a solution to getting and giving real family support that works—and that everyone can feel good about afterwards.

Study at your own pace

Everyone knows when student move-ins happen: June and September, when lots of apartments in university and college neighbourhoods go up for grabs. But many colleges and grad programs offer January or July starts—especially for professional, condensed programs—and if you’re starting one, a home you love can be harder to find.

As schools go back to on-campus classes, a fully-furnished rental condo can be the key to starting the program you want, when you want. Whether it’s to fill the gap for a few months, until more long-term spaces open, or for the whole semester—you don’t have to wait to start your education.

DelSuites Toronto rentals also let you finish your degree or college program when you want. If you’re taking your last classes in the summer semesters, we can bridge the summer housing gap—without figuring out shared sublets or signing long-term leases you’re not sure you’ll use. You can get to your future sooner, and stay comfortably while you do it.

Take a job contract without the commute

Nothing spoils a dream job offer like a two-hour commute. If you’ve got a job contract on your desk—but don’t want to uproot your whole life—a furnished DelSuites rental can be your temporary teleporter.

It’s a little more freedom to make big, bold career moves—without being limited by location. And it’s a chance to shake up your career without having made huge life commitments in case the job isn’t for you.

You can save your commuting time and still get comfortable in a space that fits your habits and lifestyle. With high-speed internet and cable included in your monthly rate, full ensuite laundry and kitchen, and biweekly cleaning to help out, you can move your hobbies and habits over without breaking a sweat.

Wherever you’re going in life, the right home in the right place and time can be a real help it getting there. Call us at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com to find out how we can take your Toronto life one step farther.

 

Announcements, Corporate Housing, Mississauga, Mississauga Travel

DelSuites Welcomes You to Mississauga’s Ultra Ovation

June 10, 2022
Mississauga Ultra Ovation

Visiting Mississauga? Now you can stay in ultimate style.

We’re thrilled to open up bookings for our newest DelSuites building: fully-furnished rental suites at Mississauga’s ultra-modern Ultra Ovation Condominiums.

A ultra-modern Mississauga stay 

From the doors to the sleek decor, Ultra Ovation is designed for living life a little grander.

This established Tridel building features state-of-the-art recreation facilities: Scandinavian cedar saunas, a full fitness centre, yoga rooms, indoor virtual golf, and a sunlit swimming pool—all accessible with your keyfob.

There’s also space for friends, family, or colleagues to gather. Ultra Ovation has a fully equipped indoor party room with a wet bar and an accessible business centre.

All this is surrounded by Mississauga’s rich—and underhyped—cultural attractions: the Mississauga Living Arts Centre, Mississauga Public Library, and Celebration Square are mere steps away. A stay at Ultra Ovation means weekly farmer’s markets, free outdoor movie nights, afternoon author talks, dance shows, and concerts under the stars—all a five-minute walk away.

Celebration Square is also your gateway to Mississauga’s proud cultural diversity—with Portuguese, Muslim, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Egyptian, and Philippine festivals scheduled for this summer alone. A stay at Ultra Ovation lets you discover the world at your doorstep or connect with community.

For sports lovers, the Mississauga Golf and Country Club offers golf and tennis, and there’s plenty of trail hiking along the lakeshore at the Rattray Marsh Conservation Area. And if you’re just in the mood to sit with nature, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Garden is a quiet nook to sit back and smell the flowers.

With easy access to Square One shopping, both Canadian- and Asian-focused groceries, and Sheridan College’s Hazel McCallion Campus, you’re perfectly situated to enjoy Mississauga’s downtown.

When you’re ready to head into downtown Toronto—or out into Southern Ontario for a getaway—the Mississauga City Centre Transit Terminal connects you to regional GO Transit and Pearson International Airport stress-free.

All the DelSuites comforts you love

Our suites at Ultra Ovation come with all the DelSuites comforts and amenities you’ve always loved, including stylish, luxurious furnishings, soft sheets, towel and linens service, a fully-equipped kitchen, and ensuite laundry equipment. We’ll help you keep your space clean and tidy with our in-house cleaning service, and if you’re traveling with family or pets, we can welcome you with ease.

Our fully furnished rentals at Ultra Ovation come with full cable TV packages, high-speed internet, and North American long-distance calling as part of your rental quote.

Ultra Ovation’s spacious units—over 800 square feet for a two-bedroom—come with elegant views. It’s the perfect space for rest, relaxation, or a gateway into the whole Greater Toronto region.

And if you want to book with confidence, tour our Ultra Ovation spaces virtually from the comfort of your home.

Book your Ultra Ovation Stay now

Ultra Ovation bookings are open on our website now. Whether you’re coming to Toronto for business, relaxation, or your next phase in life, DelSuites at Ultra Ovation is ready to pamper you. Call us at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com to find out more about our new Ultra Ovation offerings.