August 2025

Where to Stay During Home Renovations: Solutions for Every Lifestyle

August 20, 2025

Few things are more exciting for a homeowner than finally getting to renovate. But it’s also one of the biggest projects you’ll take on. Despite this, more than three in five Canadians have done some form of home renovations.

While smaller updates (like repainting a bedroom or swapping out cabinets) might let you stay put, major renovations are a whole other story. When your floors are torn up, the kitchen is out of commission, or crews are working from dawn to dusk, it’s time to think about where you’ll stay in the meantime.

Whether it’s for safety, comfort, or your own peace of mind, it pays to plan ahead for your home renovation.

So, where should you go? Here’s a look at the best options for where to stay during home renovations, with options based on what suits you best.

Living in a Construction Zone? Why You Should Move Out During Renovations

Here’s why many homeowners choose to move out during major renovations:

Safety: Renovation zones are full of hazards. Think of all the dust, airborne particles, fumes, and active power tools.
Utilities Being Shut Off: Your water, electricity, or HVAC might be shut off for days or weeks at a time.
Security: Contractors, deliveries, and open windows or doors may raise concerns about personal privacy and the safety of your belongings.
Functionality: When your kitchen or bathrooms are out of commission, daily routines become frustrating.

Note: Before any work begins, confirm that your home is safe for renovation. Older homes could contain asbestos, outdated wiring, or structural issues that need to be addressed before construction.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the demands of homeownership, you could consider moving from a house to a condo. For some, downsizing can mean a welcome shift to less upkeep and a more convenient way of living.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Temporary Stay

Before deciding where to stay during renovations, first look at what your day-to-day will actually involve. You want a temporary home that meets your needs, not one that adds more stress.

Here’s what to take into account:

Length of renovation: A week or two might be manageable in a short-term rental or with family. Longer ones may call for something more comfortable and private.
Budget and insurance coverage: Know what you can spend, and if your insurance will help cover it.
Daily commute: Think about how far you’ll be from work, school, or appointments.
Needs for space, internet, privacy: You’ll still need to live and unwind as usual.
Pets or children: Make sure the space is safe and welcoming for them.
Desire for routine or comfort: Some people prefer a cozy and quiet stay, while others want to be close to familiar shops and parks.

Toronto has no shortage of top neighbourhoods, but the right location is whatever fits your lifestyle during the renovation.

Where to Stay During Home Renovations

Whether you’re going solo or bringing your whole household with you, the key is to find a setup that supports your routine, keeps you comfortable, and fits your timeline.

Below are some of the most common options.

Staying With Friends or Family

This is often the first solution people consider. Staying with loved ones cuts down on housing costs. It also gives you a more familiar, supportive environment during a stressful time.

That said, it also means sharing space, possibly for longer than expected, which can strain even the closest relationships. Before committing, consider the length of your stay and how much privacy everyone needs.

Extended-Stay Hotels

Extended-stay hotels are designed for longer visits. These often come equipped with features like kitchenettes, workspaces, and weekly cleaning. Amenities like Wi-Fi, parking, and front-desk service make the stay feel more seamless.

Keep in mind that, like all hotels, rates add up quickly. The many conveniences come with an upcharge, and hotel rooms tend to feel less personal than other options.

Vacation Rentals

Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo offer access to short-term rentals with the comforts of home, including kitchens, living areas, and often entire houses or condos. They’re a solid pick for families or couples who want their own space without the formality of a hotel.

You can filter by location, budget, and amenities, which gives you more control over the setup. The catch? Availability can be unpredictable, and some listings have strict cancellation or booking policies. Be sure to vet hosts carefully and read recent reviews to avoid surprises.

Recreational Vehicles

RV living might sound like a stretch, but it’s a creative option for the adventurous or those with driveway access. Modern RVs are more accessible than you might think, offering compact kitchens, bathrooms, and sleeping areas. This lets you stay close to your property while renovations are underway.

However, space is tight, utilities may be limited, and zoning restrictions can apply. It’s worth considering if you’re renovating a single-level home and don’t want to move far, but it’s not for everyone.

Fully Furnished Short-Term Rentals

If you’re looking for flexibility, space, and comfort, short-term rentals strike a smart balance. They give you the feel of a real home with all the amenities you need without the long-term commitment.

DelSuites is a go-to choice for its fully furnished luxury rentals throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Family-friendly, pet-friendly, and remote work-friendly, we provide accommodations designed for convenience and comfort that fit every lifestyle.

For many, this is the most practical and stress-free way to ride out a major home renovation.

Temporary Move, Big Difference

Every home renovation comes with its own set of challenges, including where to live while the work gets done. Choosing the right temporary stay depends on what fits your day-to-day needs, budget, and lifestyle.

DelSuites makes that choice easier. You can focus on your renovation without giving up comfort or routine. There’ll be no surprises or stress.

DelSuites takes the stress out of finding your temporary home. Contact us today, and let us help you settle in while your renovation takes shape.

Downtown Toronto, Family Vacations in Toronto

What to See in Downtown Toronto for Every Kind of Traveller

August 6, 2025

You step out of Union Station, and the city instantly hums around you. Just a few blocks apart, you’ll find historic buildings, art galleries, waterfront views, and world-class food—all packed into one walkable core.

That’s Downtown Toronto for you. It’s where the city’s energy hits first and stays with you. Whether you’re here for a work trip or on a getaway with your whole family, it’s one of the best neighbourhoods in Toronto that can keep pace with almost any kind of traveller.

If you’re wondering what to see in Downtown Toronto, this guide will help you find places that match your plans.

Spoiler alert! There’s more here than most expect if you know where to look.

With DelSuites handling your hassle-free stay, you’re free to focus on your adventures.

Let’s get into it.

Welcome to Downtown Toronto

Downtown Toronto stretches from the waterfront at Lake Ontario up to Bloor Street and from Bathurst Street in the west to the Don Valley Parkway in the east. In between, you’ll find a dense mix of business, arts, culture, and everyday neighbourhood life.

What makes Toronto so magnetic is its diversity. Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with 51% of its residents born outside Canada. This cultural mix gives its neighbourhoods, like the downtown core, their edge and makes them feel familiar.

Curious about what to see in Downtown Toronto? You won’t be short on options.

First-Timer Must-Sees

If this is your first trip to Toronto, you’ll want to experience the city’s signature sights and iconic energy. These spots offer a snapshot of what makes downtown special. Here are some you shouldn’t miss:

CN Tower: One of the tallest free-standing structures in the world. You’ll love the glass-floor observation level, daring EdgeWalk, and 360° city and lake views.
Harbourfront Centre: Located along Lake Ontario, it’s a scenic area full of parks, public art, and summer festivals. You can walk the boardwalk, rent a kayak, or ride a ferry.
St. Lawrence Market: This food and cultural hub dates back to the early 1800s. Today, you’ll find everything from peameal bacon sandwiches to artisanal cheeses and local produce.
Distillery Historic District: This repurposed Victorian industrial complex offers unique architecture, galleries, boutiques, and cafes. It’s perfectly walkable and blends history with modern charm.

Family-Friendly Spots

The downtown core also features attractions for families with kids, mixing fun, learning, and lots of green and open spaces to play and explore. The best ones include:

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada: Located just beside the CN Tower, the aquarium amazes families with its underwater walkthrough tunnel and daily shark feedings. Kids and teens alike love touching the rays and appreciating the jellyfish displays.
Toronto Railway Museum: Just steps from Union Station, this historic site features restored steam locomotives and miniature trains. Families can explore indoor displays or ride the miniature railway on days of operation.
High Park Playground: West of Downtown, accessible by transit, this extensive green space includes multiple play structures, splash pads, and zoo enclosures. Families can picnic, rent paddle boats, and enjoy the park’s natural ravines.

For the Food-Loving Traveller

Toronto’s downtown core is a global foodie paradise. It’s your chance to sample flavours from around the world, but within walking distance. To name a few:

Kensington Market: This vibrant neighbourhood celebrates international flavours. Expect Jamaican patties, Mexican tacos, and vegan treats in a photogenic bohemian setting.
King Street West: Known for elevated cuisine and foodie favourites. Ideal for those seeking a refined culinary evening after sightseeing.
Queen Street West Food Tour: This thriving street serves as a foodie strip. Restaurants here feature fusion dishes from Korean-Mexican to plant-based delights.

Location: Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)

Getting Your Culture Fix

Downtown is a cultural hotspot for anyone seeking inspiration. You’ll find world‑class galleries, indie shows, and historic venues at basically every corner, including:

Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO): Home to Canadian and Indigenous collections as well as European masterpieces. Its iconic wooden facade and large galleries are a showpiece of Toronto culture.
TIFF Bell Lightbox: The flagship venue of the Toronto International Film Festival, it shows indie films, retrospectives, and Q&A sessions.
Royal Alexandra Theatre & Princess of Wales Theatre: In the main theatre district, catch a Broadway musical, local production, or cultural event. Architecture buffs will also appreciate the historic building designs.
Graffiti Alley (Rush Lane): This urban street art gallery runs south of Queen Street between Spadina and Portland. It’s a colourful outdoor display that feels like visiting an evolving cultural exhibit.

Pet-Friendly Picks

Travelling with pets? No worries. The downtown core has pockets that welcome your four‑legged family member:

David Crombie Park: A connected green space stretching from Queen to Queen’s Quay East. Dogs can walk the paths off‑leash at designated times. It’s relaxed and less crowded than big parks.
Clarence Square Dog Park: A small off‑leash park in the core, popular with local dog owners. It’s a social spot for both pets and owners and only steps from King and Bathurst.
Harbourfront Trails: Wide waterfront paths that welcome pets on a leash. The breeze off Lake Ontario is enjoyable for everyone, with benches along the route for rest.
Trinity Bellwoods Park (edge of Downtown): A popular city dog spot with open lawns and shaded areas. There are dozens of pet‑friendly patios that line nearby Dundas Street West.

For Corporate and Business Travellers

Downtown Toronto is well set up for bleisure (business + leisure) travel. These are some locations to take note of as you go around:

PATH Network: The world’s largest underground pedestrian network, connecting office towers and transit stations. Ideal for those moving between client meetings or avoiding bad weather while on the go.
Union Station/Front Street Ride: Toronto’s transit hub links corporate offices with fast access to VIA Rail, GO Transit, and the UP Express to Pearson Airport.
Financial District Public Art Loop: Between meetings, take a walking tour of public sculptures on Richmond, Bay, and King Street. Great for a mindful break during a busy day.
BarChef on Queen Street West: Known for its immersive cocktail experiences and molecular mixology, this upscale lounge is ideal for business travellers looking to decompress.

Discover the City and Relax with DelSuites

Downtown Toronto is calling. Now that you know what to see in Downtown Toronto, you’ll see that the options are as diverse as the area itself.

After a packed itinerary, where you stay matters. With DelSuites, you don’t need to choose between comfort and convenience. Our fully furnished luxury rentals across the Greater Toronto Area offer everything you need to feel at home while you travel.

Whether you’re here for business, a family getaway, or anything in between, DelSuites makes your Toronto stay smooth from start to finish. Reach out today to plan a stay that fits your trip.

Vacation Travel

Top 5 Places To See on Toronto’s Waterfront This Summer

August 3, 2025

Is Toronto your summer destination? Great choice. It’s where urban buzz meets tranquil Lake Ontario.

As the fourth-largest city in North America, Toronto boasts a wide variety of attractions and activities to keep you entertained. And after immersing yourself in the city’s hidden gems, it’s time to turn your attention to the shimmering expanse of the Toronto waterfront.

DelSuites already ensures that your stay exceeds expectations, so all that’s left for you to do is dive into the waterfront experience. Whether you’re craving cultural festivals, serene parks, exciting water sports, or panoramic views of the skyline, Toronto’s waterfront is sure to deliver.

So, cross that bucket list off, grab your shades, and get ready to make a splash in one of the city’s most vibrant and dynamic areas.

What’s the Toronto Waterfront?

For those not familiar, the Toronto waterfront is essentially a stretch of land along Lake Ontario’s shoreline. It’s a diverse area that combines natural beauty with urban development.

Historically, this waterfront played a crucial role in Toronto’s growth as a major port city. However, over the years, it has evolved into a multifunctional area that offers a range of activities and experiences for both locals and visitors.

Today, Toronto’s waterfront is known for its recreational opportunities. You can find parks, trails, and beaches where people enjoy walking, cycling, picnicking, or simply relaxing by the water. It’s also a hub for cultural events, festivals, and outdoor concerts, attracting people from all over the city.

In recent years, there have been ongoing extensive revitalization efforts aimed at enhancing the waterfront’s appeal. This has led to the development of new public spaces, waterfront promenades, and mixed-use areas that incorporate residential, commercial, and recreational elements.

The waterfront is a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city while still being in the heart of it all – making it a must-see when you’re around town.

Summer Must-Sees on Toronto’s Waterfront

Toronto’s waterfront is the beating heart of summer in the city, so you don’t want to miss it. Check out these top attractions to make your trip unforgettable.

Leslie Street Spit

Let’s start down the natural route. Tucked away in Toronto’s east end, the Leslie Street Spit, better known as Tommy Thompson Park, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Stretching five kilometres into Lake Ontario, this man-made peninsula boasts a unique blend of urban wilderness and vital wildlife habitat.

As one of the largest wildlife habitats along the waterfront, Tommy Thompson Park supports diverse bird and butterfly species. Its expansive 250-hectare area provides a sanctuary for these creatures amidst the bustling cityscape.

But it’s not just the wildlife that draws visitors. The park itself offers an unparalleled outdoor experience, inviting adventurers to wander its trails, cycle its paths, or simply take in the panoramic views of the lake and skyline.

Managed by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) in collaboration with the City of Toronto, the park makes sure that this natural haven remains accessible to all.

Travel pro-tip: Bring binoculars and a camera. There are many bird species in the park, making birdwatching and photography a real treat. Stunning views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline also make for picturesque moments.

Canada’s Sugar Beach

Canada’s Sugar Beach is a beachfront spot nestled along Toronto’s waterfront, and it’s not hard to see why it’s a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

What sets Canada’s Sugar Beach apart is its whimsical ambiance, famous for its signature pink umbrellas and bright yellow beach chairs. It’s a picture-perfect spot for lounging, soaking up the sun, and enjoying Lake Ontario’s scenic beauty.

But there’s more to Sugar Beach than meets the eye. Situated in the East Bayfront neighbourhood, the beach is also part of the city’s revitalization efforts. This transforms former industrial lands into vibrant public spaces.

Even though Toronto is not a typical beach destination, its shoreline is lined with stunning sandy beaches, each with its own charm.

Travel pro-tip: Arrive early to get a prime spot under one of the iconic pink umbrellas – especially on weekends and during peak summer months. And don’t forget your sunscreen and a good book to fully enjoy your time in the sun.

Sherbourne Common

With its combination of recreation, sustainability, and modern design, Sherbourne Common is redefining Toronto’s waterfront. This multi-purpose park isn’t your average green space, either. It’s even named one of the world’s best new parks.

Sherbourne Common is a dynamic destination that seamlessly integrates art, nature, and community. The park’s cleverly designed water channel not only adds visual flair but also doubles as a stormwater treatment facility, contributing to the city’s sustainability efforts.

Take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront promenade, enjoy a picnic in the park, or let the kids play on the splash pad; there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Its central location also makes it easily accessible from other waterfront attractions and downtown Toronto.

Travel pro-tip: Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it at one of the park’s water fountains. It’s a small but meaningful way to reduce plastic waste and contribute to the park’s sustainability efforts.

Music Garden

The Toronto Music Garden is a ‘harmonious’ blend of nature and artistry. Designed in collaboration with world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy, this botanical garden shows off the transformative power of music and nature.

Inspired by Bach’s Suite No. 1 in G Major for Unaccompanied Cello, the Music Garden is divided into six sections, each representing a different movement of the suite. As you wander through the garden, you’ll encounter a symphony of flowers, trees, and pathways that evoke the rhythm and emotion of Bach’s masterpiece.

Visitors can attend free concerts and performances held throughout the summer, ranging from classical recitals to multicultural celebrations. It’s a vibrant area for cultural exchange and artistic expression that brings people together through the universal language of music.

Travel pro-tip: One of the highlights of visiting the Music Garden is experiencing the garden at different times of the day. No matter what time of day it is, each moment offers a unique perspective on this botanical harmony.

Harbourfront Centre

One of the most popular destinations on Toronto’s waterfront is the Harbourfront Centre. With a lineup that includes concerts, theatre performances, dance shows, and art exhibitions, there’s always something exciting happening.

The addition of three public spaces – Ontario Square, Canada Square, and Exhibition Common – has expanded the venue’s capacity for outdoor activities, making it an even more appealing summer destination.

Beyond the arts, the Harbourfront Centre also provides numerous ways to enjoy the water. The Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre has all kinds of paddling options, including kayaking, tandem kayak tours, canoeing, big voyageur canoe excursions, stand-up paddleboarding, and evening social paddles. These activities bring an interesting perspective on the city and a chance to connect with nature right from the city.

Travel pro-tip: Check the event calendar ahead of time and plan your visit around one of their many festivals or performances to make the most of your experience.

Choose DelSuites and You’re Good to Go

Wherever you plan to stay across Toronto, make it a great one with DelSuites. Our luxurious accommodation options provide the perfect home base for your city explorations, so you can focus on the fun stuff at the waterfront and beyond.

Each of our suites, whichever you choose, is thoughtfully designed to suit your every need – comfort, convenience, and elegance. Enjoy the best of Toronto, knowing you have a comfortable retreat to return to after a day of adventure.

Get ready to experience the best of Toronto’s waterfront and city life! Contact us today and find the perfect suite for your stay.