Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown

Rooms and decor

Step up to the rooms and what wins guests over is the clean, modern tone — uncluttered, with big windows pulling in natural light, and many higher floors that open onto a Lake Ontario view stretching to the horizon, or a city-skyline view that looks good by day and at night. The beds are comfortable and the rooms come with what you need for a proper rest. But the real draw, the one every review agrees on, is the rooftop pool that frames both the CN Tower and Lake Ontario in full — a soak-and-take-in-the-view spot you rarely get at this price. A lot of people say going up around sunset, watching the CN Tower light up with the reflections on the water, makes the stay worth it on its own.

Food and amenities

Beyond the pool there's a fitness room to work off the day, an in-house restaurant and bar for easy meals, and Wi-Fi throughout. There's also parking on site for a fee. None of it is flashy, but the place gives you what you should get at a reachable price — and the rooftop pool is the extra that makes it stick in memory. This is a hotel that knows what it's selling: a waterfront setting and that one standout view, rather than a long list of frills.

Location and getting there

The waterfront location here isn't just pretty, it's practical, because the 509 Harbourfront streetcar has a stop on Queens Quay right in front of the hotel — so you can hop on and get around without leaning on taxis. It reaches Union Station, the city's biggest rail and bus hub, in about 8–10 minutes, and from there you can connect to GO Transit, the subway, or the UP Express out to Toronto Pearson (YYZ). The part that's especially handy for anyone here for a game or a concert: the 509 runs straight to Exhibition station, right by BMO Field, home of Toronto FC, and Exhibition Place — board out front and ride it all the way, no juggling transfers. The big landmarks, the CN Tower and Rogers Centre (the Toronto Blue Jays' baseball stadium), are about a 10–12 minute walk. Short version: if you want a lakeside base that's walkable to landmarks and a one-seat ride to the stadiums, this location lands well.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. First, the building has been open a long time and isn't new-build, so some reviews feel certain rooms or common areas look well-used and not as fresh as a just-renovated hotel. If you expect top-to-bottom modern luxury everywhere, adjust expectations a little — but if you see this as a value lake-view hotel that covers the essentials, plenty of guests call it worth the money. Second, the views: the nicer Lake Ontario view rooms usually cost more than city-view ones, and some rooms face the city side or get the water blocked by a neighbouring building, so ask for a high-floor lake view at booking and compare prices clearly. Third, the character of Harbourfront leans toward chill waterfront strolling rather than busy nightlife — if you want lots of restaurants and bars within walking distance, you'll likely take the streetcar into a district like King West or the Entertainment District, and on big waterfront or Exhibition Place event days, getting around can be more crowded than usual, so leave a little extra time.

Our take

Reading through a lot of real reviews, the Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown nails one pitch: a 9.3 Lake Ontario waterfront location, a rooftop pool with CN Tower views, and a price you can actually reach. It's best for anyone who wants that lakeside feel in the middle of the city without paying 5-star money — families who want the kids to run around by the water and wander Harbourfront Centre, couples who want to soak in the rooftop pool with the CN Tower at dusk, and sports fans or concertgoers who like the idea of catching the 509 out front and riding straight to Exhibition station by BMO Field. If your picture of the trip is waking up to the lake through the curtains, walking the shoreline in the morning, seeing the CN Tower midday, then heading up to the rooftop pool in the evening, this delivers it at hard-to-beat value. If you're after a brand-new luxury build or want to be in the thick of a buzzing bar-and-restaurant district all night, another pick on the list may suit you better. Overall our take is 8.3/10.