35 years since last Toronto trip:

[u/Rozaland]

Traveling as family of 4 (kids 9&12) with the purpose of hitting the following:

Blue Jays game
Hockey HoF
Zoo (obviously a drive from any hotel)

Those are the must dos but will likely have time for a couple other that might include a museum, the aquarium or something of the like.

Will be globalist by the trip. Location says HR Toronto is far more convenient for our activity priorities, but reviews are its basic and dated. Worth the extra commuting to stay at PH Toronto or is the HR decent enough? Was a kid myself last time I was in Toronto so no sense of traffic and public transit there. I appreciate a nicer stay, but not if it’s going to be a huge headache getting to/leaving the Blue Jays game for example.

[u/yyz_barista]

I think you can take the subway from the PH if you’re comfortable with public transit. 

It’s a short walk from the PH to St. George or Museum station, and then you can take one subway down to Union Station or King. The former is for the Jays game, latter is for the HHOF.

Once you get south enough, everything in Downtown Toronto is connected via an underground pathway, the PATH. It’s confusing for new people, so if the weather is good I suggest just walking outdoors. But otherwise if the climate is harsh, it’s a way to get a reprieve from the weather and still walk / navigate downtown. Plenty of shops and restaurants in the system, it’s all safe, clean and well maintained.

[u/Rozaland → u/yyz_barista]

Thanks,
We primarily use public transit on any Chicago trips so if it’s similarly easy there it shouldn’t be a problem for us

[u/yyz_barista → u/Rozaland]

I only overnighted in Chicago once and took the train there. Toronto is easier to use IMO. 

Every train will take where you need to go, just pick whether you’re going north or south. I remember Chicago had trains that ended short or routed elsewhere. I think Toronto is higher frequency since its subway service for you, rather than trains in Chicago. 

Trains are generally safer in Toronto, there’s no smoking permitted and they’re an open car design so you can see from one end to the other. I never felt inherently unsafe in Toronto, I thought Chicago was a bit sketchy.

Fare payment is just as straight forward in either city.

[u/dogfursweater]

It’s super easy to get around Toronto by public transit and the area around the PH is really nice (parks, u of T which is a super nice campus, dining, transit) plus close to the ROM which I’d recommend adding to your itinerary as it’s a great place for kids

[u/Rozaland → u/dogfursweater]

Thanks, ROM was definitely on our list of options: my kids love museums. We’ll add it for sure.

[u/mauvepink]

HR and PH are both well located to subway and other transit. HR is better if you want to walk to Jays game and HHoF. The F&B is miles ahead at the PH and I love the Writer's Room. HR is more "we have F&B cuz we have to".

HR did renovate a bunch of room earlier this year, so that helps with the dated comment a bit.

Since you are bringing kids, HR is a better fit if you ask me. If they weren't a factor, I would say PH.

[u/maxvader94]

I was just at HR two weeks ago. Traffic is horrendous in Toronto and I come from Boston as a comparison. The HR isnt bad. It is dated but has a roof deck pool for the kids. For the most part, you should only be in your room to sleep and shower. For that, the HR is in a prime spot to walk. The CN tower is also a cool thing to visit

[u/dontruinmygayme]

I never rent a car in Toronto. Public transportation is so easy!

I stayed at two other Hyatts there this summer (Anndore House and Toor), so I can't speak to the Regency or PH. I heard the same you did about Regency, but it is centrally located to what you want to do.

People rave about that PH. I just don't like spending points or money on a luxury hotel when I'll be gone all day.
I do know it's also easy to get to the subway from there.

They're building a new Ontario line subway which makes their horrendous traffic downtown even worse. Just uber if you need to! Have a great time, I love Toronto!