Canada

Plan fantastic Toronto family vacations with Marriott Bonvoy

Last updated 19th December 2023

The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto is part of the incredible family-friendly Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotels and resorts and a great base to celebrate the return of Toronto family vacations this year. We invited travel blogger and Toronto local, Kevin Wagar and his family (wanderingwagars), to spend a weekend at the hotel this June, enjoy the family friendly facilities and let us in on some favourite things to see and do in Toronto with kids. Take a look.

Catch a Tall Ship for best ever views of Toronto’s iconic skyline

The city waterfront’s an amazing playground on Toronto family vacations

Toronto’s waterfront is one of the most spectacular places in Canada to explore. Stretching along the shores of Lake Ontario, this gorgeous strip is the perfect playground for families on Toronto family vacations. The city’s shores are dotted with cute beaches tucked neatly between the condominiums and offices that tower above the streets.  Winding pathways connect umbrella-lined patios with lush, green parks filled with the sounds of live music. Then, for a magical end to your day, hop on board the Kajama Tall Ship for magical views of the harbourfront at sunset.

Sugar Beach Park is a must do on Toronto family vacations

Toronto family vacations come with the best urban beaches

But the fun doesn’t stop at the water’s edge. Just a quick ride by ferry or water taxi, and you’ll be toes deep in one of only two Blue Flag beaches in Toronto. The Toronto Islands offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of Canada’s largest city. It’s a place where you can stroll amidst the pristine nature and quaint cottages or rent a kayak or stand up paddleboard from Toronto Island SUP to tour the narrow waterways and find your perfect photo spot of the iconic Toronto skyline.

Toronto family vacations are back at The Westin Harbour Castle hotel

Toronto family vacations make a welcome return to The Westin Harbour Castle

The Westin Harbour Castle is one of Toronto’s premier hotels, and it’s ideally situated next to the Jack Layton Ferry terminal. The Toronto waterfront is steps from the door, and guests will find themselves within arms reach of some of the best waterfront restaurants such as Harbour 60 or iconic ice cream parlors like The Fixx Ice Cream Bar.

The Westin Harbour Castle has an excellent restaurant called Mizzen, as well as a pool and tennis court that are sure to keep your kids busy should it be a rainy day. Again, we were impressed with the cleanliness and service on offer.  Guests respected the safety rules and elevator limits. We seldom ran into anyone else in the hallways.

Even when the on-site restaurant was closed, the breakfasts and dinners in their convenient packaged stays included catered meals from delicious local restaurants, including Queens Quay Bistro and Danny Pie.

For families, I recommend booking one of their corner suites which include a living room with a pull-out couch connected to a room with two double beds. It’s a truly comfortable way to sleep for families of four or more. And the views of the Toronto Islands are magic!

Planning a family staycation this summer and beyond? Take a look at the incredible Marriott Bonvoy collection of family-friendly hotels and resorts across the US and Canada. And if you want to know more about Toronto family vacations at The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto check out wanderingwagars on Instagram.

Marriott Bonvoy membership opens the door to 30 extraordinary hotel brands with over 7600 properties across 133 countries worldwide. A perfect fit for family travelers, Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts offer thoughtful solutions like keyless entry, contactless check-in and mobile room service, wherever you travel. And an unparalleled reward structure allows Marriott Bonvoy members to earn and redeem points and access unique benefits whether they’re on a family staycation in the US or taking a vacation almost anywhere else in the world.