Hotels in Scarborough, Toronto

Named by Elizabeth Simcoe, the wife of Canada’s first Governor General, for her northern English hometown of Scarborough, this multicultural borough is known as the greenest district in Toronto. Although there are traces of human activity in the area dating back to 8,000 BC, the first settlers are believed to have been the Seneca people in the 17th century. After the arrival of British colonialists at the end of the 18th century, Scarborough village was established in the early 1800s.

Hotels in Scarborough

There is a good range of high-quality, budget hotels in Scarborough, with one or two 4 star options thrown in for good measure. Most hotels are well-known, with reliable levels of comfort and service, and standard conveniences such as WiFi and air conditioning. Some of the best affordable hotels in Scarborough include the Holiday Inn Express Toronto East, Comfort Inn East, and the Days Inn – Toronto East Lakeview. A more luxurious option is offered by Delta Toronto East, a 4-star Scarborough hotel which has 3 onsite restaurants, high-speed WiFi throughout, an indoor pool, full-service spa, and health club.

Things to see in Scarborough

Reviews of Scarborough, Toronto always begin with the imposing white chalk cliffs known as the Scarborough Bluffs. It is these cliffs that inspired Elizabeth Simcoe, reminding her of the windswept limestone rock of her native Yorkshire. Recently, the Bluffs have struggled with significant levels of erosion which has led them to shrink dramatically, but they remain an important site of natural beauty and geological interest. For those interested in pre-colonial history, Rouge Park is not to be missed. A huge swathe of parkland which represents the largest urban nature park in North America, Rouge Park contains 3 golf courses, a sandy beach and swimming area, and a wide range of different animal and plant species. A number of significant sites of historical interest are also to be found here, including the Toronto Carrying Place and Bead Hill, an archeological site which contains the remains of a 3,000-year-old Archaic settlement as well as an intact 17th century Seneca village.

Good for budget travelers

The range of discount hotels in Scarborough combined with excellent local transportation options make it an ideal place to stay for anyone traveling on a budget. This sprawling suburb has an inexpensive extended local bus service, but is also connected to downtown Toronto by the train system known as the “TTC”. There are also direct buses to and from Toronto Pearson Airport. Scarborough itself is ideal for walking and exploration; the outstanding natural beauty can be discovered free of charge. The area is a neighborhood popular with immigrants, a diversity which is reflected in the many delicious and affordable food options available locally.

How to get to Scarborough

Toronto is served by two main airports: the Toronto Pearson International airport, which is located a 45 minute bus ride away from Scarborough; and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomes domestic flights and short-haul flights from the northeast USA. GO Transit provides express bus services taking passengers from Toronto Pearson directly to Scarborough twice an hour. For frugal travelers, Buffalo-Niagara International Airport is also an option. Flights to Buffalo from the USA are significantly cheaper, but the airport is a 3-hour bus ride away. Travel in Scarborough itself is easiest by railway, with trains running between Scarborough Centre Station and central Toronto every 5 minutes throughout the day.