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Business Travel, Downtown Toronto, Vacation Travel

COVID-19 Safety Tips for Your Downtown Toronto Rental

October 30, 2020
woman visitng downtown toronto rental

As many would agree, dealing with COVID-19 has made us all adopt a new normal. With changes to how we commute, work, and communicate, it can be stressful trying to navigate these unfamiliar rules.

However, when staying in a major city like Toronto, with the help of health experts and government guidelines, settling into your temporary home in Toronto and adapting to these changes doesn’t have to be so scary. 

Here are some tips on how you can maintain safety during your stay at one of our downtown Toronto rentals.

The Basics of Public Safety Guidelines in Toronto 

Under official public health guidelines, businesses and individuals alike are doing their part in reducing the spread of COVID-19. This has meant increased precautions like contact tracing at many restaurants offering customer seating and limitations to indoor gatherings.

Likewise, for international travellers just landing in the city, you must undergo a 14 day self-isolation period according to Toronto Public Health. And while you’re here, adopting healthy habits can be the best defence in keeping you safe. This includes:

  • Wearing a face mask
  • Washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
  • Maintaining social distancing or two-meter distance from others
  • Staying home if you are sick

Take Advantage of Travel and Booking Flexibility

As we’ve seen throughout this year, how we travel is constantly changing, especially dealing with COVID-19. Understanding this, there are options to help you book your stay in Toronto. 

Our company has always been a supporter of green initiatives. All agreements are signed digitally, limiting the number of face-to-face interactions required to finalize your rental. You can view all photos and virtual tours for a specific suite online.

We’re committed to giving you the utmost flexibility, meaning we allow for advanced reservation or short notice cancellations in light of these circumstances. 

Commuting Around the City Safely 

You have several options available to you when travelling in Toronto. These include public transit with the TTC, taxis, and ride-sharing programs through Uber and Lyft.

If you do have to take transit, the TTC is a great resource. Along with increased transit service and cleaning protocols, to reduce the spread of COVID-19,  masks and face covers are mandatory on the TTC as of September 2020. As well, maintaining social distancing and constant hand washing when travelling helps to keep you safe.

Plan Ahead

Using google maps or Rocketman for the TTC to track when your next bus arrives will allow you to plan your trip ahead of time. This way you do not have to worry about asking for directions or getting lost around the city. And with our 15 locations all around the city and the GTA, transit accessibility and safely reaching your destination is not a problem.

Work Remotely From Home

In the effort of reducing the spread of COVID-19, more people are working right from home. With everyone trying to adapt to this new work environment, video conferencing tools like Zoom have become essential to how we communicate and conduct our business. Luckily, you never have to worry about buffering or missing a call with our high-speed internet and wi-fi available throughout your stay at our downtown Toronto rentals.

All of our downtown Toronto rentals also include local and North American long-distance calling. Additionally, certain units come with work desks and chairs.

Make the Most of Your Downtown Toronto Rental

Settle in and Spread Out

Private common areas and fully furnished living spaces mean you don’t have to worry about unnecessary interactions with other people and can enjoy your temporary home in peace. 

Live More Independently

Downtown Toronto rentals offer more independence and individualistic living so you can limit your contact with the outside world. This means amenities like washers and dryers are available for you to do your own laundry and cleaning at your convenience. 

Utilize High-Quality House Cleaning

At DelSuites, we offer bi-weekly housekeeping (certain conditions apply) to enhance cleaning and sanitization at the highest level. Also in your serviced downtown Toronto rental, fresh linens and cleaning supplies are always stocked and at your disposal. 

Prepare Meals in Your Own Kitchen

With fully operational kitchens, you can take care of the majority of your meals right inside of your downtown Toronto rental. Buying groceries and cooking from home reduces contact with restaurants and the hassle of take-away while saving you money. 

DelSuites: Working Together to Keep You Safe

The health and safety of our guests and associates is our number one priority. This means we are always keeping on top of and maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene to keep you safe. 

During these unprecedented times maintaining healthy habits and making sure you are safe can be stressful. But you are not alone. Feel confident that with DelSuites and our world-class staff, your downtown Toronto rental is a secure and safe place that you can call home. 

We provide what you need to work effectively and live comfortably during your stay in your downtown Toronto rental. Visit our website and book with us today.

Business Travel, Corporate Housing, Toronto Condos, Vacation Travel

Short-Term Rental vs. Hotel: Weighing Your Options on Where You Should Stay in Toronto

October 26, 2020
toronto travel hotel vs short-term rental

You land in the city and are looking for a place to stay. Finding a living space that is clean and comfortable is going to be priority number one. Luckily you have options. When it comes to serviced living spaces, the two most popular options include: booking a short-term rental or finding a hotel. 

Depending on what type of trip you are taking to the city, whether it’s business or leisure, how you want to spend your time here, and where you reside will change. Both hotels and short-term rentals offer different experiences that can enhance or hinder your stay. 

Here is a breakdown that will help you weigh your options and help you decide which is better for you: 

What Do Short-Term Rentals Offer?

short-term rental unit

Privacy

Since the entire living space is rented, you get a greater sense of privacy and experience fewer interruptions from other guests or staff like you would at a hotel. Especially in a time of social distancing, you do not have to worry about sharing common areas with other patrons or having to wear a face mask every time you leave your room. Instead, settle in and spread out as you please. 

Feeling At Home

Amenities like a kitchen, washer and dryer, and fully furnished living spaces are often included. This enhances the feeling of home as you can prepare your various meals, tend to your own laundry and live at your own pace in your home away from home.

Better Sense of the Neighbourhood

Short-term rentals are great for a longer stay. With locations throughout most major cities, you can get to know the area and community you are living in. Feel like a local and get fantastic intel on the best bars, restaurants, and hidden gems in the neighbourhood.

Saves You Money

Being able to do things like cook for yourself in a kitchen means you don’t have to worry about added costs on amenities that are included right in your living space. Likewise, the ability to be more self-sufficient means less hassle with cleaning fees and having to tip the bellboy. 

Drawbacks

For short-term rentals, the increased independent living does mean you miss out on things like room service or larger amenities that a luxury hotel might provide. However, for condo-style or suite-style temporary rentals with DelSuites, things like a gym or a pool are still often available to you. 

What Do Hotels Offer?

hotel room vs short term rental

Many, Many Locations

Most major cities are no stranger to luxury hotels. This means you can have your pick of the best hotel in whichever neighbourhood you’d like to reside on your trip. Grab the best view in the city or the closest room to your favourite places in the downtown core, the choice is up to you. 

Service When You Want It

Hotels provide round-the-clock service. This means convenience and direct customer service whenever you have a complaint or concern with your room. Likewise, prepared meals are available for delivery at a cost, just pick up the phone and dial room service.

You’re In and Out

Reception operates 24/7 which allows for check-in and check-out at any time of the day or night.  This is great for international travellers or those on short business trips as you do not have to deal with the hassle of extensive clean up when you leave. 

Drawbacks

For hotels, rooms must be cleaned frequently and linens changed almost every day. This constant servicing can be very disruptive as it increases unnecessary interaction with staff and can alter travel itineraries based on house cleaning hours. At the same time, with so many rooms to service, specialized care, and focus on your living space is reduced. 

In this time of social distancing, it is vital to limit interaction with other people and increase cleanliness in high touch areas, something that might be overlooked in hotel room maintenance. 

Choosing the Best Option for Your Trip 

Both hotels and short-term rentals have pros and cons and can alter how you experience a city. In a major city like Toronto, with so much to see and unique activities to do, it is important to experience the most of this beautiful city at your own pace. Although hotels provide luxury and convenience, short-term rentals save you money while allowing you to feel the privacy and comforts of home so you can focus on your trip. 

When you’re staying in Toronto, booking with DelSuites is the best of both worlds. Our short-term rentals allow you to enjoy your independence during your stay, but when you need it, maintenance and customer service are just one call away. With well-established locations throughout the city, you can rely on us to make you feel right at home anywhere you are. 

If you’re interested in learning more, visit our website today to see how staying with DelSuites is the best choice for your trip to Toronto. 

Corporate Housing, Toronto Condos, Vacation Travel

What is the Secret Wellness Retreat We All Need?

May 29, 2020
furnished suite living room

Are you feeling antsy? You’re not alone. Recent weeks under lockdown have left us feeling a range of emotions: grumpy, short-tempered, anxious—you name it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has left no aspect of life untouched. Whether it’s restaurants, shopping malls, gyms, or camping grounds—all of our usual retreats are no longer available as outlets for us to release pent-up energy and feel recharged in the process. And with travel out of the question for the foreseeable future, a change of scenery has become a distant dream. 

People are feeling moody, unusually tired, and downcast. Alone time without distractions is difficult, if not impossible, to come by—especially with kids in the mix. For those of us who have considered sitting in the car for a couple of hours as a brief escape from life in isolation, we have a better solution—and it’s called furnished suites. 

Furnished Suites: A Home Away From Home

furnished suite main area

Renting a furnished condominium in the GTA is the perfect solution for those of us craving a change of scenery without straying too far from home. Treat it as a wellness retreat or a second home office—whatever the reason, a premium condo offers all the luxury of a hotel room without feeling impersonal. 

Taking care of your mental health should always be a top priority. In recent months, COVID-19 has cast a shadow over our lives. For many of us, the constant fear of infecting our loved ones has left its mark. If you find that your sleep patterns have shifted and concentrating is more difficult than usual, you’re not alone. 

With a furnished and serviced condo, you’re free to unwind in a space that’s yours. Take a much-needed break from watching or reading the endless stream of pandemic-related news stories and reconnect with the activities that you enjoy. Whether your hobbies are creative writing, meditation, or yoga, you now have a silent space to indulge in what fulfills you.

Short-term rentals (or furnished suites) spare you the hassle of ownership while providing you with a home away from home. With prime locations across the GTA, DelSuites grants you access to premium accommodations with personalized services. With our meticulous standards for sanitization and flexible pricing and cancellation terms, you won’t have a single worry on your mind. 

Striking the Ideal Work-Life Balance

In a matter of months, the COVID-19 outbreak has blurred the boundaries between work and home. At first glance, working from home seems like a breeze: no in-person oversight, the elimination of soul-crushingly long commutes, and a flexible work schedule that accommodates unexpected circumstances, such as taking care of a loved one who has fallen ill. But as many of us now know, working from home comes with its own set of unique challenges. 

Whether it’s hiccups in technology, time zone differences, or feeling disconnected from coworkers, working from home can be uniquely frustrating and leave you feeling drained at the end of the day. Plus, if you thought coworkers dropping by your desk was distracting, working from home opens up Pandora’s Box of interruptions.

Over time, breaking your concentration to sign off for deliveries, remind your kids that you’re working, or to let the dog out is maddening. Even finding a place in your home to take a conference call without waking the baby is stressful. Fully serviced furnished suites take away the need for a do-not-disturb sign that’s bound to be ignored.

Without the background noise of a library or coffee shop (which are closed anyway), you don’t need an expensive pair of noise-cancelling headphones. For the first time in months, you’ll be able to hear yourself think. Give your work the full attention it deserves, be as productive as possible, and reach breakthroughs. 

Take Care of Yourself 

furnished suites open space

Living through a viral pandemic isn’t easy. Lighten the load on your shoulders by treating yourself to a separate space—whether it’s a personal getaway or a second home office, you deserve to feel rejuvenated and focused. 

Here at DelSuites, we take care of you. Our suites are fully equipped with everything you need—from toiletries and ensuite laundry (with detergent, of course) to top-shelf kitchen equipment. If you plan on working, we’ve got you covered with high-speed broadband internet and long-distance telephone packages. 

Each suite has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in accordance with our rigorous standards for cleanliness. All of our buildings are staffed with 24-hour security personnel and on-call managers who are ready to assist in an emergency. 

Give Yourself the Support You Need With Furnished Suites by DelSuites

Recent months have brimmed with stress and uncertainty. Release the tension that you’ve built up by retreating to a home away from home where you can relax, recharge, and focus like never before. 

For more information or to book your retreat today, email info@delsuites.com or visit our website. 

Vacation Travel

What You Need to Know About Traveling On Canada Day

February 13, 2020

If you’re heading to Canada on July the 1st, you should know that you’ll be there for one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Keep reading to learn more about Canada Day and what you can expect during your visit.

What is Canada Day?

Wait a minute… when is Canada Day? WHAT is Canada Day? Why does Canada even have a day?

To put it simply, Canada Day is somewhat like the Fourth of July is for Americans – but it’s a little different. Here’s a bit of history:

Canada Day marks the day when the nation was officially “born” via the signing of the Constitution Act on the first of July, 1867. This act brought together the three provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the province of Canada – which then split into Quebec and Ontario.

It’s not exactly Canada’s “birthday” (although it’s often called that) – it’s more of a major milestone in the journey to full independence from the British Empire.

This holiday was originally known as Dominion Day, and it wasn’t really celebrated much until 100 years later. Canada’s 100th birthday sparked a growth in Canadian patriotism and it started to become popular to celebrate on July 1th. The new name of “Canada Day” wasn’t officially adopted until 1982.

Canada Day has become a day for Canadians to be proud of the true north strong and free. Over the years the day has come to stand for the things Canadians love about Canada – such as friendliness, camaraderie, diversity, acceptance and natural beauty. (And of course, toe-tappin tunes and the smell of barbeque in the sultry air of a warm July night!)

Typical Canada Day Celebrations

What does a typical Canada Day celebration look like? The answer is, there’s no one specific way to celebrate this holiday, but it will almost always include food, music, drinks and lots of fun. It’s a day off for the general population and most schools and businesses will be closed.

First of all, a popular tradition is a pancake breakfast, where delicious pancakes, waffles and bacon are served for free or by donation. Often a city or town will stage an all-day event, featuring live music, children’s entertainment, games, activities and performances. There may be face-painting, parades and even ceremonies to induct new Canadian citizens.

When evening falls, it’s tradition to light up the sky with fireworks and play the National Anthem. The dancing and celebrating may go on late into the night! Canada is one of the best nights of the summer and many people will be in great spirits – feeling patriotic and ready to have a good time.

Where to Celebrate Canada Day 2020

If you’re heading to Canada to take part in the festivities of Canada Day 2020, where’s the best place to wave the flag?

Well, the truth is that there will be Canada Day celebrations taking part on July 1st in almost every village, town and city in the country. However, these are a few examples of the biggest and best celebrations you can attend on this very Canadian day:
Canada Day 2020

Ottawa

One of the biggest Canada Day celebrations takes part at the nation’s capital. There are huge celebrations taking part on Parliament Hill, with live music, a live broadcast of CBC’s The Evening Show, fireworks and so much more. There will also be festivities taking place in Major’s Hill Park, located only a few minutes walk from Parliament Hill. You can even celebrate at the Canadian Museum of History, located just across the river from the other sites in Gatineau, Quebec.
Canada Day 2020 Toronto

Toronto

Toronto has another one of the liveliest Canada Day celebrations. Throughout the entire weekend there are celebrations taking part at Ontario Place, including an Indigenous arts and culture performance. The Waterfront Festival takes part at Sherbourne Common, featuring tall ships and other Maritime fun. Many people will be heading to Downsview Park, where there will be games, music, entertainment and much more. And of course, the fireworks will light up the night for the culmination of the Canada celebrations.
Vancouver Canada Day 2020

Vancouver

The first of July is a fantastic party in Vancouver and there are several events to mark this Canada national day. At Canada Place you’ll find the second largest Canada Day celebration in the country, with 13 solid hours of activities, performances, music, exhibits, food and much more. Plus, you don’t want to miss the spectacular firework display over the harbour. Also, don’t miss the chance to check out vibrant Granville Island, packed with food trucks, art and a multicultural fair.
Canada Day 2020 Montreal

Montreal

Celebrate La Fête du Canada French Canadian style. In the Old City of Montreal you’ll encounter lots of celebrations, including a performance by the Canadian Forces brass band, workshops, sporting events and food stalls. The highlight of the evening is the stunning fireworks display from Jacques-Cartier Pier.

Happy Canada Day, and safe travels!

Toronto Family Travel, Vacation Travel

Things for Families to Do in Scarborough

January 17, 2020

Scarborough is a very family friendly area of Toronto. With several great museums, parks, community centres and recreational facilities – there’s always something to do to keep the kids busy and occupied.

If you’re planning to head out and explore, here are some ideas for a great day out with the family in Scarborough.

Scarborough Museum

Learn about the past of the community at this museum, set within historical buildings in a 19th century garden in Thomson Memorial Park. This area was once the farm fields where Scarborough’s first settlers lived and the museum tells the story of Scarborough from the first founding to its growth into a major suburb.

While you are there, you can also explore the beautiful walking trails of Thomson Memorial Park with your family.

East Point Park

Take a hike with your children in East Point Park, a beautiful bird sanctuary where hundreds of migratory birds make their home. One of the largest parkland areas in Toronto, there are over 178 species of birds here – as well as monarch butterflies.

Your little ones can learn about birds and watch them from the weathered steel pavilion bird blinds. You can also get down to the natural beach by walking from the end of Beechgrove and Copperfield Road.

Kidstown Water Park

On a hot summer’s day, Kidstown Water Park is the perfect place for young kids to play. It’s one of the most well-loved Toronto outdoor water facilities for grade school and preschool children and it offers an exciting collection of water features, including spray rings, a tipping bucket, squirting aquatic animals and more.

There’s also a lovely picnic area, where you can relax and keep an eye on your children while you have a picnic in the sunshine. The park is open from late June to early September.
things for families to do in Scarborough

Agincourt Recreation Centre & Leisure Pool

One of only two leisure pools in Scarborough, Agincourt Recreation Centre provides lessons, swims and other activities for families. It’s also home to a tennis club and two indoor rinks for skating.

The centre also features the “Snoezelen Room” for children with disabilities. It features soft textures, soothing music and colours designed to be comforting for children with sensory processing issues. Regular sessions in the room have shown to improve relaxation, increase attention span and help with behaviour issues.

Hit the Beach

Scarborough is home to two beaches where you can picnic, hike, sunbathe and swim. Bluffer’s Park is located near the southern part of Brimley Road and it is surrounded by great nature trails. Even in the cooler months when swimming isn’t possible, it’s a spectacular place for a walk.

There’s also Rouge Beach. It’s part of Rouge Beach Park, which is located along the eastern edge of the city. Both of these beaches have great facilities including changing rooms and it’s one of the best things for families to do in Scarborough.

Check out our short term furnished apartment rentals in Scarborough and contact us if you have any questions.

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