Vacation Rentals by Owner

Getaway

Guest: Bill (Chesterland, Ohio USA)
Date of Stay: 03/29/12 Review Submitted: 04/07/12

This was a great place for our long weekend getaway for us. It was a clean, modern and private small apartment for our short trip to check out Toronto. It was easily accessible to all areas of Toronto. We really enjoyed staying there.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Loved this spot! A perfect location for discovering parts of the real Toronto.

Guest: Victorian Cruiser (Victoria. BC Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/10/11 Review Submitted: 10/20/11

I stayed at the Pied a Terre for three nights ( Oct 10-12 incl. ) and was not disappointed one bit! Everything was as expected, beautifully designed and maintained, with a most helpful host. I have to blame the nearby Avoca Bakery for my additional calories, but it was well worth it!!. I chose this location because it was close to my son's house, but I really loved exploring the neighbourhood and realised that this was such a great spot for anyone to experience the REAL Toronto! An incredible bonus for me, was to be able to reach Toronto's Pearson Airport on the local transit system for less than $1.50 ( I'm a senior), and it took just an hour from door to door-- only thing you have to watch for is a Subway station that has an elevator ( luggage situation) so I had to go by the 127 Davenport bus, back a few stations in order to find that facility. If I hadn't needed that, the trip would have been 45 minutes or less! If my son's new place isn't completed soon, I'll certainly be back and obviously would recommend to a solo traveller or a couple. Many thanks, Bill.

Owner response:Hi Marie. It was a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for the great review. Just one minor correction: the cash fare for a senior from the airport is currently $2. If you buy 10 tickets, the senior fare is $1.65. Still a fantastic bargain!

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Better than home.

Guest: BJ (Goldendale, Washington)
Date of Stay: 09/27/11 Review Submitted: 11/12/11

Thank you Bill for a smooth transaction. Your apartment was so much more than we expected. Everything was perfectly clean and well stocked. The apartment appeared even better than the photographs. We especially appreciated being able to do our laundry right there. Your information about public transportation was most helpful - we were able to get around on Toronto's transit system with no trouble at all. What a beautiful city. We do apologize for the delayed review we came home to a serious family crisis. We will look forward to staying there the next time if you will have us. Thank you for being part of VRBO.

Owner response:Thanks for the nice review. We try to encourage everyone who stays here to use public transit. It works well, and it's a bargain!

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Place So Close to the City!

Guest: Rob & Em (Altlanta, GA)
Date of Stay: 06/12/11 Review Submitted: 07/09/11

This is such a great find in Toronto. This is one of the nicest basement apartments I have ever seen in Toronto! Every thing was so nice, new and clean! Just enough space for my huband and I. Bill and Beth were very nice an accomodating. The neighborhood is very quiet, yet anything you could need is a short walk away. The bus stop was very convienent, yet we opted to walk the 10 minutes to the Ossington subway. Definitely no need for a car, the weekly TTC pass is well worth it. We would definitly come back to stay here again!

Owner response:Thanks for the review. Hope to see you again some day.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Best value on VRBO

Guest: Rick A. (Columbia, SC, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/30/11 Review Submitted: 06/07/11

We have used VRBO for stays all over the world and just want to say that this little apartment may be the best value you'll ever find. The apartment has been recently renovated and looks and feels modern and brand new. The owners have thought of everything; you will not lack for even the smallest detail. All the appliances are new; there'e a washer and dryer just outside the apartment door. The bed is as comfortable as you'll find and the bathroom rates with the those of the best hotels. The owners are very friendly and helpful. Bill greeted us and provided a "tour" of the apartment and plenty of brochures and maps and explained how to use the TTC (bus/subway/trolley system). The bus stops a block away, runs every 5-10 minutes 24 hours a day and gets you to Ossington Station in 5 minutes, from where you can get anywhere in town. The weekly pass is a great value--unlimited use of the entire TTC system. We booked for 7 days then added an eighth. If we're ever back in Toronto, you can bet we'll be staying here again.

Owner response:Thanks for the great review. It was a pleasure meeting you. I hope our paths cross again some day.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Thrilled customers

Guest: cody (Arlington, VA USA)
Date of Stay: 05/01/11 Review Submitted: 05/09/11

The Alberta Ave apartment is perfect for anyone visiting Toronto. My wife and I spent a week there recently and found it located conveniently close to public transportation, good food and entertainment. Bill went above and beyond, providing us with all the necessities to make our stay comfortable, as well as providing detailed information and instructions for getting around the town and places to visit. The place was clean and had a calming motif. It had everything we needed, from loads of clean linens to a blowdryer to cable TV. The free WiFi was fast. We were able to use the washing machine right outside the apartment door. Staying there was a dream! When we return to Toronto we definitely want to stay at this apartment!

Owner response:Thanks for the great review. Glad you enjoyed your stay.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Cut Above The Rest

Guest: Noorazlina (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Date of Stay: 03/27/11 Review Submitted: 04/05/11

I stayed at Bill's for 7 days and 6 nights. Wow! I am so impressed by the unit when i arrived at his doorstep. Exactly like what he had described in his postings. I liked the way business was handled right from the time we communicate, booking the apartment and when payment made to secure the unit. Bill handled them so professionally and i must say that i liked the way he worked. The apartment was spotless and immaculately clean. I felt that i have just stepped into an IKEA showroom! Bill and Beth thought so much on travellers' needs and i really felt like i am at home. Location was great, nearby bus stops and Subway station as well as downtown. Amenities were around the corner. What can i say? Bill and Beth (sorry did not meet you, bet you're great too!) you guys are superb and definitely a cut above the rest. I will definitely book way ahead when coming back to Toronto. Kudos...

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect Little Retreat

Guest: Les (Northampton, England.)
Date of Stay: 03/17/11 Review Submitted: 04/04/11

I only met Bill, the owner, twice, once on arrival, again just prior to departure. What a charming man & such a wonderfully appointed, delightful apartment. Everything provided was of top quality, in fact I didn't dare touch much of it! On the second day, Bill called my phone to say that it was raining & that he had left an umbrella in the hallway for me. The location was just fine, within easy walking distance of the excellent TTC transportation system. Where else could one get all the way from the airport to virtually the front door, for $3? Better still, $10 a day, or $36 a week (Monday - Sunday), gives unlimited travel. The owners provide a quite comprehensive welcome to the property leaflet, outlining how to use the facilities in the apartment & giving useful information on shops, restaurants etc. Just a couple of hundred metres down the road is a wonderful bakery, which opens for breakfast & sells delicious, freshly baked bread & pastries, right up till 10pm seven nights a week. It was early March, so cold outside, but the underfloor heating worked a treat. A major bonus was the excellent, fast Wi-Fi which enabled me to use my Skype account to save a small fortune on mobile roaming charges. The clever use of mirrors in the windows gave additional natural light and something I didn't expect in a basement apartment, not exactly a view, but an extremely interesting feature to compensate for the lack of one. My best friend lives in Toronto. She is far more refined than I & described the apartment as being of 'impeccable taste.' I can't argue with that. I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Beth, though Bill said that she was largely responsible for the design. Well done to them both. Far better than a hotel, an excellent price, superb fixtures & fittings - just don't tell too many people, I want to have the opportunity to return one

Owner response:Thanks for the great review, Les. It's gratifying to see that all the work we put into the apartment is being appreciated. Hope to see you in Toronto again sometime soon.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car

The most homey refuge from the lovely Toronto winter!

Guest: steph (San Francisco CA)
Date of Stay: 01/23/11 Review Submitted: 02/08/11

We booked with Bill because the location was great for us, and the price was right. We will be booking with with Bill again and recommending him to our friends because our vacation rental was one of the loveliest parts of our trip to Canada. Bill Entirely renovated his old basement apartment into a swanky little home complete with heated floors, a full kitchen, coffee maker(!!!) and washer/dryer. My boyfriend and I stayed there, and it was the perfect size for a couple. We had everything we could possibly need at our fingertips, and Bill gave us a maps of the area and a list of the best food places for us to check out! It was negative 20 most of the week, and we were taking public transit so we were chilled to the bone whenever we returned, and we would just be so excited to come inside and warm up and enjoy the rental cause it was amazing. And although the rental was already all that we could have wanted and more, Bill and Beth went to check out the art show I was in town to be a part of! Thanks for the lovely rental and for being so hospitable guys! We will definitely be getting in touch with you again if we return to your lovely city! They are extremely hospitable hosts and the rental is perfect and centrally located, I would highly recommend this lovely Peid a Terre to anyone visiting the area, and we will stay there again should we come back to town.

Owner response:Thanks for the great review. Hope to see you in Toronto again some day.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Absolutely lovely!

Guest: Magali (Montreal)
Date of Stay: 01/16/11 Review Submitted: 01/24/11

What a lovely alternative option to a hotel! The epitome of comfort away from home. Clean, design and well situated. Loved it!

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Cozy, Clean, and Comfortable

Guest: Gowanus (Canada)
Date of Stay: 12/28/10 Review Submitted: 01/08/11

We stayed at this pied a terre for a week while visiting Toronto. We were extremely happy with it. When I arrived Bill took the time to meet me and show me the ropes. It was extremely clean, comfortable,bright, and well-decorated, and there were lots of fluffy towels. We were also within walking distance to the grocery store and other amenities, and the Ossington bus was a minute outside the door. It generally took 20-30 minutes for us to get into downtown and it was really simple. It's a great place to stay if you want to save a bit of money and like cooking your own meals. I would say it offered a hotel-quality apartment at a very affordable price.

Owner response:Thanks for the thoughtful review. Glad you enjoyed your stay.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

A most enjoyable stay

Guest: my3sons (Regina, Sk.)
Date of Stay: 12/23/10 Review Submitted: 12/30/10

What a lovely place to stay. My husband and I stayed at Bill and Beth's property during the Christmas season to be close to our family in Toronto. Everything is very modern, clean and new and in an area of Toronto that is mature with lovely trees and beautiful homes. We would recommend this to anyone visiting Toronto and hope to return there ourselves soon.

Owner response:Thanks for the review. We look forward to seeing you again some time soon.

Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing.

I'll go there again:)!

Guest: Aussie (Australia)
Date of Stay: 11/21/10 Review Submitted: 02/13/11

My first time in Toronto, I had a great stay in this perfectly equipped apartment. The hosts were particularly helpful on the very first day when I arrived. Jet-lagged and bleary eyed, I had trouble programming my GPS and they took time out to assist, which I really appreciated. Toronto was pretty cold for an Aussie but the heated floorboards worked a treat. Thanks again!

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Lovely - Exactly as Advertised

Guest: Anita (Chicago, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 11/05/10 Review Submitted: 11/18/10

This cozy basement apartment would be a perfect fit for any individual or couple looking to save a few dollars while exploring Toronto. Those who are willing to get out there and give the excellent (at least in my 6-days' experience) public transportation a try will find that they can cheaply and easily get to just about anywhere from here. Beth and Bill have done a terrific job of utilizing every bit of space and light in the small apartment, and the result is a place that feels airy and comfortable, not cramped. The apartment was spotlessly clean and appointed with more towels, linens, Toronto maps and information, appliances and coffee than I knew what to do with. In terms of hospitality, it was the best of both worlds - a private entrance and the ability to come and go as I pleased, without fear of disturbing anyone, as well as the knowledge that my kind host was very willing to answer any questions if they came up. I would wholeheartedly recommend this place to future visitors to Toronto, particularly those who are on a budget and/or enjoy staying a few steps off of the beaten tourist path.

Owner response:Hi Anita, Thanks for the thoughtful review. It was a pleasure to meet you. Hope to see you in Toronto again some day.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A wonderful place to stay

Guest: Angie (Toronto)
Date of Stay: 08/20/10 Review Submitted: 10/23/10

My father came in from out of town to visit, and he stayed here. We live in the area so we picked it because of proximity. Bill was extremely accomodating and answered all of our questions promptly before the visit. The apartment is a basement apartment, maybe about 350-400 sq. ft., that is beautiful inside. It is very well equipt, looks great, and is very comfortable. My dad really enjoyed his stay and we will definitely be calling Bill in the future to book it again. Thank you!

Owner response:Hi Angie, Thanks for the review. Look forward to seeing your father here again some day.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Awesome value

Guest: Austinite (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 07/15/10 Review Submitted: 07/30/10

Bill and Beth were extremely welcoming and eager to help with directions and suggestions. This is a beautifully renovated basement with all the amenities needed to make it a fantastic value. If this is your first visit to the Toronto are, as it was for me, I strongly suggest that you listen to Bill's advice on where to go and what to do while your are there. The Pain Perdu is a fantastic spot for breakfast. Don't leave without making to Niagara Falls!

Owner response:Thanks for your review. Glad the traffic delays getting to/from Niagara Falls because of the road construction didn't spoil the memory. Hope to see you again some day.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Magic and enjoyable

Guest: A Family from Provence (Marseille- France)
Date of Stay: 04/13/10 Review Submitted: 04/28/10

Hi There. Thanks a Million to Beth and Bill for their kindness and the warm welcome we received during our stay for 2 weeks at their apartment. Great property in a very nice area, we stayed with our 4 years boy who enjoyed the playground a step away from home , the instructions and the description are exactly the same as described and shown in the pictures What made our stay one of the most enjoyable is just to feel like home! Bill and Beth have been carrying and provided all the advices and information needed spontaneously, Our recommendation if you plan renting a car is to buy the Toronto city parking pass ($20 for a week) otherwise, the public transport are very close, and most of the time it took us about 15mn to get down town!!! We are looking forward staying at this place if we come back to Toronto. We definitively recommand this place to anyone who plan a visit to Toronto , Hope to see you soon A très bientôt j'espère Warm salutations from Marseille France

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Value for Money

Guest: StephenT. (Denmark)
Date of Stay: 04/08/10 Review Submitted: 04/18/10

Following the owner's instructions I reached the property from the airport in about 30 minutes for the grand total of $3 Canadian using the bus and subway, He had toatlly refurbished the basement of his house. There was a large kitchen/sitting room with stove/refrigerator, toaster etc. etc., bedroom with more than ample closet space, and veyr large bathroom with radiant heating. Everything corresponded to the pictures on the listing. I was given a thorough explanation of the set-up by the owner and assigned a personal code for the outside lock to my private entrance. The local bus was a two minute walk away with frequent service which whisked me to the nearest subway station in about seven minutes and then to the center of town in 15. A 10 minute walk north brought me to St. Clair Avenue with a ultitude of restaurants and service shops. A great location at an unbeatable price.

Owner response:Thanks for your kind words, Stephen. Hope to see you on your next visit to Toronto.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car.

Fabulous basement apartment in Toronto.

Guest: c1aran (Doncaster, UK)
Date of Stay: 04/02/10 Review Submitted: 04/27/10

Tremendous basement apartment in Toronto Suburbs that was recently re-decorated and benefited from a great open-plan kitchen and lounge, bedroom and bathroom (superb bathtub) - certainly very comfortable for my wife and I. Bill is a wonderful host, had prepared a pack of local information to bring us up to speed, and was always more than happy to help out on any questions. Alberta Ave is immediately adjacent to the local Bus route which connects to Toronto’s excellent public transport system. Parking was a little tight (look out for the hydrants) but certainly no worse than any other city suburb. We used it for just under a week as a base to visit Ontario and were very happy – would readily stay there again.

Owner response:Thanks for the feedback. Look forward to seeing you on your next trip to Toronto.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Guest: Kevin Buursema (Abbotsford BC)
Date of Stay: 03/05/10 Review Submitted: 03/05/10

The suite was bright clean and close to ammenities. I would ceratinly look to Bill to rent the suite again the next time I'm in the GTA. Thanks Bill! Kevin B

Owner response:Thanks for your comments Kevin. Hope too see you again soon.

Recommended for:

Guest: Ali7 (Cinti, OH)
Date of Stay: 12/01/09 Review Submitted: 12/01/09

Hi everyone. A big thanks to Beth and Bill for the wonderful stay at their apartment last week. It's a nice apt perfect for a couple - we have a 2-yr with us and managed to fit in quite comfortably even with him. Bill was gracious to let us borrow an extra mattress so we could fit our son in. The property is in a nice area and the bus/subway are really close by - literally 10 min walk to subway if the weather is nice or a 2 min drive if not. The property is also close to 401 so drive to Mississauga/Airport is also a short 20-25 min. Bill had all the close-by restaurants and shops listed in the apt so that really helped us get going each day. We loved the way Bill and Beth had done the windows - the glass panelling gave the windows a lot of depth and sunlight and we definitely "borrowed" that idea for our own basement. I'd recommend buying the Toronto city parking pass ($20 for a week) to ease the parking around the apt. We look forward to staying here any other time we are in TO.

Owner response:Thanks for your comments. Hope to see you again some time soon. - Beth & Bill

Recommended for:

Guest: grazia2 (Villanova)
Date of Stay: 10/20/09 Review Submitted: 10/20/09

Hi everyone or if you prefer buongiorno a tutti! I’m Grazia Angeloni from Italy, Abruzzo where I’m living with my husband. We have a very large house there, so when I received the University of Toronto’s (OISE) response who accepted me as visiting scholar, my first need was to find a place to stay where, at least, I could feel at ease. I couldn’t imagine I would meet Beth and Bill. They had been caring for me through the 2 months and 10 days I spent in their apartment and assisted me all the time, providing me with information, map, internet, but above all the gave to me their friendship. They were always available to listen to me and talk……. I ‘m missing them. I still miss their apartment where I lived. It was a nest to me where I found everything, even better than my house in Abruzzo. It is downtown and you can move by bus or by subway to any place!. I will never forget Bill and Beth’s warmth, the cozy environment and the neighbours’ kindess!

Owner response:Thanks for your comments Grazia. We would love to have you back again. - Beth & Bill

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