Best Service
The original St Germain Toronto, located in the heart of the entertainment district, gets the vote for top boutique with unparalleled service. Staff here are attentive, but not cloying, and are known for going to unusual lengths to accommodate special requests, like tours outside of town and dietary needs. The Canadian-owned small chain has opened a second location, St Germain Maple Leaf Square, that remains true to the superior standard of thoughtful service, with a location perfect for sports fans and anyone attending an event at the Air Canada Centre.

Best Historic Hotels
There are a few top contenders, but kudos go to the Fairmont Royal York, which has managed to seamlessly blend the timeless glory of a 1929 Canadian Pacific Railway-built hotel with a forward-thinking eco-consciousness. Menus are rich with sustainable choices, and the roof garden, where the hotel grows its own mint for mojitos, is home to several honeybee hives for the hotel's signature honey. The Gladstone, the city's longest-operating hotel, deserves a nod not only as a property with a past -- the Victorian facade, birdcage elevator, and more are well preserved -- but as a dynamic destination in itself. The rooms feature art by local artists, including some ambitious installations that transform spaces; the bars hop with an eclectic range of music; and the restaurants excel in casual, delicious fare.

Best for a Romantic Getaway
If your idea of romance is pampering and luxury, the Windsor Arms hotel offers an unusual level of intimacy with just 28 rooms (26 of which are suites), along with fine service, top-notch in-room and on-site dining, and a pretty indoor swimming pool (all a stone's throw from some of the city's top jewelers, should the mood strike).

Best for a Stylish Stay
Thompson Toronto, the first international venture of the New York-based hotel mini-empire, has a super-cool vibe matched by smart service. A rooftop pool, top restaurant (Scarpetta), terrace, and more all add to the very hip experience.

Best for Business
It's a tie. For short trips, the Hilton Toronto offers a convenient location, a good range of amenities, and a suitable restaurant, Tundra, for business lunches and dinners. But for a longer-term stay, the Cambridge Suites Hotel gives you plenty of space, kitchenettes, and a staff that will even shop for you.

Best Budget Hotel
Given the location and amenities, it's hard to beat the prices at Hotel Victoria, especially now that extensive renovations are complete. The hotel is close to the Eaton Centre, some theaters, and the Financial District.

Best Hotel Restaurant
TOCA by Tom Brodi, at the dazzling new Ritz Carlton, is a hit, receiving raves for fine menus that celebrate the best of Canadian ingredients. Think: East Coast lobster, BC scallops, and aged beef and tender lamb from Ontario. One, at the Hazelton, celebrity chef Mark McEwan's Yorkville outpost, attracts a splashy crowd looking for high-quality, finely executed classics and plenty of pizzazz. The Drake restaurant is a personal favorite, with its tasty and generous dishes, great brunches, busy bar, and buzzing patio. The overall joie de vivre and fine fare are largely the work of Chef Anthony Rose and his crew.

Best Splurge
The Ritz Carlton is Ontario's first Ritz, and the brand's reputation for elegance and five-star service does not disappoint. From the moment you enter the dramatic lobby, the ambition to impress is all around. Sip a sophisticated cocktail in one of the lounges, save room for a sublime meal at the Canadiana-themed restaurant TOCA by Tom Brodi, and luxuriate in the spacious rooms. There's an excellent on-site spa with an adjoining lap pool and polished gym, too. To gild the lily, upgrade your reservation to Club status, and you'll get access to the 20th-floor lounges, which include a generous breakfast, honor bar, and other treats.

Best for Families
The Delta Chelsea's location is convenient to many of the city's top attractions and it has a four-story indoor waterslide, super swimming pool, children's center, and babysitting. Weekend packages often include tickets to the city's top attractions and theaters.