Best Western Hotels in Ontario: A Practical Stay-Planning Guide
Ontario is Canada's most populous province, stretching from the Great Lakes shoreline and Niagara Falls up through Toronto and Ottawa to the vast northern interior. Because the province covers so much ground, the right base depends entirely on why you're visiting: a city break, a drive along the lakes, a border crossing, or a stop between Toronto and Ottawa. This guide focuses on how to think through location and timing, and how to book directly so you're not paying for a middleman's markup.
Know Which Part of Ontario You're Visiting
Ontario isn't one destination, it's several. Southern Ontario includes Toronto, Niagara Falls, Windsor, London and Kingston, all connected by Highway 401 and reachable by car in a day or less from each other. Ottawa, the capital, sits apart in the east and is often treated as its own trip. Northern Ontario is a different world again, with long distances between towns and a slower pace geared toward road trips and outdoor travel.
Decide first whether your trip is city-based, a lakeside or falls visit, or a drive-through stop, since that determines whether you want a downtown hotel, a highway-adjacent property, or something closer to a specific attraction.
Getting In and Getting Around
Most international arrivals land at Toronto Pearson, with Ottawa's airport serving the capital region. From either airport, a rental car gives the most flexibility if you plan to see more than one city, since intercity trains and buses exist but run on limited schedules.
If Niagara Falls or the wine region is on your list, a car is close to essential. If you're staying entirely within downtown Toronto or Ottawa, public transit and walking cover most needs and a car becomes a cost you don't need.
When to Go
Summer (June to August) brings the warmest weather and the busiest crowds, particularly around Niagara Falls and lakefront towns. Fall is a strong option for driving trips, with cooler temperatures and the changing colours drawing visitors to rural routes. Winter is long and can be severe, especially in the north, so factor extra travel time into any road trip plans between November and March. Spring is quieter and a reasonable time to visit cities if you don't need patio weather.
How to Book the Best Rate, Direct
Rates on bestwestern.online are live and change with demand, so the most reliable way to get a good price is to book directly rather than through a third-party aggregator that adds its own fees on top. Booking direct also means any rate changes, cancellations, or loyalty benefits are handled without a middleman in between.
Flexible travel dates make the biggest difference. If your trip isn't tied to a specific event, compare a few nearby dates before committing, and check whether a slightly longer stay changes the nightly rate. Booking early secures availability during peak summer weekends and major events, but rates can also move in your favour closer to the date if demand is soft, so it's worth checking back.