Welcome to House on McGill, a cozy bed and breakfast in the vibrant cosmopolitan heart of Toronto, Canada. Your host Dave, is pleased to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible! The House on McGill is a lovingly restored Victorian townhouse, circa 1890, located on a quiet residential street, is a tranquil, shady, safe retreat in the middle of all the hustle of a busy metropolis. We have taken care to retain the existing woodwork, stained glass features, antique fixtures and character while adding all the modern amenities in period reproductions to complement the old. We are small and intimate with 5 air conditioned bedrooms sharing two baths, , a 6th guest room with private bath, a guest living room, kitchen/dining room and a peaceful garden/deck. We try to be environmentally responsible and encourage our guests to recycle, reuse towels and take transit. The host lives in a separate apartment on the 3rd floor ensuring guests have maximum privacy on the ground, 1st and 2nd floors. There is one cat on the premises.

     Our house is within walking distance to the theatre district, shopping at the world-class 300 shop Eaton Centre, the subway and numerous streetcar lines. Toronto has maintained its interesting, vibrant downtown neighbourhoods and the numerous 24 hour transit lines near us provide easy, safe access. The Air Canada hockey arena, Ryerson University, the bustle of Yonge Street (Toronto's main street), Yorkville, St. Lawrence Market, The University of Toronto, Kensington Market, the financial district, Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, the Church Street Gay Village, Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown  and so much more are all near our oasis in the middle of a bustling, exciting city.

The Reception Room
     The Reception room, has a sunny daytime view of the street and neighbouring homes through a lovely stained glass window. It features refinished French doors, a marble/oak fireplace mantle, antique oak desk and Mission style rocking chair, and couch. Books, the daily newspaper and magazines  can be enjoyed by our guests and a telephone is available  for free local calls. There is also a TV/VCR and video loan library.

The Dining Room/Kitchen
    The Dining room, is located on the lower level, and along with a kitchen is for guest use only. Breakfast is available on a self-serve basis every morning as early as you wish until 11:00 AM. We offer premium juices, fresh-brewed coffee, teas, hot chocolate, cereals, breads, pastries, yogurt, fresh fruit, and freezer waffles & pancakes  You will find a large fridge, microwave, dishwasher, cutlery and place settings if you wish to prepare light meals.

Blue Room
     The Blue Room, our largest bedroom, is located on the second floor with a sunny south exposure to the street. It has a brilliant view of the downtown skyline (including the CN Tower), and is furnished with a four-poster canopy bed, a steamer trunk, TV/VCR and Arts and Crafts pieces of furniture.   $80sgl. / $100 Dbl.

The Green Room
   The Green Room, also on the second floor in the centre of the house, is quiet and shady and has been furnished with pine furniture and accessories and a queen size bed. There is a VCR for viewing videos.
$60sgl. / $80 Dbl.

The Rose Room
     The Rose Room, our smallest bedroom, also on the second floor, is located at the rear of the house and gets the afternoon sun. Furnished with floral accents and a single bed, it is suitable for the budget traveller. The house laundry is located in a closet in this room and when the guest goes out housekeeping has access.  $50sgl.

The 2nd Floor Bathroom
    This Bathroom has been restored with a new tub and shower surround, antique pedestal sink and wood wainscotting. Our 2 guest baths are  shared by five guestrooms and there is usually never a problem with access.

The White Room
   Located on the lower level, opposite the Dining room at the front of the house , is the White room. It faces south with a sunny  exposure to McGill Street through large windows  and is furnished with a queen bed, sitting area, and TV/VCR. The private en-suite bath has a  pedestal sink, toilet, shower stall and exposed stone walls.
$90sgl. / $110 Dbl.

The Lilac Room
     The Lilac Room was once the home's dining room. Consequently it has a 10'-0" ceiling, cornice molding, ceiling rosette and elegant proportions. We have furnished this quiet room with a king bed which can be split into twins if you wish, an antique armoire, maple bureau, TV/VCR and a comfortable reading chair.   $80sgl. / $100 Dbl.

The Yellow Room
     The Yellow Room faces onto our garden deck at the back of the house through a french door. It is very popular for reading, sunning, enjoying the flowers and relaxing. The room has a queen bed, antique dresser and sewing table , VCR and big comfortable reading chair.   $60sgl. / $80 Dbl.

The Lower Bathroom
     This 2nd large bathroom on the lower floors is shared between  5 guestrooms. It has a tub/shower,  pedestal sink and toilet and the original stone walls.

Guest Garden/Deck
     The back garden/deck is always a work in progress. It is accessible from both the Yellow Room and through the Dining room exterior  glass door and up a stone staircase. All guests may enjoy breakfast, or relaxing in the garden. Our Boston ivy, lilac tree, maple tree and yews, are all maturing nicely. The flower beds are colourful from Spring until Autumn with a variety of  tulips, impatiens, petunias and geraniums.

Our Rates
from $50.00 - $90.00 per night (single occupancy)
         $80.00 - $110.00 per night (double occupancy)
         $20.00 each additional person in room
        7% GST & 5% PST  added (Prices may change) 
         Prices include breakfast…

Discounts for long term stays:     10% off for 7-13 nights            Oct. 1-May 1
                                                          20% off 14 nights or more        Nov. 1-April 1
10% off: Y.H.A., Full-time Student 25 or less, Airline Employee, B&B Owner ,
Seniors 65+
We offer one pre-reserved $10/day parking space directly in front of the house

Reservations in Toronto:        416-351-1503                 9AM-8PM
Toll-free Number:                    1-877-580-5015              9AM-8PM

Our Location

     House on McGill is central to all downtown Toronto has to offer. There is easy vehicular access from the Don Valley Parkway to the east, and the Gardner Expressway/QEW to the south and west. In addition to our one parking space, there is a large inexpensive parking lot directly adjacent to our house and several others nearby. As well the airport bus, pickup and drop-off is 2 short blocks away at the Primrose Hotel or Delta Chelsea Inn. We offer a direct airport Limo service for a flat fee of $35.00. Taxis cruise Church St. beside us 24 hours a day. Via Rail and Union Station are only 5 subway stops away and the Toronto Coach Terminal is about a 12 minute walk away. A 24 hour streetcar runs along Carlton St. to the nearby College St. station on the Yonge/University subway line.

We are an adults only, smoke free environment but do allow smoking on the front porch and in the back garden. We offer free high speed internet access at the computer in the reception room, or wireless connection if you have a laptop with wireless card, free local calls, free beverages, daily newspaper and a movie video library. As well, laundry service for a small charge and personal guided tours of the nooks and crannies of Toronto can be arranged with Dave for a nominal charge. We try to be environmentally aware by recycling paper, bottles and cans, do wet composting, collect rainwater in a rain barrel for watering plants and have low flush toilets.  As well we provide pump soap rather than disposable bars, encourage guests to reuse towels and transit and recycle neighbours' magazines. The House on McGill is a member of the Green Toronto Association  and Toronto City bed and Breakfasts.

Guest Comments

"Thanks for everything. I had a wonderful trip, loved the city and can't wait to come back ( maybe when it's a little warmer ). thanks again!"                                                   Carlton Kirby, Atlanta, GA April 27,1997

"Thanks for your hospitality ( in this Home away from Home,)We enjoyed your company very much. Hope all goes well. Thank you and all the best."                Colin and Lesley Smith, Springbank U.K. June 8, 1997

"Thanks for your friendly hospitality. We really enjoyed our staying at "The House on the McGill", a beautiful and warm place! You are making a wonderful job. Go on this way! And if you ever come to Rome, give us a call."                                                       M.L. Battaglia & G. Coladomenico, Rome Italy June 26, 1997

"Thank you Dave. House looks great, your hospitality was remarkable!Thanks for letting us stay on such short notice! Good luck with your B&B."                                               Annie and Denis, Ottawa July 20, 1997

" Just to say it shortly, thanks so much for all, especially the great city tour and the delicious croissants every morning. It was great fun. Hope to see you again."    Michael & Katrina, Frankfurt, Germany, 7/12/97

"What a beautiful and interesting place this is! We had fun just staying in and enjoying each other. We will be back again. Thanks"                                                                                   Penny and Micheal, August 17, 1998

"Mon séjour chez vous a été des plus agréables. Je ne croyais pas trouver un accueil si chaleureux dans un couette-et-café en plein centre-ville de Toronto! Ça a été une belle surprise et soyez sûr que j'en ferai mon pied-à-terre pour mes prochaines visites dans votre ville."                                               Pierre Racine, Quebec

"Thank you Dave, Thank you Robb, Thank you Jessie. Once again I had a wonderful stay. I'll be missing this place."                                                                                                     Alex, Vienna, Austria, Nov. 19-29 2005

"Thank you, House on McGill for a sanctuary in this hectic city. You have a warm, wonderful place. I'll be back."                                                                                                           Jo Ann Oke, Guelph ON, Dec. 11,  2005

"You have a  great place! Had a wonderful time in Toronto. I'll be back"                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                Bill Woodsmall, Denver CO. June 10,  2005
"Great place Dave, When I come here again I'll be sure to check-in again."   Jeuni Chesham, UK, 07,21,2005

"Thanks for the wonderful stay from Cleveland Ohio. Great hospitality, very warm home. Jessie is extremely friendly. I'll definitely be back. Robb is the best            Deana Norman, Cleveland OH, July 31, 2005

"Lovely bathroom facilities. Thanks again."                                                                                            Alex & Jill

"Merci Dave pour un excellent sejour. Lors de notre prochaine visite a Toronto nous reviendrons."                                                                                                           
                                                                                                               Paula et Martin, Montreal PQ, Mar. 05,  2005   

"Absolutely beautiful home away from home. Thank you so much for everything."                                                                                                           
                                                                                                               Paula et Martin, Montreal PQ, Mar. 05,  2005   

Our associate B&B Rideau Inn, downtown Ottawa
It is located in a superb central downtown location , walking distance to all major attractions. My sister, Laura Depper brings her management skills, friendliness and knowledge of Ottawa to her position as manager. Rideau Inn offers 7 bedrooms, sharing 3 baths in the corridors, 2 more bedrooms each with en-suite 4 piece bath, and a 10th guestroom with 2 piece bath, all withy individual air conditioning. Additionally we have a guest living room, guest kitchen, dining room, TV lounge, Housekeeping apt., covered veranda, and a private sunny roof deck. Rideau Inn is quiet and intimate, with fireplaces, antiques and maximum guest privacy. With a 2nd home in the nation's capital just steps from Parliament Hill, we now have more comfortable, clean, friendly, inexpensive accommodations to offer if you are travelling to the capital. For further information, pictures and maps please visit our Rideau Inn web site at www.rideauinn.ca or contact us at the options listed at the bottom of this page.

Your host, Dave Perks

Thanks to :
Arend Dittmer (German translation), Pierre Racine (French translation), Tomoko Kawaguchi, (Japanese ),Maria Jesus Alvarez (Spanish),
Brenda Liu , Dan Caird and Kristy Depper, (Photography),
Joe Pritchard, Peter Raynes, David Rossy

Created Dec. 1997
Updated Mar.1998
Updated Feb. 1999
Updated Jan. 2000
Updated Mar. 2001
Updated Oct. 2001
Updated Dec. 2001
Updated Oct. 2002
Updated Nov. 2004
Updated Mar. 2006