Known as the eastern anchor of the Greater Toronto Area, Oshawa got its humble start as a transfer point for the Canadian fur trade. In the late 18th century, a local resident began an export business that helped to attract migration to the area, resulting in a large number of immigrants settling down here. Oshawa was officially incorporated as a village in 1850 and became an industrial center brimming with wagon factories, asheries, and tanneries. Today, Oshawa is home to General Motors Canada's headquarters and is a hub for education and health sciences. It also serves as the perfect home base for exploring Toronto and nearby areas.
Whatever your reasons for visiting Oshawa, it's important to book the right hotel that allows you to enjoy everything this wonderful city has to offer.
Best Time to Visit Oshawa, ON
There are two seasons that are best for visiting the Greater Toronto Area, including Oshawa. The first is from late April through May, when the average temperatures rest comfortably in the 50s and 60s, but the crowds haven't yet descended on the city. While this spring season is the prime time for sightseeing, you may want to dress in layers because evening and nighttime temperatures can be quite chilly. If you do plan your trip during this time, you'll enjoy great hotel rates and events like the Canada Blooms garden and flower festival.
The next best time to visit Oshawa is from September through November. Hotel rates start to go down along with the crowds, and you'll still enjoy pleasant temperatures. Popular events during the fall months include the Toronto International Film Festival, the Toronto International Art Fair, and Cavalcade of Lights. To get the best rates in the fall, be sure to book your room at least a month in advance.
Summer in Oshawa is brief, but with the festival season comes an influx of tourists that drive accommodation rates up. If you know you'll be visiting during the summer, make your reservations a couple months in advance to take advantage of any winter or springtime deals. The great thing about visiting Oshawa in the summer, though, is that you'll have access to a number of popular events, including the North by Northeast Festival, Toronto Pride, the Toronto Jazz Festival, and Caribana.
Winters in Ontario are brisk and biting, with highs rarely getting out of the low 30s. If you don't mind braving the wintry weather, you'll enjoy significant price cuts on area hotels. While tourists tend to stay away from December to March, locals are enjoying numerous events that keep the city buzzing, so you'll have plenty to do during your stay.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Oshawa, ON:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs displaying average nightly cost patterns by star rating class in Oshawa, ON. Analyze these illustrations to evaluate the cheapest dates to make a reservation in Oshawa for upcoming travels.
Luxury Hotel Options in Oshawa, ON
To experience the most luxurious accommodations near Oshawa, you'll have to look more toward Toronto, which offers plenty of options.
Four Seasons Hotel in the fashionable Yorkville quarter is a classy high-rise property within walking distance of the Royal Ontario Museum. Guests can enjoy sophisticated rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, free Wi-Fi access, flat-screen televisions, tea and coffeemakers, iPod docks, minibars, and 24-hour room service. Upgrading to a suite adds separate living and dining areas, pull-out sofas, or kitchens. This hotel also features an on-site cocktail bar with a terrace, a restaurant, a spa, a whirlpool tub, an indoor pool, and a fitness center.
If you prefer to stay in a suburban location, Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites is a great choice. This polished hotel and convention center boasts modern rooms with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, work desks, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. Upgrading to a club room entitles you to lounge access with a complimentary breakfast, afternoon appetizers, and all-day snacks. Guest amenities include a spa, three pools, a fitness center, a bar, an international restaurant, and a business center.
Affordable Hotel Options in Oshawa, ON
3 Star Average Prices: $108.54
Finding an affordable hotel in Oshawa and the Greater Toronto Area is easy. Travelodge Oshawa Whitby is conveniently located off Route 401 near the Oshawa Centre. The property offers free parking, continental breakfast, a heated indoor pool, hot tub, business center, meeting space, fitness center, and events room. Guest rooms feature work desks, free Wi-Fi internet access, televisions, and kitchenettes. Upgraded rooms add whirlpool tubs or separate living areas. Kids under 17 stay free with an adult, and pets are welcome for a fee.
Motel 6 Toronto East-Whitby is a straightforward budget accommodation within walking distance of the GO Train, which provides direct access to downtown Toronto. Guest rooms include TVs with expanded cable, free Wi-Fi, and unpretentious décor. There's also a coin laundry on-site.
Also located in Whitby, the Canadiana Inn is a two-star lodging close to the Civic Auditorium Complex. Guest rooms feature refrigerators, microwaves, coffeemakers, cable television, and free Wi-Fi. You can also enjoy an outdoor pool, barbecue grill, picnic tables, and a lovely garden area with a patio.
Located off Highway 401, Comfort Inn Oshawa provides easy access to attractions like the Toronto Zoo, Bowmanville Zoo, the Great Blue Heron Casino, and Mosport International Raceway. Basic rooms feature cable TV, hair dryers, and coffeemakers, while business rooms include work desks with ergonomic chairs. This property also provides a free weekday newspaper, free coffee, free continental breakfast, and free internet access.
2 Star Average Prices: $98.69
Oshawa, ON Hotels with Discounts
If you're a member of AAA/CAA, you can take advantage of special discounts that could be worth up to 20 percent off a hotel's best available rates. Hotels like the Comfort Inn in Oshawa offer special rates to auto club members, which are available throughout the year. Simply book the special rate and present proof of membership at check-in. Seniors, military families, and government personnel can also receive discounted room rates.
Many area hotels also provide their own special offers and travel packages, which tend to change throughout the year. The Westin Prince Toronto, for instance, allows you to book a Toronto Zoo package that includes family tickets to the zoo, buffet breakfasts at the hotel, and free hotel parking. Romance packages generally consist of welcome strawberries and sparkling wine, breakfast for two, and a late check-out. You may even find special shopping packages that throw in a gift card to one of Toronto's most popular shopping centers.
Best Value Options in Oshawa, ON
Oshawa offers many mid-range hotel options that give you the best value for your money. Residence Inn Whitby is an all-suite accommodation that boasts informal rooms ranging from studios to two-bedroom suites. You'll enjoy free Wi-Fi, work desks, fully equipped kitchens, sofa beds, and flat-screen TVs. Some even add fireplaces, additional televisions, and separate living areas. On-site amenities include a fitness room, an indoor saltwater pool, evening socials with snacks, a grocery delivery service, free parking, a hot breakfast buffet, outdoor grills, and laundry facilities.
Best Western Plus Durham Hotel & Conference Centre is located two miles from the Oshawa Centre and about eight miles from Darlington Provincial Park. This relaxed accommodation features flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and microwaves. Parking and continental breakfast are free, and guests can take advantage of the on-site fitness room, outdoor barbecues, basketball/hockey court, business center, and conference rooms.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oshawa Downtown-Toronto Area is a modern hotel just minutes from Highway 401. Guest rooms feature standard internet service, flat-screen TVs, and double-glazed windows. Families can book connecting rooms. Other amenities include an on-site fitness center, business center, complimentary hot breakfast, laundry facilities, and indoor pool.
Best Attractions in Oshawa, ON
With so much to explore in the Greater Toronto Area, you may be wondering where to start. One of Oshawa's most popular attractions is the Canadian Automotive Museum, which educates the public on Canada's long history in the automotive industry. The museum itself is located downtown in the original Ontario Motor Sales location, which was a local car dealership during the 1920s. Admission is just $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and $5 for kids ages six to 17. Kids under five get in free.
If you love art, be sure to visit The Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa's civic center. The largest public art gallery in the area, The RMG boasts a permanent collection of over 4,500 works ranging from historical to contemporary. The gallery is free to the public, but a donation is appreciated.
Other must-see attractions in Oshawa include Parkwood Estate, the Ontario Regiment Museum, Darlington Provincial Park, and The Waterfront Trail.
Whether you're looking for an upscale hotel in Toronto or a budget-friendly accommodation in the heart of Oshawa, you'll find the perfect hotel in the Greater Toronto Area that meets your needs and budget, so start planning your trip today!
Recent traveler guest reviews of Oshawa, ON
Below are reviews of the city of Oshawa, ON from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Good Visit"Score 4.0 / 5
The neighborhood seems a bit "under review". Quaint enough still, but hopefully the construction won't last forever.
Unknown U., from 14-Sep-2015
The average traveler rating of the city of Oshawa, ON shown above is 4.0 out of 5 based on 1 reviews