Short term rentals are a great way to experience the true nature of a city while traveling. Rather than being boxed into a generic and bland hotel room, renting a temporary house or apartment in the short term gives you the opportunity to actually live like a local — all while providing much more private space to comfortably unwind.
But finding the perfect place to book that fits your needs and gives you this ultimate experience is an ordeal in its own right.
In this article, we’ll show you how you can find the perfect fully furnished short term rentals in Canada. But first, what is a short term rental anyway?
When you rent a house or apartment, more often than not you sign a long term lease. You pay month-to-month and must continue paying for a set duration of time.
Short term rentals on the other hand are much more flexible. The landlord knows you will only be there temporarily, and thus charges day-to-day or month-to-month, depending on the duration of your stay. Often short term rentals are without a minimum length of stay — making them the perfect choice for business travelers, vacationers, relocations, people traveling for medical treatments, and neo-nomads.
Hotels and Airbnb are often what comes to mind first when people think about these types of accommodations, however, there are much better choices available.
Hotels are full of bad lighting, stuffy air, and uncomfortable beds, while Airbnb is utterly unregulated meaning you can’t be sure you’re not getting swindled into booking a suite that doesn’t fit your needs.
But don’t let those options push you away from booking a short term rental. There are several great alternative options when choosing the best possible temporary suite for your trip through Canada, whether booking for business or leisure.
Simply put, a good short term rental is one that fits your needs as a traveler. One that allows you to embrace the culture of your destination all while giving you the comforts of home.
That can mean a suite in a building with unique architecture, an apartment that allows for pets, a suite with a fully equipped kitchen, or maybe one with a great big balcony overlooking a beautiful city-scape.
Maybe you only need a studio apartment, maybe you need two bedrooms or more, modern entertainment system, or spacious, comfortable beds. Or maybe you want a point of contact in the city to recommend the perfect place to hold that important business meeting over dinner.
The short answer is: You need help from the experts.
Although you may be tempted to trust the people at Airbnb, the reality is sellers on that site are motivated to sell you on their property, not to find you the most suitable one. They are likely to say anything that gets you booking their suite over anyone else’s.
That’s why you need a third party to step in, assess your needs through friendly conversation, and help you find that perfect place to book your stay.
By doing it this way, you can be assured that the suite you book, not only fits your travel needs, but exceeds them.
We’re proud to say we at Obasa / Six Three Suites are the experts you’re looking for.
We only ever set our patrons up in a suite that meets our high expectations. That means you never need to worry about unlocking the door to your suite only to learn you’ve been seriously misled by the landlord.
By having us help you find the perfect accommodation, you’ll get:
1) A suite that’s fully furnished and fully equipped
From fresh linens, to high-speed wifi, or from a fully equipped kitchen to comfortable living areas insuite washer and dryer, our suites will keep you as comfortable as you’d be at home, even when thousands of kilometers away.
2) A concierge that helps you uncover local gems and necessities
Want to find an exotic local favorite to eat? How about these fine restaurants. Want to get the heart pumping? Here are the closest gyms. No matter what you need to make your trip the best one possible, our expert concierges are just a phone call away.
3) Assurance your pet won’t get you turned away at check-in
If your travels come with a pet, we’ll help you uncover a place that lets both you and your furry friend get the rest and relaxation you need.
Just let our team know Fido is tagging along for the ride, and we’ll get you settled.
4) Hospital-grade cleaning protocols in your suite
You shouldn’t have to worry about catching anything from the suite’s previous tenant. Not only must our properties pass a rigorous 100-point inspection between each stay, but our housekeeping team also uses hospital-grade cleaning equipment to sanitize everything from the doorway to the bedroom closet.
Not only that, but our short term rental apartments and houses come equipped with their own washer and dryer units, so you don’t have to wait for housekeeping to freshen up your bedsheets.
5) Convenient location close to transit, dining, entertainment, and shopping
Traveling by plane? Our team can make sure your suite is close to mass transit. Want to walk to a café for morning coffee? We’ll put you in a suite next to one of the local’s favourite coffee shops. Taking your dog for a walk? We find you a place next door to a park or trail system.
Whatever it is you need from your vacation rental, our experts will set you up in accommodation that fits your every need.
So now that you know we can find you the perfect rental for your trip, all you have to do is choose where you want to go.
Perhaps you’re traveling for business, in which case your mind is already decided, but if you’re anxious to start traveling throughout Canada but don’t know where to go, here are some of our recommendations.
But first, ask yourself: What do you need from your trip?
Toronto, Ontario is the economic hub of the Great White North and no trip to Canada is complete without visiting it.
Although many people have considered Toronto as Canada’s New York, we’d describe it as more akin to Chicago. With that said, making a comparison to any other city is difficult as Toronto is truly in a class of its own.
Dining
Foodies rejoice, Toronto is dishing out plenty to satisfy your palate. We recommend the Distillery District for a delicious assortment of Dining from across the world all while in impressive historical landmarks from the city’s industrial past.
Prefer to dine-in? Head to St. Lawrence Market, rated the best food market in the world by National Geographic. There you’ll find plenty of treats and ingredients to make the perfect dish in your fully equipped kitchen.
Exotic Shopping
Kensington Market definitely needs to be in your travel plans. From Caribbean to European, or Vietnamese to Latin American, this historic street market is a cultural mosaic of shopping galore. You’ll be sure to find the perfect gift for your loved ones back home (or for yourself for that matter!)
For some of the best deals you’ll find in the city, simply head south to Toronto’s Chinatown. Not only is Toronto’s Chinese community larger than San Francisco's, it’s the largest Chinese district in all of North America!
Immerse yourself in the diverse culture of Toronto, and you’ll most definitely find a unique memento that’s sure to spark conversation.
Arts & Entertainment
Whether you’re looking to head to the sky for a pristine vista over Lake Ontario in the CN Tower, or to watch the jellyfish at Ripley’s Aquarium, Toronto’s Entertainment District will keep you and your family or fellow travel buddies delightfully occupied.
Catch a game at the Rogers Centre, or catch a musical at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Whatever gives you joy is probably just around the corner.
Art lovers everywhere will cherish their time at the Art Gallery of Toronto. The museum showcases a multitude of art from across Canada and the world. Whether the indigenous art of Robert Houle, the impressive landscapes of the Group of Seven, or the contemporary pop-art of Andy Warhol, the museum has plenty of pieces in its collection to get you inspired.
Finally, we also recommend catching a tram to Roy Thomson Hall to listen to the world-renowned Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Vancouver is Canada’s largest city on the west coast, and much like with America’s Pacific side, it has a laid-back, cosmopolitan lifestyle that makes for the perfect setting to relax and watch the sunset over the ocean.
But what most people love about the city is its mild weather compared to the rest of the country. If you’re a snowbird, Vancouver is the Canadian city for you. You don’t have to worry about icy roads or getting snowed-in, because in Vancouver, winter rarely dips below freezing.
But even apart from the weather, this city has several great offerings to make for a great vacation.
Dining Tours
If you get a chance, we recommend checking out the Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour. There you’ll join a hilarious improv comedian as you make your way through this historic neighbourhood sampling some of the best dishes the city’s cooking.
On a similar note, sign up for the Secret Food Tour of Vancouver. Here you’ll journey through the city to try some of the local favourites not too many travelers know about. Better yet, they offer private tours as well!
Shopping
Much like with Toronto, travelers to Canada’s sunshine coast have to head to Vancouver’s Chinatown for impressive deals on exotic gifts. One of the oldest Chinese districts in North America, you’ll find plenty of locally owned businesses that go back generations.
For a more upscale shopping experience, make your way to the chic and trendy boutiques of South Granville. There you’ll find the latest fashions to hit the runway and the most beautiful home decor to freshen up your abode.
Nature & Exploration
Of course, if you’re heading to Vancouver, you can’t skip out on climbing a mountain. Grouse mountain is right next to the city, giving you the chance to hike in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world with a breathtaking view of the ocean.
Whether hiking the trails, or hitting the slopes, the hills around Vancouver are a great place to get a breath of fresh air in the mossy woods of Canada’s only rainforest.
But don’t think you’re restricted to land. Rent a kayak and paddle through the shadows of mountains for some unsurpassed tranquility not too far from the bustle of the city.
It may surprise you to see this often missed city on our list, but we suggest not overlooking this hidden gem and gateway between Canada’s east and west.
Winnipeg, Manitoba is a great place to get some quiet time without losing the amenities of a city. Better yet, because this city is such a hidden gem, you needn’t worry about your rest and relaxation being disturbed by unruly tourists.
Dining & Culture
For a beautiful walk through history in the heart of the city, find your way to The Forks National Historic Site. Sculptures and historic buildings permeate this beautiful park giving you an inspiring walk through the city’s history spanning more than 6,000 years.
The site is also home to many museums and tours from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, to guided River Boat Tours by Splash Dash down the Assiniboine River.
You’ll also find great dining just a stone’s throw away at the Forks Market. This spacious indoor market has the feel of one outdoors, but is entirely inside and open all year round. You’ll find plenty to choose from when it comes to filling your stomach.
Nature
Winnipeg has something for everyone no matter the season. In the summer, take a hike through the beautiful Bois-des-esprits (translated to Spirit Woods), a royal forest brimming with wildlife and flora. Keep your eyes out for the many tree carvings, and painted rocks found around the trails.
And if your travels bring you here in the winter, lace up your skates and make your way to the Red River to check out the interesting Warming Huts by artists all over the world. These annual art installations are the perfect one-of-a-kind place to take a break from skating and… you guessed it, warm up!
If you want to find the perfect short term rentals, you need to get in touch with our team.
We’ll find you a place that not only meets but exceeds your expectations — a place where you can experience the city like the locals, where you can have all the comforts of home with all the amenities of a hotel.
Here’s why the perfect short term rentals mean Obasa / Six Three Suites:
Get in touch with us today and start planning your dream vacation or business trip. With us, your only concern will be not wanting to leave your fully furnished suite!
