The spirit of Marie Laveaux is alive and well and hovering in Toronto at a little two-room B&B called City Nights. The inn’s “Voodoo Package” conjures a complete visit–everything from hush puppies to palm readings–in a two-night stay. Does the price deliver value as well? (All rates are expressed in U.S. dollars.)
VOODOO PACKAGE
Good when space is available.
$244-$279 per couple, depending on whether you stay in the royal Alex Room or the more expensive Caribana Room.
Includes: two nights’ lodging at City Nights; absinthe tasting; full breakfast each morning; prix fixe dinner at Southern Accents Restaurant; psychic reading; hop-on, hop-off city tour; parking.
Doesn’t include: transportation to Toronto; Canadian Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Contact: 800-334-9127; www.citynights.ca
THE VALUE
Of package inclusions if purchased separately; prices found on our own.
Inn: $190-$224 for two nights in the Royal Alex Room ($95/night) or in the Caribana Room ($112/night), assuming standard rack rates.
Absinthe tasting: available only with the package.
Breakfast: included in room rate.
Dinner: $44 ($22/person) for the prix fixe dinner at Southern Accents Restaurant.
Psychic reading: $44-$52 ($22-$26/person) for 15-minute reading at Southern Accents, depending on which psychic is available.
City tour: $14 ($7/person) for the one-day pass with Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).
Parking: free to hotel guests.
Total: $292-$334, depending on room choice and psychic on duty.
Difference: $48-$55 less with the package.
BEYOND THE PACKAGE
Exchange rates have made Canada a bargain for Americans for so many years, we almost take it for granted. As icing on the cake, we’ve been able to get a tax rebate on certain items as well. But the tax-rebate days are numbered: If you are going to Canada, do it before April 1. That’s when the GST Visitor’s Rebate Program is due to end. Until then, foreigners may still apply for a tax refund on some goods and lodging.
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tsalama@tribune.com
