I'm looking for something with charm and character that does not cost the earth to stay in.
Any tips would be fantastic !!

There are a zillion places to stay in Toronto that cater to every facet of how much money you want to spend. Get in touch, on the internet, with Tourism Toronto. They will tell you all you need to know and then some.
You will love toronto. Museums, zoos, kid stuff. Big kid stuff. One of the greatest cities in the world.