Continuing on with the theme of last week's post, here are my top 4 hotel properties in Toronto. Luckily for me, I've worked in the travel industry for the past 10 years, which has allowed me the opportunity to stay at some pretty swanky properties, all over the world, but also in my home city. Here are my favorites.
Note: There are several other luxury properties in Toronto that didn't make my list because I haven't personally stayed in them. I would have considered them if I had heard good things from my colleagues, but in terms of service and overall experience, these 4 still won out.
The Intercontinental Toronto Yorkville
220 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1T8
I love the location of this Yorkville hotel. It's right smack dab on Bloor Street, close to the subway, shops and Royal Ontario Museum. If you feel like heading down to Queen's Park for a stroll, or exploring the storied halls of University of Toronto's campus, it's all nearby. The rooms are large,comfortable and modern. Service is good, but nothing over the top. Location is definitely key for this property. It's the furthest north on this list, but you still get the hustle and bustle of downtown, but with the extravagance of nearby Yorkville and their luxury shops. Their lobby vodka bar, "Proof", is quite good as well.
Image Courtesy of IHG.com
The Omni King Edward
37 King St E, Toronto, ON M5C 1E9
The Omni King Edward Hotel has what I love - large rooms, history, and classic architecture. This property has changed hands over the past few years, but seems to have settled in very nicely with the Omni chain. It's a classic property in Toronto, well-known for its high tea and gorgeous amenities. I loved the fact that the hallways and rooms are much larger than your average historic property. Service is excellent, as is their beautiful lobby. Rooms are getting their much-needed facelift in a $40 million dollar renovation and they will look incredible once they're all done (I got a sneak peak at their show room). It's located right at Yonge/King so you have TTC accessibility, but most of the major tourist attractions are within walking distance (like the Toronto Eaton Centre!).
Image Courtesy of Omnihotels.com
The Fairmont Royal York
100 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5J 1E3
There is nothing quite like a Fairmont property. I love the entire chain, especially the old CP Hotels (I've made it my mission to stay in as many as I can, and I've crossed quite a few off my list). I love the classic elegance, and charming rooms. I find them cozier than extremely modern properties, but I understand their style might not be everyone's cup of tea (plus the Fairmont rooms are super tiny, so I can see the distaste there alone). Luckily, the Royal York has stepped up their design game a notch and recently renovated some of their rooms (only the ones called "Luxury rooms" so far, double check when you book). Bright with a vibrant blue, and gorgeous photographs of Toronto past, the Royal York warms up their classic elegance with a modern twist. The location is great for those wanting to experience the downtown life of Toronto - it's within walking distance of most of the major tourist attractions, and right across from the train station. You can either arrive by train or plane, because the new Union-Pearson express drops you off right at Union Station, just steps away from the stunning lobby of the Fairmont Royal York.
Image courtesy of Fairmont.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto
181 Wellington Street West, Toronto, M5V 3G7
You'll want to save your pennies before booking at the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, but by golly, it is worth every single cent. Finished in 2011, it is a newer luxury hotel to hit the Toronto scene (there were no 5 star hotels in Toronto till the past 6 or 7 years). I'd recommend splurging on a corner suite, which features a powder room, sitting area, spacious bathroom (complete with TV in the mirror!) and large bedroom. It features stunning views of the city lights (or lake views if you upgrade even higher) and a complimentary shoeshine. Room service is a must here, and every service encounter you will have will make you feel like the King/Queen that you are. I highly recommend the Ritz for special occasions.
Image Courtesy of RitzCarlton.com
These are my favorites, but what are yours? Have you found an awesome boutique property or maybe an incredible Air BnB host? Fill me in! If you are heading to Toronto soon, check out my top 5 list of things to do in Toronto.