Top Hotels & Best Suites of Toronto
We move from Quebec last week to Toronto, a great city to visit any time of year. In addition to the iconic CN Tower in the center it is a city of neighborhoods. There are also great museums like the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Canada’s business city has some amazing suites, the feature of this week’s issue.
1. Four Seasons Toronto
Forbes Travel Guide writes, “Occupying a gleaming blue glass tower in the elegant Yorkville neighborhood, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto boasts a chic, contemporary residential design style. All rooms have been recently renovated and celebrate the surrounding Canadian landscape, while furniture and patterns evoke the energizing colors and textures found in nature. The bespoke private bar, aptly named MyBar, has been thoughtfully curated to include a selection of local products that showcase Canada’s culinary side, like wines from the Niagara region. You can’t find a better-situated hotel. It’s steps from fine shopping, dining and cultural activities — not that you’d even have to leave the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel to enjoy a taste of fine living. With a Daniel Boulud-helmed restaurant, Café Boulud Toronto, and a fashionable lounge, d|bar, you’ll eat exceptionally well. A Five-Star spa offers some of the city’s best treatments with new Wellness and Bio Bar. The hotel’s gym is flush with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities such as fruit-infused water. Aside from the amenities, this hotel holds another special significance — Toronto was where the Four Seasons brand was founded.”
Royal Suite
The 2,638-sq.ft. suite has downtown views and can be extended with a connecting bedroom.
More suites at Four Seasons Toronto.
2. The St. Regis Toronto
Conde Nast Traveler writes, “Located close to the Air Canada Centre, the Rogers Centre, and upscale shopping, this hotel has served as one of Toronto’s top luxury picks for years—first as a Trump property, then as The Adelaide, and now as Canada’s first St. Regis. What hasn’t changed over the years is the overall atmosphere: muted sophistication, luxe décor, extra-large rooms, and spectacular views. The rooms range from 550-square-foot standard rooms to multi-room suites. High ceilings and oversized windows framing city views add to the airy feel, and custom furniture, wet bars, Nespresso machines, and Apple product–integrated sound systems help further a residential vibe. Beds are topped with heavenly linens; the stone-lined bathroom features a separate rainfall shower and deep-soaking tub. There’s a pillow menu because—well, why not? For its spacious rooms and wealth of St. Regis perks, it’s worth the splurge.”
John Jacob Astor Suite
The 2,038-sq.ft. suite features two bedrooms and a full kitchen for entertaining.
More suites at The St. Regis Toronto.
3. The Fairmont Royal York
Conde Nast Traveler says, “The Royal York has been open since 1929 and has undergone several sweeping renovations to ensure it keeps up with the times. Built on the site of an even older hotel (from the 1850s), the landmark occupies a full block in the Financial District and is located across the street from Union Station and close to attractions like Rogers Stadium. Past a majestic Art Deco façade that stretches up to a central tower, the vast, bustling lobby still has its historic feel intact. But this is a hotel about the future, too: the premises are a certified Zero Carbon Building by the Canada Green Building Council. Try to book one of the Luxury or Signature rooms, which were just revamped with upgraded bedding, extra seating, and fresh décor. All rooms have amenities like HDTVs, coffee and tea makers, windows that open, and automated mini-bars (so be careful about moving things around).”
Royal York Suite
The 2,400-sq.ft. suite is located on the 16th floor and offers two bedrooms, separate dining, and living areas, and a private study.
More suites at The Fairmont Royal York.
4. 1 Hotel Toronto
The Telegraph reports, “This is a design-led hotel that takes its environmental commitment seriously. Stylish wooden panelling complements a jungle’s worth of greenery. In the lobby, a laidback check-in area gives way to a plant-filled reception, where monsteras, ferns and vines bloom in an eye-popping biophilic display. Industrial touches,such as exposed steel and brushed concrete, are softened by warm lighting. Large picture windows give the illusion of sitting out on the street, meaning there is a sense of being on a terrace without having to brave the Toronto weather.”
Birch House
The 2,000-sq.-ft. “urban retreat” features a separate living room, dining area, and full kitchen.
More suites at 1 Hotel Toronto.
5. The Hazelton Hotel
Forbes Travel Guide says, “Located in the heart of Toronto’s glamorous Yorkville neighborhood, The Hazelton Hotel is one of the finest boutique hotels in the city. Inspired by the grandeur of vintage Hollywood, the hotel’s lobby — with its stylish Gatsby-like gilded gold framing and ambient lighting — welcomes visitors looking for an elegant experience while visiting the city or locals looking for a sophisticated retreat within the city. The bespoke services start when you pull into the porte cochère, where you are greeted and welcomed promptly. Attentive, professional yet friendly staff members who take great care attending to details — from the valet to the expert Clefs d’Or concierge — is why The Hazelton is known especially for its exclusivity and discretion, a large part of what attracts leisure visitors, business travelers and celebrities.”
Bellair Suite
Located on the 4th floor, the suite spans 1,860-sq.ft. with two lounge areas, a media centre, a wireless touch screen remote media controller, and a separate dining area that seats up to 10 guests.
More suites at The Hazelton Hotel.
6. Park Hyatt Toronto
Forbes Travel Guide says, “For decades, Park Hyatt Toronto has been an icon in the city, a standard for discreet luxury and sophistication. In September 2021, the hotel reopened its doors after a highly anticipated redesign and restoration to create an even more elevated standard that focuses on the country’s (and the Park Hyatt’s) artistic heritage. Partnering with world-renowned designer Alessandro Munge of Toronto-based Studio Munge, the hotel now boasts 219 luxurious rooms, including 40 suites, with a contemporary aesthetic that offers you a refreshingly personalized experience. The newly designed entrance and lobby are Canadian inspired with textures and tones that evoke the natural landscape à la Group of Seven (a famous 1920 school of Canadian painters who depicted the country’s rugged wilderness), accented by featured artwork and tapestries from local Canadian and indigenous artists, creating an intimate guest arrival experience akin to luxury boutique hotels. The newly opened Joni restaurant crafts relaxed yet elevated fare, weekend brunch and afternoon tea; while the hotel’s rooftop bar, Writers Room, is certain to remain one of the city’s best hidden gems with a view like no other.”
Presidential Suite
The hotel’s largest space with this 1,825-sq.ft. features one king bed, a dining table for eight, a private butler’s pantry with separate entry, and sweeping views over Yorkville.
More suites at Park Hyatt Toronto.
7. The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto
Conde Nast Traveler writes, “The Ritz-Carlton’s distinctive, multi-level glass façade is easy to spot amid the art centers, sports arenas, stores, and restaurants of the surrounding Entertainment and Financial districts. A strikingly contemporary exterior hints at what’s inside: a modern twist on the luxury hotel brand’s classic style, with sleek décor accented by more than 400 pieces of Canadian art. Standout views of the Toronto islands add to the sanctuary-like vibe. Edged by floor-to-ceiling windows framing Instagrammable views of the skyline and Lake Ontario, The Ritz-Carlton’s 263 rooms—some of the largest in town—have a gold palette accented by bright throw pillows and armchairs. Beds are topped with 400-thread-count Frette linens, and the spacious bathrooms feature Portuguese marble, separate tubs and rain showers, mirror-embedded TVs, and double vanities. Simply put, The Ritz-Carlton’s beautiful rooms, sweeping views, top-notch food and drink, ample wellness amenities, and personalized service can’t be beat.”
The Ritz-Carlton Suite
The 2,415-sq.ft. suite has a separate living/sitting area, dining room, and kitchenette.
More suites at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto.
8. Shangri-la Hotel, Toronto
Forbes Travel Guide writes, “Shangri-La Toronto stands out for its blend of modern luxury with traditional Chinese décor. Throughout the space, the aesthetic relies on natural elements, with plenty of wood and natural stone accents (the 40-ton metal tree statue just outside the hotel symbolizes the integration of nature and city life). The light-filled lobby bar is a great spot for listening to live music offered throughout the day while sipping a craft cocktail, while the hotel’s signature restaurant, Bosk, serves a menu filled with Asian dishes that draw from a variety of cuisines from the region. Rooms at this skyscraper hotel are elegant, mildly contemporary and decidedly streamlined, with marble-clad bathrooms and up-to-the-minute technology.”
Shangri-la Suite
The 17th floor suite spans 2,202-sq.ft. feature Asian design with lacquered Oriental accents, Japanese lattice screens, rich oak-wood paneling and bespoke artwork by Wang Xuyuan. A spacious living room and separate dining area enables entertaining, while a moon gate opens to the master bedroom and a second bedroom.
More suites at Shangri-la Hotel, Toronto.
9. Ace Hotel Toronto
Conde Nast Traveler says, “This 123-room hotel—the Ace chain’s first in the Great White North—sits at the crossroads of three of Toronto’s most happening neighborhoods: Queen Street West and Chinatown to the north and northwest, the nightspot-heavy King West strip to the south. Anything that a discerning visitor could want—scene-y wine bars, cutting-edge art galleries, world-caliber dim sum—is only a few minutes away by foot. For a building with such a relatively small footprint, Ace Hotel Toronto packs much into its variously sized rooms and suites, all of which meld the brand’s minimalist aesthetic with distinctly Canadian touches. Almost every floor of the hotel is peppered with works by Canadian talents both emerging and well-known, including such names as Dennis Lin, Nadia Gohar, Guillermo Trejo, and Claudia Gutierrez. Be sure to seek out as many as possible over the course of a stay.”
Ace Suite Suite
Then 716-sq.ft. Ace Suite packs practical living space with a living and dining area, and separate bedroom.
More suites at Ace Hotel Toronto.
10. Bisha Hotel & Residences
Conde Nast Traveler says, “After an ownership change and joining Marriott’s Luxury Collection, the Bisha’s contemporary take on luxury is alive and well. This Toronto hotel doesn’t shy away from pushing a few boundaries; case in point, the fleet of suites envisioned by rocker (and designer) Lenny Kravitz. But before you get up to those hideaways, there’s a warren of bold, decadent, and highly Instagram-worthy public spaces to enjoy, from the sexy lobby—all black marble and draped velvet—to the areas adorned with pieces from the hotel’s 3,000-piece collection, which includes a fair number of Warhol prints. The Bisha’s 96 well-sized rooms and suites are all ultra-hip, thanks to Deco armoires, patent leather couches, geometric carpets, vibrant artwork and photography, and playful bar carts that stand in for traditional mini-bars. The Bisha is a solid pick for foodies, creative types, and travelers who like their luxury with a hint of personality.”
Bisha Suite
The 2,000-sq.ft. suite is laid out over two floors. The ground floor living area features a fully-kitted kitchen and a dining table for eight. The bedroom is upstair where mirrored sliding doors reveal the bathroom. With a large shower, tub and separate vanities, it’s finished with golden spider marble floors. There’s a spacious outdoor terrace as well.
More suites at Bisha Hotel & Residences.
