Toronto is an increasingly hip city, which is also reflected in its growing collection of trendy hotels. If you’re planning a trip from chic boutiques to designer abodes, here are my favorite spots in the city…
1. The Gladstone Hotel
The oldest hotel in Toronto and one of the biggest supporters of the city’s thriving art communities, this place is seriously creative! The highly-rated Gladstone Hotel is housed in a characterful 19th-century Victorian building on the streetcar line 1.1 km from Trinity Bellwoods Park.
What was once one of Toronto’s grand railway hotels, this unique building offers vaulted ceilings, two-story gallery space, a manual cage lift, and plenty of unusual art pieces.
The stylishly quirky bedrooms are themed and have an individual look and style, including a Biker room inspired by Seventies motorcycle culture and the forties-inspired Parlour of Twilight. Some have trendy exposed brick walls, and one even has a private rooftop deck.
Dine at the Cafe, which offers local favorites cooked up by a rotating program of local chefs, or enjoy a drink at the Melody Bar, a funky and raucous venue for live music, film screenings, and even karaoke.
My personal highlights…
- Dining on their incredible Rancheros Tostada brunch which came with smashed avocado, pico de gallo, chili lime crema and refried beans.
2. The Drake
This arty boutique was previously a derelict apartment block but has now been transformed into one of the hippest places to stay in the city.
The exceptionally rated Drake Hotel is a cultural hub for visitors and locals. It offers informal, quirky accommodation close to the Queen Street West shopping area and the bars of Ossington Avenue.
The bedrooms are full of bright retro-style furniture, lighting, contemporary art, Bose SoundLink Minis, and bathrooms cleverly curtained from the main sleeping area.
Guests can live the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle here and enjoy drinks at the uber-hip bar, listen to live music events, participate in one of their famous cooking competitions, sip cocktails on the rooftop, gaze at the collection of contemporary art and exhibitions, or bite into arguably some of the best burgers in Toronto, in the upscale restaurant while enjoying views across the city!
- To book, check prices or availability for The Drake
My favorite highlights…
- Watching the Canadian electroclash musician Peaches in their cool industrial-chic onsite basement music venue Drake Underground – I loved that it attracted so many other people from all over the country not just hotel guests!
3. Shangri-La
Asian-inspired elegance and total luxury are all on offer in the upscale streets of the Entertainment District. This chic Toronto institution is a magnet for the wealthy and exciting and offers much more than just bedrooms and a bar.
A gigantic ballroom, a modern spa, a trendy cocktail bar, a garden terrace, and a 42-seat screening room have all been designed to meet the requirements of the hotel’s eclectic clientele. The 24-hour fitness center, adjacent yoga studio, pool with cascading private cabanas, and an infrared sauna are available for every guest to enjoy.
Asian-inspired bedrooms boast iPads and oversized bathrooms with jet tubs, while the Boss restaurant offers uniquely Canadian cuisine and over sixty-eight different kinds of tea. Just fabulous, darling!
My highlights…
- Going for a vegan, cruelty-free plant-based facial in their Middle Eastern spa which even included an exotic looking Hammen – I opted for the Sodashi Scalp Mud one which which was super moisturizing!
4. 1 Hotel
If you like the idea of a sustainable luxury hotel inspired by the surrounding natural world, 1 Hotel Toronto is the right choice for you. Warm earth colors reflect the changing seasons around Lake Ontario, and floor-to-ceiling windows let in the natural light, creating a comfortable retreat amid the bustle of the great city.
Natural and manmade materials such as driftwood, reclaimed barn wood, limestone, and native plants create a feeling of home in the deepest sense of the word.
The rooms have windows looking out on the city, furnishings in soft natural colors, wood accents, potted plants, comfy duvets and Nespresso machines with stoneware cups to drink out of.
Wellness amenities include a pool, yoga, and the gym at The Field House. Outside, you can explore Canada’s hippest neighborhood, King West Village, and beyond Niagara Falls. If you’d rather stay in, five restaurants are on-site, and fresh fruit is available at the Lobby Farmstand.
- To book, check prices or availability for 1 Hotel
My highlights…
- I loved its eco-friendly policies and I especially liked my guest room Honeywell Inncom Thermostats that adjusted the airflow automatically!
5. Ace Hotel
This new hotel in Toronto’s Garment District overlooking St. Andrew’s Market Park was designed by leading Canadian architects Shim-Sutcliffe. Materials like red Toronto brick, Douglas fir and steel are used in exteriors and interiors, blending traditional and futuristic design to reflect the past and spirit of the neighborhood and the city.
The location is near Queen West, Chinatown, the Downtown business core, music venues, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Bentway.
The rooms with furnishings in soft earth tones, warm wood detailing, and copper accents come with minibars, large windows, and comfortable window seats to enjoy the view. Stop by The Lobby bar for a drink accompanied by small plates, or enjoy a delicious meal at Alder.
- To book, check prices or availability for Ace Hotel
My personal highlights…
- I especially loved the acoustic guitar and awesome vintage record player complete with vinyl records in my room – I couldn’t stop playing my favorite indie band Stars album “Set Yourself on Fire.”
6. Hotel Ocho
This small but perfectly formed, hip boutique housed in a 1902 building offers beautiful views across downtown Toronto (and just a 9-minute walk from the Art Gallery of Toronto).
With just 12 well-appointed bedrooms, guests can enjoy sleek, unique, modern bedrooms with minimalist industrial-chic decor, marble and granite accents, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, and open-concept bathrooms with free-standing bathtubs.
The hip on-site restaurant provides exceptionally well-executed modern European cuisine, while the Bar and Lounge area offers light bites and a fine selection of beers, wines, and whiskeys. There’s also a trendy espresso bar and regular art exhibitions. The addition of relaxed and helpful staff gives it a family feel, set deep in the city’s heart.
My highlights…
- I loved that I was located near the bohemian area Kensington Market – I spent a lot of time in the super-cute Moonbean cafe drinking their divine Salted Caramel Rooibos Matchas!
7. Le Germain Hotel
This cosy, super-sleek boutique is built in an old hat factory and has plenty of exciting amenities. It’s based in a central location within walking distance of the Rogers Centre and the CN Tower. More of a hideaway than a hotel, the cozy, comfortable ambience of Le Germain is perfect for those looking to escape the bustling city streets.
The recently renovated bedrooms offer rich wood and grey concrete ceilings, while the molded Victorian bathroom sinks exude sophistication. Visitors can also use the in-room baby Bose stereo, espresso machine, and minibar.
The Victor Restaurant feels like a high-class American lounge if you are hungry, while the French-style Café Victor serves espressos and tea cakes. Other stand-out features include a seasonal rooftop putting green and a library offering a complimentary cappuccino bar.
My personal highlights…
- Starting the day with smashed avocado toast, grilled sourdough and cold-pressed cactus in their rooftop terrace restaurant surrounded by hanging baskets filled with flowers and awesome city views!
8. W Hotel
This trendy abode is right in the heart of downtown Toronto, close to all the shopping, dining, arts, music and culture of this buzzy city. The funky design by creative agency SidLee uses bright jewel tones and velvet 70s-style furniture to create inviting spaces.
The guest rooms at the W Toronto look out over the greenery-filled inner courtyard and have luxury fittings like padded headboards, luxe fabrics and seating, and artwork with quotes by the city’s famous hometown writer, Charles de Lint.
Guests can use the fitness room any time of the day or night and recharge at the Public School coffee house or the rooftop bar Skylight with indoor-outdoor seating and a live DJ. The menu at The Living Room is built around Toronto Tapas, celebrating the diverse city neighborhoods.
- To book, check prices or availability for W Hotel
My personal highlights…
- Their incredible gin-based Violet Sky cocktail which came smoking for an added visual effect!
9. Kimpton Saint George Hotel
Set in the bohemian downtown Bloor-Yorkville neighborhood, Kimpton Saint George Hotel gets in the spirit with furniture and lighting designed and made by local artisans, Toronto-inspired artwork, and a design of interior wooden arches that echo local architecture.
The rooms and suites, designed to resemble apartment homes rather than impersonal hotel suites, offer the hallmark Klimpton luxury.
There’s a morning tea and coffee service and a fitness center. A range of restaurants and bars are within walking distance, or you can eat at the hip gastropub The Fortunate Fox.
My personal highlights…
- I loved having the upscale Yorkville district on my doorstep, I especially loved trying the superb hand-crafted botanical cocktails at the chic Parc Avenue Bar – the Don’t Waste my Thyme which came with thyme infused gin, lavender & rosemary honey syrup was a huge highlight!
10. The Broadview Hotel
The historic landmark 1891 building in Toronto’s east end has had a chequered past but was renovated and restored to create a 55-room boutique hotel that also serves as a gathering place for the neighborhood.
The highly Instagrammable hangout’s interiors merge gracious touches of the past, like chandeliers and red velvet drapes, with clean, contemporary lines and spaces full of light.
The rooms provide a pleasant retreat with stylish decor, wood floors, floral panels, vinyl records, and minibars with local gourmet foods.
Many have private terraces. Onsite bars and restaurants like the Rooftop bar, The Civic with its old-world glamor, and the Bistro+Bar are popular destinations in their own right.
My personal highlights…
- I loved that my room minibars was stocked with locally produced treats which included Pilot Coffee, Ontario wines, SOMA chocolates, Bellwoods Brewery craft beers and Maple Syrup Popcorn!
11. The Anndore House
This stylish hotel is just steps from Yonge Street, Toronto’s most famous thoroughfare. It is a great base from which to explore the city’s rich, cosmopolitan culture, which includes designer boutiques, museums, international cuisine, music, and nightlife. The decor combines classic and playful, with industrial chic touches.
Rooms are likewise a mixture of comfort and fun with comfortable beds, plush and soft leather seating, and views of Yonge Street and the city. Quirky accents like iPod-compatible record players and old-fashioned rotary Bakelite telephones add a playful retro flavor. There was also bluetooth-compatible vinyl record players, and Skoah bath products.
Onsite, you’ll find a well-equipped fitness center, the Crow’s Nest breakfast cafe, and Mediterranean-inspired cooking at Constantine Restaurant and Lounge.
My highlights…
- I loved the arty details including the super-cute owl pillow adorning my four-poster bed and the black and white signed photo of Toronto-based rock star Neil Young!
12. The Ivy at Verity
Toronto’s smallest boutique hotel offers just four beautifully designed bedrooms and is attached to Verity, the city’s premier women’s club.
Housed in a converted 1850s chocolate factory in the Queen Street East District, it features first-class spa facilities, some of which are available for females only; the 4-star exceptionally rated Ivy at Verity is an exclusive place to stay.
As well as an excellent downtown location (a 9-minute walk from Old City Hall), the interiors are bold and eclectic, with plenty of interesting antiques. At the same time, the distinctive bedrooms are bright, elegant, and spacious, offering mod cons, in-room spa services, and French doors that open onto little balconies overlooking a tranquil 19th-century courtyard.
Guests can also enjoy dinner at the George Restaurant, which has been serving first-class cuisine since 2004, or afternoon tea in the colorful lounge.
My favourite highlights…
- Going for a unique “Buccal Massage” which pleasantly sculptured my face at their chic onsite Sweetgrass Spa!
13. Bisha Hotel
This is an unabashedly original, five-story hotel designed to impress. Rock god Lenny Kravitz himself has designed one whole floor!
Located at the heart of the Entertainment District (a minute’s walk from the King St West at Blue Jays Way LRT station), this very cool Toronto hotel packs a punch with plenty of black marble, crushed velvet, and bold Warhol prints throughout.
The bedrooms are full of over-the-top touches like antique armoires paired with bar carts and patent-leather sofas, as well as a pretty cool-looking collection of artwork on every wall. Bush’s restaurant is home to the highly regarded chef Akira Back.
It serves unusual Asian fusion, while the KOST swish rooftop terrace serves Mexican breakfasts on porcelain tabletops on the 44th floor.
There’s an infinity pool and fabulous city views, and the bar is dark and atmospheric and perfect for working through the lengthy whiskey list. Toronto’s newest cultural hub and hotspot!
My personal highlights…
- I loved the floor which had been designed by Lenny Kravitz – I thought it was a real vibe with its funky geometric carpets, black and white photos of rock stars, red velvet sofas and framed music posters!
14. SoHo Metropolitan Hotel
Located in downtown Toronto (1.3 km from the Harbourfront Centre) The “SoHo Met, ” affectionately known locally, is a stylish boutique hotel with a difference.
Luxurious and indulgent yet somehow subdued and understated, the 4-star hotel offers sleek sleeping quarters with cozy furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows, European plush duvets, and Italian bed linen, as well as marble-clad bathrooms with deep soaker tubs.
Alternatively, treat yourself to their 3-story penthouse suite with a private glass elevator and a roof terrace.
Located close to the CN Tower and within easy reach of the entertainment district, it makes a great base from which to explore the city.
It comes complete with its hip cocktail bar, swimming pool, steam room, fitness center, and complimentary luxury sedan that provides a morning shuttle service to Downtown locales.
My favorite highlights…
- I loved that they had an onsite store where I could buy everything from the Frette hooded bathroom in my room to the Orange + Bergamot Reed room fragrance!
15. The Hazelton Hotel
The 5-star retreat offers luxury by the bucketload, first-class service, and, in my opinion, a high-end feel. Located in the tree-lined, up-market district of Yorkville, it’s just a two-minute walk from Toronto’s designer shopping strip, the Mink Mile.
The plush bedrooms are spacious and uncluttered and offer first-class touches like high-thread-count bedding, granite bathrooms, and a bathtub big enough for two. Upgrades are available off super lush balconies.
The on-site restaurant, One Canada, is led by one of Canada’s leading chefs and is a destination on its merit. There’s also a superb art collection and a zen-like health club, fine wines complement a spa, and the breakfasts are pretty darn good, too!
My favorite highlights…
- Starting the day with a super-healthy Isobolic Protein Shake and then dining on plant-based mushroom bolognese and eggplant schnitzels in the evenings in their chic onsite One Restaurant!
