Much has been written about Toronto’s condo craze. An accompanying trend has been the rise of luxury hotels in the city. Whether you love ’em or hate ’em, they are bound to bring fundamental change to the fabric of our beloved metropolis. Whether for better or for worse is still up to debate, as detractors find them to be alienating, and business interests argue it gives the city a much needed face lift. The Toronto Standard’s Nicole Siena has the details on the city’s newest five luxury hotels.
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Four Seasons Hotels and Resort is opening its second location this summer in Yorkville.
The 55 storey hotel hosts 259 guest rooms, 42 suites, plus an additional 210 residences. Prices for rooms are upwards of the $500.
Amenities include the Daniel Boulud restaurant, Cafe Boulud, and a 30,000 sq. ft. spa that is open to the residents. Guests here on business are able to take advantage of its 24-hour business services, secretarial service, as well as their cellphones, computers, and iPads. It also provides children’s amenities, including a babysitting service.
Shangri-La Toronto
Shangri-La, the under construction 66-storey tower located at the corner of University and Richmond, will be opening this August. This building will have 222 hotel rooms, 287 residences, and 83 private estates (including 2 penthouses).
The 873,000 sq ft development will come equipped with the following: valet service, top-of-the-line gym, multimedia screening room, and a gated parking stall provided for each home.
Private estates start at $1-mln while residences are upwards from $2-mln. Developers are hoping the hotel becomes “Toronto’s downtown living room.”
Trump International
Trump International opened this past January at 325 Bay.
The new 65-storey building has 261 luxury hotel accommodations and 118 condominium residences. Condo prices range $967,000- $2.3-mln. On-site amenities include fine and casual dining; a two-level, full service spa, and meeting rooms featuring state-of-the-art technology.
A unique feature of Trump: it offers hotel suite purchasing options to individuals and corporations, which allows for more flexible usage. When the suite is not in use by owners, they can be rented out.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Among the cities newest luxury hotels is the Ritz-Carlton, having been under operation since last year.
ILocated at 181 Wellington West, the building strives to maintain a distinctly Canadian feel. It hosts decor indigenous to Canada throughout the building, including 250 commissioned pieces of art work (particularly from Ontario artists). It has 261 hotel rooms and 159 residences. Average price per night is $496. Among their many amenities is a large 23,000 square foot spa and a wine bar that serves 250 varieties of cheese.
Thompson Hotel
The oldest of the luxury hotel phenomenon in Toronto is the Thompson Hotel. It’s just shy of its two year old mark (it opened June 2010) and is located at 550 Wellington West.
The hotel is home to 102 guest rooms and 336 residences. Average price per night is $275 (seasonal). Amenities include three restaurants and three bars. The rooftop bar and pool are open exclusively to hotel guests and members. The lobby bar and club located on the lower levels are open to the public between Friday and Monday.
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Nicole Siena is an intern for the Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at @nicolesiena
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