10 luxury hotels for the ultimate Toronto getaway

If a modern high-rise in a see-and-be-seen part of the city is your idea of bliss, then the Four Seasons Hotel might be your match. While the brand has had a presence in Toronto since the ’60s, the current iteration was custom-built and opened in 2012.

The look of the rooms is clean, bright and modern, with Scandinavian and floral touches. In premium rooms and suites, floor-to-ceiling windows show off the cityscape.

The massive day spa is a destination in its own right, with treatments that run the gamut from relaxation-focused to therapeutic to aesthetic. After a busy morning of shopping or touring the nearby Royal Ontario Museum, for instance, you might opt for the Rosedale Reflexology treatment (named after an adjacent neighbourhood) to relieve sore feet and legs.

Don’t forget to book a table at onsite restaurant Cafe Boulud, where a seasonal menu features classic French dishes, like pork cassoulet and salade niçoise.

The name “the Ritz” is colloquially synonymous with luxury, and Toronto’s Ritz Carlton is no exception thanks to its sought-after spa, highly rated dining options and thoughtful attention to detail. Just steps from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and some of the city’s top theatres, this hotel is the perfect home base for your visit.

The 263 rooms and suites have the refined, polished look you’d expect from the brand, with floor-to-ceiling windows (ask for a view of the CN Tower), plenty of marble in the bathrooms and a sophisticated neutral palette with pops of rich colour.

Hotel features include upscale restaurant Toca, featuring Italian fare peppered with local ingredients, like an Italian bread pudding topped with very Canadian maple syrup. At Ritz Bar, you can taste ultra-rare Black Ivory Coffee and signature liquid nitrogen cocktails like the Pisco Pasión, a blend of Peruvian pisco with lime, passionfruit and egg white.

You can’t get any closer to the action than Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square, which wins rave reviews for its tasteful urban style and friendly, professional staff. Not only is it perfectly located to attend Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Blue Jays games – as well as big-name concerts that take place in the same venues – but it’s right next to Union Station, the city’s transportation hub.

Based in Quebec, the Le Germain brand is known for its properties’ effortless chic aesthetic, and this location is no exception: think warm wood, lots of natural light and black-and-white art prints. For a touch of modern whimsy, book the Round Bed room – yes, the bed is round – or upgrade to the Apartment Suite to entertain up to 10 people.

With just 77 rooms and suites, the Hazelton Hotel Toronto offers an intimate experience to its guests. Right in the centre of bustling upscale Yorkville, it’s a stylish oasis of calm once you step through the doors – a peaceful escape on your visit to Canada’s largest city.

The property’s Spa by Valmont must be experienced, finishing renovations as of April 2020. A favourite among locals looking for a sanctuary from city life (and city winters), it boasts an indoor saltwater pool and steam room. If that weren’t enough, they also present a plethora of treatments like the Essence of Bees Facial, which uses ingredients sourced from hives and includes two cleansing treatments, three massages and four masks.

As for dining, at One Restaurant you’ll find not just delicious French and Italian cuisine by celebrity chef Mark McEwan and his team, but sophisticated decor and service. Private rooms are available for those hosting meetings or parties.

Toronto’s Shangri-La Hotel is as luxurious as you’d assume coming from the globally renowned brand. Conveniently located at the edge of the financial district, just steps from the home of Canada’s National Ballet and the Canadian Opera Company, it’s perfectly situated to explore the city.

Rooms are contemporary with an Asian touch; marble and dark wood add coziness while glass features and light, neutral walls bring brightness.

The massive health club makes it easy to stick to your fitness routine; swim laps in the 20-metre pool, join a group yoga class or simply indulge in the infrared sauna or steam room. Whichever you choose, follow it up with snacks on the outdoor terrace, complete with stellar city views.

Business travellers, take note: stay here at the corner of Bay and Adelaide streets and you’re likely to be walking distance to meetings (who needs to sit in traffic?). Formerly the Adelaide Hotel (and before that the Trump), the St. Regis Toronto aims to be a luxury home base for travellers in downtown Toronto.

Neutral, understated glamour is its design ethos and even the smallest guest rooms offer 550 square feet, complete with marble bathrooms and plenty of natural light. For a truly luxurious stay, book a suite: the 1,675-square-foot Caroline Astor Suite, for instance, boasts 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and a full living, dining and kitchen area where you can entertain guests.

Fun fact: the Fairmont Royal York, built in 1929, was once the tallest building not only in Toronto, but in the entire British Empire. At just 124 metres and 28 floors, it’s now far eclipsed by the towers surrounding it, but the statuesque feeling remains. And what’s more luxurious than the hotel Queen Elizabeth and her family choose when they’re in town?

Newly renovated Fairmont Gold rooms stand out for their high-end decor with Art Deco accents – and for their exclusive access to the Fairmont Gold Lounge and private check-in on the 18th floor. Thinking of going somewhere? Ask the concierge for a chauffeured lift in one of the hotel’s fleet of BMW sedans.

Forget classic understated elegance – the Bisha Hotel Toronto is all about contemporary over-the-top opulence: think black marble, gold and velvet, plus a profusion of art (including prints by Andy Warhol and blown-up Interview magazine covers) and an entire set of rooms designed by none other than Lenny Kravitz.

Situated right downtown, near the CN Tower and Rogers Centre, the Bisha has just 96 rooms, giving it a boutique feel. Dining options include rooftop restaurant and bar Kost, lobby lounge Mister C Bar Room and French Made, a Parisian-style café where you can enjoy your morning latte alongside a pain au chocolat or a vegan chia parfait.

The Ivy at Verity takes boutique luxury to a whole new level. With just four suites – each with its own outdoor terrace overlooking the courtyard garden – it caters to travellers who value quiet and privacy over the bustling amenities of a big-name hotel. (Though don’t worry, private doesn’t mean secluded – it’s still within walking distance of everything you’ll need.)

The European-style space is part of an exclusive women’s business club called Verity, renowned for its networking opportunities, fitness facilities and in-house florist. Female hotel guests have access to Verity facilities, while male guests can enjoy in-room spa services or have staff book them a treatment at another establishment nearby.

Rates include a continental breakfast made in-house daily (think fresh-squeezed orange juice and chocolate scones), delivered straight to your room. As for lunch and dinner, nearby options abound. However, five-star on-site George Restaurant is a great pick, too, with a menu that is both indulgent and respectful of dietary restrictions.

The Windsor Arms Hotel offers the old-fashioned, British-style experience you’d expect from its name. The luxe furnishings and decor in its 28 suites and shared spaces include quirky features like musical instruments, such as harps, pianos and acoustic guitars.

Located on a side street off Toronto’s “Mink Mile” – aka the chicest section of Bloor Street West – the hotel is within steps of Yorkville and some of the city’s best shopping, like upscale department store Holt Renfrew. Also in the neighbourhood: the Royal Ontario Museum and the University of Toronto.

On your stay, consider a visit to the on-site spa with its heated saltwater pool, full treatment menu and outdoor terrace. The full range of dining spots includes an acclaimed Sunday brunch buffet, featuring a massive sweets table, a seafood tower, made-to-order eggs and complimentary bottomless mimosas.