A beautiful hotel located right on the border between the section of Bloor Street defined by high fashion and that defined by the University of Toronto. It is within easy walking distance of both districts -- and only a block or two from the St. George station on Toronto's user-friendly subway system.
The staff simply couldn't be kinder or more helpful. This is especially true of the concierges, Carolina and Evan. They helped us with everything from local travel to restaurants and shopping, and their advice was unfailingly on target. Invest some time on the concierge web site -- both the one on the main hotel page and the more detailed one that comes with the email confirmation of your reservation a few days before arrival. These are terrific guides to the city.
The lobby of the hotel is modest, but the rooms are both large and very comfortable. They are also remarkably quiet: no noise either from outside or from your neighbors. We ate dinner one night in the outdoor cafe, which features tapas and a vast selection of drinks. It was both stylish and relaxed, and the food was remarkably good. Breakfast in the hotel's restaurant was included in our rate, and we heartily recommend it. Wonderful fresh orange juice and world-class coffee. The granola was the best I've ever had, and others praised their eggs and pastries. Here, again, the service was both attentive and friendly.
This is a great place to base yourself for anything except a heavy-duty mission in the financial district. The neighborhood is a delight, with a wonderful cluster of restaurants, shops, night spots, museums, and coffee houses.
Our party of four had absolutely no reservations. This is a terrific place, cheaper and less pretentious than the nearby Four Seasons and Hyatt, but every bit as good.











