Where to Stay Next Time You’re in Toronto

As much as we here at Vancouver magazine like to pretend that Toronto doesn’t exist—sort of a civic sibling rivalry, if you will—the hard truth is that sometimes…Vancouverites actually go there. For work. For fun. For family. For stalking Simu Liu (Wait, what?)

So in the name of servicing our fellow West Coasters, as is our sworn journalistic duty, we’ve swallowed our pride and opened our hearts to Canada’s biggest city. What we found was a robust selection of chic boutique hotels that might just convince us that Toronto, actually, might be as cool as it thinks it is. Damn.

5 Chic Hotels That Will Make You Want to Give Up Your Petty City Rivalry And Book a Vacation in T-Dot Now

Hotel X

111 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto

Between the rooftop pool and the daily wine-and-cheese happy hour, you might not spend any time in your room. But when you do settle in for a night, it’s a dream: sweeping views of Lake Ontario, cushy linens and killer ammentities in the bathroom (we’re suckers for a hotel that provides you a toothbrush—it’s the little things, y’know?), including L’Occitane soaps and lotions.

Hotel X is just a few years old, and still has that shiny-new feel, especially when you explore the facilities: the indoor tennis courts are pristine, and the 6,500-square-foot TenXTO fitness facility features state-of-the-art Artis machinery worth hauling yourself out of your cozy bed to try out. After your workout, the three-level jewel box that is the SkyBar is the ideal place to reward yourself.

Yes, it’s a little far from the beaten path—it’s tucked behind the Ex, and therefore fairly close to the waterfront, too—but courtesy shuttles help ease the pain, and the nights are quiet as a result. Rates from $391 per night.

Since You’re In the Neighbourhood…: Stackt Market is a 15-minute walk away, and features a cluster of shipping containers that have been converted into pop-up shops (find handmade ceramic planters, made-in-TO fashion brands and quirky glasses frames made from recycled plastic) next to Belgian Moon Brewery. When food vendors are added to the mix this summer, expect this spot to be hoppin’.

Kimpton Saint George

280 Bloor St W, Toronto

The Mason Studio-designed lobby at the very pretty Kimpton Saint George feels more like a living room than a hotel waiting room, with mid-century-modern-inspired furnishings and a cozy marble-and-micro-beadboard fireplace setting the stage for your stay. Upstairs, the rooms are decked out in moody blues, greens and grays, and filled with works from Canadian artists. Each suite is rife with thoughtful surprises, from the practical (TVs feature Chromecast to stream your Netflix binge, yoga mats and beautiful soaps from Atelier Bloem) to the whimsical (a white wooden squirrel is hidden in the wardrobe).

The attached Fortunate Fox serves up a solid brunch as you make a game plan for the day (the croque madame is a calorie bomb, sure, but consider it fuel for waiting in line for the Kusama infinity mirror at AGO when it opens in April). Bicycles are available if you prefer exploring on two wheels. Rates from $217 per night.

Since You’re in the Neighbourhood…: Vancouver isn’t the only Canadian city obsessed with plant-based eating, and here in Toronto, they’re seriously elevating the game with restaurants like Planta. A few blocks from Kimpton Saint George, find high-end vegan fare in an Instagram-cool setting: think Morrocan tile and truffle “parmesan” cauliflower tots.

St. Regis

325 Bay Street, Toronto

With its splashy, gold-ceilinged lobby, it’s not too hard to see that this luxury hotel was once a Trump Tower, but never mind its questionable past: the glam St. Regis is here to pave a bright future. The 65-storey building is Canada’s first St. Regis Luxury Hotel, and does it up right with splurge-worthy details in each suite, like Frette linens and in-mirror bathroom televisions. Every surface here competes to be more sumptuous than the last. We hope you like velvet.

Want to level up the VIP vibe? The spa on the 31st floor offers body scrubs and wraps so you can get your glow on while looking down on the world below. Rates from $626 per night.

Since You’re in the Neighbourhood…: If you’re ever going to catch a Raptors game, now should be the time, and with the stadium just steps away, you’ll easily avoid the Uber surge fees with a short walk back to your suite. And since St. Regis is the largest luxury hotel in the city, we’ll bet you could catch an MVP or two in the elevator (or lingering around the bar) post game. Stay alert.

Canopy by Hilton

387 Bloor Street East, Toronto

Canopy is the boutique little sister of the Hilton brand, and the Toronto location is just over a year old. Things still feel fresh here, thanks to a colourful lobby mural and slick, Scandinavian-inspired room designs (think white-oak, crisp white walls and sophisticated grey duvets).

An indoor pool offers a welcome getaway from either the summer heat or the grey-winter blahs, and the Virtu Cafe (the all-day cafe that leads right onto the street) features a fine array of baked goods and strong espresso. If you’re travelling with a pet, they’re welcome, too, so Fido can enjoy all the charms of downtown T.O. with you. Rates from $287.

Since You’re in the Neighbourhood…: Hitch a ride on Othership, an experiential spa about a 15-minute walk away that takes the sauna-and-cold-plunge trend to the next level. The Scandi-chic group sauna is huge and surprisingly social, lit with neon and pumping with vibey EDM music. Here, Toronto’s hottest hotties chat it up as staff throw essential oil-infused snowballs into the heated rocks to intensify the steam; the cold plunge tubs in the next room are attended by guides wearing robes and holding sound bowls. It’s all the peak of bougie-wellness, but we mean that as a compliment. You’ll exit onto the streets of Yorkville, feeling like a relaxed, rejuvenated baby.

Westin Harbour Castle

1 Harbour Square, Toronto

Show me a person who doesn’t want to stay in a castle, and I’ll show you… someone we don’t want to travel with. The grande dame Westin Castle hotel will complete a $50 million renovation in 2025: the perfect way to celebrate the building’s 50th anniversary. Four-hundred-and-fifty of the hotel’s rooms will be transformed with a colour palette drawn from the hues of Lake Ontario and fresh, modern wood panelling, but the real change happening here goes beyond fancy finishes, with sustainability-forward details like a cutting-edge water filtration system that cuts down on plastic water bottle waste.

The beds are so plush that Westin brands then as “Heavenly,” complete with a registered trademark (!), so it’s very possible you’ll find yourself sleeping too deeply to even take in the slick remodel or crisp tap water. Also, it’s right in the thick of downtown, so chances are you’re not going to actually be spending too much time in the room anyways. Rates from $469. 

Since You’re in the Neighbourhood… Hop on a Bike Share Toronto bike and get thee to the Distillery District. The Spirit of York Distillery awaits with a very spirited menu of drinking options—ditto the Izumi sake brewery and Old Flame Brewing Co.—but even if you’re not imbibing, the District offers plenty to keep you busy: boutiques packed with local duds (grab an ‘Everybody Hates Torono’ sweatshirt at Peace Collective) and artisanal treats (sweets at Soma Chocolate Makers; ice cream at Scooped) abound.