The Best Luxury Hotels in Toronto

Torontos skyline at sunset
Toronto's skyline at sunset | © lucky-photographer / Alamy Stock Photo
Tom Smith

Toronto is the undisputed capital of Canada’s media and retail industries. That might sound boring, but all that money fluttering around means the country’s largest city is home to a five-star hospitality scene. Whether you’re looking for a swanky suite at a flagship international chain or a glamorous boutique property, we’ve rounded up the best places to stay.

1. Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

Hotel

A hotel room with a white double bed
 Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Toronto / Expedia

Located in the well-heeled Yorkville neighborhood, enjoy many hours navigating some of the city’s most expensive shopping and restaurant options. This luxurious property offers elegant rooms with muted tones and stunning views, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. The expansive, fully-equipped fitness center features a yoga studio, as well as a pool and a spa. The hotel’s restaurant, Café Boulud, serves up some of the best French cuisine in the country.

2. The St Regis Toronto

Chain Hotel

A hotel room with two double beds and a desk
Courtesy of The St Regis Toronto / Hotels.com

The centrally-located St Regis Toronto is a quick stroll from some of the city’s most popular landmarks, such as the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium and Saks Fifth Avenue. Luxurious rooms come with all the amenities, including Nespresso machines, iHome sound systems, soaker tubs and walk-in showers. There’s a heated indoor saltwater pool with a deck area, with lovely city views. The modern fitness center offers private personal trainers and the full-service spa features a sauna and whirlpool.

3. The Fairmont Royal York

Boutique Hotel

A hotel room with a double bed and a desk
 Courtesy of Fairmont Royal York / Expedia

This elegant, historic hotel offers easy access to the city’s downtown attractions. When it opened in 1929, the hotel was considered the tallest building in the country. Despite now being dwarfed by surrounding skyscrapers, this landmark hotel still stands out with its castle-like appearance. Indulge in numerous treatments at the onsite spa and take a dip in the indoor lap pool. There’s also a large fitness room, whirlpool, children’s wading pool, sauna and steam rooms. The restaurant Reign highlights regional fare and has an interesting selection of cocktails.

5. Kimpton Saint George

Hotel, Luxury

A hotel room with a white double bed and a desk
Courtesy of Kimpton Saint George / Hotels.com

The Kimpton Saint George is another artistic addition to Toronto’s bohemian Annex neighborhood. You can’t miss the giant owl painted on the west-facing wall of this 14-story tower, a masterpiece by local street artist Jerry Rugg. The colorful streak runs into the lobby, with alpine murals by local painter Tisha Myles. Bespoke decor from Mason Studio provides a more homey feel than most luxury hotels, and the price is a bargain, too.

6. Le Germain Hotel Toronto

Hotel, Luxury

A hotel room with a white double bed
Courtesy of Le Germain Hotel Toronto / Hotels.com

Once a hat factory, this Mercer Street property became a Le Germain hotel in 2002, exuding a sense of calm from the double-height lobby to the rooftop putting green. The Zen vibe also pervades every one of the 123 rooms, with rich wooden fittings on the walls, textured carpets on the floor and a Bose stereo to complete the mood of low-key luxury in the heart of downtown.

7. The Omni King Edward Hotel

Hotel, Luxury

A red hotel room with a white double bed, black furniture and a dark brown desk
 Courtesy of The Omni King Edward Hotel / Expedia
Timeless elegance never dates, as Toronto’s first luxury hotel can attest. Built in 1903 on a whole block of King Street East in the middle of downtown, The Omni King Edward Hotel has hosted all kinds of VIP over the past century or so – everyone from The Beatles and Britney Spears to Mark Twain and Margaret Thatcher have stayed here. It’s not hard to see why. The 301 rooms feature regal decor and spa-like marble bathrooms. Treat yourself to afternoon tea – you can even choose the special cheese option, with a selection from around the world.

8. The Ritz-Carlton

Spa Hotel, Luxury

A white bed in a hotel room
 Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto / Expedia
This hulking glass-facade skyscraper pierces the Toronto skyline, soaring 688ft (210m) above Wellington Street West. Facing David Pecaut Square between the core of downtown and the lively Entertainment District, the Ritz-Carlton has 263 rooms and suites. If you’re looking to splurge, kick back with a treatment at the full-service Clarins spa or book the jaw-dropping Ritz-Carlton Suite, located on the 19th floor.

9. Bisha Hotel

Hotel, Luxury

A hotel room with a white bed and a corner sofa at Bisha Hotel Toronto
Courtesy of Bisha Hotel Toronto / Hotels.com

This glam boutique hotel is all about over-the-top opulence, with etched gold, crushed velvet and black marble everywhere you turn. Also, more than 3,000 pieces of art, including dozens of original Andy Warhol prints, adorn every spare wall. With 96 rooms a couple of blocks north of the Rogers Centre, Bisha has Iron Chef contestant Akira Back as a chef in its Asian fusion restaurant. There is also 44th-floor cafe KŌST, which serves nibbles and drinks and has its own infinity pool.

10. Shangri-La Hotel

Hotel, Luxury, Spa Hotel

A hotel room with two double beds and a Toronto city view
 Courtesy of Shangri-la hotel Toronto / Expedia

Toronto’s Shangri-La enjoys all the elegance of the Singapore original, with Asian accents sprinkled throughout its 202 rooms. Surrounded by the eateries and nightspots of the upscale Entertainment District – including Momofuku Noodle Bar next door – the Shangri-La shimmers with dark polished wood, Japanese ink prints and crystal chandeliers. Indulge in a luxury hammam spa treatment or finish the day with laps of the 20 metre indoor heated pool.

11. The Hazelton Hotel

Spa Hotel, Luxury

A hotel roof with a double bed, sofa, coffee table and mirror
 Courtesy of The Hazelton Hotel Toronto / Expedia

With gold framing in the lobby, green granite in the bathrooms and priceless masterpieces by artists Bruno Billio and Sorel Etrog in the common spaces, The Hazelton oozes old-school Hollywood cool. With 77 rooms, this Yorkville landmark sits on the doorstep of Toronto’s high-end shopping strip, the Mink Mile. But you might not be able to drag yourself away from the hotel, if you’re feasting at ONE Restaurant, the brainchild of acclaimed local chef Mark McEwan, or indulging in a facial with products from Swiss skincare line Valmont in The Hazelton’s intimate spa.

12. SoHo Metropolitan Hotel & Residences

Hotel, Luxury

A white double bed in a hotel room at SoHo Metropolitan Hotel
Courtesy of SoHo Metropolitan Hotel / Hotels.com

If you spot a celebrity or two at the SoHo Met, it might not be because they’re staying there. This luxury boutique hotel contains the sports bar Wahlburgers, owned by the Wahlberg brothers – chef Paul and actors Mark and Donnie. Besides the burgers, this lavish downtown property dishes up 89 relaxing rooms, offering custom-made maple woodwork, artisanal Molton Brown skincare products and a striking Dale Chihuly glass sculpture hovering over the entrance.

Sandra MacGregor contributed additional reporting to this article.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
close-ad
Edit article