The Best Hotels in Toronto, Canada

One of two Germain hotels in Toronto, the Mercer bears the signature design elements found in Germain family hotels across Canada. Every detail has been carefully curated by co-president Christiane Germain, from the gooseneck bedside reading lamps to the expansive wood-paneled lobby adorned with the work of local artists. Along with polished contemporary interiors, this hotel wins on location, being sandwiched between the Finance and Fashion Districts and next to the Second City comedy theatre.

Prepare to be star-struck at the glamorous Ritz-Carlton Toronto. Actors from stage and screen often make this their Toronto getaway, especially since the Toronto International Film Festival and Roy Thompson Hall are only steps away. The 263 rooms and suites will certainly help to make you feel like a star. Well-lit dual-vanities are perfect for touch-ups; Portuguese marble baths await after a night on the town, and Frette bed linen and cushy robes stick to the luxury theme. Ritz-Carlton Club Level members enjoy complimentary nibbles all day, along with exclusive Heart of House Tours and private shopping excursions to Saks Fifth Avenue and Harry Rosen. Refresh at Spa My Blend by Clarins, one of only two of the award-winning branded spas in the world.

Engage all the senses at Bisha. The crushed black-velvet lobby walls ache for your touch. Inhale the dusky scent of Bal d’Afrique, the hotel’s signature fragrance also found in the Byredo toiletries. Explore the view of the CN Tower from the 44th-floor rooftop restaurant KOST or splash into the outdoor infinity pool. A bevy of influencers have taken on design duties. Lenny Kravitz and Kravitz Design have commandeered an entire floor. The centerpiece is the Bisha Suite, which sprawls over two levels and can accommodate 10 guests. Flashes of acid green, tomato red, and French lavender burst in the art-filled rooms and suites. Don’t leave in the morning without activating your taste buds: KOST’s coconut pancakes are crushing it.

Trendy and friendly, Anndore House will get you into the vacation groove. There’s nothing quite like this 113-guestroom hotel where vintage rotary dial phones and iPhone compatible turntables rest within an arm’s reach of black leather tub chairs. The urban-meets-suburban vibe continues in the bathroom where gleaming subway-style tiles and funky brass fixtures make for an attractive mix. Close to dozens of restaurants (including Eataly), parks, galleries, and live music venues, Anndore is a sure hit with the hipster crowd.

Boasting the largest hotel rooms in Toronto, the SoHo takes advantage of the space to provide every room with a maple-lined 80sqft (7.5sqm) dressing area and a king-size bed. The amenities at this four-story property also go above and beyond the norm. Marble baths feature Molton Brown toiletries and motorized draperies, and bedside lights are remote controlled. The biggest surprise is the modern three-story penthouse suite with a private glass elevator, multiple fireplaces, a 1,215sqft (112sqm) terrace, and chef’s kitchen with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, perfect for chilling champagne.

Enjoy the best of both worlds, urban and natural, at the Westin Harbour Castle. The gleaming wedge-shaped tower sits on the shore with unobstructed views of Lake Ontario. Downtown is a 10-minute walk away while the lakeside offers a multitude of outdoor activities. Bike or jog through a nature reserve, rent a jet-ski, stand-up paddleboard, or go sailing on the lake. The hotel offers serenity and amenities that guests appreciate. Bring your best furry bestie as pooches stay free, with Westin’s signature selection of pet beds and treats to keep them happy.

Treat yourself to a stay at one of the four luxurious rooms at this former 1850’s chocolate factory. Each one is a delicious delight. The decor is European in flavor, with pretty prints and delicate French provincial furnishings. Step out onto the generous terrace that overlooks the private courtyard sheltered from downtown Toronto. The Verity is an exclusive women’s club which means the pool and excellent Sweetgrass Spa are for women only. Men can enjoy in-room spa services and the lounges, while dining at the five-star George restaurant is for everyone to dig into.

In addition to being one of the best hotels in Toronto, the Fairmont Royal York is one of the city’s top architectural landmarks. Standing 28 floors tall, this châteauesque masterpiece was the tallest building in the British Empire between 1929 and 1931, and it remains one of Canada’s grand railway hotels, staring across Front Street West at Union Station. The rooms and suites feature old-world marble bathrooms and maple finishes.

More than a century before a rapper by the same name became Toronto’s most famous citizen, the Drake was one of the city’s oldest hotels. In 2004, the building was reinvented as a cool boutique hotels, bulging with vintage furniture, glowing murals and live performances on the heated rooftop patio and in the underground music venue. The 19 personality-packed rooms are decked out in eclectic, kitschy-chic decor that perfectly suits the vintage clothes stores and quirky boutiques that neighbor the hotel on Queen Street West.

You won’t find a reception desk, a gym, room service or a flat-screen TV at this boutique hotel just off Bloor Street in the bohemian Annex neighborhood. What you will find, however, are in-room iPads with all the recommendations you need, artisanal Malin+Goetz skincare products in the bathroom, illustrations and prints from Toronto artists hanging on the walls and a trendy wine bar in the lobby. StudioAC in collaboration with the Gauley Brothers and Moss transformed this century-old building in 2018, adding 24 minimalist rooms bathed in natural light.

The Four Seasons brand was born in Toronto and still has its headquarters in the city, making this modern Yorkville development one of the chain’s flagship properties. The words ‘Four Seasons’ scream ‘five stars’,and the facilities don’t disappoint. Built in 2012 to replace the tired 1960s original, the Four Seasons has a striking dandelion sculpture soaring over the lobby – it begins a floral theme that streaks throughout the 259 stylish rooms. Toronto’s largest urban spa, a state-of-the-art gym and yoga studio, plus the French cuisine at celebrity chef Daniel Boulud’s restaurant are other highlights.

At first glance, the lobby of this 12-story skyscraper looks just like any other bank in Toronto’s financial district. However, once you spot the reception desk, you realize that the former home of the Dominion Bank has been converted into a glitzy condo hotel. Stroll past the columns and chandeliers downstairs to one of the 370 retro rooms and suites. One King West is one of the best value hotels in downtown.

Priding itself on being Toronto’s first luxury boutique hotel, the Hazelton certainly sets the bar high. The 77 rooms and suites have been designed with the affluent traveler in mind. The interiors are clean and contemporary with an injection of 1940s glitz inspired by Hollywood. Muted tones of grey and mint run throughout, along with swathes of velvet. The cherry on top is the ‘Bellair’ suite, complete with a dining room for 10 and a green granite-clad bathroom. Make a reservation to dine outdoors under a leafy green canopy at Mark McEwan’s fabulous restaurant One. Set in the heart of the Yorkville Fashion District, expect to be green with envy as the stylish set parades during Fashion Week.

This heritage-listed neo-Gothic hotel was built in 1927, and a total rebuild in 1999 compromised none of its Gatsby-era charm. From the sparkling chandeliers and lush velvet couches in the lobby to the salt cave and indulgent skin treatments in the full-service spa, the Windsor Arms oozes luxury. This boutique property only features 28 suites – each of them equipped with a musical instrument, such as a harp or a grand piano, as well as access to a personal butler.

From University Avenue, the Shangri-La’s glass facade blends in with the other skyscrapers that make up the Financial District. However, the moment you lay eyes on Zhang Huan’s dramatic steel sculpture on the way into the reception, you realize this is one of the most unique hotels in downtown. Opulent Asian design touches infuse every inch of the Shangri-La – from the Chinese calligraphy adorning the lobby to the 68 blends of tea served in antique teapots, plus lithographic works by Wang Xu Yuan in the 202 high-end rooms and suites.

No two stays at the Gladstone Hotel are the same – every one of the 37 rooms have been individually designed by a local artist. There’s Bob Blumer’s candy-inspired Surreal Gourmet, Sarah Keenlyside’s technicolor Aura Room, and Day Milman and Bruno Billio’s Gladstone Classic, which tells the story of this century-old property through sketches on the walls. Found on fashion-obsessed Queen Street West, of course, the Gladstone happens to be Toronto’s oldest continually operating hotel; however, the artsy streak has catapulted this grand old dame into the 21st century.

The tallest hotel in Toronto – a shimmering glass tower looming 525ft (160m) above the streets below – boasts dazzling views over Lake Ontario from its enviable location between the CN Tower and the Scotiabank Arena. Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto opened its doors in 2014, with 567 glam rooms all colorfully designed and furnished by local Canadian creatives. Take a dip in the heated outdoor pool under the lights of the city skyline, and enjoy a dram of premium whiskey at Char No5. Also, book a club room on levels 40 to 46 for access to the lofty lounge on the 46th floor.

Elvis Presley, Margaret Thatcher, Ernest Hemingway, Britney Spears, Justin Trudeau and the Beatles are just some of the powerful people who’ve spent the night at ‘the King Eddie’, which became Toronto’s first luxury hotel when it sprung up on an entire block of King Street East in 1903. The hotel’s 301 gilt-edged rooms beam with regal furnishings.

There are more than 40 St Regis hotels, resorts and residences across the globe. The only one in Canada sits in the heart of Toronto’s Financial District. Known as the Adelaide Hotel until it was rebranded under the St Regis banner in 2018, this post-modern skyscraper is the fourth-tallest structure in the city and its newest luxury hotel. The 258 spacious rooms feature expensive gold-hued touches and palatial dark marble bathrooms. There is also an infinity saltwater pool on the 31st floor, as well as the two-story Louix Louis restaurant-bar that gazes over the city.

Everything about Hotel X Toronto is over the top. There’s not one indoor tennis court – there are four. The cinema has 250 seats, with a 56-person screening room to boot. The hotel is also home to fine art photographer Neil Dankoff’s personal gallery and a gym encased by floor-to-ceiling glass. There is even a golf simulator if you feel like working on your short game. With over 400 rooms, this 30-level tower in the Exhibition Place complex gazes over Lake Ontario from a dizzying vantage point – grab a drink at the three-story Falcon SkyBar at the summit for the most spectacular vistas.