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The 18 Essential Toronto Hotels, March '14

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Welcome to the second edition of Curbed's guide to Toronto's need-to-know hotels. Its intention? Provide the ultimate answer to the question that burns in the breast of every visitor: "Where should I stay in downtown Toronto?" We've combined reader and expert recommendations to compile the following list of the city's most essential hotels right now. From the trendy Shangri-La on University Avenue to The Thompson on Bathurst Street with its rooftop pool to a night at the Ritz-Carlton. We've had to boot a couple notable hotels off the original list including the classic Fairmont Royal York only because construction at Union Station and inside the hotel itself puts a damper on its normally amazing overnight accommodations. We've noted your suggested from last time (Sorry Curbed reader, the Holiday Inn Express still didn't make our list) and added some Toronto fave's like the Gladstone Hotel for its 37 artist-designed rooms and Hotel Ocho, the uber-modern boutique accommodations at the edge of Chinatown. We only have 18 spots so each pick is pretty pricey. As always, we love to hear your suggestions, praise and/or complaints. If you have a favourite stay that wasn't included, just tell us in the comments or send it to toronto@curbed.com.


· Hotels Week 2014 [Curbed Toronto]
· Toronto's Most Expensive Hotel Rooms [Curbed Toronto]
· Staying in the City for Under $100 per Night [Curbed Toronto]
· The Best and Worst of Airbnb [Curbed Toronto]

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Four Seasons Hotel

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The Four Seasons chain was founded by Isadore "Issy" Sharp in Toronto. Four Seasons is now known as one of the premier luxury hotel brands in the world with chef Daniel Boulud's flagship restaurant, Café Boulud. Like the hotel decor? Parts of the hotel were decorated by Issy's wife, Rosalie.

The Hazelton Hotel

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This five-star Yorkville boutique hotel features just 62 rooms and 15 suites with personalized service. Opened in 2008, the Hazelton kicked off Toronto's luxury hotel boom with a blast. The presidential suite with three bedrooms, four bathrooms, is 4,200 square feet with its own private elevator, wine cellar, and eight flat panel HDTVs.

Park Hyatt Hotel

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Featuring one of Toronto's best rooftop bars, the Park Hyatt is also known for its luxurious Stillwater Spa and its walkable to the shops and restaurants on Bloor Street.

Windsor Arms Hotel

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The Windsor Arms Hotel was known as Toronto's celebrity hot spot for almost three decades. The hotel continues to provide discreet luxury for those looking to stay out of the spotlight. Many of Toronto's most prominent chefs like Jamie Kennedy and Keith Froggett of Scaramouche, started their careers in the hotel's restaurant.

Gladstone Hotel

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The Gladstone is one of Toronto's most popular boutique and art accommodations. With 37 art-designed rooms, you can stay overnight in the sexy Red Room, the Bike Room or a room made of felt. Recently, the hotel commissioned Food Network Canada host, Bob Blumer, to design a food-inspired room. Now you can stay in the "Surreal Gourmet Room" that includes marshmallow pillows, a swiss cheese canopy, and a selection of Blumer’s personally curated foodie films on DVD.

PANTAGES HOTEL

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The Pantages Hotel is the place to go if you're heading to the Ed Mirvish Theatre and want to be close to the restaurants. Fran's Restaurant attached to the hotel serves comfort food like their famous rice pudding. If you do feel like cooking, many of the suites come with a full kitchenette.

The Drake Hotel

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Designed by 3rd Uncle, the Drake features an eclectic and modern interior, highlights including the chandelier in the restaurant made from bicycles frames. While the hotel has only a few rooms, there's always something to do with nightly entertainment in the Drake Underground.

Shangri-La Hotel

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Opened in September 2012, the hotel has become a celebrity hot spot and popular food destination with Momofuku's Noodle Bar and Milk Bar. Chinese artist Zhang Huan designed the stainless steel sculpture, "Rising," showcased outside the building. Shangri-La's most expensive room rents for $10K per night.

The Templar Hotel

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The Templar Hotel might be Toronto's coolest and best kept secret in the city. The hotel features cutting edge design and offers its guests airport pickup in a porsche.

Trump International Hotel & Tower

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The Trump is Toronto's most over-the-top hotel with gold and marble finishes. While the hotel is well-liked by tourists, many suites owned by investors have had difficulty selling their units. Falling glass and owner problems aside, the name Trump is all about luxury. The Trump's most expensive hotel suite is $20,000 per night!

Omni King Edward

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Toronto's classic hotel on King East recently changed ownership from Le Meridien to the Omni brand. The hotel was built in 1903 by the Gooderham family who also owned what's now known as the Distillery District.

One King West

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Completed in 2006, the condo/hotel is located in Toronto's Financial District and one of the narrowest high-rises in Canada. The hotel was built by Harry Stinson and David Mirvish.

Thompson Hotel

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The Thompson is Toronto's happening hotel on Bathurst Street. The hotel offers a rooftop lounge and pool; a new Italian restaurant is replacing the hotel's Scarpetta Restaurant. For more relaxed dining and comfort food, you can also check out the mac & cheese at the 24-hour Thompson Diner.

Ritz-Carlton Hotel

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Opened in 2011, the Ritz-Carlton is one of the tallest hotels in Toronto with 53 floors. The most expensive room at the Ritz-Carlton is $6K per night.

SoHo Metropolitan Hotel

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The SoHo Metropolitan is one of the first hotel condo developments in the city. There's a new kid on the block coming to the hotel next year with the addition of Wahlburgers' Restaurant owned by Mark, Donnie and Paul Wahlberg.

Hotel Ocho

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Hotel Ocho is one of Toronto's best kept secrets. On the cusp of the Fashion District and Chinatown, the boutique hotel is a combination of wood, brick and art by the locals. The 12,000 square-foot space is a former textile factory with a Queen Street vibe, laid back brunch and cocktails into the evening.

Le Germain Maple Leaf Square

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Le Germain is Toronto's new boutique hotel near the Air Canada Centre. The hotel suites feature funky artwork and if your dog is traveling with you, there's a pet fee of $30.

WESTIN HARBOUR CASTLE

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The Westin Harbour Castle is a classic favourite in Toronto because of its great waterfront view. It's a fun summer hotel with daily outdoor activities at Harbourfront Centre but bundle up if you're staying there in the winter

Four Seasons Hotel

The Four Seasons chain was founded by Isadore "Issy" Sharp in Toronto. Four Seasons is now known as one of the premier luxury hotel brands in the world with chef Daniel Boulud's flagship restaurant, Café Boulud. Like the hotel decor? Parts of the hotel were decorated by Issy's wife, Rosalie.

The Hazelton Hotel

This five-star Yorkville boutique hotel features just 62 rooms and 15 suites with personalized service. Opened in 2008, the Hazelton kicked off Toronto's luxury hotel boom with a blast. The presidential suite with three bedrooms, four bathrooms, is 4,200 square feet with its own private elevator, wine cellar, and eight flat panel HDTVs.

Park Hyatt Hotel

Featuring one of Toronto's best rooftop bars, the Park Hyatt is also known for its luxurious Stillwater Spa and its walkable to the shops and restaurants on Bloor Street.

Windsor Arms Hotel

The Windsor Arms Hotel was known as Toronto's celebrity hot spot for almost three decades. The hotel continues to provide discreet luxury for those looking to stay out of the spotlight. Many of Toronto's most prominent chefs like Jamie Kennedy and Keith Froggett of Scaramouche, started their careers in the hotel's restaurant.

Gladstone Hotel

The Gladstone is one of Toronto's most popular boutique and art accommodations. With 37 art-designed rooms, you can stay overnight in the sexy Red Room, the Bike Room or a room made of felt. Recently, the hotel commissioned Food Network Canada host, Bob Blumer, to design a food-inspired room. Now you can stay in the "Surreal Gourmet Room" that includes marshmallow pillows, a swiss cheese canopy, and a selection of Blumer’s personally curated foodie films on DVD.

PANTAGES HOTEL

The Pantages Hotel is the place to go if you're heading to the Ed Mirvish Theatre and want to be close to the restaurants. Fran's Restaurant attached to the hotel serves comfort food like their famous rice pudding. If you do feel like cooking, many of the suites come with a full kitchenette.

The Drake Hotel

Designed by 3rd Uncle, the Drake features an eclectic and modern interior, highlights including the chandelier in the restaurant made from bicycles frames. While the hotel has only a few rooms, there's always something to do with nightly entertainment in the Drake Underground.

Shangri-La Hotel

Opened in September 2012, the hotel has become a celebrity hot spot and popular food destination with Momofuku's Noodle Bar and Milk Bar. Chinese artist Zhang Huan designed the stainless steel sculpture, "Rising," showcased outside the building. Shangri-La's most expensive room rents for $10K per night.

The Templar Hotel

The Templar Hotel might be Toronto's coolest and best kept secret in the city. The hotel features cutting edge design and offers its guests airport pickup in a porsche.

Trump International Hotel & Tower

The Trump is Toronto's most over-the-top hotel with gold and marble finishes. While the hotel is well-liked by tourists, many suites owned by investors have had difficulty selling their units. Falling glass and owner problems aside, the name Trump is all about luxury. The Trump's most expensive hotel suite is $20,000 per night!

Omni King Edward

Toronto's classic hotel on King East recently changed ownership from Le Meridien to the Omni brand. The hotel was built in 1903 by the Gooderham family who also owned what's now known as the Distillery District.

One King West

Completed in 2006, the condo/hotel is located in Toronto's Financial District and one of the narrowest high-rises in Canada. The hotel was built by Harry Stinson and David Mirvish.

Thompson Hotel

The Thompson is Toronto's happening hotel on Bathurst Street. The hotel offers a rooftop lounge and pool; a new Italian restaurant is replacing the hotel's Scarpetta Restaurant. For more relaxed dining and comfort food, you can also check out the mac & cheese at the 24-hour Thompson Diner.

Ritz-Carlton Hotel

Opened in 2011, the Ritz-Carlton is one of the tallest hotels in Toronto with 53 floors. The most expensive room at the Ritz-Carlton is $6K per night.

SoHo Metropolitan Hotel

The SoHo Metropolitan is one of the first hotel condo developments in the city. There's a new kid on the block coming to the hotel next year with the addition of Wahlburgers' Restaurant owned by Mark, Donnie and Paul Wahlberg.

Hotel Ocho

Hotel Ocho is one of Toronto's best kept secrets. On the cusp of the Fashion District and Chinatown, the boutique hotel is a combination of wood, brick and art by the locals. The 12,000 square-foot space is a former textile factory with a Queen Street vibe, laid back brunch and cocktails into the evening.

Le Germain Maple Leaf Square

Le Germain is Toronto's new boutique hotel near the Air Canada Centre. The hotel suites feature funky artwork and if your dog is traveling with you, there's a pet fee of $30.

WESTIN HARBOUR CASTLE

The Westin Harbour Castle is a classic favourite in Toronto because of its great waterfront view. It's a fun summer hotel with daily outdoor activities at Harbourfront Centre but bundle up if you're staying there in the winter