Toronto is a sprawling metropolis known for its diversity. Over half of the city’s residents were born outside the country, making it one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Not only is there Chinatown and Little Italy, but there’s also Greektown, Koreatown, Little India, Little Poland, Little Portugal, and even Little Malta!
Toronto also boasts iconic landmarks like the CN Tower (one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world), a sprawling waterfront, and an endless array of museums. There’s also tons of amazing food here. I never get bored when I’m there.
I’ve been to Toronto many times over the years (it’s just a short flight from where I live). The city is big, sprawling, and has a ton of hotels to choose from. But I know from experience that not all of them are great. To help you have fun, save money, and enjoy the city, here’s my list of the best hotels in Toronto:
1. Ace Hotel
This four-star hotel is located in the Garment District (conveniently located between Chinatown, trendy Queen Street West, and Toronto’s downtown). Entering the spacious lobby feels like you’ve just stepped onto the set of a Wes Anderson movie, with its minimalist retro-chic design featuring lots of pastel tones and soft wood paneling. I love that the lobby is also an ultra-cool cocktail bar (literally called “The Lobby”) that comes alive in the evenings with the city’s fashion scene. (In the mornings, it serves appropriately trendy breakfast dishes like avocado toast and smoked salmon flatbread.) The hotel also has a rooftop bar with incredible views and regular DJ nights, as well as a fitness center.
Rooms range in size from small, medium, and large (there are also suites), and have a decent amount of natural light thanks to the large picture windows. I love all the uniquely Canadian touches, like in-room record players with Canadian vinyl albums curated by a Toronto record label, minibars stocked with locally made products, and comfy beds with custom-made, locally made quilts. All rooms also have 55-inch TVs, and the beautifully tiled bathrooms feature walk-in showers (some have bathtubs), designer toiletries, plush robes, and hairdryers.
2. The Fairmont Royal York
Located right across from Toronto’s Union Station (the city’s main train station), the Fairmont Royal York is an iconic five-star hotel with a storied history. It opened in 1929 as a railway hotel and was always the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II when she was in town. The hotel has retained the decor and style of the period, and I love all the elegant, Old World charm. I really enjoy soaking up the atmosphere with a cocktail in the atmospheric Art Deco-style lobby. The hotel also has an indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center with sauna and steam room, and a restaurant that serves a huge breakfast buffet.
The stately rooms offer ample space and natural light, as well as a minibar, desk, small table, flat-screen TV, fluffy robes, slippers, and tea/coffee maker. The large, tiled bathrooms have walk-in showers with excellent water pressure and complimentary toiletries. There is a fee for WiFi (which I think is ridiculous for a hotel of this caliber), but if you sign up for a free Accor hotel account, you can use the WiFi for free. Overall, the Royal York is the best choice for luxury in the heart of downtown, close to all of the city’s major landmarks and attractions.
3. The Broadview Hotel
The historic building in trendy Riverside was originally built in 1891 and has since been converted into a beautiful 4-star boutique hotel. The rooftop bar has great views and there’s a cute cafe downstairs that serves breakfast in the morning. I particularly love the lush red curtains, high ceilings, large windows and dark wood floors of the spacious rooms. The decor also adds a bit of playfulness, with terrarium plants, funky floral wallpaper and even a record player in each room.
The rooms are very light-filled and also include a desk, flat-screen TV, minibar, coffee pot and wardrobe. The pillowtop beds are super comfortable and come with luxurious Italian linens. I also appreciate the little reading lights in the headboards (perfect for reading in the evening). While the bathrooms are a bit small and lack some amenities (I found there was no place to hang or put things), the huge walk-in showers have great pressure and locally made toiletries.
4. Park Hyatt Toronto
The Park Hyatt in Toronto is located in Yorkville, an upscale neighborhood known for its exclusive shopping, fine dining, and luxury hotels. The entire five-star hotel features a modern and sophisticated design with elegant furnishings, tasteful artwork, and a harmonious color palette. The on-site restaurant is an upscale steakhouse (serving hearty breakfast dishes like steak and eggs), and there’s a small fitness center here, too.
The rooms are nice and spacious, with plenty of natural light thanks to the large windows. In-room amenities include Bluetooth speakers, a 55-inch flat-screen HDTV, a safe, a minibar, blackout curtains, and a Nespresso coffee machine. Bathrooms are large and feature walk-in rain showers and complimentary, luxurious toiletries. I generally find that Park Hyatt hotels never disappoint (they’re a good place to use points, so I often stay there).
5. The Yorkville Royal Sonesta
The Royal Sonesta is also located in Yorkville, right across from the Royal Ontario Museum (one of my favorite museums in the city). This four-star hotel features a heated indoor rooftop pool, a massage studio, a vodka bar (with over 50 varieties of vodka from around the world), and an on-site restaurant with a menu inspired by Toronto’s cultural diversity.
I like that the rooms have a modern, minimalist design with plenty of natural light. They also include a large work desk, sitting area, Nespresso machine, flat-screen TV, and minibar. The large marble bathrooms have walk-in showers (I found the water pressure a bit low, though), plush robes, and slippers. I also like that there is a 24-hour fitness center.
6. Pantages Hotel Downtown
This sleek high-rise hotel is right in the center of the action in downtown Toronto. Pantages is especially great for theatergoers, as it’s a stone’s throw from several historic performing arts venues. I love that you’re also right next to the historic Fran’s Diner. Dating back to the 1940s, it’s open 24 hours, and serves classic diner fare (including excellent breakfast plates).
The rooms are incredibly spacious and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows and beautiful hardwood floors. I really like the design of the rooms, with their lush royal blue curtains, plush carpets, and unique artwork on the walls. The rooms also include a large work desk, Keurig coffeemaker, safe, and flat-screen TV (deluxe rooms or suites have a small kitchenette). I found the beds to be nice and comfortable, with cozy duvets and high thread count sheets. The huge marble bathrooms have been recently renovated and are really beautiful with walk-in rain showers and luxurious bath products.