Toronto Hotel & Restaurant Recommendation
 

I have a friend coming to visit at the end of the month and she's looking for an upscale hotel in downtown Toronto. In the past she has enjoyed the Park Hyatt and the Four Seasons in the Yorkville area but would like to try something newer. Does anyone have any suggestions for a luxury hotel in that area? She likes to be pampered. Also looking for a trendy restaurant in the downtown area, doesn't have to be in Yorkville as we can take a cab. I haven't ventured downtown for a few years so need some current recommendations.

There's the Hazelton on Yorkville http://www.thehazeltonhotel.com/index_main.php

Thanks, mg47. The Hazelton looks great. Not in Yorkville, but I found One King West, the Pantages Hotel and the Cosmopolitan. Do you have any comments on any of these? They seemed to get pretty good reviews. Any ideas for restaurants? I googled them too but mostly I see the same old ones like Sotto Sotto, Tundra, Canoe.

One King West is a long stay business hotel... nice but not pampering... Hazelton is by far better than your other choices...

i really enjoyed a stay @ pantages a few years ago
AD

I haven't stayed here, but what about the new Ritz Carlton Hotel in Toronto?
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Proper...to/Default.htm

The Ritz Carlton is a good one - I forgot about it - but it's not in Yorkville.

I thought the Cosmopolitan was being turned into condos.

Here's something on restaurants http://www.torontolife.com/daily/dai...taurants-2011/

The Windsor Arms is (almost) in Yorkville, and although it looks old, it is newer than the existing Four Seasons.

Thanks for all your great suggestions. I didn't know the Windsor Arms had been reinvented. Looks great!

As far as restaurants go there are so many.
Give us some clues as to what you and she like in terms of food tastes and ambience (chic ? lounge? kitchen ?, etc.)

For a start, here are 3 :

- Canoe (Top of one of the TD towers; great food and of course, the view)
- Bymark (TD concourse level; very good food)
- Grace restaurant (College St. resto strip. Great food and very reasonably priced).

Can recommend lots more but need some guidance to your preferences.

I've heard that Buca is amazing!

Believe it or not, she decided to stay at the Royal York as that is one of her company's "approved" hotels. I think she's going to be disappointed but it's a business decision. Haven't made a decision on restaurant yet. Still trying to get a group together.

So your friend "likes to be pampered". but on her company's dime of course, and the poor dear will be have to stay in a dump like the Royal York. Oh well, these are hard times indeed in the business world!

Perhaps she can spring for a few bucks of her own and upgrade to the Prime Minister's Suite.

http://www.fairmont.com/royalyork/Ac...uitesIndex.htm

Geat interview on CBCNewsNetwork yesterday of Royal York getting ready for Bollywood awards.

It's a great hotel. Fine choice.

BAK

We have some luxury hotel and restaurant reviews on http://www.bombasticlife.com A few of favorites are Prime Restaurant, Blowfish Sushi and Sassafraz.

For hotels, check out the Hazelton.

Was going to suggest Thompson Hotel. Its the new IT hotel in Toronto. Bar area is nice. Rooftop has a pool and bar too.

For restaurants, I love Canoe! if you go there, get her a seat by the window during sunset. very pretty. Its a bit more for business class though. They did just newly renovate so if shes been before, perhaps she would want to go again to see the changes.