Stay & Play

Revenge is Sweet at the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto

by Jennifer Merrick

“Revenge travel is a phenomenon we’ve been seeing more of recently,” said Mimi AuYeung, spokesperson for the Ritz-Carlton.
Defined as the urge to compensate for lost travel time, preferably with bucket list trips and luxury experiences, it’s easy to understand why revenge travellers would choose this hotel.

Located in the heart of downtown, the modern 53-story building has 263 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the CN Tower, Lake Ontario and the glitzy cityscape. The décor of the newly renovated guestrooms was inspired by these surroundings, reflecting both the bygone era of luxury railway travel and the theatrical Hollywood entertainment. Both worlds have roots in the neighbourhood and design elements like window chaise lounges, photographs of Toronto International Film Festivals and a wet bar designed as a 19th-century travel trunk pay homage to them.

Of course, it wouldn’t be the Ritz if it didn’t have the ultimate in mod-cons and comforts like a dreamy bed with 400 thread count linen and a second-to-none bathroom, which featured sleek Portuguese marble, a deep soaker tub and a touchless Japanese-styled toilet.

Though there was no need to step foot out of this oasis of a room, I decided that I too wanted to make up for missed travels and take reprisals by travelling the world in luxury without leaving the Ritz.

First, I escaped to Hawaii with a Lomi Lomi massage at the Spa My Blend by Clarins, a 23,000 square-foot sanctuary with 16 treatment rooms, pool, steam room, sauna and relaxation lounges.

“The movements mimic the ocean,” explained practitioner Raphael. “The gentle waves, the breeze and the sensation of walking barefoot.”
With a soundtrack of the ocean playing in the background, the nutty scent of the oil and the relaxing rhythm of this Polynesian technique, I was transported to a palm-treed, white-sand Maui beach.

Admittedly, Hawaii was hard to leave but made easier by the next countries on the itinerary –England and Italy at the Ritz-Carlton restaurants. Menu offerings at the newly opened EPOCH Bar and Terrace are inspired by the British gastro-bar scene.
For the finale of my retaliation mission, I traversed the continent to Italy at the award-winning TOCA Restaurant. Savouring the 32-hour slow-roasted porchetta with a glass of vino, the aromas of rosemary, fennel and parmesan fill the air, and suddenly I was in the midst of the Italian countryside.
Revenge has never been so sweet.

www.ritzcarlton.com