Stay & Play

Toronto’s in the Spotlight with New Luxury Hotel Openings

by Jennifer Merrick

The biggest news for visitors to Toronto in 2018 are the city’s inspired new hotels.

Hotel X
This resort-styled luxury hotel was the talk of the town this summer. Located downtown, next to the Exhibition Place, the 30-storey property has unobstructed sightlines of the CN Tower, Toronto Islands and Lake Ontario. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms show off these stunning views to their fullest, but the best place to gawk is from the rooftop. High above the city, you’ll find a shimmering pool surrounded by lounge chairs and the Falcon SkyBar, a multi-storied cocktail lounge and gathering space.
Other amenities include a 250-seat cinema and Canada’s largest hotel athletic facility with indoor tennis courts, a golf simulator, weights, and cardio equipment and fitness classes.

The 404 rooms are tasteful, elegant and modern with USB ports, charging cables and Smart TVs you can sync with your phone. Vivid nature photographs by Canadian artist, Neil Dankoff, adorn the rooms but still can’t compete with the views outside the windows.

Anndore House
Toronto’s upscale Yorkville neighbourhood is having a renaissance of late, and what better way to experience it than to stay at the Anndore House, a new boutique hotel. Hip and modern, the property has 113 rooms and suites, decorated in a chic mid-century modern style. Though completely fitted out with all the convenient technology, it has charming retro touches. A turntable with a vinyl record collection, a rotary telephone and a red kettle, along with artsy postcards and an adorable stuffed owl add some whimsy to the amply-sized rooms. Above all, there’s a feeling of home, a ‘cool pad’ type of abode, the kind you want to invite friends back to for Mad-Men-inspired cocktails.

In the lobby, you won’t find a traditional reception desk, but a barrier-free island to encourage a conversational approach. “We want visitors to explore like a local,” explains the manager. And there’s lots to do within walking distance, including Yorkville’s thriving shopping and dining scene. An excellent choice is STK, where Chef Tommy McHugh cooks up divine meals in an atmosphere that reflects the ritzy, fashionable Yorkville neighbourhood it’s located in.

www.hotelxtoronto.com
www.theanndorehouse.com
www.seetorontonow.com