Spring is a time for fresh new starts. And nowhere is that more evident than in the amazing new renovations ready to go at some of Toronto’s best hotels. Let’s check them out!
THE OMNI KING EDWARD
The Entrance
The Lobby
Suite
Budget: $40 million
Completed: September 2015
New & Improved: Built in 1903, The King Edward was Toronto’s first luxury hotel. Today, it’s been reimagined for the 21st century while being restored to its former grandeur. The lobby, ballrooms, meeting facilities, restaurant, bar, and 301 guest rooms have all undergone extensive renovations. Given the building’s historical significance, every detail was closely monitored by the architect, designer and the City of Toronto’s heritage board.
FUN FACT: Famous guests have included everyone from Mark Twain to Britney Spears. Beatle mania swept the hotel when the Fab Four’s 1964 visit drew 3,000 fans to the lobby.
CHELSEA HOTEL
Family Suite
Double Room
The Chelsea Hotel
Budget: $12 million
Completed: Summer 2015
New & Improved: The Chelsea Hotel celebrated its 40th birthday last year with an upgrade. Canada’s largest hotel completed a $12 million refurbishment on about half of its guestrooms and suites. Bronze-certified with EarthCheck, an environmental management program for the travel and tourism industry, all guestrooms now include low flow showerheads and toilets, as well as energy efficient light bulbs.
Fun Fact: Has Toronto’s only downtown indoor waterslide.
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT TORONTO DOWNTOWN
Foyer
Courtyard By Marriott
King Suite
Budget: $14.5 million
Completed: May 2016
New & Improved: The world’s largest full-service Marriott Courtyard has redesigned all 575 of its guestrooms, making them more spacious with a residential feel, tone-on-tone décor with stylish bathrooms, new corridors and Marriott beds. There is also 13,000 sq. ft. of newly redesigned contemporary meeting space for up to 450 people and the new Lobby Bistro.
Fun Fact: In the lobby, their signature Go-Board® is a state-of-the-art interactive touch screen system that puts news, weather, restaurants, local area information and directions.
TORONTO MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN EATON CENTRE
Suite
Bathroom
Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre
Conference Suite
Budget: $18 million
Completed: Fitness Centre this past March, Concierge Lounge in May, and Guestrooms this summer
New & Improved: With over $100K spent on state-of-the-art exercise equipment in the Fitness Centre, there’s no reason not to work out even while you’re away from home. All 461 guestrooms have been modernized with new carpeting, wallpaper, artwork, lighting, window treatment, 49” Smart TV and chaise. Also, bathrooms have been completely re-done, with stand-up showers in most guestrooms.
Fun Fact: Connected to the Eaton Centre, Toronto’s most popular tourist destination.
FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK
Signature Suite
Suite
Fairmont Royal York
Health Club Pool
Budget: $14.5 million
Completed: May 2016
New & Improved: The historic Royal York gets some modern touches in 910 of its Fairmont Luxury and Signature guestrooms, including 42” HDTVs, new mattresses, SONIFI (a hi-def television software that lets you view menus and check-out). Other updates include a newly-refreshed lobby, re-designed health club and pool, new Technogym fitness equipment, and new tables and upholstery in the iconic Library Bar. You can even check-in on your iPad!
FUN FACT: Since 2008, three roof-top beehives on the 14th-floor terrace have housed 350,000 honey bees producing hundreds of pounds of honey every year.
THOMPSON TORONTO
Lobby Bar
Thompson Hotel
Budget: $1.5 million
Completed: Spring 2016
New & Improved: The re-imagined Lobby Bar opened in February, hosting its first parties during the NBA All-Star Weekend. A new high-tech, private event space, The Front Room, features a 60 sq. ft. multi-functional HD media wall. With space for 100 guests, it can be private or open to the main bar. The Portland Meeting Room is updated with new décor, furnishing and technology. And there are three newly constructed guest rooms—two Deluxe Kings and one Executive Suite.
FUN FACT: Has Toronto’s only hotel rooftop lounge
SHERATON CENTRE TORONTO HOTEL
Royal Suite
Royal Suite
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
Budget: $120 million+
Completed: May 2016
New & Improved: All 1,372 guestrooms got significant technology-enhancements and increased Wi-Fi bandwidth. Also, $13 million was spent on retrofitting all guest room windows to increase energy efficiency. All ballrooms and meeting spaces received major renovations, while expanding the total meeting and event space to more than 130,000 sq. ft. They’ve also stepped up their culinary experience by bringing the kitchen to the front of the house and offering guests an improved food and beverage experience.
FUN FACT: The tallest all-hotel structure in Toronto