HotelChatter

Hotel Openings / Trump Hotels / Toronto Hotels / Hotel Design / Hotel Opening Rates / Hotel News / → All Tags

Trump Takes Toronto in Typical Trumponian Technique

Where: 325 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5H 4G3

Another day, another new hotel that's opening! We're loving 2012 already for its exciting hotel opening news and we've still got an entire year to go!

One of the biggest openings on our hotel stalker radar is The Trump Toronto which opens January 31st. The hotel, which also has residences attached and is now the tallest residential building in Canada (this is Trump after all), was inspired by champagne and caviar which is evidenced in the grey and silver color palette in the guestrooms. But there's much more beneath the bubbly surface here.

Here are some interesting design facts from the hotel:

· A wall mosaic in the hotel's porte cochere consists of 500,000 handmade, hand-cut tiles which reportedly took 20 artists and three months to make. The mosaic also gives off two images. Up close, the work entitled, "A Small Part of Something Larger" by Canadian artist Stephen Andrew shows off a pattern of porcelain, glass, stone and gold. But from afar, the mosaic shows an image of a stadium filled with cheering people (perhaps Maple Leaf fans?)

more ›

Hotel Designers / Hotel Design / Lenny Kravitz / Hotel Openings / Hotel Hype / Toronto Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags

When One Lenny Kravitz Hotel Door Closes, Another Lenny Kravitz Hotel Door Opens

Where: 56 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, ON, Canada

Even though Lenny Kravitz's Florida Room at the Delano Hotel is going bye-bye, the rocker turned hotel designer has another bigger project in the works. Kravitz's design firm, Kravitz Design Inc., will be designing an entire floor at the upcoming BISHA Hotel and Residences in Toronto.

The floor will be inspired by the music, art and travels of Lenny Kravitz. And judging from what he recently told the Toronto Star, we kinda wish all hotels could be as sexy as Lenny's hotels:

“It’s going to be plush and lush and comfortable and inspiring,” says the musician in a phone interview from Croatia, where he is on a European tour. “It’s going to be warm, it’s going to be soulful. It has to be elegant and sexy the moment you get off that elevator.”

more ›

Hotel Openings / Trump Hotels / Toronto Hotels / Hotel Opening Rates / Donald Trump / Ivanka Trump / → All Tags

Trump Toronto, Inspired by Champagne and Caviar, is Opening January 31st

Where: 325 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5H 4G3

If you're planning on visiting Toronto in the new year, you've got a new luxury hotel to consider--The Trump Toronto.

The latest biggest and bestest Trump hotel has just announced that they will open on January 31, 2012. It will be the only luxury hotel in the city's Financial District. And the rooms sure do look pretty! Perhaps because they were inspired by some luxe items--champagne and caviar. No, for real. The press release actually said that.

Since we love the bubbly (caviar not so much), we're curious as to whether or not the rooms will have champagne prices. We tried to use the hotel's convenient Facebook booking app, to suss out the room rates on opening night but an error message kept appearing. But no worries, the hotel's website was working just fine and we found Superior King rooms available for $495 CAD (or about $488 in USD) on January 31st. Sigh. We've got champagne tastes and a mid-service budget.

more ›

Snapshot / Hotel Restaurants / Canadian Hotels / Toronto Hotels / Thompson Hotels / → All Tags

Thompson Toronto's Canadian Burger Would Make Us Thankful

Where: 550 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5V

While lots of Americans have the day off today in honor of Columbus Day, our friends up in Canada are celebrating Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving, Canucks!

As much as we love a big turkey feast, we're wishing we were spending this holiday at Thompson Toronto, where we'd order one of these delectable All Canadian Burgers from the hotel's 24-hour diner The Counter.

While she comes in turkey and veggie varieties, we can only speak of--and heartily recommend--the beef burger. And, of course, the French Fries instead of salad or crispy rings.

more ›

Celebrity Scoop / Kristen Stewart / Robert Pattinson / Four Seasons Hotels / Toronto Hotels / → All Tags

Twilight Trysting is Now Happening at the Four Seasons Toronto

Where: 21 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5R 2G1

Although it ain't Beyonce and Jay-Z's $20,000-a-night Paris pad, the Four Seasons Toronto is where celeb couple Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are rumored to be having a Twilight tryst.

According to Hollywood Life, the couple and their puppy Bear are shacking up in the luxe hotel's presidential suite to celebrate R-Patt's 25th birthday on May 13.

more ›

Hotel Restaurants / Hotel Openings / Toronto Hotels / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / → All Tags

TOCA at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto Getting Early Review Love

Where: 40 Bay St., Toronto, Canada, M5J 2X2

Now that the grand opening has been live streamed, how's tricks at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto? The early reviews of the hotel itself have been slow to arrive. The only word we could find on TripAdvisor is so close to shill territory, we're waiting to hear more that we can actually trust.

But the restaurant, TOCA, is starting to take over Twitter, where first responders are praising the dishes of Tom Brodi, who, it should be added, is on Twitter himself at @cheftombrodi.

more ›

Hotel Openings / Facebook Hotels / Toronto Hotels / Hotel Technology / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / → All Tags

The Ritz-Carlton Toronto Is Livestreaming Its Opening Right Now

Where: 181 Wellington Street West, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5V 3G7

UPDATE 12.05pm: It's all over. No room tour - saddies! But it was fun nevertheless. UPDATE 2.20pm: They did a video! The restaurant, the spa, a luxury corner suite, presented by adorzable GM Tim. See here.

You know how sometimes you can wish you were at a hotel opening stalking David Gandy and Emma Watson? Well, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto is helping you out today, with a livestream of its opening ceremony on the main RC Facebook page. (Yes, it’s opening today after all – seems the hotel was playing it safe when they told us they weren’t taking rezzies till February 23.)

The stream was due to start a minute ago (at 11.30am EST) and it's just started! There's a lady called Heather Hiscox from CBC who's currently calling it "magnificent" and she just said hi to all of us watching on Facebook!

And if you want to geek out with others watching, there’s a “check in and chat” feature (at the time of writing, there are 193 of us on there). It’s like being a teenager all over again!

more ›

Hotel Delays / Hotel Openings / Toronto Hotels / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags

The Ritz-Carlton Toronto Still Isn't Open, Planning For a Hazy Day In February

Where: 40 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5J 2X2

A deluxe room overlooking Lake Ontario

The Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf may have opened in December, but Toronto’s other anticipated opening, the Ritz-Carlton, is taking a little longer. And although the time is getting closer, we’re still not sure exactly how long it will be.

According to its website, the hotel has a new opening date of February 16. Hallelujah! (Remember, last time we heard anything, it was down for a Fall 2010 opening). But not so fast – when we tried to book a room on that day, it told us no rooms were available. In fact, the first date that’s available to book is February 23, exactly a week after opening date!

So this morning we called the hotel, who told us that “no official date has been set”, but that it will open this month and that they are taking bookings from February 23. So it will definitely be open then, maybe beforehand.

more ›

HotelChatter 2010 Awards / Hotel Openings / Thompson Hotels / Toronto Hotels / → All Tags

People's Choice Award: The Thompson Toronto

Where: 550 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5V

It's what you've been waiting all year for--The 2010 HotelChatter Awards! We'll be bringing you the best and worst of the year all day today and part of tomorrow. Agree or disagree with our picks? Air your thoughts in comments below.

The hotel geeks have spoken and this year's People's Choice Award* goes to Thompson Toronto!

Perhaps it was the arrival of a NYC boutique hotel chain in Toronto with Dean & DeLuca minibar goodies and C.O. Bigelow toiletries that had you all excited. Or maybe you were excited to dine at Scarpetta from Chef Scott Conant but most likely, we think you just couldn't get enough of the views from the rooftop pool.

We stayed here right around when the hotel first opened in June and here is our initial take on the place:

more ›

Hotel Openings / Toronto Hotels / Le Germain Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags

Hôtel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square Is Now Open In Toronto

Where: 75 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5J 0A1

During a brief visit to Toronto this week, we got to wondering about the new Hôtel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square. It was scheduled to open in the fall--so is it open now?

The good news is yes. The bad news is that we didn't walk by to get a photo of the newcomer for you, because it was way below zero and, oh yeah, snowing sideways when we were in town.

Instead, we bring you this hotel photo from the Le Germain hotel folks to ogle, and we don't have to catch a cold to do so.

more ›

Hotel Bars / Toronto Hotels / Park Hyatt Hotels / Hotel Cocktails / → All Tags

Park Hyatt Toronto's Master Mixologist Has Years of Experience, About 50 of 'Em!

Where: 4 Avenue Road [map], Toronto, ON, United States, M5R 2E8

If you sit down for a drink at the Park Hyatt Toronto's Roof Lounge, you can rest assured that it'll be made by a pro. Its master mixologist has been working at the Toronto bar for 50 years.

In 1959, Joe Gomes emigrated from Portugal and landed a job interview at the Roof Lounge nine days later. He's been working there ever since. He began as a busboy and by age 21, he became a bartender, making martinis for famous guests such as Jane Russell, John Wayne and the Queen.

more ›

Hotel Openings / Toronto Hotels / Hotel Opening Rates / Le Germain Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags

Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square Will Open at $229 a Night (Breakfast Included)

Where: Toronto, ON, Canada

After a little bit of a delay, the Hotel Le Germain at Maple Leaf Square is on track to open this fall, having already opened their reservations line.

Guests have to submit their date requests via the hotel's website (rather than make a direct booking) but room rates will start at $229 a night for a superior room which includes a deluxe continental breakfast. (Your doggie will cost an extra $35 a night.)

But when will this hotel open? We're in the midst of getting a firmer answer but Hotel Germain recently Tweeted about a job fair for their new Toronto property to be held next week. So we would say November at the earliest.

When the hotel does open it will have 171 guest rooms, complimentary, a cafe, spa and fitness center as well as prime access to the Air Canada Centre where the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors bball team plays their home games. We guess the hotel is just waiting for hockey and basketball season to start, eh?