http://www.hotelchatter.com/ Hotel Reviews, Hotel Ratings, Hotel Openings en-us Copyright 2008 - SFO Media 2009-11-23T20:00:16Z HotelChatter HotelChatter http://www.hotelchatter.com/images/hcwhite.jpg http://www.hotelchatter.com/ http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/11/10/16731/897 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/thomptoronto1.jpg" class="top"><p> While <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/thompson hotels">Thompson Hotels</a> is busying itself with "Thompsonizing" <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/11/4/113358/015/hotels/On_December_1st_The_Hotel_Sax_Chicago_Will_Be_Thompsonized">The Hotel Sax</a> in Chicago, they shan't forget about our neighbors to the North. <p>When we last checked in with <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Thompson+Hotel+Toronto/local/877"><b>Thompson Toronto</b></a>, it was June and they were hinting at a 2010 opening. Judging from Thompson's past hotel opening delays we figured Summer 2010 would be a kind estimate. But Thompson co-owner <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/stephen brandman">Stephen Brandman</a> has told us they are looking at <b>March 2010</b> and they seem very confident in that date. <p>Now, the old adage says "March comes in like a lion but goes out like a lamb" yet we say that with the Thompson's penchant for soft-openings, TT will come in like juliana 2009-11-10T16:21:20-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/9/16/0258/62392 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/gvoorttto.jpg" class="top"><p> We thought having to wait until 2011 for the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Gansevoort%20Toronto"><b>Gansevoort Toronto</b></a> was already too long of a waiting period but thanks to credit woes, it looks like we'll have to keep waiting some more. Maybe forever. <a href="http://www.sceneadvisor.com/todays-headlines/canned-projects-big-budget-dreams-cant-get-off-the-ground-11534.html">Scene Advisor</a> reports that the project has been "halted" before ground was even broken. They also said that construction was to begin in 2010 with an opening date of some time in 2012. But we think you will to wait even longer.<p>We checked in with the hotel's construction company, TAS DesignBuild, and Steve Fernandez said this about hotel's construction timeline: <blockquote><p> Final opening date is not confirmed, as will commence with the start of the selling of the project.</blockquote></p><p>Hmmm....According juliana 2009-09-16T09:13:53-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/8/27/144942/905 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/fairmontroyalyorkext.jpg" class="top"><p> From September 10 to 19th, all eyes will be on the big screen (and big-time celebs) at the 34th annual <b>Toronto International Film Festival</b> (TIFF), where more than 300 films will be presented. Thanks to our little bro, <a href="http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/8/26/10145/9791/travel/Back+of+the+Envelope+Travel+Guide:+Toronto+International+Film+Festival">Jaunted</a>, we already know that this year's roster includes "Whip It," Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, "Up in the Air," starring George Clooney, and a smaller film called "Precious" which is backed by Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, both of whom are expected to show.<p>Now, what would a film festival be without a hotel package to go along with it? A wasted opportunity which is why the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Fairmont+Royal+York/ian/169544"><b>The Fairmont Royal York</b></a> has introduced its &#147;TIFF and the City&#148; globetrotting gourmet 2009-08-28T09:50:50-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/7/17/112843/019 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/RYH_Bees_honey_harvest_sep08__0031.jpg" class="top"><p><i>We've kicked off our <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/summer cocktails">Summer Cocktails</a> series where we profile fun new summer drinks that hotels are making. Got one we should know about? <a href="mailto:tips@hotelchatter.com">Send us the recipe with a photo of the drink.</a> Otherwise, enjoy and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/hotelchatter">@reply us</a> when you're wasted!</i><p>We know all about the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/7/8/1460/39058/hotels/Fairmont_Royal_York_Has_40_000_Bees_Like_On_Purpose">40,000 bees</a> living atop the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Fairmont+Royal+York/ian/169544"><b>Fairmont Royal York Hotel</b></a> in Toronto, but we had no idea that they could give us a really good <i>buzz.</i> <p>The three beehives on the hotel's rooftop terrace produce up to 700 pounds of honey every year. And that honey goes directly into the hotel's cocktails. Ok well, not all of it and not <i>directly</i> but the hotel's <b>Festive Buzz</b> champagne juliana 2009-07-22T10:54:23-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/6/26/85635/9594 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/6929/thomptoronto3.jpg" class="top"> <P>Um, remember <b><A href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Thompson+Hotel+Toronto/local/877">Thompson Toronto</a></b>? Perhaps not, as it hasn't opened up yet and there hasn't been a whole lot of buzz about the place in recent months &#151; but we assure you, it's still on its way. <p>At least: we were assured the place is still on its way. We don't have an exact opening date for you, but a fairly official Thompson-er told us the place was set for the end of 2009 (and the hotel's website still exists and lists 2009, which is promising) &#151; but all the press releases we'd seen for the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/5/1/113016/3343/hotels/The_Thompson_Dudes_Form_Do_Not_Disturb_Restaurant_Group">Do Not Disturb</a> restaurant group [sidenote: yes, the Thompson dudes started their own restaurant group &#151; in case you Jenna 2009-06-26T09:00:16-05:00 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/