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First Look At The Shangri-La Toronto
You know you’re not in Kansas anymore as soon as you walk into the newly-opened Shangri-La Toronto. In fact, it's easy to believe you've entered the East thanks to the hotel's subtle little touches. For instance, when we checked in and handed over our Visa card, it was handed back with both hands and a slight bow of the head -- very customary in Asia. Then there are, of course, the more obvious things: decor, artwork and staff outfits.
We will try our hardest not to get too gushy, but the simple fact is--we loved this hotel, and here are seven reasons (and loads of pictures) explaining why:
Hotel Beds / Hotel News / Toronto Hotels / Sweet Suites / Hotel Amenities / → All Tags
Hotel Hazelton Adds A $99,900 Bed (Flying Naked Woman Not Included)
It's Toronto International Film Festival time, and all the celebs are shacking up in Toronto's finest hotels (like Trump Toronto, which opened in January). One place that's getting a bit of attention, though, is the Hazelton Hotel, for installing a $99,900 bed called the Vividus.
As you can see from the picture above, the Vividus is so comfortable you begin to defy gravity and hover ecstatically over the sheets, thereby negating the purpose of a bed at all. But for a company that's been supplying mattresses to the Swedish Royal Court for 50 years, utility is far less of a concern than frilliness. It's all about the luxury, baby.
The Smooth Operator / Toronto Hotels / Hotel Amenities / Hotel Minibars / → All Tags
No Iron and a 'Weak' Minibar for The Smooth Operator at The Hazelton Hotel
Welcome to another hotel dispatch from our newest special contributor, The Smooth Operator. We can't divulge his identity but we can tell you he's spends about 70 percent of his time on the road, staying in all the hot hotels and checking out their restaurants and bars to see if the social scene is up to snuff. If you're deciding whether or not to take a chance on that hip boutique hotel in the city, read The Smooth Operator for his opinion first. (Or send us an email and we'll have him answer it for you!)
During my last stay at the Hazelton Hotel in Toronto, I was put in room 323. An expanded suite with extensive square footage, the room was impressive but the layout didn’t work and the room felt like a long hallway – not comfortable at all.
The closet units, however, are exceptional – definitely more than enough hangers (which has proven challenging in premium hotels lately) and great space / design overall. The closet was larger than some rooms I’ve stayed in this year, but shockingly, no iron or ironing board available for the premium clients who stay there.
After three requests over two days I finally had someone from housekeeping provide an iron. (Ed. Note: We guess the iron is not a totally useless amenity for our S.O.)
Hotel Fitness / Hotel Yoga / Thompson Hotels / Toronto Hotels / → All Tags
Yoga At Thompson Toronto Will Turn You Inside Out
Though there are certainly other fun ways to exercise and enjoy Thompston Toronto's beautiful spaces, yoga is becoming practically an institution here. Guests can take their pick from over 30 classes per week offered at the hotel's sunlit, third-floor yoga studio, 889 Yoga.
Having launched in another neighborhood in Toronto in 2007, 889 Yoga opened inside the hotel last September as a way to "bring yoga, wellness and connection to people, inspiring happier and healthier living from the inside out."
Not only has membership increased ($18.50 for a single class; $80 for five classes), but the need for even more of a wellness community is tangible: this year, 889 Yoga is scheduled to open a new spa in the hotel featuring massages, facials, and special treatments for soon-to-be moms.
Movie Set Hotels / Hotel News / Celebrity Scoop / Ted Danson / Toronto Hotels / → All Tags
Ted Danson Will No Longer Host Dinner Parties At Sutton Place Toronto
If Toronto's Sutton Place Hotel ever held a special place in your heart, prepare yourself for some sad news. A new developer who's taken over the iconic movie set hotel is planning to turn the 33-story building into a 42-story luxury condo high-rise, and construction is set to begin by the end of the year.
PostedToronto reported that Lanterra Developments wants to preserve the "vibe" of the hotel (which, due to its proximity to the Toronto International Film Festival, has traditionally been a favorite of celebrities and film industry peeps), but is planning some major structural changes—like adding 20,000 square feet of retail space to the ground floor.
All of which kind of puts an official end to a bygone era of Dudley Moore Impromptu piano concerts in the lobby and Ted Danson dinner parties upstairs. Things just won't be the same...
Hotel Openings / Trump Hotels / Toronto Hotels / Hotel Design / Hotel Opening Rates / Hotel News / → All Tags
Trump Takes Toronto in Typical Trumponian Technique
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?)
Twitter / Hotel Music / Sheraton Hotels / Starwood Hotels / Hotel Lobbies / Hotel Snapshots / → All Tags
Twitpic of the Week: A Children's Choir Always Livens Up The Lobby
In the ever-expanding universe of Twitter, there is one particular trend @HotelChatter happens to quite enjoy: candid hotel photos. These Twitpics range from stunning views to anti-views to celebrity tomfoolery and everything in between. And we can't get enough of 'em! Every Monday, we will feature one "Twitpic of the Week" to commemorate our favorite hotel-themed snapshot. Got a favorite of your own? Want to show off your sweet suite? Send it in!
How adorable is this photo, tweeted by @SheratonYHM, located in Ontario, on Thursday. Shown gathered around the hotel's gold-and-pink themed Christmas tree is the local St. Joseph's elementary choir, who sang carols in the lobby, accompanied by a violin.
Unlike some other bands we've seen recently, these guys didn't take up an entire suite just to perform a song.
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
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.”
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
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.
Snapshot / Hotel Restaurants / Canadian Hotels / Toronto Hotels / Thompson Hotels / → All Tags
Thompson Toronto's Canadian Burger Would Make Us Thankful
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.
Celebrity Scoop / Kristen Stewart / Robert Pattinson / Four Seasons Hotels / Toronto Hotels / → All Tags
Twilight Trysting is Now Happening at the Four Seasons Toronto
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.
Hotel Openings / Facebook Hotels / Toronto Hotels / Hotel Technology / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / → All Tags
The Ritz-Carlton Toronto Is Livestreaming Its Opening Right Now
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!
