When you’re looking for a luxurious and affordable stay in Hogtown, the Chelsea Hotel in downtown Toronto has you covered. A member of the of the Langham hotel group, this place is at once the largest hotel in Canada and the only Chelsea in the country.
When I entered the sweeping lobby with high ceilings and high-polish stone floors, bellhops and valets were whizzing efficiently through the open space, ferrying bags and ushering guests to and fro past a lusciously green living wall. My fellow guests included the glamorous flight crews of opulent airlines like Etihad and Emirates sporting perfectly pressed uniforms checking in for a rest between long-haul flights.
An A+ Location
The Chelsea Hotel is a go-to accommodations for… well, everyone. Located on a quiet street near College subway station and just a few blocks North of Dundas Square, it gives guests a true downtown experience with a side of peaceful respite.
And that respite is made extra special courtesy of $40 million in renovations to suites and restaurants initiated back in 2013. This year, Chelsea hotel is taking it up a notch with renos to their luxury suites in celebration of hotel’s 40th anniversary.
Eat and Drink: at a Table or on the Run
During my stay I took a leisurely brunch of fresh OJ, a mound of intricately presented fruit, Greek yogurt and homemade granola at the hotel’s T|Bar. I like to call this meal “The Lady-Breakfast Special,” but heartier breaky is available on demand and in-room if you’re so inclined.
Later in the day I was especially busy and to be able to skip the T|Bar and the restaurants for (healthy) on-the-run options from their well-stocked Market Garden. In this caféteria-moderne, all manner of portable and otherwise necessary snacks for staving off hanger are available morning, noon and night.
Signature Cocktails for Everyone!
I love it when bars, restaurants and events have a signature cocktail. It captures a theme and is a great way to celebrate what a place is really all about. That’s why I was ecstatic to find out that Chelsea not only has a signature drink but that a) their Chef spent ages perfecting it b) guests can take it home with them and c) it’s a Caesar!
The custom cocktail recipes were expertly crafted and extend to unique variations of this classic Canadian drink. Among the is The Checkout — a blend of a bacon infused Vodka, Clamato juice, freshly grated horseradish, Frank’s Red Hot,Worcestershire, and steak spice rim from Barbarian’s Steak House all topped with a cherry tomato, hardboiled egg, a crispy bacon curl and a (blessed) pickle spear.
Suites
Rooms range from elegant and romantic deluxe rooms to comfortable and spacious apartment style family suites. In my room, I enjoyed terrific city views from my private balcony high above the street while sipping wine after a nice soak in the hot tub (more on that later).
Enjoy as a Family or Couple…But Not in the Same Space (!)
After a long day out on the town there are (mercifully) separate spaces where families and couples can relax and play. The Family Fun Zone is a full floor, multi-purpose space with a family pool, waterslide, Kid Centre and Exclusive Teen Lounge.
Couples and singles looking to unwind can hit the top floor to take advantage of the adult only pool, Jacuzzi, gym and roof-top terrace complete with (kid-free) relaxation and peaceful views.
Travel Tip: Chelsea Hotel Deals
While the Chelsea hotel is always bringing special offers to their guests, simply staying here will get you a deal on local activities and attractions. All you have to do is show your room key at 20 local attractions like the Art Gallery of Ontario, The Science Centre, and Elmwood Spa for discounts and perks.
The Chelsea Hotel is located at 33 Gerrard St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z4
The writer was a guest of Chelsea Hotel. The hotel did not review or approve this article.
Jane says
We stayed her last year when we visited form the UK, we had an amazing time