As someone who grew up just outside of Toronto, I'm one of those people who love visiting the city but wouldn't want to call it home. While I'm a small-town girl at heart, my social life often takes me on trips to Toronto for family functions, concerts and Leafs, Jays or Raptors games, and one of the highlights of these trips is the Toronto hotels.
The city has some pretty incredible ones, and I've been lucky enough to stay in many of the best hotels in Toronto. However, in the current world of sky-high prices on everything from gas to groceries, the cost of staying in a hotel has gone through the roof, too. That's why, before you commit to splurging on one of the many five-star hotels in Toronto, it's important to do your research and make sure the place you choose is really worth those hard-earned dollars.
So let's take a look at some luxury Toronto hotels I've stayed at and why they are (or aren't) worth the splurge.
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
Talk about a grand entrance!
Samantha Kohn | Narcity
Price: Starting at $700/night for a weekend stay in July
Address: 60 Yorkville Ave., Toronto, ON
Worth The Splurge?: Yes!
You can't talk about the Toronto hotel scene without mentioning the Four Seasons. Located at the corner of Bay and Yorkville, this celebrity haven is in the heart of Yorkville and just a stone's throw from the glitz, glamour and couture of Bloor Street shopping. This is where you go for that new Louis Vuitton diaper bag or a new pair of coveted Golden Goose sneakers.
Pulling up to the valet parking is a car lover's dream, with the giant fountain that serves as the hotel landmark surrounded by Ferraris and Bentleys, as this is an accommodation of choice for many celebrities.
When you first walk in, you're struck by the simple luxury surrounding you. From the four-storey ceilings to the pink and gold velvet furniture and the jaw-droppingly beautiful reception desk, this place really takes your breath away.
I've stayed in a number of different room types, and they're all incredible. Think understated elegance — neutral colours, smooth stone surfaces and muted lighting. And the bathrooms?! Those freestanding bathtubs are the perfect way to unwind after a night out in Yorkville.
The most wonderful time of year at The Four Seasons. Right: Bubble bath, anyone?
Samantha Kohn | Narcity, Samantha Kohn | Narcity
My favourite time to visit the Four Seasons is mid-December, when the lobby is transformed into a Hallmark Christmas movie with the hotel's famous tree adorned with gifts and displays of sleds, cozy cabins and faux snow. There are also tables with holiday scenes made entirely out of chocolate.
Out of all Toronto's beautiful hotels, the Four Seasons is definitely my favourite.
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto website
The St. Regis Toronto
Price: Starting at $574/night for a weekend stay in July
Address: 325 Bay St., Toronto, ON
Worth The Splurge?: Yes, but only if you can get a suite.
The St. Regis sits at the corner of Bay and Adelaide streets in the heart of Toronto's financial district. This hotel opened in 2012 as the Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto, but the hotel went into receivership in 2017 and was purchased by InnVest Hotels, which renovated the hotel and turned it into Canada's first St. Regis, operated by Marriott International.
The lobby of the St. Regis is small but lovely, cloaked in deep, dark colours with golden accents throughout. The rooms are lovely — roomy and comfortable, and suite upgrades are very common, so don't be afraid to ask for a complimentary upgrade at reception.
What really sets the St. Regis apart is the service. Mention your birthday and be surprised with a piece of King's Cake, a 13-layer work of art that will get the pulse of any chocolate lover racing.
A sweet surprise. Right: An even sweeter surprise!
Samantha Kohn | Narcity, Samantha Kohn | Narcity
Celebrating your wedding anniversary? Make sure to let the reservation team know ahead of time, and you could walk into your own little surprise party, like we did.
I like this hotel a lot — the bar is fun, the lobby is inviting, and the service is great. I've stayed here many times, largely because of the suite upgrades.
However, the location in the financial district is only great for business trips — when I stay here on the weekends, the streets around it are empty and we find ourselves taking an Uber anytime we go out to eat.
The St. Regis Toronto website
Shangri-La Toronto
Price: Starting at $532/night for a weekend stay in July
Address: 188 University Ave, Toronto, ON
Worth The Splurge?: No.
Now I'll admit: It's been a few years since I've had the pleasure of staying at the Shangri-La, but I did spend a girls' weekend there before COVID, and since then, I've been back to enjoy cocktails in their unbelievable lobby.
The Shangri-La is located in the Financial District, just a few blocks from the St. Regis and the Ritz. Of the three, the Shangri-La is definitely the coolest.
When you walk into the lobby, the reception desk is tucked away to the side, but that doesn't matter as your attention is instantly grabbed by the fire tables, live music and luxe, lively vibe that somehow feels both welcoming and exclusive at the same time.
The lobby at The Shangri-La is THE place to be. It's loud but not too loud, classy but not stuffy, trendy without being packed with influencers. Even if you choose not to splurge on a room here, I do recommend popping in for a cocktail if you're in the area.
The staff at the Shangri-La are amazing. We checked in, headed upstairs for an hour, and when we came down for dinner, the concierge met us at the elevator, calling us each by name. Now that's classy!
The rooms at the Shangri-La are small and basic compared to the others on this list, which is why this splurger probably wouldn't splurge for another stay at this hotel. I'll definitely be back for cocktails in that swanky lobby bar though – the vibes truly can't be beat.
Shangri-La Toronto website
The Ritz-Carlton Toronto
Price: Starting at $680/night for a weekend stay in July
Address: 181 Wellington St. W., Toronto, ON
Worth The Splurge?: No.
The name Ritz-Carlton summons images of wealth and luxury, and the Toronto location doesn't disappoint in this regard. With its over-the-top lobby adorned with a massive crystal chandelier, stepping into this hotel feels like you're entering a royal palace.
Located on Wellington Street West between Simcoe and John, the Ritz is a quick walk to the Rogers Centre and Theatre District. The rooms here are wonderful. They are bright, comfortable and equipped with a bathroom most of us only dream of.
Want to TV from the bath? No problem.
Samantha Kohn | Narcity
All that being said, the Ritz was the priciest option on this list when I stayed, and while it is an incredible hotel with amazing amenities and top-of-the-line service, spending $1,000 per night is more than I can stomach, even when I am prepared to splurge on a five-star getaway.
The Ritz-Carlton Toronto website
So there you have it: four of Toronto's five-star hotels. Where will you be staying next? When you're ready to compare notes, you can find me in the lobby at the Four Seasons.
These prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.
