The Fairmont Royal York
100 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5J 1E3
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#13 of 30
expert-rated hotels in Toronto- Recommended for:
- Business travellers, Couples, Culture vultures, Mature travellers, Travellers with pets, Art, Relaxation, Shopping, Sightseeing, Special occasions
Expert review of The Fairmont Royal York
A genteel old grande dame nestled proudly at the feet of downtown’s skyscrapers.
Once the tallest building in the Commonwealth, the backdrop for movies from The Cinderella Man to Serendipity, I always feel like I’m walking into a movie set when I sashay into the cavernous grand lobby of this historic 1929 railway hotel. When it opened it had a 1048 rooms and a 12-bed hospital, today that’s morphed into NUMBER rooms, five restaurants, four lounges and a slew of stores, but the ambience remains the same.
Location:
Ideal if arriving by rail or rail: right beside Union Station and on the route for both the Porter shuttle from the Toronto City Airport and the YYZ Airport Express. Streetcars link the hotel to destinations west and north. The Islands ferry dock is minutes’ walk away.
Bedrooms:
This stately old dame shows her age slightly in the regular guest rooms — they’re charming, but on the smaller size. I think it’s worth considering upgrading to a King room or a suite — there’s a big size jump.
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Public areas:
My favourite bit of the Royal York is the ornate grandiose lobby with its murals and slew of expsensive stores. You can spend an entire afternoon just people-watching from one of the deep couches with a coffee from the Starbucks counter.
Eating and drinking:
With five restaurants and four lounges, pretty much everything is covered. Benihana, the Japanese restaurant, is one of the city’s most prestigious dining options. There’s a kosher kitchen, too.
Leisure facilities:
The gym and pool area are both straightforward and modern. The hammam, jacuzzi and sauna are nice extras.
Service:
Excellent: Fairmont trains its staff impeccably.
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Who stays there:
Japanese tourists, an older crowd of North American tourists and businesspeople.
Price advice:
Check out the loyalty club — you can join online at no cost and it brings perks such as free Internet access and speedy check-in.
Pros:
Atmosphere
Cons:
Expensive
More information on The Fairmont Royal York:
- Price from:
- Type:
- Hotel
- Address:
- 100 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5J 1E3
- Amenities:
- Business Centre, Fitness Centre, High-Speed Internet, Parking, Pets Allowed, Restaurant, Room Service, Swimming Pool
- Neighbourhood:
- Harbourfront
