By Ilona Kauremszky
Imagine an urban resort in one country’s largest city.
At this unique Toronto property guests are treated to a bespoke resort experience at Canada’s first urban resort.
Picture unique novelty perks only possible if your resort happens to be in a big city. There’s complimentary chauffeur service driving you to the closest airport, nearby train station or to your favorite boutique, bar or night out on the town within a 5 km radius.
Throw in a heated rooftop pool open year-round, a supervised on-site kids play centre with babysitting service and an older youth-style room for teens who don’t want to hang out with their younger siblings or parents.
For the fitness buff, there’s an emporium of competitive athleticism dedicated to the serious sports minded or for those non-competitive healthy types head to the stationery bikes, treadmills or a yoga class.
Charging stations are aplenty even free evening movie nights.
Now mark an “X” on your must-stay list. Yes, X marks the spot. In this case, it’s the new 404-room Hotel X Toronto.
The chic 30-level lakefront urban resort is the latest and largest incarnation from the Library Hotel Collection, a US-based hotel company which prides itself on the reputation as the “World’s Kindest Hoteliers.” TripAdvisor has ranked its other properties namely in Europe with high guest satisfaction ratings. And yes, the Library Hotel is a book lover’s paradise.
The owner has torn down a parking lot to build this paradise. The new build sits on the grounds of the city’s legendary CNE fairgrounds (Canadian National Exhibition) on the fringe of Toronto’s waterfront by one of the country’s busiest motorways, the Gardiner Expressway.
Yet despite the bottleneck parking lot unfolding in front the posh interiors creatively detract from the automotive barrage through its bold design. Some wings open to alfresco terraces with artful heat lamps prepped for mingling guests or other public spaces have private seating areas. The hotel’s onsite vintage library is equally as radiant.
Upon arrival, fire and water symbols –hints of the five elements – harmoniously greet guests in a zen fashion with a chic wall-mounted electric fireplace and a beach scene care of a large flat screen video. Handsome furniture in fine leather wing back chairs and deep sofas are strewn in various positions across the spacious, airy lobby, offering a nice variety of waiting spots.
You feel elated and energized.
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Hotel X Toronto highlights
Supreme views.
Head to the rooftop lounge on the 28th floor for your panorama 360-view fix.
You can easily spend hours there. By day, see the adjacent marina with its bobbing yachts and the planes flying overhead at Billy Bishop Airport, view the bumper traffic beneath your feet, and see a collection of building cranes evident across the city with the ever changing skyline now prepare to smile.
By night, the same setting morphs into a glittering jewel box of city lights. There are unobstructed views of Toronto’s iconic CN Tower with a shining medley of other skyscrapers.
The Suite Pluses:
This 404-room property offers four categories: Signature, Library Club, Suite Collection, and the personalized “Create Your Own” suite. Each category has additional room configurations. For instance, the Suite Collection has Junior Suites, One-Bedroom Suites, Multiple Room Suites, a Bi-Level Penthouse Suite and the Presidential Suite.
My spacious 360 square feet Library Club Guestroom with two queen beds boasted spectacular lakefront views. The wall-to-wall window with state-of-the-art touch-screen night shade is conveniently perched bedside.
There’s even a window that can open, a unique feature in today’s hotel design, allowing in fresh air. The his and her closet offers loads of storage space. Inside one closet find a pair of plush bathrobes and slippers, an umbrella, and an iron and ironing board. The other closet has a security box and extra duvet cover and pillow.
There is a bar fridge stocked with two water bottles and creams and a Nespresso coffee maker for in-room convenience.
Toiletries are the exquisite French brand L’Occitane,
Guests staying at the Library Club Guestroom have access to the Library Club Lounge on the third floor.
My room on the 18th floor had a full-scale nature image – the size of a wall mounted jumbo flatscreen monitor — themed after Colorado landscapes. Outdoor nature photographer Neil Dankoff has his work for sale at the hotel’s art gallery, the Kandy Gallery.
For security, all room floors are accessible by key card you flash inside the elevator.
Hotel Perks
Multiple services and location.
Hotel X Toronto is divided into three buildings: the Hotel Tower, TEN X TORONTO, and the historic Stanley Barracks. The full-scale fitness center is a love project care of the hotel developer. It’s 90,000 sq.ft of sheer adrenaline that also caters as a private members club.
The premier facility boasts four tennis courts pro-approved (the CEO was an international pro tennis player in a previous life), squash courts, ping pong tables, including a collection of fitness rooms.
There is one dedicated to a state-of-the-art spin class using cell-phone mounted app-approved stationery bikes that monitors class speed for the fastest spinner. Another studio is devoted to the latest Pilates equipment. There is a host of unique yoga rooms designed for hot yoga and other classes. A full service spa is coming online next year.
The hotel is conveniently accessible by car, public transit, and by air.
There are connecting rooms, a wheelchair accessible pool, private screening rooms (2). A VIP check-in area is ideal for groups and those guests who prefer private check-ins. For guests departing by air, the hotel has a dedicated departure lounge with views of take-offs and landings at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. There is a handy real-time departure schedule monitor, plush seating area, and a boarding pass printing facilities area. Inquire about the complimentary airport service that takes guests via a luxurious BMW X5.
Pet-friendly, eco-friendly, family friendly and free Wi-Fi.
Dining
Guests staying on the 18th floor Library Club enjoy twice daily complimentary food and beverage services at the Library Club Lounge on the third floor. In mornings enjoy a selection of cold food items, seasonal fresh fruit and Nespresso coffee choices. In the evenings enjoy complimentary wine and a selection of cold menu items like a cheese and charcuterie platter, pita and dips, as well as a variety of grilled vegetables and wraps.
In keeping with the big trend of self-service, jet setters can order coffee and snack items at the casual dining Nespresso Cafe.
The main restaurant Maxx’s Kitchen located on the second floor emits a spacious relaxed upscale bistro-style atmosphere with floor to ceiling windows for fabulous lakeshore views. For breakfast, enjoy a la carte menu items such as a healthy avocado and grilled tomato drizzled in balsamic on toasted sourdough with a poached egg or try their Eggs Benedict dish, a fusion of two perfectly cooked poached eggs served with salmon or Canada’s classic peameal bacon.
Watch for a new fine dining Petros 82 set to open in 2019.
Diversions
Take advantage of the setting. Corporate types head to the myriad of conferences and events at the nearby Enercare Centre (previously the Direct Energy Centre) and Beanfield Centre. Leisure lovers who enjoy home shows, one-of-a-kind shows, and Toronto’s iconic Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and the summer blockbuster hit, the CNE will love this spot. Sports buffs, meanwhile, can head to the BMO Field directly across the street. This sports venue is home to TFC and the Toronto Argonauts.
Overall impression
This bespoke hotelier has created a thoughtfully designed hotel concept in the hub of Toronto that manages to wash away the city stresses with its exceptionally broad menu of resort offerings.
Booking
You can make your reservations at the Hotel X Toronto website or through Hotels.com. Room rates for double occupancy are from Canadian $325 plus taxes.
Photography: Ilona Kauremszky and Hotel X Toronto
Ilona Kauremszky was a guest of Hotel X Toronto which did not review the story.
