When I walked into the Bisha Hotel Toronto, in a 44-story tower in the city’s downtown Entertainment District, I felt like I’d wandered into a night club.
Black velveteen covers the walls in the Bisha lobby, where both the floor and the reception desk are made of striking black and white stone. The front desk staff, sporting chic black leather jackets, look like they’re ready for an evening out.
If you happen to be a celebrity, the Bisha — with its 1970s-inspired designs and vibrant pop art decorating both the guest rooms and the hallways — should feel suitably glamorous.
And if you’re just a regular visitor, you’ll still feel like a celebrity at this new Toronto hotel.
Here’s the scoop:
Guest Rooms and Amenities
The Bisha Hotel opened in August 2017, in a building that houses 96 guest rooms and 355 condo residences. Condo dwellers have their own entrance and dedicated elevators, separate from those of the hotel.
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The hotel’s guest rooms, on floors 3-8, are decorated in stylish monochromatic tones: black headboards and black lacquered armoires, white linens, and geometric-patterned rugs in black, white, and grey.
Creature comforts include reading lights by the beds, TVs on a movable stand, and a bar cart stocked with booze and assorted snacks.
The same dark palette continues in the bathrooms, where black stone tops the vanities and covers the floors, black tiles line the shower, and white towels and robes provide contrast.
Food and Drink
As chic (and comfortable) as the accommodations are, though, you might not want to spend too much time in your room, with the city at your doorstep and four food and drink outlets within the hotel.
Off the lobby, the seductively dark Mister C Bar Room pours cocktails from happy hour till late night, centered around a dramatic, circular brass fireplace.
Also on the lobby level, the casual French Made Cafe serves quick, grab-and-go fare, from coffee and pastries to salads and sandwiches. The hearty muffins are worth waking up for.
On the second floor, named for its Seoul-born, Aspen-raised star chef, Akira Back cooks up creative Japanese-Korean fare.
Even more striking is KŌST, the top-floor restaurant and bar, a window-lined space with up-close views of the landmark CN Tower and vistas across Lake Ontario. Just outside is a rooftop terrace and infinity pool.
In the evening, KŌST channels a Baja-goes-downtown vibe, serving beachy cocktails and Mexi-Cali sharing plates, from ceviches to tacos to whole grilled fish.
In the morning, head to the sunny space for tropical flavored breakfasts, like the Kōst Energy Bowl, which layers açai, berries, banana, coconut, and chia seeds, or the Ranchero Bowl, which includes eggs, kale, tomatoes, peppers, and black beans.
And though I didn’t spot any celebrities as I gazed out across the city and dug into a hearty platter of pancakes — topped with tropical fruit salsa and toasted coconut — at the Bisha Hotel Toronto, I still felt pretty fabulous.
Room Rates
Double room rates at the Bisha Hotel Toronto start at CAD$299/night. Compare rates at Booking.com or other booking sites.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. The Bisha Hotel Toronto and Tourism Toronto arranged my stay for review purposes.
