Frommer's Review
Thanks to a C$60-million renovation, the Park Hyatt has cemented its reputation for being the last word in luxe. It is, in my opinion, the very best hotel in Toronto at the moment, and it's where I'd choose to stay if price were no object, though both of the downtown boutique accommodations -- the Hôtel Le Germain and the SoHo Metropolitan -- are very tempting, too.
The location of the Park Hyatt is prime: It's in the posh Yorkville district, steps from the Royal Ontario Museum and the Bata Shoe Museum. Chicago-based Hyatt has renovated nearly every corner of the 71-year-old Art Deco building. The biggest change was the building of the North Tower, which is entirely new but designed to match the original structure (which is now known as the South Tower). The guest rooms in the North Tower are among the most generously proportioned in town -- the smallest is 46 sq. m (495 sq. ft.). An extensive renovation and refurbishment of the South Tower was completed in 2003; here, the guest rooms are smaller, but they are more individual -- the 90 rooms have 40 different layouts. Rooms in both towers have free high-speed Internet access.
A glamorous lobby dotted with Eastern-inspired objets d'art links the North and South towers. The ground-floor restaurant Annona is a treat for gourmets. While the Park Hyatt's neighbor, the Four Seasons, for years has been luring the glitterati, the Park Hyatt prides itself on luring the literati. The 18th-floor Roof Lounge is famous for attracting writers (Mordecai Richler famously called the lounge the only civilized place in Toronto). In winter, you'll appreciate the couches in front of the fireplace, but in any other season, the lounge's open-air terrace is the place to be for a perfect view of the city (and an impressive daiquiri).
Another major development for the hotel was the introduction of the Stillwater Spa. One signature therapy is a "watsu"-style massage, in which you float in a water-filled room while a therapist applies shiatsu moves; it's very soothing. My personal favorite is the Couples Sanctuary, which features a whirlpool tub, fireplace, and side-by-side massage tables. It's perfect for inseparable romantics.
Facilities:
Restaurant; 2 bars; health club; spa; Jacuzzi; sauna; concierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
