Earlier this 12 months, I loved my first-ever stick with 4 Seasons, and what higher place to get acquainted with the model than at its unique location in Toronto?

4 Seasons has one of many loftiest reputations among the many world’s main lodge chains, and I had heard many wonderful accounts concerning the model over time, together with its unparalleled degree of service.

Because of this, I definitely had very excessive expectations as I arrived on the 4 Seasons Toronto to find what the hype was all about.

4 Seasons Toronto – Reserving

Given the 4 Seasons Toronto’s location in one of many metropolis’s most fascinating neighbourhoods and its lavish popularity as a complete, costs right here undoubtedly don’t come low cost. Count on to pay $700–1,200 (CAD) for a daily room, relying on the time of 12 months.

For full disclosure, I used to be capable of guide this keep at a beneficial trade price.

Observe that in contrast to lots of the widespread chains, similar to Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt, 4 Seasons doesn’t provide a loyalty program within the conventional sense with factors and elite standing. As an alternative, 4 Seasons solely affords a extra unique, invitation-only visitor recognition standing to pick out few clientele who spend vital quantities with the model. 

Thankfully, there’s nonetheless a approach to get further worth out of a 4 Seasons keep. By reserving your keep via the 4 Seasons Most well-liked Accomplice program, you may get pleasure from unique extra advantages and perks at no further price, together with complimentary breakfast for 2, a $100 (USD) property credit score, and extra.

Furthermore, 4 Seasons Most well-liked Accomplice differs from different comparable packages, like Virtuoso or Amex High-quality Lodges & Resorts, as its personal bookings take precedence when it comes to upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out requests.

What’s extra, you’re capable of mix all promotional charges with Most well-liked Accomplice advantages, together with on pay as you go and promotional charges along with versatile or totally refundable charges.

4 Seasons Toronto – Location

The 4 Seasons Toronto is located on the intersection of Bay Road and Yorkville Avenue, smack dab in the course of Toronto’s ritziest neighbourhood of Yorkville.

Between luxurious boutiques and fine-dining venues, the world can be considerably of a museum hub, with the Royal Ontario Museum, Gardiner Museum, and the Bata Shoe Museum all inside quarter-hour of the lodge by foot.

The lodge affords easy accessibility to most of Toronto’s most engaging sights and neighbourhoods, although you’ll probably should take transit to get to a number of the landmarks on the opposite aspect of Downtown Toronto. 

Simply west of the lodge is The Annex, a historic neighbourhood with fashionable eating places and retailers. Kensington Market and the Leisure District are an inexpensive distance from the lodge, and could be reached in round quarter-hour by automobile or half-hour by transit.

Moreover, Bay Road TTC Station is a one-minute stroll away, whereas Bloor–Yonge TTC Station is an eight-minute stroll away. A lot of Toronto’s key points of interest, such because the Eaton Centre, Scotiabank Enviornment, Rogers Centre, or the CN Tower, are a simple 20-minute trip on the TTC from there.

When you’re travelling from Toronto Pearson Worldwide Airport, it sometimes takes about 40–50 minutes to succeed in the 4 Seasons by car, relying on visitors. Alternatively, you may take the UP Categorical prepare to Union Station, then switch to the TTC and head northbound to Bloor–Yonge Station.

From Billy Bishop Toronto Metropolis Airport, it’s roughly a 30-minute drive by automobile, or you may hop on the airport’s free shuttle bus to Union Station and make your approach to the lodge by TTC.

4 Seasons Toronto – Test-in

As I approached the 55-storey high-rise constructing crafted from glass and metal, I famous its glossy and fashionable façade that properly complemented the fashionable Yorkville locale.

The primary entrance of the lodge is located straight on Yorkville Avenue, and instructions consideration with a placing porte-cochère. A glass cover adorned in leafy elaborations jets out over the driveway amongst an idyllic backyard and a chilled water characteristic.

There’s additionally a separate entrance to the lodge on Bay Road, main in the direction of the lodge’s signature restaurant, Café Boulud. 

Stepping inside, I discovered myself instantly immersed within the luxurious of the 4 Seasons model.

The foyer is separated into its personal distinct areas through elegant metallic sample partitions, permitting visitors to maneuver via the foyer with a higher sense of privateness.

The area progresses from the reception to the foyer, a lounge space, after which lastly arriving on the lodge’s bar.

On the time of my keep through the winter interval, a pop-up après-ski space was arrange within the foyer space, impressed by the lodge’s sister property in Whistler.

The entrance desk affiliate assisted me with check-in, and knowledgeable me that I had been proactively provided an “upgraded” Yorkville Premier King Room.

Nonetheless, I’d observe that every one the visitor rooms at this property are related of their dimension and preparations, and the assorted room classes merely correspond to increased flooring.

I used to be assigned Room 2015 on the twentieth ground, and attentively escorted to the elevator foyer.

4 Seasons Toronto – Yorkville Premier King Room

Upon coming into the Yorkville Premier King Room, I used to be greeted by a lobby that led to a spacious and fantastically appointed room.

The room incorporates a moderately understated magnificence, with gentle light-wood partitions that present a chilled backdrop for the plush furnishings.

A king mattress sits on the left-hand wall, complemented by an accentuated headboard and a comfortable bench at its foot.

Positioned on the alternative wall was a flat-screen TV and a prolonged console, which housed the Nespresso espresso maker. Adjoining to it, a well-stocked minibar featured premium bottles of liquor.

A contemporary oak desk and sitting space have been situated on the far finish of the room, full with an opulent curved couch tucked into the nook. As a considerate contact, a welcome observe and recent fruit had been proactively positioned on the desk upon my arrival.

The room provided sweeping views of Toronto via its floor-to-ceiling home windows. Company staying in a Yorkville Premier King Room are handled to expansive northeast- or northwest-facing views of the town from the vantage level of a excessive ground.

Positioned close to the room’s entrance, a small closet is on the market to retailer belongings.

The total granite toilet was placing, with a single vainness taking part in house to expansive mirrors with illuminating LED lights. The toilet additionally incorporates a freestanding bathtub, and the bathroom and bathe are hid behind frosted glass doorways.

Consistent with the 4 Seasons’s popularity for top-notch facilities, turndown service is supplied within the night – an expensive contact that’s all the time appreciated. Plus, in-room tablets provide entry to on-demand housekeeping and the concierge service.

The 4 Seasons is well-known for its snug beds, however maybe on account of my hectic sleep patterns round this time, I didn’t fairly really feel it on this event.

The mattress felt a bit too agency for my liking, though I’m somebody who often prefers to sleep on more durable surfaces.

Nonetheless, I’ve since realized that 4 Seasons inns are capable of customise the firmness of the mattress for every visitor, which is a characteristic I’d prefer to check out on future stays with the model. 

4 Seasons Toronto – Premier Room

I had an opportunity to scope out a number of of the opposite room varieties on the 4 Seasons Toronto, the primary being the base-level Premier Room.

The design and format of the room was in line with the Yorkville Premier Room that I had stayed in. This specific room gave the impression to be extra conducive to working than lounging, because it had two armchairs in lieu of a settee, however a a lot bigger desk.

The toilet was additionally nearly equivalent to the one in my room, with a tub, stunning twin vainness, and the bathe and bathroom hid on the again.

4 Seasons Toronto – Deluxe One-Bed room Suite

Subsequent up, I toured the Deluxe One-Bed room Suite, which is the base-level suite on the 4 Seasons Toronto. The format is kind of customary, with a separate bed room and dwelling space, excellent for these searching for a bit of additional area and privateness.

The room may be very spacious, with an opulent king mattress, adjoining armchair, full-sized couch, and a prolonged desk positioned on the window.

4 Seasons Toronto – Nook One-Bed room Suite

The Nook One-Bed room Suite is comparable in format to the Deluxe One-Bed room Suite, occupying the nook of the constructing with pure gentle coming in from two sides. 

The dwelling space is full with a big plush L-shaped couch and a desk on the alternative wall, whereas the bed room had a easy format, taking part in host to only a king mattress.

The toilet incorporates a prolonged bathtub that runs alongside an inside wall, in addition to a tall LED-backlit mirror near a single vainness.

4 Seasons Toronto – Presidential Suite

The Presidential Suite at 4 Seasons Toronto is the lodge’s second-highest suite kind (after the best Royal Suite), and it’s of an immaculate dimension. The dwelling space alone is expansive, with 4 distinct seating areas.

There are two seating areas, one that includes two full-length sofas, and the second that includes one giant L-shaped couch and an armchair.

Within the central space has bar seating for 4, after which adjoining is a eating desk that may accommodate as much as eight folks.

On the suite’s entrance, there’s a totally geared up kitchen with a fridge, range, dishwasher, and sink.

To the suitable is the principle bed room, full with an opulent king mattress, curved couch, armchair, and a shocking ensuite toilet.

The toilet was immaculate, with a round bathtub within the centre, a lovely double vainness with vessel sinks that matched the tub.

The suite additionally incorporates a half-bathroom and an expansive wardrobe.

General, the Yorkville Premier King Room I stayed in was elegant and well-equipped, placing a stability between consolation and understated luxurious with out ever feeling too showy or over-the-top.

Typically, the Premier Rooms on the 4 Seasons Toronto would probably be greatest fitted to {couples} or solo travellers who don’t require an excessive amount of area, in addition to these searching for essentially the most budget-friendly choice whereas nonetheless experiencing the posh of staying on the 4 Seasons Toronto.

The suites will afford more room and privateness for these travelling in bigger teams, or these wanting a tad extra luxurious and aren’t fussy about value.

4 Seasons Toronto – Eating

Café Boulud, the lodge’s restaurant on the ground-level, is operated in partnership with Chef Daniel Boulud.

I had dinner with our Toronto-based group members at Café Boulud. I’ve been right here a number of occasions prior to now, however it’d been a number of years since my final go to, so I used to be eager to see how the menu had developed.

The restaurant affords a seasonally altering menu centered on French custom. We sampled all kinds of dishes, and we discovered the meat tartare appetizer to be a spotlight, whereas the duck and plum for 2 foremost programs was nothing in need of delectable.

Breakfast within the morning can be hosted at Café Boulud. If breakfast is included in your keep, you’ll get a $90 (CAD) credit score in the direction of breakfast per room. The breakfast menu could be discovered on the Café Boulud web site.

A pal joined me for breakfast within the morning, and we shared the eggs Benedict, a breakfast croissant, and berry parfait.

All of the dishes at Café Boulud have been nicely executed and flavourful, simply as I had skilled prior to now. The meals was wonderful when it comes to high quality and amount.

When you’re in search of a night environment, D|Bar on the bottom degree of the lodge may very well be price a go to. I had an opportunity to scope it out, and it gave the impression to be an amazing night setting someplace between informal and formal.

4 Seasons Toronto – Different Amenities

The lodge’s spa and indoor pool are situated on the ninth ground of the lodge, and the health centre is situated on the eighth ground.

The massive indoor swimming pool and adjoining whirlpool are standout options on the 4 Seasons Toronto. The pool deck is provided with ample snug loungers for visitors to chill out on and is heated all 12 months spherical.

I couldn’t resist taking a dip within the afternoon and spending a while swimming a number of laps.

The pool space is linked to the on-site spa, the place you may guide a spread of customized remedies. Right here, you’ll additionally discover an outside terrace and lounge space that results in the generously sized altering rooms and bathe amenities.

I additionally went all the way down to the health centre within the morning, which was nicely geared up with rows of treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes, in addition to weight machines, free weights, and a yoga studio. Primarily, there was one thing for each kind of exercise.

To my delight, the dumbbells right here went as much as 65lbs – I’ve been coaching more durable just lately and had been to too many inns whose weights finish at 50lbs, so this was nice to see.

Moreover, the health centre additionally had a espresso and tea station within the morning, which was a really considerate contact.

As an extra testomony to the luxuriousness of the 4 Seasons, a home BMW is on the market to visitors on a primary come, first-served foundation. Company can use the BMW for complimentary drop-offs inside 5 kilometres of the lodge, in addition to for airport pick-ups and drop-offs at a further cost.

I took the home automobile to the close by Eataly for a lunch appointment. The service was fairly nice certainly, and I appreciated the chats with the motive force alongside the best way.

Lastly, the lodge additionally incorporates a charming on-site reward store, with an array of souvenirs and presents for these visiting from outdoors the town.

4 Seasons Toronto – Service

The 4 Seasons model is understood for delivering service that goes above and past, so how was my first expertise at a 4 Seasons lodge from a service standpoint?

General, every part about my keep went easily, and all of my requests – similar to our Café Boulud eating reservation or a 1pm late check-out request – have been met effectively, gracefully, and with a smile on the face of the workers member I used to be interacting with.

I didn’t have an excessive amount of in the best way of particular requests, nor was there something that went improper that may’ve known as for an act of service restoration, so I’ll have to stick with the model a number of extra occasions earlier than I can correctly assess this criterion. 

One factor that I actually beloved was the responsiveness of the 4 Seasons app, which is linked to a human agent on the entrance desk of each 4 Seasons property (and is on the market to anybody with a 4 Seasons account even while you aren’t staying).

I used the app to ask for a dental package to be delivered to my room, and though I used to be away from the room on the time, I returned to seek out it elegantly organized beside my toiletries.

It wasn’t excellent, although – certainly one of my inquiries concerning the breakfast allowance wasn’t responded to for a number of hours. Exterior of this, nonetheless, I’d say my first brush with 4 Seasons was a really optimistic one, and I’m wanting ahead to placing them to the check a bit of extra on future stays. 

Conclusion

The 4 Seasons Toronto lived as much as its esteemed popularity as one of many high luxurious manufacturers within the metropolis. I’d place it above the St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton, and on par with the Park Hyatt down the street and the Shangri-La on College Avenue, when it comes to the general expertise.

The Yorkville Premier King Room afforded me a spacious and well-appointed abode for the night time, full with luxurious touches like turndown service.

Café Boulud was a spotlight with its delectable and complete French-inspired menu. In the meantime, the pool and health amenities have been top-notch as nicely.

The 4 Seasons app’s request characteristic was a pleasing shock, and got here in very helpful throughout my keep. Moreover, the lodge’s workers have been extremely accommodating all through my keep.

All in all, the 4 Seasons Toronto is an excellent alternative for anybody in search of an expensive keep within the coronary heart of Toronto. Whereas not low cost by any means, this was an amazing keep to kick off my journey with 4 Seasons, and I sit up for seeing how the model’s different places around the globe examine.