I not too long ago went residence to Toronto to reconnect with my household for a short weekend sojourn.

It was necessary for me to discover a resort that had a superb price-to-quality ratio, particularly since I hardly wanted luxuries akin to free breakfast or full service as a result of brevity of my keep.

Fortuitously, the well-situated Courtyard Toronto Downtown fulfilled all my wants at a good worth, and had surprisingly trendy and enticing facilities for a limited-service resort. 

Courtyard Toronto Downtown – Reserving

I used to be fortunate sufficient to attain an business fee for the Courtyard Toronto Downtown, which tremendously diminished the price of my keep. Nonetheless, I’ve seen that costs at this location are inclined to hover across the $210–300 (CAD) mark, relying on demand and seasonality.

On weekends in the summertime, costs can surge precipitously, so guide early when you can.

For a limited-service resort, this could appear a bit steep, however the primary worth level is within the location, which we’ll deal with in due time.

If you happen to’re seeking to redeem Marriott Bonvoy factors, then count on nights to return in at round 25,000–30,000 factors. Which means that you might realistically surpass our goal purpose of 0.9 cents per level, making redemptions an honest worth when in comparison with money charges the Courtyard Toronto Downtown. 

As nights price lower than 35,000 factors, this additionally makes the resort an honest selection for a Free Night time Award, akin to these granted by yearly renewing loyalty bank cards such because the Marriott Bonvoy American Specific Card.

As a result of Toronto isn’t a city identified for its lack of expense, be at liberty to additionally use any and all company codes to which you’ll be entitled to additional cut back the impression to your pocketbook.

Courtyard Toronto Downtown – Location

As its identify would recommend, the Courtyard Toronto Downtown is positioned within the coronary heart of town, proper subsequent to the historic Maple Leaf Gardens (now an ultra-premium Loblaws), in addition to a slew of different companies, eating places, and experiences.

I grew up on this neighbourhood, and my childhood house is only some blocks away in neighbouring Cabbagetown, so please excuse my biases in favour of the locale.

The resort is positioned on the crossroads of Yonge and School Streets, two main thoroughfares in Ontario’s capital.

It’s additionally a mere block away from the School Park plaza, an underground community that connects to the arterial School TTC station, which runs alongside the Yonge–College line.

A mere two stops to the north is Bloor–Yonge station, the main connecting hub for Downtown Toronto. One cease to the south is the long-lasting Eaton Centre, which homes the nation’s flagship Hudson’s Bay Firm showroom, amongst different buying locations.

All of those are additionally simply walkable from the Courtyard Toronto Downtown, and you may wash down any exhaustion incurred with dinner and drinks at Kinka (previously Guu), my favorite Japanese-style izakaya in Canada.

Additionally inside strolling distance is the well-known Phoenix Live performance Theatre, an icon of the Toronto music and performing arts scene, which has hosted nearly each well-known act the thoughts can fathom.

To sum up, the situation is way of what you pay for while you select to remain at this resort, and it’s great when you’re on the lookout for the Bohemian bon-vivant picture Downtown Toronto aspires to.

Courtyard Toronto Downtown – Verify-in

I arrived late at evening resulting from my night flight in from my new residence of Edmonton in freezing Alberta. Whereas I used to be irritated at having misplaced two hours resulting from time zone variations, I used to be very comfortable that the resort’s entrance desk employees have been extremely attentive to my entreaties by way of the Marriott Bonvoy app.

The entrance desk employees additionally suggested me that as a result of the resort is within the downtown core, its entrance doorways can be locked to all individuals besides company between 9pm–8am. In addition they knowledgeable me that they’d be on standby to open the doorways as quickly as I arrived, which was true.

Once I arrived, the entrance desk employees had my room keys prepared for me, and went out of their technique to make my check-in course of fast and painless. This was lucky as a result of I used to be drained, hangry, and barely sore from sitting on a aircraft for 4 hours.

They have been additionally comfortable to let me know that the entrance desk was often quiet on Saturday mornings, so I may delay taking photos till then. I used to be additionally thanked for my Titanium Elite standing, and supplied a selection of 500 Bonvoy factors or a $10 meals and beverage credit score.

I used to be solely staying for a short while and had no intention to dine on the resort, so I went for the factors, and didn’t thoughts the shortage of point out of a collection improve.

Subsequent to the entrance desk space is an open seating space. In the course of the day, it has a concierge desk for company seeking to discover out extra data concerning their environment, and gives a great place to take a seat and watch for an Uber or taxi to reach to take you to the airport or elsewhere.

There have been additionally some public-use computer systems obtainable.

The resort has two separate towers, a south tower and a north tower, that are linked by separated diverging hallways. I used to be within the south tower, so I made my manner down that hallway to the Marriott Bonvoy-branded elevators.

Then it was as much as my room on the fifteenth ground, and I made my manner down the hallway to room 1516.

Courtyard Toronto Downtown – King Visitor Room

Regardless that I had a mere base-level room, I’m not afraid to confess I used to be impressed by its modernity, consolation, and, above all else, measurement. House is at a premium in Downtown Toronto, and this room had it in spades.

The structure was attention-grabbing: a hallway led into the room, with a half-bathroom on the left-hand facet. This toilet contained the bathroom and bathe.

Nonetheless, the sink was in a separate, open house on the right-hand facet of the hallway subsequent to the room’s closet. The sink space additionally contained all of the towels.

I’ve solely ever seen this open idea at ultra-chic W-branded accommodations, and by no means at a Courtyard. Personally, I like open-concept residing.

Many don’t, so maybe this room isn’t for it’s best to you want to keep away from it. The whole lot was additionally meticulously clear, which needs to be anticipated on the worth level however was good to see, regardless.

Shifting on to the bed room, there was a big king mattress. The linen was crisp, and I slept with out criticism.

The paintings was a pleasant bonus, too, as was the seating space which featured a luxurious armchair. 

The seating space additional missed the downtown core with a purposeful balcony, although there wasn’t a lot in the way in which of a view from my explicit room.

Throughout from the mattress have been the standard facilities, akin to a flat-screen tv and occasional maker, in addition to a desk and workplace chair.

As soon as once more, the tv was a more recent mannequin, and even featured streaming capabilities out of your cell machine, so no want to make use of cable or overpriced resort pay-per-view in your leisure wants.

My one critique of the setup can be the espresso, which was nearly undrinkable. Then once more, it did include a considerable amount of caffeine, which might be stated to have deserves of its personal, no matter flavour.

Additionally of notice is that full turndown service is accessible every single day on request; nevertheless, you’ll want to go away the room to ensure that cleansing to be accomplished.

Courtyard Toronto Downtown – Different Amenities

I didn’t have the possibility to partake in any breakfast meals on the Courtyard Toronto Downtown as a result of my itinerary was full of household visits, which frequently included dim sum.

Nonetheless, the resort is residence to a restaurant the place elites can use their $10 meals and beverage credit score, must you want to forego the five hundred Bonvoy factors in its favour.

The restaurant seemed to be a mixed counter-service providing that additionally sells Starbucks espresso. Because the restaurant is licensed, you too can order beer, wine, and spirits between 11:30am and 8pm most days.

There may be additionally a grab-and-go fashion sequence of choices obtainable 24/7. I didn’t wind up shopping for something, however I can’t think about costs are low as a result of comfort issue.

A phrase to clever late-night snackers: the Courtyard Toronto Downtown is true throughout the road from each a Customers Drug Mart and a Pizza Pizza, that are open late. Whereas these might not include essentially the most palatable foodstuffs, their choices are equal or superior to something within the lineup on the resort.

So, be at liberty to pop throughout the road, must you be hankering for one thing to eat.

Conclusion

The Courtyard Toronto Downtown is an fulfilling place to remain, and I don’t remorse selecting it for my household go to wants.

The room was neat, contemporary, and trendy in its inspiration, and I genuinely loved its open-living idea and sheer measurement, which was glorious for Downtown Toronto.

I even have many optimistic phrases to say concerning the entrance desk employees, who helped to expedite my check-in and made each facet of my keep, from requesting turndown service to trying out shortly, that a lot simpler.

Alternatively, the resort lacks luxurious facilities akin to an Government Lounge or a significant elite breakfast, and the meals on the grab-and-go market appears uninspired contemplating the wealthy variety of Toronto’s culinary scene.

However then once more, who amongst us can declare to remain at North American Courtyards for his or her transcendental gustatory experiences? For what I wanted – a cushty mattress, an awesome location, and glorious service – I bought greater than what I desired, and would keep once more with out hesitation.