The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto: What's the draw?
Luckily for us, hotels are an essential service, providing a welcome respite from the four walls of our apartments. And the Ritz is the crème de la crème of Toronto staycations.
The Ritz-Carlton is the kind of place whose reputation precedes and exceeds all expectations — you just know a stay here is going to be an absolute treat. That being said, the attention to detail and level of hospitality that comes with a staycation at this iconic five-star hotel will still leave you scrambling to pick up your jaw that's been dropped on the sparkling floor.
Once you make it past the luxury car show at the entrance, you're greeted with friendly faces that make the grand lobby feel more homey than Hollywood. Head upstairs to your spacious, exquisite suite overlooking the lake or the downtown Toronto skyline and suddenly lockdown feels way more manageable from up here, especially once you sink into the handcrafted Italian 400-thread-count bed sheets or the deep soaker tub.
The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto: What's on the menu?
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While indoor dining remains in flux, in-room dining is the next best thing, plus you can stay in your Ritz-Carlton signature terry bathrobe the whole time (no, you can't keep it). The in-room dining menu is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and for those night owls there are late-night snacks like the cured meat and cheese selection with tomato jam and olives made to-go.
Don't want to leave that glorious bed? Roll over and dial the front desk to place your breakfast order. The daily pastries, blueberry buttermilk pancakes and eggs benny with potato rösti go wonderfully with a cup of fresh brewed Pilot coffee, but if you're looking for something totally unique The Ritz Bar is known for serving the world's rarest coffee: Black Ivory Coffee, which is naturally refined by Thai elephants. OK, cool.
On the all-day dining menu, you'll find remixes of comfort food classics (hello, grilled cheese sandwich with Iberian ham and truffle spread) with Italian influences from the Ritz's in house restaurant TOCA. For pasta goals, get the amatriciana with house-made bucatini pasta and tomato sauce, juicy guanciale, pecorino and parmigiano.
The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto: What else?
If lockdown fatigue is getting you down, The Ritz-Carlton has lots to keep you entertained without leaving the hotel. Check out the city's largest luxury spa: Spa My Blend by Clarins. It's 23,000 sq. ft. of pure bliss where signature services get a touch of glamour (champagne, pour moi?).
Take a dip in the aroma-infused vitality pool, namaste all day in the co-ed sanctuary and get the skin care of your dreams with treatments like the 'masquerade facial,' where you keep your PPE mask on, while years of stress around your eyes and forehead melt away. Recharge, rejuvenate and chill the heck out will personalized treatments and some pretty tasty cucumber-infused water.
Once you're all revitalized and shiny, take a cocktail or cooking class from the Ritz's world-class chefs and bartenders, watch and learn while you prepare a meal or martinis together, then enjoy the fruits of your labour with an intimate tasting. Cheers to the good life.
181 Wellington St. W., 416-585-2500; ritzcarlton.com
*staycation occurred before Ontario's new lockdown orders
