Shangri-La Hotel Toronto

Before architect James KM Cheng designed the 65-story Shangri-La Hotel Toronto, it was an archaeological site known as Bishop’s Block. In the 1830s John Bishop built rows of Georgian homes on the block. The last structure was excavated during the construction of the hotel, which is one of the ten tallest buildings in the city. The first 17 floors are hotel rooms and the rest are condominiums. The glass-paneled building stands out in the Toronto skyline and an intricate metal sculpture next door at Momofuku adds to the curb appeal. The Shangri-La Hotel Toronto’s interior designs evoke the spirit of James Hilton’s “Lost Horizon,” with luxurious and mystical Asian decor. Hallways are lined in red carpeting with pottery in display cases. Wooden latticework adorns the reception area with small desks and chairs that create an intimate check-in process -- when there isn’t a line of waiting guests. Bursting with energy, the lobby is busy in evenings, and it can be difficult to get a table at the Bosk restaurant, which serves Asian/Canadian cuisine. 

Situated in the heart of the Financial District on University Avenue, the hotel is beside the elite Soho House and Momofuku Milk Bar. The building was constructed on the historic archaeological site called Bishop’s Block. Today the largest national banks and corporations surround the hotel, and tourist sights are in walking distance. The CN Tower and Rogers Centre in the Entertainment District are a 15-minute walk. West of the hotel is the Theater District with the Princess of Wales Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall. The bustling Yonge street, with shopping and live entertainment, is about seven blocks east. Valet is offered on-site and there are less expensive public garages within blocks of the hotel. Toronto Island Park is a one-hour commute by public transport or 45 minutes by car. It’s 30 minutes by car to the Toronto Pearson International Airport. The Bloor-Yorkville area, with the Royal Ontario Museum, is a 10-minute car ride.

Rich plum textiles, Asian designs, intricate woodwork, and floor-to-ceiling windows exude luxury in the guest rooms. There’s thoughtful elegance in every interior detail, from the minibar's stemware to the LCD TVs in bathroom mirrors. All rooms have safes, fluffy bathrobes, irons, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, Nespresso coffeemakers, and tablets with room controls. Premier Rooms, with sitting areas, offer more space than Executive and Deluxe Rooms. Marble bathrooms have high-end toiletries, hairdryers, soaking tubs, and showers. One-bedroom Suites have sofa beds in living rooms, electronic drapes, butler service, heated bathroom floors, terraces in some, and two bathrooms in many. The Architect, Fazioli, and Zhang Huan Suites are individually designed to suit their name much like the Garden Suite, which has a birdcage ceiling swing and garden terrace. The wood-paneled Owner’s Suite, has a masculine air with an office and a soaking tub set against floor-to-ceiling views. The two-bedroom Shangri-La Suite is the largest with a dining room and butler’s pantry. 

A skylight and hanging lanterns that change colors illuminate the indoor pool and hot tub, while nearby cabanas have built-in flat-screen TVs. The Moroccan-themed Miraj Hammam Spa offers Gommage treatments, a hammam, and a hair salon. There’s also an outdoor terrace with lounge chairs and city views. The 24-hour gym offers state-of-the-art cardio and weight equipment and a private fitness studio. Fusion Asian/Canadian cuisine is served at the popular Bosk restaurant, though scoring a table can be difficult. Breakfast is included in the room rate. The Bar is open until midnight, and the stylish Lobby Lounge, with a fireplace and piano, offers live entertainment and high tea. The Gold Key Concierge provides luxury services, including helicopter tours, restaurant reservations, and private shopping. There’s a 24-hour business center and eight meeting spaces that can hold up to 360 people, including a 40-seat screening room and a soaring space with 13 chandeliers and two-stories of glass windows that overlook Toronto.