The Westin Toronto Airport

This Westin's lobby is decked out in white marble floors, striking starburst chandeliers, and contemporary furniture in vibrant shades of blue, gold, and lavender. There's a “living wall” of cascading plants next to the registration area that's is a distinctive touch, as are the skylights that usher in natural light. The bright color palette and spaciousness of the lobby helps the hotel stay relatively serene, even as a steady stream of airport-bound business and leisure travelers pass through. While restaurants also sees a fair amount of traffic, they don't tend to get overcrowded, even at peak hours. 

The Westin is located just a short drive or shuttle ride (three minutes) from the terminals at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Several hotels and a few restaurants are in the immediate area, including a Subway next door and other eateries as close as one or two minutes on foot. The Toronto Congress Centre, Woodbine Casino & Racetrack, and Woodbine Shopping Centre are all within 10 minutes by car. Depending on traffic, it takes approximately 30 minutes by car (one hour by public transit) to reach downtown Toronto.

Guest rooms are fresh from their renovation, with contemporary furniture that has an upscale, polished look. Neutrals are accented by stylish touches, such as padded headboards and ottomans in shiny gold, and textured wallpaper in soft beige, brown, and blue. They nicely complement the designer-quality wood furniture, which has a maple finish, and the wood laminate floors in a shade that's a tad darker. Bold splashes of color come from striking modern art, with lavender backgrounds and bursts of silver and gold. 

At 315 square feet, Standard Kings and Double-Doubles offer ample room for comfort, with loveseats and desks with media plug-ins, and sleek, white chairs. Larger Deluxe rooms come with free Wi-Fi -- (it's only free in Standard rooms for Starwood Preferred Guests). Suites also get free Wi-Fi and have separate living rooms with sleeper sofas, wet bars, and dining tables. Standard amenities include 48-inch flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, robes, magnifying mirrors, and mini-fridges, and Suites add microwaves.

Bathrooms are only average in size, but they've been nicely upgraded with white marble vanities and lovely beige tiling framing the shower/tub combos, which have rainfall showerheads. The best views are those overlooking the airport runways, while others feature city views. Despite their proximity to the airport, units are generally quiet.  

This upscale hotel offers a nice lineup of amenities for guests, many of whom are here for a short stay, and the free 24-hour airport shuttle is major perk. Three on-site dining options is another highlight, which include a lobby Starbucks that sells pastries and other light breakfast fare. A breakfast buffet (fee) and an a la carte menu is available at the Atmosphere Restaurant, and creative contemporary cuisine is featured at the Crosswinds Restaurant and Bar for lunch and dinner. The hotel also has a lobby pantry that sells sundries, snacks, and soft drinks, and room service is available. 

For wellness, the 24-hour fitness center is spacious and well-equipped with eight Life Fitness cardio machines and weight-training equipment. There's also New Balance rental workout gear. The heated indoor pool is housed in a bright space, with a skylight and comfy padded loungers, but there's no whirlpool. 

There's a business center with two computers and a printer, 19,000 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate up to 500 people, and free Wi-Fi in public spaces (in-room Wi-Fi is free for Starwood Preferred Guest members). Guest receive nightly turndown service, and concierge services include valet dry cleaning and laundry. There's on-site valet and self-parking, but expect to pay city prices. Pets are welcome with a surcharge.