The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto: Club Level Room, Spa, Dining, and Experiences

A stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto goes well beyond its beautiful hotel rooms. It is an indulgent retreat with a first-class spa, top dining options, and an ideal location in downtown Toronto near the CN Tower and Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays. Adding to all this is a superior staff that has guests feeling pampered and well taken care of from the moment they step inside the hotel.

The property also creates true destination stays for guests with its series of “experiences” both on- and off-site, making it easy for travel advisors to turn a one- or two-night traditional city visit into a multi-night one. Guests can add on mixology, cooking, or flower arranging classes or private cars with tour guides to whisk them to key city and regional attractions. Here’s how to create the ultimate stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto:

Start with The Ritz-Carlton Club Level Room

The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto has 263 guest rooms including 63 suites boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and marble bathrooms with dual vanities, separate showers, and deep soaker tubs. Suggest clients upgrade to a Club Level room for access to the spacious Club Lounge. The elevated service all begins with check-in, where guests are personally accompanied up to the 20^th floor to the Lounge to be greeted not only by a friendly concierge but a commanding view of the CN Tower and Rogers Centre. Guests are treated to five delicious complimentary meal presentations daily including breakfast, lunch, mid-day snacks, hos d’oeuvres and cocktails, and desserts and cordials.

The Lounge staff goes out of their way to accommodate guests. My husband and I were out sightseeing one morning, missed the lunch, but arrived in time for mid-day snacks. A Club attendant immediately asked if we’d like sandwiches. In a matter of minutes, she presented us with three choices each that she magically made appear from the kitchen. When she gushed about the desserts for that evening and we mentioned we would miss them because we were going to the theater, she asked if she could send a selection to our suite that evening instead.

Another Club Lounge guest perk is access to the exclusive Club Car, available for complimentary drives up to 2.5 miles within certain street limits when reserved ahead of time. The car conveniently took us to the theater that same night. Club Lounge guests also receive complimentary pressing of two items per day, enhanced Wi-Fi, and business center services.

Book Spa Time

The hotel’s fifth floor is where guests will find the Urban Sanctuary, featuring Spa myBlend, a 24-hour fitness center, an indoor saltwater pool, and a separate hot tub. Encourage clients to go beyond lounging at the pool and indulge with a choice of Clarins treatments including massages and facials available at the spa with its 16 treatment rooms, steam room, sauna, and relaxation areas. Build in at least a half-day for clients to enjoy all the offerings as it’s the perfect respite after sightseeing.

Don’t Forget Dining

Classic Italian cuisine featuring locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, homemade pasta, fresh seafood, and selections from the restaurant’s own cheese cave can be enjoyed at the on-site TOCA. One of the hotel’s many experiences includes a Master Class: Cheese & Wine featuring a private tour of the cheese cave with wine and cheese tastings, plus a how-to on building a cheese board and a cooking class making compotes, crostini, and preserves. For families, kids can have their own cookie decorating class while the parents discover more about cheese. Cooking classes are also available at TOCA’s Chef’s Table.

Another dining option at the property is EPOCH Bar & Terrace Kitchen with indoor and seasonal outdoor dining. The menu is made up of signature dishes from the hotel chefs featuring varied cuisine and an abundant menu of cocktails. The hotel Cocktail & Mixology experience here offers a personalized how-to-make cocktails class with cocktail tastings and snacks.  

LANO Toronto, a café and wine bar with a northern Italian focus, is set to open in September as part of a hotel refresh that also includes a newly designed lobby.

Add on the Experiences

Beyond the dining experiences and spa services at the property, other hotel experiences can vary with the season and can include classes in floral arrangements from the in-house hotel florist or painting, and many family-focused options. The Ritz-Carlton destination experiences in the summer can take advantage of Toronto’s lakeside waters with introductory sailing lessons or a Toronto Islands Boat Tour.

The Toronto City Tour experience includes a private tour guide and guests’ choice of up to three attractions. These can include the impressive castle-like Casa Loma historic home, the bustling St. Lawrence Market food hall, and the CN Tower. Individual tickets to the city’s theaters and other attractions can also be set up.

Beyond Toronto, the hotel’s experiences can include a half-day trip to the 13^th Street Winery in Niagara for wine and cheese tastings, lunch, and a walk through the vineyard and the 13th Street Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden. Guests can even opt for a day-long Niagara Falls tour pairing a private car and tour guide escorting them to the iconic attraction and Niagara-on-the-Lake village and then back to Toronto and the comfort of their guest room or suite.