Site Inspection at Fairmont Royal York Toronto

Built in 1929, the Fairmont Royal York gives a sense of grandeur. It's welcoming, like walking into a place you haven’t visited in years but you always loved being there and you missed it. With a total of 1,347 rooms, the hotel is grand, but doesn't feel overwhelming; it is full of warmth and friendly faces. They mixed new with old and made it flow so beautifully.

The hotel has three dining options, definitely a foodie dream. Clockwork, their beautiful Champagne Bar with cocktails and small plates (again, those french fries - to die for) and afternoon tea on the weekend. Reign, which is the hotel’s main restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch & dinner. They have the Reign Bar with live music, Reign Bakery, which offers fresh pastries and artisan-roasted coffee for optional takeaway, and the hotel contains multiple meeting/dining spaces for groups or businesses. Last but definitely not least, you need to try Library Bar, "The Next Generation in Cocktail Culture" - a gorgeous, GORGEOUS, meeting place tucked in the corner of the hotel that is somehow so spacious yet cozy at the same time, serving cocktails and a small but intricate menu of delicious food. The cocktails were phenomenal, the food is fresh and there are a variety of options in all three venues.

Another cool fact, they have their own rooftop garden that grows 45 varieties of herbs, fruits and vegetables in the summer. Alongside the garden, they were the first hotel (in 2008) to have a rooftop apiary. At peak season, they have seven hives that are home to half a million honey bees. On average, the Fairmont bees produce 400 lbs of honey that they use in seasonal dishes, afternoon tea and in-room amenities.

Also, there is an indoor pool (adult-only hours daily), a children’s wading pool, a hot tub, sauna / steam room and a huge fitness center.

I cannot recommend the Fairmont Royal York enough to anyone wanting a luxury hotel experience. If you're traveling through Toronto on business, whether flying (you can get to the hotel from Pearsons Airport via the express train into Union Station) or driving, valet gets you in & out privileges. Want a quick weekend away? The location couldn't be more perfect.

If you're hitting up a hockey or basketball game, Scotiabank Arena is connected to the Fairmont underground. Located right across from Union Station, much of the city of Toronto is accessible, even in the cold. The Path, an underground pedestrian walkway that links 30 km of Toronto, can be accessed from the Fairmont directly. There is literally no reason not to visit the Fairmont Royal York, not even that Canadian winter weather!

This is a great hotel for a weekend getaway, a girls' trip or a boys' trip. The property is the perfect hotel to escape to even in the winter, you never have to leave the property to have an incredible time, and you have direct access to The Path. Contact me to plan your weekend away!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Toronto. In need of further inspiration? Check out Ashurina David’s guide, A Weekend Getaway to Toronto, Canada.