The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
The hotel lobby & front desk
A Superior Room
Downturn, schmownturn. Who says the economy is in bad shape when luxury hotels are sprouting from the YTO landscape faster than mushrooms? Open Jaw took a few moments to check out some of the snazziest new digs and came up with some interesting goods.
The Four Seasons
Opening date: October 5, 2012
Number of rooms: 259, including 42 suites
Ambience: 50 Shades of Greige
Remember the old Four Seasons? All gilt-edged mirrors, chandeliers and floral arrangements big enough to fill a cube van? Well, all that’s gone, and in its place is a tribute to minimalism. The cavernous and windowless lobby boasts soaring, unadorned ceilings and the odd smattering of seating – if you can find the chairs in the gloom.
Reception is concealed through a high doorway. Generic club music filters through the twilight and the overall impression is of cool so cold that it’s uninviting. However, just off the deserted lobby the “dbar” is buzzing with young road warriors, all flashing Blackberries and camelhair coats, elegant Rosedale ladies of a certain age and earnest 30-somethings catching up on their portfolios.
Proof that the cachet of the Four Seasons name still goes a long way.
Largest suite & rack rate for it: Royal Suite (3,820 sq. ft.) - $15,000/night
Smallest room & rack rate for it: Superior Room (500 sq. ft.) from $545/night
Brand of bathroom amenities: Etro of Milan
Thread count of sheets: 300
Number of restaurants: 1 - Cafe Boulud by Chef Daniel Boulud
Number of bars: 1 - dbar by Chef Daniel Boulud
Signature cocktail: The Yorkville (made with Forty Creek Reserve Rye, Marsala Fine, Amaro, Kirsch Cherries, House Star Anise Bitters)
Have any celebrities stayed with them? Apologies, this goes against their guest confidentiality.
What’s the oddest request their concierge has dealt with to date? Chief Concierge Liloo Alim once bought a condo for a guest. He didn't even see the property before purchasing it.
Up next: The Shangri-La
Photo Credit: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
