The V. I. Bee Suite on the Royal York rooftop
Our Fairmont Royal York roof guides
Andrea Mendelsohn, Leisure Sales Manager & Eri Yamada, Director, Transient Sales
The Epic Restaurant
For almost 100 years, the Royal York has hosted thousands of weddings, honeymoons, and business affairs of all nature – certainly playing its part in many a pollination. In fact, some of us wouldn’t have pollinated at all if it weren’t for the convenient location and industry rate of the grand dame.
Today, the Royal York has actual bees on their rooftop doing the busy work of making honey and keeping flowers blooming for the chef’s below.
In July 2008, the Royal York installed three beehives on its 13th-floor rooftop terrace to serve the in-house garden, which already provides its nine restaurants with fresh herbs, vegetables and flowers. Three queens and their 40,000 workers provide the chefs with up to 700 pounds of honey. The hotel named the hives the Honey Moon Suite, the Royal Sweet, the Stay-In-A-Hive Suite and the V.I. Bee Suite.
This Fairmont property has come a long way from the tired CP hotel in the 1980’s. Luckily the face lifts, resurfacings and make-overs have not turned her into a youth seeking oddity. She’s been handled with great care and respect to her historic past. There is an elegant old world feel to the décor and the service, without being fusty.
One of the hallmarks is the 19th floor executive level which was used for storage (some say engine room) until recently. Now it’s all gleaming marble, polished wood, rich draperies and sunlight. There’s nothing humdrum about these meeting rooms.
Our exquisite lunch at the Epic Restaurant was served by a highly knowledgeable 25 year veteran of the hotel who obviously still loves his job. Retaining a loyal and polished staff is part of what makes a great hotel great.
