Ace Hotel Toronto

The staff are what make the Toronto Ace such a good stay. Michaela greeted me warmly and was helpful and professional throughout; she was especially kind when I’d had a rough day. Saying goodbye to her at checkout even brought me to tears. Sheldon soon learned my breakfast order, including my “Americano, three shots?”, and Jerome was there to welcome me back at the end of the day. The rooms can seem sparse at first, with cement and plywood, but after a day out they felt calming, like coming home. The interior design is beautiful, especially ‘The Lobby.’ The location is great for walking to tourist spots, transit, parks, restaurants, and TIFF. I’ve been visiting Toronto for business and pleasure for over forty years, and this is the best hotel experience I’ve had here. I’ll be back.

Our early dinner at the Alder Restaurant was excellent, and the cappuccino and coffee cake muffin the next morning made a lovely start to the day. We were in town for the Leaf game, and I’d chosen the Ace Hotel for a special birthday weekend with my wife. She liked the room’s simple design as well as its quaint, warm feel. The staff were professional and made us feel welcome. One person we met in the elevator even wished her a happy birthday, which was a thoughtful touch. Thanks to everyone who made the weekend special.

I had a great view of the park from the 11th floor. The room was clean and nice, with a huge shower and a deep tub that worked well for a tall person. The hotel has a warm, wooden, minimalist East Asian style, and I was pleasantly surprised by a suite upgrade even though I wasn’t a member or anything special. Staff were kind and understanding while I rushed to check out, and I’d stay again. One thing to know: the bed sits very low, which could be tricky if getting in and out is a mobility issue. There was also a large window beside the bathroom toilet. Even with the blackout blind down, it felt exposed.

The design details are beautifully done. Shim-Sutcliffe Architects brought together the Ace Hotel feel and a Canadian aesthetic through laminated wood frames, iron-spot brick, and textures like colorful rugs and handmade comforters. There’s a lot to explore, including art, vinyl, and retro-modern industrial pieces. The hotel also has a lively nightlife side, with a stylish rooftop and a good restaurant-bar downstairs, but it felt like a refuge in the city too, across from St-Andrew's Playground, with its dog run and adaptively reused Waterworks building. We’ve stayed at Ace Hotels in New York, LA, and Kyoto, and Toronto was one of our best experiences. Our Shiba Inu was treated like a celebrity from the moment we arrived. Ema and the staff were lovely and kind, and thanks for the upgrade!