Shangri-La Toronto

A Hammam and a Skyline at the Foot of University Avenue

University Avenue is Toronto's ceremonial boulevard, a wide, tree-lined axis running up toward Queen's Park, and the Shangri-La stands near its southern end at the corner of Adelaide Street. The building is one of the tallest in the city, a 65-storey glass tower designed by the Vancouver architect James K.M. Cheng, with private residences on the upper floors and the hotel occupying the levels below. At street level the project also restored the historic Bishop's Block, a reminder that this corner belongs to the oldest part of the city. Inside, the mood changes at once: stone, wood and bronze, sculptural pieces set in quiet space, and an atmosphere that lowers the volume of downtown.

Why It Works

We selected the Shangri-La Toronto because it offers a kind of calm that is hard to find in a financial district. The design leans on materials rather than decoration, and the rooms are generous, starting at around 450 square feet, with floor-to-ceiling windows and marble bathrooms. The hotel adds two things that make a real difference on a city stay: the Miraj Hammam Spa, with its traditional hammam rituals, and a 20-metre indoor lap pool under a glass roof. And its dining program gives guests reasons to eat in: bosk, Mott 32 and the Lobby Lounge each have a distinct identity.

Why This Location

The hotel sits where several of Toronto's worlds meet. The Financial District and its towers start a block or two east. Queen Street West, with its independent shops and restaurants, is about a six-minute walk north, and the Art Gallery of Ontario is a little further along. The theatre and entertainment district lies to the west along King Street, and the CN Tower, Scotiabank Arena and the waterfront are all reachable on foot for anyone who enjoys a city walk. The subway runs directly beneath University Avenue, which makes the rest of the city easy to reach without a car.

Fast Facts

• Price: Luxury (€€€€)

• Vibe: serene, Asian-inspired, polished, urban

• Rooms: 202 rooms and suites, from deluxe rooms to terrace rooms, garden suites and a two-bedroom presidential suite

• Best For: business travellers, couples on a city break, theatre-goers

• Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: the Miraj Hammam Spa and its traditional hammam rituals, a genuine rarity in a Canadian city hotel

• Dining: bosk for seasonal Canadian cooking; Mott 32 for Chinese cuisine; the Lobby Lounge for tea, cocktails, light dining and live music

• Amenities: hammam spa; 20-metre glass-roofed indoor lap pool; hot tub, steam room and sauna; 24-hour health club; pets welcome

• Attractions: Queen Street West about six minutes on foot, Art Gallery of Ontario, the theatre district on King Street, CN Tower, the waterfront

Rooms Framed by the City

Every room here is organised around its windows. Floor-to-ceiling glass frames the downtown skyline. The layouts have a residential feel, with marble bathrooms and, in several categories, separate bathing areas and heated floors. Executive terrace rooms add private outdoor space, rare in a tower hotel, and the garden and specialty suites give families or longer stays room to spread out. At the top of the range, the two-bedroom presidential suite is sized like a downtown apartment.

From Tea Service to Dim Sum

The Lobby Lounge is the social centre of the hotel, a place for afternoon tea, a glass of wine or a cocktail, with live music in the evening. It works equally well for a meeting and for a slow end to the day. bosk, the hotel restaurant, cooks seasonal Canadian produce with Northern Italian accents. Mott 32 brings a more theatrical setting and a menu of Chinese classics. Between the three, guests can eat well for several days without repeating themselves.

What to Know Before Booking

This is a hotel for travellers who want downtown on the doorstep and a retreat once inside. Families are welcome, as are pets, and the spa and pool make it a good choice in the colder months, when the city's streets are less inviting. On-site parking is available for those arriving by car, and the airport is reachable by the UP Express from Union Station.