Review: Lofty city address Shangri-La Toronto

Location: Shangri-La Toronto sits in the heart of the city’s vibrant Downtown. It’s no surprise this buzzing neighbourhood frequently appears as a stand-in for New York on the silver screen, with red brick buildings, bright yellow streetlights and modern glass exteriors all around.

First impressions: The lobby is a destination in itself. Exquisite haute couture gowns encased in glass and striking calligraphy by Shanghainese artist Wang Xu Yuan create a gallery you can lounge in. Positioned as an urban living room, the sumptuous space hosts afternoon tea from Thursday to Sunday with immaculately crafted patisseries – expect themed offerings for the Fifa World Cup and Toronto International Film Festival – while a casual cafe bar ensures the space doesn’t feel stuffy. The ambience is sealed with a one-of-a-kind oak Fazioli piano playing sophisticated tunes from afternoon to midnight, evoking instant calm and class.

The facts: Following the sale of Shangri-La Vancouver to Hyatt last year, Shangri-La Toronto is now the brand’s only North American outpost. The property houses 202 rooms and suites, along with 393 residences. The towering floors showcase breathtaking cityscapes, allowing guests to laze in serene comfort as they overlook the bustling traffic and sparkling skyscrapers. A branch of renowned Cantonese eatery Mott 32 brings a fresh take on Chinese fine dining and a more elevated offering than Italian restaurant Bosk, which serves excellent breakfasts but slightly less polished meals. The opulently decorated 12-treatment-room Miraj Hammam Spa is one of only two such facilities in the city, boasting a decadent treatment menu, infrared sauna and yoga studio. In fact, wellness permeates the whole property, with bath menus designed to inspire relaxation and luxuriously perfumed robes in each suite.