STAFF HOTEL REVIEWS

Sheraton Gateway – Toronto Airport
Terminal 3
Toronto, ON L5P 1C4 CA

By: Dave Grossman, HotelMagician.com
December 2007

Book online at Sheraton.com or at Hotel Magician

There is one feature that absolutely makes the Sheraton Gateway – Toronto Airport hotel worthwhile – it’s *in* the airport.

Yes, you literally walk across an enclosed pathway from the hotel into Terminal 3 (you can also take the monorail to Terminal 1 without going outside).
If you have an early flight, this is worth the price of admission on its own. You can even check-in to some airlines from kiosks in the lobby.

Rates on our night started at $169 but dropped to $99 with AAA/CAA membership.

The hotel was modern, clean, and well kept. However, don’t plan on using the exercise or pool areas here unless you enjoy small, cramped spaces. It was one major shortcoming, in my opinion.

The only other negative, which must be mentioned, was that the price of all food and beverage was somewhat outrageous. Knowing you are captive in the airport, the hotel sees fit to charge $9 for a pint of beer, $14 for a glass of wine, and $21 for a pizza at the bar (the most “casual dining” option available). The pizza was a good one, though. In the morning, there is no small coffee bar/pastry option. It is expected you’ll pay for a full breakfast starting at around $17. And forget free Wi-Fi as has become commonplace in, at the least, hotel lobbies. You’ll be paying $18 for a day’s use here.

As an aside, you can get a grab-and-go style breakfast across the walkway in Terminal 3 for a reasonable price.

Overall, the Sheraton Gateway – Toronto Airport hotel is recommended for those flying from Toronto’s Pearson Airport as it is extremely convenient and well-kept (see the pictures). I just feel the rest deserves fair warning.

-DG

Hilton Toronto
145 Richmond Street West
Toronto, Canada M5H 2L2

By: Dave Grossman
Hotel Magician, December 2006

It’s hard to imagine a better hotel for a traveler needing to be in the heart of downtown Toronto, Canada than the Hilton Toronto.

We’ve been staying here on occasion for years now but it seems it only gets better with age! From the lobby to the check-in to the recently renovated rooms, the experience is always a classy one.

In the last few years, a major renovation has been completed leaving the hotel in great shape from the bottom to the top. Ride one of the exterior elevators up to your room and enjoy a marvelous view of the Toronto skyline. We had this view of the CN Tower right from our room!

For executives, the 32^nd Floor lounge is an absolute oasis in the sky. Available for use by anyone paying for an Executive Floor room or

anyone who has attained the Gold or Diamond level in the Hilton

Honors program, the 32^nd Floor lounge is often discussed by frequent travelers as one of the best in North America. For its service, breakfast selection, evening Hors D’oeuvres and complimentary beer and wine alone it would be worth it, but add in great views, free WiFi internet access, and a staff that goes above and beyond and it becomes world class. Take Jessica, a check-in agent on the 32^nd Floor (where Gold, Diamond, and Executive Floor guests can check-in) who remembered us from the last time we stayed there, 12 months ago, before even looking up the name on the reservation. Impressive! There is also an expansive boardroom that can accommodate a meeting up to approximately 10 people (and there is a small fee per guest if they are not on the Executive Level or a Gold/Diamond member).

On to the rooms. If you’re not staying on the Hilton Toronto Executive Levels, we highly recommend asking for a room on the 25^th or 26^th Floor where the rooms have been renovated to a new standard that includes a rain shower. Of course, these rooms cannot be guaranteed before arrival, but it’s worth asking! The picture gives you an idea but it’s like a whole small room for your shower, with a big rain showerhead in addition to a hand controlled showerhead. It’ll wake you up or relax you based on your adjustments.

For dining, there is an on site Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse as well as the Tundra Bar and Restaurant (with upscale northern Canadian fare) and Barrister’s Bar. Ovo is their simple morning option for pastries and coffee. The subway is only a block away.

The Hilton Toronto also provides a pool and full fitness centre. If we had to pick out anything we didn’t love at the hotel it’s the approximately $30 daily parking charge, but we suppose that’s as much a function of its downtown location as anything else.

DG

Labels: hilton toronto, review

Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
123 Queen Street West · Toronto, Ontario M5H 2M9

By: Dave Grossman
Hotel Magician, December 2006

Book online at Sheraton.com or at Hotel Magician

Situated right in the financial district and convenient to Union Station and the rest of downtown – in what is known as the downtown core – the Sheraton Centre Toronto is ideally suited for business travelers.

This hotel was very recently refurbished from top to bottom. All hotel rooms have new finishes and all now have the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed, which makes for a great nights sleep.

In summer, the half-indoor/half-outdoor pool makes it a great family hotel as well. In warm weather, both the pool and the outdoor garden area are big selling points. In winter, while still perfectly suitable for families, it feels a bit more oriented toward the business crowd.

There is a well sized health club with elliptical machines, treadmills, free weights, various weight machines and there are several TVs positioned for viewing while working out. While the fitness area is free if you stay in a Club Floor room, it carries an additional charge (CDN$9 as of this writing) if you are in a standard room. The pool is free for all guests, however.

There are two dining options in the hotel. We tried the lively Traders off the lobby. It’s got way more of a beer selection than a food selection but the sandwich we had was quite good. It’s a very casual and large bar with a dining area as well. Service was excellent – especially for an in-hotel restaurant. On a Thursday, the bar was packed at 10PM. There is also a steakhouse off the lobby that we did not review. Additionally, a lobby area café serves Starbucks coffees and espresso drinks, pastries, etc in the mornings from 6am. Very nearby the Sheraton Centre Toronto on Queen St. is a Starbucks (in the TD Canada building) and a Tim Hortons.

The expansive lobby is full of comfortable places to sit, should you need to wait for friends or simply read and people watch. We were also able to pick up a WiFi signal there but we can’t guarantee that will always be available!

DG

Labels: center, hotel, review, sheraton centre, toronto canada