Judi's Travel Tales: The Ritz Carlton Toronto

I just stayed at the new Ritz Carlton on Thursday night. It is a beautiful and intelligently designed hotel; the employees are well trained and everyone seems genuinely nice – in fact being a nice person is a prerequisite to being hired. I am a critical person and it takes a lot to impress me – The Ritz impressed me.

The decor is modern Canadian done in soft colours - maples, browns and creams with some red highlights (chandeliers). They used all Canadian woods and there is a lot of marble and leather. They have over 400 works of art through the hotel all done by Ontario artists.

The menus (restaurant and spa) are focussed on Canadian influences. TOCA is the main dining room – full of light and fresh decor in the front, breakfast area and all dark woods and warm lighting in the dining area. It has a cheese room with two cheese specialists (the only restaurant in Canada to feature this) and two wine specialists on staff, a private dining room for 12 and a wine tasting room.
They offer a Chef's table experience in the kitchen; it seats 6 to 10 guests for an interactive experience.

Chef's Table

TOCA Breakfast

TOCA BAR is a raw bar with an amazing mixologist who creates unusual custom drinks. I had a rum, watermelon and aloe drink - very interesting presentation.
The other restaurant and bar is DEQ – it has the feel of a living room with a cozy nook like a library with a fireplace. The restaurant is for sharing plates and features a charcuterie table and custom flatbreads. It has an outdoor pizza oven with a large heated deck and a fireplace.

DEQ Charcuterie Table

The hotel has a signature fruit infused water (changes daily) in coolers available in various spots around the hotel.
Everywhere you look there are lots of neatly rolled towels. When I mentioned the showers are confusing (multi-heads and taps with no labels to be seen- without my glasses) the spa attendant listened to my comments and came back to tell me that they would be labeling them better. I was impressed by that and the fact she was always quietly there anticipating my needs – a pillow for my head in the jet pool, a bathmat coming out of the shower (which I had failed to put down) in addition to keeping the place spotless!
The relaxation room is large and light filled with many large comfy recliners and blankets, club chairs, a balcony which wraps around the treatment rooms. There is a service table with waters, teas and snacks (fruit and nuts and cookies). There is also a spa menu for food and drink.

The hotel rooms are all the same, but they are very well appointed, spacious and comfortable; an upgrade is to a higher floor and view. There is an in-mirror TV in the bathroom as well as heated marble floors, a Bose sound system (upgraded in the suites), Flat screen TV, Blu-ray DVD player, complementary bottled water. For additional charge but unique treat they have a martini ingredients and shaker set up with a recipe card in the bar (beautiful glassware in the rooms), as well as a choice of interesting snacks. Internet and Wi-Fi is available for a fee but is free in executive level rooms.

Minibar martini fixins and truffles

The executive rooms are on the 18th - 20th floors. The club lounge is lovely with nice views, lots of windows. They serve 5 light meals per day, teas coffee, waters and alcohol is included here. It would be worth the premium to upgrade

Executive Lounge

There are 56 corner suites (650 sf) with a powder room, living area with pull-out sofa, chair and ottoman and desk with leather chair; a larger bathroom and the bedroom area can be shut off from the living area. There is good closet space and all the suites have views. The suites can be connected to a standard room by an extra door leading to the main hall.

Suite

There are two floors of meeting rooms and conference space which can be configured to different sizes. There is also an executive boardroom with a private lounge area for the group’s food and beverage service.
There are three sets of elevators off the lobby - one for the meeting rooms, one for the guest rooms and one for the parking and underground tunnels access.
Finally there is a gift shop off the lobby with high quality Ritz and other branded gift items, food and toiletries. The spa has a larger gift shop selling product and clothing.