Staycation At The Ritz-Carlton Toronto

Everyone deserves a good pampering now and then. A visit to the spa usually does the trick, but sometimes even that isn’t enough to wind me down. A few years ago, I discovered that a staycation at a luxury hotel was exactly what I needed to recharge. Yup, a solid 24/48hrs of gluttony and relaxation on my own turf. Fortunately for me, Toronto is home to some of the finest hotels in the world. I recently had a chance to stay at the The Ritz-Carlton Toronto where I fully immersed myself in every ounce of luxury they have to offer…

Synonymous with sophistication, The Ritz-Carlton brand is known for creating extraordinary luxury experiences. And their property in Toronto is no exception. Located in the heart of downtown, the elegant hotel is a calming oasis boasting all the amenities you’ll need for a rejuvenating staycation:

1) Soothing Spa – Ranked the best in the world by Travel + Leisure, Spa My Blend by Clarins offers a comprehensive selection of face, body and message treatments (all customized just for you). Having experienced the treatments before, my hubby and I decided to spend a good chunk of our staycation enjoying the saunas, pool and relaxation areas (free to use for all hotel guests).

2) Sophisticated Dining – Whether you decide to indulge in Italian cuisine at TOCA (don’t forget to check out their cheese cave if you do), grab a cocktail at the Ritz Bar or enjoy Mediterranean fare at DEQ, your stomach will be in good hands at The Ritz-Carlton Toronto. My absolute favourite time to book a table is during TIFF; the energy is out-of-this-world at the hotel as it hosts the who’s who of Hollywood (I met Al Pacino there last year!). If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, I hear their afternoon tea service at DEQ is divine.

3) Spacious Guest Rooms And Suites – The heavenly Deluxe Room ($455/night on average) was the perfect place to hibernate during our staycation; I can assure you that no detail was spared in its design – from the luxurious fabrics that line the room to the stunning ensuite (complete with fine art, deep soaker tub, heated marble flooring, dimmable lights and a hidden TV in the mirror). The neutral tones are calming, the space is filled with natural light and the bed is dreamy.

4) Club Level Lounge – If you’re staying at this property, do yourself a favour and splurge on Club Level access ($100 extra/night on weekdays, $150 extra/night on weekends – the fee covers both you and a guest). The main perk? Complimentary culinary offerings throughout the day at the Club Level Lounge on the 20th floor (breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, alcoholic beverages etc.) And the quality is exceptional, especially the desserts. Other benefits? Complimentary Wi-Fi, garment pressing, boardgames, intimate Heart of House Tours, exclusive access to Burberry’s Private Clients program AND your own dedicated concierge (Priscilla is a gem) who will help you arrange anything you need during your stay.

Sigh, we could literally spend weeks in an endless eat-drink-spa-sleep cycle at The Ritz-Carlton Toronto; they’ve truly created a luxury hotel experience that is perfect for anyone looking to squeeze in a little R&R. The hotel is intimate, sophisticated and offers personalized service that you can relish in, especially during a staycation. So the next time you’re looking to kick things up a notch on the relaxation front, I highly recommend you check out this urban oasis.