Hotels in Toronto harnessing the city’s creative pulse

Toronto is one of North America’s fastest-growing cities, and nowhere is that momentum more visible than in its evolving hotel scene. In recent years, a wave of new openings has brought fresh design verve to the Canadian metropolis.

Toronto’s hotel scene is deeply neighbourhood-driven, from historic boutique hotels by the hip Ossington Strip to polished suites in upscale Yorkville.

Collaborations with local artists and designers, buzzy restaurants and bars, and a firm focus on sustainability – from food sourced within 100 kilometres to Ontario-made eco-amenities – all give these properties staying power in a city defined by its sky’s-the-limit attitude.

Hotels in the West End

The Drake Hotel

Best for: Toronto’s original artsy stay, steps from the trendy Ossington Strip
Location: 1150 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1J3
Price: 220 CDN / 159 USD per night

When The Drake Hotel opened in 2004, it transformed a derelict stretch into a cultural hub, spearheading the revitalisation of the West Queen West neighbourhood. The independently owned boutique hotel remains a mecca for local and travelling creatives. Vibrant rooms are furnished with Canadian art and custom wallpapers, while minibars are stocked with beverages from Toronto-based brands. Guests can choose between the 19th-century building or the Modern Wing, home to 32 contemporary rooms and a 1,000-square-foot penthouse suite.

The hotel has an intimate concert venue, which plays host to emerging artists (Billie Eilish and M.I.A. both played here early in their careers) and DJs. There are several places to grab a drink or a bite: the Sky Yard rooftop patio, a retro-cool lobby bar, and a street-level restaurant that often has live music.

Gladstone House

Best for: A slice of history with a compelling art programme
Location: 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1J6
Price: 200 CDN / 145 USD per night

Toronto’s oldest continually operating hotel, this red-brick Victorian icon opened its doors in 1889 to cater to first-class travellers arriving by rail. Today, Gladstone House is considered a cultural landmark, retaining many of its original features, including an antique elevator.

There are 55 suites, featuring exposed brick, vaulted ceilings and contemporary works displayed throughout. Creative touches by local and regional artists abound, from the hand-painted lobby mural to the rotating exhibits at the Stairway Gallery. Artist-in-residence programmes and events at the hotel restaurant and bar connect guests with Toronto’s creative scene from the moment they check in.

Hotels in Downtown

Ace Hotel Toronto

Best for: A hip bolthole in the heart of the action
Location: 1 Camden Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1V2
Price: 280 CDN / 203 USD per night

The Ace Hotel Toronto occupies a leafy corner in Toronto’s Fashion District, once home to textile studios and factories. Though newly built, its red brick facade nods to the Don Valley clay used in many of Toronto’s early buildings. The guestrooms were designed to feel like a Canadian cabin retreat, with Douglas Fir wood panelling, custom quilts, and cosy window nooks overlooking the adjacent park or cityscape.

Like many Ace properties, it doubles as a design-forward social hub. Locals gather over Sam James Coffee or craft cocktails in the suspended lobby bar, while Evangeline, the rooftop lounge, is a year-round favourite for sunset cocktails and winter chalet cosiness. Alder, a wood-fired Mediterranean restaurant, anchors the main level, with menus overseen by acclaimed chef Patrick Kriss of the Michelin-starred Alo nearby. While it’s tempting to have all of your meals at the hotel, the neighbourhood is home to some of Toronto’s best restaurants, not to mention the Waterworks Food Hall across the street.

1 Hotel Toronto

Best for: An eco-conscious escape from the concrete jungle
Location: 550 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2V4
Price: 450 CDN / 326 USD per night

1 Hotel may have locations around the world, but its Toronto outpost off King Street West feels like a handwritten love letter to the city’s green spaces. Guests are greeted by reclaimed timber, native plants, driftwood, and tables crafted by local artisans from rescued trees. Pad over to the lobby bar, featuring a floral installation by local artist Timberlost, and you’ll find cocktails made with fresh herbs from the on-site garden. Sustainability is central to the experience, from advanced water filtration to fully electric Audi e-tron house cars. When it’s time to unwind, the rooftop pool offers a tranquil respite with skyline views, while restaurants like the zero-waste 1 Kitchen spotlight ingredients from Ontario farmers.

Union Hotel Toronto

Best for: A wallet-friendly stay with thoughtful amenities
Location: 60 York Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 1S8
Price: 240 CDN / 174 USD per night

Set in the Financial District steps away from Union Station, Toronto’s main transit hub, Union Hotel offers a convenient location for exploring the city and day-tripping to nearby highlights such as Niagara Falls. Canadian-made details are woven throughout, from the all-natural Routine bath products to the local artwork that fills the midcentury-inspired rooms. Even the rubbish bins are crafted out of recycled plastic by Montreal-based Cyrc.

While the rooms are compact, the hotel has ample communal spaces, which are also suited for remote working. The lobby – complete with a floating fireplace – has communal tables and retro “on-air” booths for private calls. The restaurant, The Humble Donkey, is equally inviting, whether you’re posting up with your laptop and a cup of locally roasted coffee or sampling classics like Jamaican patties and poutine.

Hotels in Midtown

The Hazelton Hotel

Best for: A boutique luxury stay that feels like a private club
Location: 118 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1C2
Price: 440 CDN / 398 USD per night

The term “quiet luxury” is often overused, but The Hazelton Hotel authentically embodies this ethos. Set in Yorkville, the five-star boutique property has 62 rooms and 15 suites designed by Toronto-based Yabu Pushelberg to evoke the classic glamour of old Hollywood. Galaxy green granite bathrooms with deep-soaking tubs, walk-out balconies, and expansive closets make you feel as if you’re staying in a private residence.

Float down in one of the discreet elevators to the Valmont spa, complete with a mosaic-tiled saltwater pool and eucalyptus steam room. The tree-lined ONE restaurant patio is a discreet spot for people-watching, particularly during the Toronto International Film Festival, when industry heavyweights descend upon Yorkville.

Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

Best for: The original Four Seasons that launched a global brand
Location: 60 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 0A4
Price: 650 CDN / 470 USD per night

The first Four Seasons opened in 1961 as a motor hotel in downtown Toronto, launching what would become one of hospitality’s most influential brands. The company is still headquartered in the city, now occupying a sleek tower in Yorkville. Newly renovated guest rooms highlight Canadian craftsmanship, with thoughtful details like Toronto-made SOMA chocolate and Nom Nom nitro cold brew coffee in the minibars.

Afternoon tea and evening martinis are served at street-level d|bar but the real jewel in its crown is the spa. At 30,000 square feet – the largest urban spa within the Four Seasons hotel portfolio – it offers a restorative escape, whether you’re in the mood for a massage, manicure, or a psychic reading at the Wellness and Bio Bar.

The Annex Hotel

Best for: Minimalist, birch-lined rooms in a renovated horse stable
Location: 296 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2M7
Price: 220 CDN / 159 USD per night

Named after the historic neighbourhood it calls home, The Annex Hotel reflects the area’s blend of indie shops and stately Victorian houses just west of Yorkville. It is a ten-minute walk to University of Toronto’s St. George campus, meaning a young student crowd fills the area’s pubs and cafes.

Set inside a former horse stable, the building now houses 24 minimalist rooms, each with a turntable and a selection of records. Custom birch plywood millwork forms desks, media units, and raised platform beds, giving each space a warm, contemporary feel.

The relaxed atmosphere carries into the hotel’s dining options: visit Raffaella’s for pizza and family-style Italian fare, or The Annex Café for working over coffee from The Angry Roaster and pastries by Petite Thuet. While nearby Bloor Street is packed with watering holes, the Lobby Bar holds its own, especially during its rotating lineup of events, from comedy nights to chess club gatherings.

Hotels in the East End

The Broadview Hotel

Best for: A restored East End landmark with skyline views
Location: 106 Broadview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4M 2G1
Price: 260 CDN / 190 USD per night

While many travellers stick to the city’s core, Toronto’s East End is known for its charming pockets of mom-and-pop shops and acclaimed bars. The Broadview stands as a living testament to the Riverside area’s revival. Built in 1891 as Dingman’s Hall, a grand social hub, the Romanesque brick building later operated as a strip club for more than 30 years before its transformation into a boutique hotel.

There are 58 rooms, lined with floral wallpaper inspired by original patterns uncovered during the restoration, and featuring vinyl record players and minibars stocked with local snacks and French press coffee. Many rooms overlook Queen Street East, but the rooftop terrace offers the best vantage point for skyline views. On the ground floor, Archie’s Tavern (set to open this spring) will serve as a retro-inspired burger joint with nods to the building’s many eras.