Highlights: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

•The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is in a prime location in the upscale neighborhood of Yorkville

•Impeccable service that is synonymous with the legendary Four Seasons Hotel

•Rooms feature elegant colonial décor, plush furnishings, and charming views of Yorkville, or stunning views of the city’s downtown

•Classic French cuisine served in the hotel’s Mobil Four-Star restaurant, Truffles

•Business center and complimentary limousine service designed to pamper business travelers

•Truly a family-friendly hotel, exemplified by the fact that kids younger than 18 stay free

•Health club features a heated indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, and fitness center

Amenities: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

• 380 rooms, 32 story. Pets accepted, some restrictions. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access. Two restaurants, two bars. Fitness room. Indoor pool, outdoor pool, whirlpool. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

The legendary Four Seasons Hotel chain began in Toronto. Ever since this property opened in 1972, it has been a local institution that continues to attract travelers from all over the world.

Located in the upscale neighborhood of Yorkville, brimming with its chic boutiques, restaurants, and cultural institutions, the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is an ideal destination for business and leisure travelers alike. The Royal Ontario Museum, Gardiner Museum of Ceramics, and the Bata Shoe Museum are nearby, and Yorkville’s upscale shopping district is only moments away.

The hotel is also conveniently located near one of the major subway lines, making it easy to explore the rest of the city via public transit. Downtown and the waterfront are just a quick taxi ride away as well.

The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto recently underwent major renovations, and you can expect all the state-of-the-art amenities like high speed Internet in addition to the typical Four Seasons elegance. The hotel caters to business travelers with a full-service, 24-hour business center. However, the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is equally considerate of its guests traveling with children. The hotel offers a number of services designed specifically for children, such as milk and cookies waiting in the room upon your arrival. The suites also have children’s bathrobes and baby and children's toiletries. In addition, there are loads of on-site children games and activities along with baby-sitting service through the concierge. Unfortunately, because this location is so focused on its business and family clients, it’s perhaps not the most ideal choice for a romantic getaway.

I found all the hotel staff to be professional and polite, and perfectly in keeping with the renown Four Seasons attention to service. The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto guest rooms are available in six styles along with two styles of suites. The hotel offers rooms in moderate, superior, deluxe, premium, executive, deluxe executive, and the famous Yorkville Suite categories.

The hotel also features four outstanding restaurants that cater to all styles of dining from drinks to casual to gourmet. Another option is 24-hour in-room dining, featuring an eclectic menu that changes throughout the day.

(+) Great location that appeals to getaway, business, and family travelers
(-) Couples looking for a romantic weekend might find that business travelers and small children spoil the mood

Guest Services: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

The Four Seasons hotels are well known for their outstanding service and professional staff. And while the staff overall was polite, professional, and pleasant, my check-in was slightly disappointing. I didn’t feel as if the staff anticipated my arrival, and I was not given an orientation to either the hotel or to my guest room. However, the other guest services easily smoothed over the check-in blunders. My wake-up call was polite, personalized, and delivered on time. When I requested a toothbrush, housekeeping delivered a nicely presented Four Seasons bag with toothbrush and toothpaste and the baggage service was seamless. Check-out was quick and efficient.

(+) Prompt friendly service ensures that every detail is perfect
(-) Check-in wasn’t as personalized as expected

Guest Rooms: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is a 32-story hotel with 380 rooms, including a host of elegant and exclusive suites. All the rooms come equipped with two-line, cordless telephones, voice mail, web TV, and high-speed Internet service. The hotel also offers complimentary overnight shoeshine, courtesy morning limousine service within the downtown core, baby-sitting services, one-hour pressing, and 24-hour concierge, room service, and valet pickup.

The décor of my room was styled in elegant colonial with French influences. The walls were a warm yellow that complimented the soothing green of the carpet and upholstery. The marble bathroom was large enough for two people, and was equipped with L’Occitane bath products. A cozy queen-sized bed along with an intimate sitting area made my room feel like an elegant apartment. The moderate rooms, which are located on the lower levels, have charming vistas of Yorkville’s hustle and bustle, while the rooms in the superior category between the fifth and 30 floors have stunning views of downtown Toronto, complete with furnished walk-out balconies.

(+) Elegant colonial décor with French influences make rooms feel more like an apartment than a hotel room

Facilities & Activities: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

One of the highlights of a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is the complimentary access to the health club, which features a heated indoor/outdoor pool, sauna, and whirlpool. Open every day, there are complimentary fruits as well as complimentary use of shorts, T-shirts, socks, and running shoes. Some of the equipment available in the fitness center includes the Vectra multi-station weight machine, Lifecycles, free weights, StairMasters, elliptical cross trainers, and treadmills. There are also several certified trainers available.

The heated indoor and outdoor pool with sun deck is a welcome retreat. Lounge chairs are elegantly arranged around the indoor pool, which is covered by an atrium so it is open year-round. In summer, chilled towels and water spritzers are available at the outdoor pool.

The hotel’s location is ideal for families and business travelers who wish to indulge in the finer things Toronto has to offer. The hotel is situated in the heart of a posh shopping district with a collection of excellent cultural institutions nearby. Art lovers will want to visit the Province’s historic Royal Ontario Museum or visit the newly renovated Gardiner Ceramic Museum. For those who love fashion, the Bata Shoe Museum offers a historic glance into the evolution of shoes with special collections culled from Sonja Bata. Nightlife is big in the city, too. The Theater District offers a wide variety of live theater, concert halls and clubs. Choose from the Second City Theatre, the Roy Thomson Hall, or the Princess of Wales Theatre.

(+) Leisure time can be enjoyed at the hotel’s two pools and fitness center, or by touring the city’s many neighborhoods

Dining & Lounge: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

The Mobil Four-Star restaurant, Truffles, is located on the second floor and serves an inspired take on classic French cuisine thanks to Executive Chef Lynn Crawford.

The Lobby Bar, located in a spacious atrium, is ideal for a Continental breakfast, afternoon tea, or an evening cocktail. Rich browns and soft greens adorn the plush furnishings of this relaxing restaurant.

For neighborhood watching, it doesn’t get any better than hanging out at the Avenue Bar and Lounge. Overlooking Yorkville Avenue, the interior reflects a modern elegance with a cosmopolitan sophistication. Here you’ll find a wide selection of contemporary cuisine and award-winning martinis.

For more casual dining, the Studio Café offers unbeatable service and a spectacular menu. Surrounded by glass sculptures created by Canadian artists, the interior is furnished in elegant white with black chrome chairs. I found the atmosphere in this restaurant to be simply wonderful, and a great place for breakfast.

My room service experience was exceptional. The operator who took my order patiently discussed all aspects of the menu with me. The usual half hour delivery time turned into a speedy 16 minutes, and the table pick-up was prompt.

(+) Mobil Four-Star restaurant and lounge offer excellent food in gorgeous settings while in-room dining also is excellent

Business Services: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

While only minutes away from the city’s business and financial district, the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto’s business center makes it simple for business travelers to conduct business on-site.

My suite had a spacious office with its own desk, chair, and high-speed Internet access not to mention the cordless phone. Professional and polite, the staff at the business center provided excellent service and paid attention to all the fine details. The facility has an attentive executive secretary available for word processing, faxing documents, translating, shipping, and providing transcription.

For stressful commutes into the financial core, the hotel offers a complimentary morning limousine service from 7:30 to 9:30 am. Guests can relax with a newspaper in hand and arrive to appointments hassle free.

(+) Room, business center, and complimentary limousine service cater to needs of business travelers