After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

If you're traveling to Toronto, consider the Fairmont Royal York

The Fairmont Royal York: A modern hotel that hasn't forgotten its history.

The Fairmont Royal York at night. (All photos via Fairmont Royal York Hotel)

Should you hang your hat at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, you’ll have more in common with the Queen of England than just a love of Corgis: the British Royal Family has been staying there for three generations. Between the Royal York's location, amenities, and history, it's easy to see why.

Lobby of Fairmont Royal York. 

 Besides world-class food and culture, Toronto also has world-class sprawl. The Royal York's location means you don't have to worry about that. From 100 Front Street West, you’re perfectly positioned to sample the very best of Toronto. Find yourself within walking distance of the Harbourfront; the CN Tower; Rogers Centre; Chinatown; the brand-new Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada; the St. Lawrence Market; Air Canada Centre; and that most Canadian of institutions, the Hockey Hall of Fame. Nathan Phillips Square is also close by, should you fancy a bit of wintertime ice skating.

If you want to sample some of Toronto's emerging culture, an easy streetcar ride will take you to West Queen West, Roncesvalles, and High Park. Looking east, you can take the subway out to the Danforth.

The Fairmont Royal York is connected to the PATH network, the largest underground shopping and entertainment complex in the world. A city beneath the city, PATH's walkways, services and shops help Toronto's professionals (and curious tourists) evade traffic and inclement weather while running errands and seeking entertainment.

In a downtown area characterized by steel and glass, The Fairmont Royal York remains a shout-out to Canadian history. It was built in 1929 by the Canadian Pacific Railway across the street from Union Station, and at the time it was the tallest building in the British Empire. Back in the day, 400 feet was really, really tall. Also, each room had a radio: very high-tech at the time.

Quite a bit has changed since then, at least on the inside. The rooms have been revamped by Jinnie Kim Design, a Boston based group of architects and interior designers with over 20 years of hotel renovation experience. The hotel staff are also ready for the modern era: they number over 1,200 in total, speaking more than 50 languages between them.

Got luggage? No worries: you will not be the heaviest packer in the hotel's history. The largest item the Fairmont Royal York has had to deal with was a live elephant.

Fairmont Royal York, TorontoThe Fairmont Royal York: Chateau style in a skyscraper world. Photo courtesy Fairmont Royal York.

If you’re stuck working for your entire Toronto visit, you’re still spoiled for choice. From high-end dining to casual gastropub fare, you aren’t in danger of starving. The hotel team works to ensure the same for Toronto’s less-fortunate, partnering with Second Harvest to distribute 800 pounds of food per day that would have otherwise gone to waste.

Between meetings, you can unwind in the sky lit pool, or de-stress in the sauna. Spend a warm summer evening on the rooftop, and enjoy the lush garden. The Fairmont Royal York's rooftop garden is also a bee hotel, with six hives of honeybees. Apiary? Sanctuary.

Location, convenience, cuisine, and history: all worth considering when booking a place to stay in Toronto.

The Fairmont is part of The FRHI Hotels family: its cousins include the minimalist-chic Swissôtel and Singapore’s storied Raffles Hotel, birthplace of the Singapore Sling.

More in Travel

Great places to hike in British Columbia

These awesome BC hikes are some of the world's most beautiful.

Top 8 Vancouver Day Trips: British Columbia's beautiful hot springs

British Columbia's beautiful hot springs offer vacationers a relaxing way of being in nature or just kicking back. Get your soak on.

Sunshine Coast a year-round outdoor haven with plenty of 'Beachcombers'

Howe Sound is glass-still on the voyage from Gibsons Landing to Keats Island, save for the odd motorboat wake jostling the kayak. The peace is also broken momentarily as a seal bursts out of the...
Speak up about this article on Facebook or Twitter. Do this by liking Vancouver Observer on Facebook or following us @Vanobserver on Twitter. We'd love to hear from you.