The Ace Hotel Toronto is officially open and serves as the Ace’s inaugural property in Canada. Located in the Garment District of downtown Toronto, the hotel is surrounded by tons of different bars, restaurants, shops, parks, and art, all within walking distance.
The hotel itself is a brand new building designed by award winning Toronto firm Shim-Sutcliffe Architects, recipients of the 2021 Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s Gold Medal, the nation’s highest honor for architecture. You can feel the property’s homage to the city and its history through its colors and materials of concrete, clay, copper and wood found throughout.
As you take in the impressive space, you’ll feel its inspiration from the neighborhood’s history of innovation and industry from the start of the 20th century. Original works by Toronto artists are on display in all of the public spaces and hallways.
Upon entering the hotel, you will be greeted by an abundance of natural light flooding into the large The Lobby Bar, where you can grab coffee and pastries in the morning and wine, beer, cocktails, snacks, and apps in the afternoon and evening. It truly is a transformative space as you can find people working in the daytime and dancing in the nighttime. On the weekend, DJs spin until late in the evening.
Adjacent to the lobby, take the staircase downstairs to the main restaurant Alder, helmed by critically-acclaimed chef Patrick Kriss, who has been awarded the title of “Outstanding Chef” by Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants every year from 2017-2020. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 5-10pm, this Mediterranean restaurant is already a hotspot for locals.
The heart of the restaurant lies within its wood-fired hearth and grill. Menu highlights include Half Grilled Chicken with harissa jus, Grilled Red Pepper Carpaccio with garlic, olive, anchovy and paprika, and gluten-free Coconut Cream Pie and Dark Chocolate and Peanut Mille-Feuille for dessert. Currently Alder is only open for dinner but breakfast, lunch, and brunch are in the near future. Chef Patrick Kriss will also oversee the menu for the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge, Evangeline, opening later this year.
Once you’re done eating and drinking your way through the hotel, find your way up to your room or suite. Choose from either a small, medium, or large room, or opt for either the Ace or one bedroom suite. The layout of each of the rooms was carefully constructed with efficiency of space in mind. Open what you think is a closet to find a fully functional workspace complete with desk, cabinets, shelving, and storage. You’ll feel a true sense of nature as the rooms are modeled after a wilderness cabin retreat. Local materials like canvas, wood benches, fir paneling and flooring enhance the space.
All rooms feature a cozy window bench, which serves as an intermediary space so you feel as if you’re part of the city, but removed from the hustle and bustle as you look out your window.
This hotel is ideal for anyone looking to explore everything downtown Toronto has to offer. There are numerous places within walking distance to explore, plus the waterfront is just a 15 minute walk away. If you’re looking to explore more of Toronto, such as Yorkville, you’re just a 10-15 minute car ride away.
The Ace Hotel Toronto is just what the area needed, and will only continue to evolve over time.
Top Takeaways
Location: Downtown Toronto, Canada (Garment District)
Rating: 4 stars
The Vibe: The Ace Hotel Toronto offers a welcoming vibe immediately upon entering the hotel. There is bright natural light throughout amongst the large open common spaces, as well as intimate corners throughout.
Food + Drink: You can find food and drink service in The Lobby Bar and downstairs restaurant, Alder. Starting at 4pm at The Lobby Bar, order from a selection of apps, small plates, and a full drink menu at The Lobby Bar. We recommend a glass of wine along with the oysters. For dinner, make a reservation at Alder, whose main attraction is the wood-fired hearth and grill. There are also plans to open a rooftop bar in the near future, which will feature both indoor and outdoor lounges.
Our favorite thing about the hotel: At night, The Lobby Bar is always buzzing with a great crowd and DJ. It’s the perfect place for a nightcap or even to spend the evening if you don’t feel like venturing from the hotel.
Neighborhood recs: We were able to walk to a handful of great bars and restaurants. You must visit BarChef and Mademoiselle Raw Bar + Grill. For fans of premium cocktail experiences (who isn’t?), BarChef is an intimate spot that serves up creative cocktails with over 5,000 housemade bitters. Open 7 days a week 5pm to 2am, Mademoiselle is a high energy dinner spot that turns into a full on dance party as the night goes on. We highly recommend getting the sashimi platter to kick off your night.
Rooms: 123 rooms. Rooms are available in Small, Medium, Large + a Double Double and 2 suites (one bed & Ace suite). We stayed in the Medium room, which boasted a King bed, cushioned window bench, walk-in shower, fully stocked minibar, and a desk area built into a closet. This 310-square-foot room felt way bigger than its actual size and was probably the best minibar situation we’ve come across in a long time.
Starting Nightly Rate: $592
Closest Airport: Toronto Pearson International Airport
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