Fairmont Royal York

We recently spent three nights at the Royal York, and all aspects of the experience were excellent. The central location was perfect for the things we wanted to accomplish during our stay. The room was spacious and comfortable. The hotel staff were attentive and helpful. In particular, there was one person who took care of us in the hotel restaurant, Kevin, whose kind and caring service made our three dinners at his table memorable. We sat at the same table each of the first two nights, and, without being asked, he held it for us for the third. The extensive menu and the presentation and quality of our meals were excellent; our biggest 'take away', however, was the opportunity to get to know Kevin and to experience his dedication and commitment to making sure that our experience was over the top, and it was. Kudo's to Kevin and to his other two team members...Sal and Robert.

From the moment I stepped into the Fairmont Royal York, I knew I was in for something special. Located right across from Union Station in the heart of downtown Toronto, this iconic hotel has been a landmark since 1929 — once the tallest building in the British Empire, built by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a grand “city within a city.” Historic elegance, flawless service, and pure luxury — the Fairmont Royal York is Toronto’s crown jewel. The Fairmont Royal York is the very definition of elegance and excellence. It’s incredibly convenient and beautifully designed with timeless charm. The moment you step inside, the hotel’s stunning architecture and elegant interior make you feel as though you’re stepping into a piece of Canadian history — a perfect blend of heritage and modern luxury. The rooms are spacious, spotless, and beautifully maintained, with thoughtful modern touches throughout. Everything from the lobby to the suite was pristine, and the beds were incredibly comfortable, featuring high-quality linens for an amazing night’s rest. The staff are exceptional — friendly, professional, compassionate, and always willing to help. From valet and bell service to room service and dining, everything ran seamlessly. The restaurant food was delicious, and the overall atmosphere felt sophisticated yet welcoming. It was easy to reach room service or the front desk, and everyone was extremely accommodating and attentive. The hotel also feels very safe, well-staffed, and professionally managed, making it a perfect choice for both solo travelers and couples. I’ve stayed at many hotels, but this one truly stands out for its exceptional staff and attention to detail. The entire experience felt safe, relaxing, and first-class from start to finish. A perfect 10/10 — highly recommend for anyone seeking a luxurious, romantic, and unforgettable Toronto experience.

During the weekend of the Congress. I spend at least over 30 hours of working it. Initially, staff treated me like I was a participant of the Congress with laying the ground rules for the weekend. However, after informing them that I'm staying for work and not play they eased up a bit. Thankfully so because I really needed an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the Congress. My room was fantastic, bigger than the previous years, so that was helpful. Also, grateful for the fridge that was in the room. Looking forward to next year as always. Next year I need to take advantage of the amenities on Floor H. I hear the Fitness area is amazing.

This hotel is incredibly expensive for what you get. We stayed here to end a holiday in which we stayed in a lot of tiny towns across Canada. This was sold to us by our travel agent as a bit of luxury after the smaller hotels/inns we had stayed in. The room was dated, old carpets, musty furnishings, scuffed and scratched up furniture. The facilities are ok - the pool was fine (although small) but the steam room and the changing rooms were absolutely filthy. The main foyer is stunning, and they say they've recently refurbished the hotel, but we found out later that they've refurbished one side of the hotel and they put the higher paying guests and long standing Fairmont members in the nice refurbished side, whilst everyone else gets the old and not particularly nice side of the hotel. The wifi was an absolute joke, we had to sign up to Fairmont's loyalty programme to access it and then go and get the concierge to approve our request. It shouldn't be so difficult to access internet in such an expensive hotel. They also put a mandatory pre charge deposit of 200CAD a night on your card, so be prepared to lose 600CAD off of your card for the week or so it takes them to cancel the charge. This charge is laughable if you see the state of the rooms. The Marriott in Kamloops (a tiny mining town) was far nicer than this hotel. And probably half the price. The only thing we really liked was the location.