Toronto is bigger than ever, and it’s easy to get swept up in its commercialism. With towering hotels that could easily be found in any North American city, you need to venture off the main streets and head into Toronto’s neighborhoods to find the real city. Each with a charm of its own, boutique hotels should be your choice when staying overnight in this bustling city.
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From Hilton to Hyatt and every brand in between, there are plenty of high-rise luxury hotels to choose from, but the boutique hotels offer intimacy, character and a local vibe that you don’t get from the big chains. Whether you’re in town for a business trip or are taking the family to see the sights, boutique hotels are small-scale stunners that promise more than just a place to sleep.
When I visit Toronto, I almost always opt for a boutique hotel. They offer better service that often goes above and beyond, catering to guests’ needs. Each hotel has a unique aesthetic, and you can find properties that offer everything from historic charm to contemporary art.
I was in Toronto with my daughter on an overnight trip, and we stayed at the Windsor Arms, a boutique hotel in Toronto’s posh Yorkville neighborhood. Bloor Street, one of the city’s iconic streets, runs through Yorkville and is dotted with stores like Hermès, Burberry, Gucci and more. The smaller streets, however, are where you’ll find the real charm in Yorkville, and that’s where Windsor Arms is located.
Windsor Arms Hotel: My favorite escape in Yorkville
A hush envelops you when you walk through the doors at the Windsor Arms. Just steps from Bloor Street, it somehow escapes the city’s chaos — like slipping into a velvet pocket of calm. The lobby isn’t flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. Warm wood panels, soft lighting and that enormous chandelier floating overhead — it all feels quietly grand, like the hotel is letting you in on a secret Toronto still knows how to keep.
With just 28 suites, junior and full-sized, our junior suite ticked all the boxes. My daughter couldn’t get over the guitar hanging on the wall, and a strumming session ensued. I was more taken with the smaller, thoughtful touches. Like the colossal bathroom with a deep, soaker tub, the high-end Molton Brown soaps and shampoos, and the thick, warm robe.
I made a cup of tea while she had an impromptu guitar session. The room had plenty of teas to choose from, and a real kettle so I could enjoy a proper cuppa. The only other place I’ve seen this is in hotels in London, England.
The spa
Our mother-daughter escape included some spa treatments, so we headed off to find the spa. We were pampered and treated like royalty, and I even checked out the salt cave. This is a unique feature and something unexpected inside this urban hotel. You sit with a cozy blanket around you — it’s chilly in there — and breathe in the salty air. The entire cave — the walls, floors and ceiling — is all coated in salt. As part of the spa amenities, there’s also a saltwater pool, and if it were colder, they’d have had a fire burning in the poolside fireplace.
Afternoon tea
My daughter and I make a point of having tea, or as the Canadians call it, high tea, whenever we can. At Windsor Arms, tea is an art form.
We were seated in the Parisian-themed tea room. It was bright and cheerful and elegantly decorated. Apparently, Richard Burton proposed to Elizabeth Taylor for the second time in 1967 in the adjoining Purple Room.
We enjoyed perfectly brewed tea, along with finger sandwiches, buttery scones and an endless amount of clotted cream — they brought us more so we didn’t have to fight over the last of it. The desserts were equally gorgeous.
The bar
Not old enough for the bar, my daughter opted for a bubble bath in the oversized tub while I had a glass of wine. The bar is long and spacious, with plenty of cozy spots at the counter or tables. Plush leather chairs were the norm here, and the wine and cocktail list was terrific.
6 more boutique hotels worth checking out
Toronto’s boutique hotel scene is wonderfully diverse. You’ll find edgy design, historic properties and off-the-beaten-path gems in unexpected corners of the city.
The Drake Hotel in Queen West is a cultural icon. With its on-site art exhibitions, rooftop patio and music venue, it’s more than a place to stay — it’s a place to be. Rooms are cozy and eclectic, and the vibe is unfiltered cool.
In the city’s east end, The Broadview Hotel is a former 1891 strip club turned upscale boutique stay. With its red brick facade and rooftop bar overlooking the Don River, this hotel blends grit and glam in all the right ways. Rooms feature cheeky design details, velvet furnishings and curated vinyl record collections.
If understated luxury is your style, head to The Ivy at Verity. Housed in a restored chocolate factory, this four-room oasis feels like a European guesthouse in downtown Toronto. Rooms are outfitted with hand-made Hästens beds and spa-like bathrooms, and each of the ultra-exclusive rooms features a private terrace.
Gladstone House in West Queen West, formerly the Gladstone Hotel, has reemerged after renovations with a modern look that still pays homage to its historic roots. Each of its 37 rooms is artist-designed, and the hotel features its own gallery space and lively bar, making it ideal for art lovers and creatives.
Over in Chinatown, Hotel Ocho is quietly stylish. Set in a former textile factory from the early 1900s, it’s now an industrial-chic boutique property with clean lines, minimalist decor, and a cozy on-site cafe and bar. It’s perfectly positioned for exploring Kensington Market and the AGO.
And then there’s Bisha Hotel in the Entertainment District — a high-drama, high-style destination for those who like a little flash. Think sleek interiors, moody lighting, a rooftop infinity pool and restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs. Rooms come with velvet walls, marble bathrooms and impressive city views.
Find your perfect fit
Toronto’s boutique hotels aren’t just places to stay — they’re microcosms of the city itself. Stylish, diverse and full of surprises, they turn an ordinary visit into something memorable. Whether you’re sipping cocktails in a velvet-draped lounge, strumming the guitar in your room or sinking into a handcrafted mattress after a long day of exploring, these small hotels deliver big on experience.
Jennifer Allen, retired chef turned cookbook author, blogger and traveler, shares her adventures and travel tips at All The Best Spots. Living at home with her family — and the cats that rule them all — her work has been featured in The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.