5 Star Hotels in Toronto

Most popular areas in Toronto for 5-star hotels

Toronto's the biggest city in Canada, and a buzzing multicultural hub of the nation, but there are actually only a handful of bona fide 5-star hotels on offer here. However, that means increased competition, and it’s easy to see how the grand and opulent options that straddle the streets between Downtown West and the South Core – the 2 most popular areas in Old Toronto - have upped their game with full-service spas, deluxe suites, and more. There are also some other sumptuous 5-star hotels located in Yorkville – a vibrant and buzzing cultural area.

Top 5-star hotels in Toronto

Staking its place on the courses of bustling King Street East in grand style, the handsome Omni King Edward flaunts its stone-clad façade from the 1900s with panache. The likes of Mark Twain and Hemingway have passed through its doors, under the glittering chandeliers, and up to the classic and refined suites. Also spiking the heart of Old Toronto is the Shangri-la, touting a series of panoramic indoor pools and a fully-fledged Turkic-themed spa. Then come the opulent residences of Trump International, which beckon from an imposing skyscraper with a heated pool and a health club.

Where to find the best restaurants in Toronto

To taste the cutting edge creations of Toronto's top celebrity chefs, and to dine in the company of celebrity patrons, be sure to make a beeline for Yorkville. A place to see and be seen, this glitzy area is packed with rooftop Italian bistros and suave speakeasy cocktail bars with a 1930s feel. Closer to the center, Queen Street East offers acclaimed surf and turf, experimental social eating joints, and great brunch cafés. Head for the revived redbrick factories of the Historic Distillery District, where independent establishments have hearty but refined gastropub fare.

The most popular things to do in Toronto

Many a trip to Toronto begins with a ritual scaling of the CN Tower, where sweeping views of Lake Ontario open up on all sides and the iconic glass floor offers visitors the chance to walk atop the city nearly 300-meters below. Torontonians will try to rope you into seeing the city's sporting prowess at the Hockey Hall of Fame, or even to a rowdy NHL game – it's a local pastime. The avant-garde architecture of the Royal Ontario Museum is also worth the hype, as are the amazing dinosaur and world art exhibits within. Meanwhile, macabre ghost walks unfold between the spooky nooks of the Distillery District, the St Lawrence Market bursts with age-stained antiques and curious trinkets, and multi-cultural eateries abound from Little Italy to Greektown. And let's not forget the Niagara Falls, located a little to the south of the city.

Best ways to get around Toronto

Taxis and private hires are available in abundance in Toronto, however they are perhaps best avoided on account of the city's notorious levels of rush-hour and daytime traffic. Much better is to look to the efficient public transport system, which still even has charming retro streetcars. The timeliest services are on the underground Toronto Metro, which connect the downtown of Old Toronto to far-flung suburbs like North York and beyond. Toronto is also very bike-friendly, but cycling will depend on the weather. The regional GO Transit system connects the city to other towns nearby.