Hotels in Yorkville

Picturesque, chic, and upmarket, Yorkville is now where Toronto's well-heeled come to shop, but it wasn't always this way. Once a blue-collar district of narrow terraced housing, Yorkville became a hippie hotspot during the 60s and 70s, before gradually morphing into Toronto's most expensive shopping district. Today, flagship department stores rub shoulders with luxury boutiques, with designer stores promoting their global brands. But it's also a neighborhood ready-made for ambling around, with its fine parks, distinctive eateries, historic buildings, and intriguing art galleries.

Hotels in Yorkville

Accommodation in Yorkville tends to match the luxury stores and brands of this bustling district—big, bold and opulent. The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, a 30-story tower on Yorkville Avenue, has the distinction of being the first 5-star hotel in Toronto. Its stylish exterior extends inside to its spacious rooms and its fabulous swimming pool. The Hazelton Hotel Toronto is a Yorkville hotel with a contrasting low-rise luxury experience. It comes highly-recommended for its restaurant and well-appointed spa. Right on Bloor Street itself is the Park Hyatt Toronto, a 4-star hotel whose guests rate its location and wonderfully helpful staff.

Things to see in Yorkville

Unless your pockets are on the deep side, many of the upscale stores in Yorkville are best seen as opportunities for window shopping, but on a rather fabulous scale. The Mink Mile in particular has to be seen to be believed. This short stretch of Bloor Street is packed with exclusive brands such as Gucci, Tiffany & Co, and Prada, and is reckoned to be one of the most expensive retail zones in North America. When you tire of retail extravagance there are cultural riches to tempt you, just across the road, in the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). This is Canada's largest and most diverse museum, and you'll find dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies, Yuan-dynasty wall paintings, and contemporary art exhibits all lovingly displayed under one roof. Decidedly smaller in scale, but perhaps better fitting the fashion retail theme, is the Bat Shoe Museum. This covers everything in footwear from striking designer shoes to Napoleon's boots.

Good for well-heeled shoppers and couples

There's no doubt that a stay over in one of the many luxury hotels in Yorkville will set you up for an unforgettable shopping experience. The sheer number of exclusive stores and boutiques in the surrounding streets make this one of the world's top retail destinations. And whether you're here for a luxury shopping spree, to buy that once-in-a-lifetime gift, or merely to see and be seen, there's no denying Yorkville's romantic appeal. From extravagant shopping, to fine dining, to sumptuous accommodation, this district is a dream-come-true for couples, as much as for shoppers.

How to get to Yorkville

Billy Bishop is the closest airport to Yorkville, but as it only takes short-haul flights, you're most likely to arrive at Toronto Pearson airport. A taxi from here will get you to your boutique hotel in Yorkville in 20 minutes or less. Another option is to catch the UP express train service to Union Station, which takes 35 minutes. If you're coming from the northeast U.S., for example Buffalo or Detroit, then driving is another option for travel to Yorkville. Drive in along the Queen Elizabeth Way, then take a left onto Avenue Road in Toronto's harbor-front and follow it to Yorkville.