Review: Hilton Toronto – don’t judge a book by its cover

When it comes to Toronto hotel scenery, there aren't many options to choose from. In fact, lots of hotels were built in the 1970s, displaying industrial-style exteriors.

Hilton Toronto falls into this category, and it didn't particularly entice me to stay there. However, I later learned that the hotel had undergone a complete renovation, piquing my interest in experiencing it firsthand.

Booking (January 2024)

When I booked in January 2024, room rates at Hilton Toronto typically hovered around $350 to $500 a night. Luckily, I'm registered under Hilton's friends and family program, Go Hilton Friends and Family, and booked the discounted rate of $119.50 a night, or $143.14 with tax.

The hotel was still mid-renovation at the time, with work going on in the lobby and the restaurant. My confirmation also said the guest elevators would run from the convention level until January 26, the day I checked in.

Location

The hotel is in the heart of Toronto's downtown core, near the iconic Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square. That makes it a popular choice for tourists looking for must-visit photo spots.

Being a 2-minute walk from a subway station also makes it easy to explore other landmarks and attractions throughout the city.

How to get to Hilton Toronto from Toronto Pearson International Airport:

• Taxi / Uber / Lyft: about 30 minutes, depending on traffic
• Public transit: 25 minutes on the UP Express from the airport to Union Station, 2 minutes on the TTC subway from Union to St Andrew, then a 4-minute walk to the hotel

Lobby & Check-in

Despite the ongoing renovation in the lobby, the check-in process was straightforward. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a bell service desk and the concierge, followed by the check-in desks.

As a Hilton Honors Gold member, I had been upgraded to an executive floor room the day before my arrival. That eliminated the need for any awkward conversations to get an upgrade at check-in (definitely a relief for an introvert like me 😮‍💨).

1 / 3

If you aren't a Gold member yet, there's now a shortcut in Canada. The Hilton Honors American Express® Card comes with complimentary Gold status for as long as you hold the card; just note that the status can take up to 12 weeks to show up on your Hilton Honors account. You'll also receive 50,000 bonus Hilton Honors points each calendar year you spend $12,000 on the card.

Elevators

There are five elevators in total, two on the left and three on the right.

The two elevators on the left have windows facing outside, so you can enjoy views of the city as you go up or down. In my opinion, it's worth waiting for one of them for the added scenic ride.

Room (1 King Bed, Executive Floor)

I was assigned room 3112, which happened to be on the third-highest floor of the building. The room was quite spacious (a perk of an old building), and it had been tastefully renovated to give it a modern look.

Let's have a look in detail.

Foyer

Upon stepping into the room, there's a full-length mirror on the wall to the right. To the left are a closet and the entrance to the bathroom.

Inside the closet were a pair of bathrobes, an iron, a luggage rack and a handful of hangers.

1 / 4

Bed

Walking into the bedroom, you'll find a king-size bed with a sleek, modern headboard. The sheets and duvet are the plain white you'll find in many hotels.

The bed frame was quite sturdy, and the Serta mattress had a medium-firm feel to it.

1 / 3

On both sides of the bed, there's a simple nightstand with a drawer. The left one has an alarm clock with wireless charging on top.

The right one has a telephone with a direct line to the front desk (the only place you can spot a conventional telephone nowadays, really!).

1 / 2

View

Facing south, I could see the iconic CN Tower through the buildings. Unfortunately, the cloudy weather and the steam from the energy centre didn't help my photography.

Desk Area

Just by the window is a simple desk area. The desk itself looks like a long table with a nice marble top.

It's easy to move on its wheeled legs, and I moved it closer to the window to enjoy the skyscraper view while catching up on some work.

1 / 2

TV Area

Next to the desk area are a TV and drawers stocked with coffee, tea, a safe and a mini fridge. Unfortunately, the TV is quite dated and lacks features like screen sharing.

So remember to bring your own laptop and an HDMI cable if you want to watch your favourite shows.

1 / 5

Sitting Area

Across from the desk is an armchair with a footrest, an ideal spot to sip coffee while taking in the view outside.

1 / 2

Bathroom

The bathroom had a very modern and neat feel. The vanity and mirror were huge, easily fitting two people at once.

There was no bathtub, but the shower was very spacious and stocked with Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries.

1 / 8

Executive Lounge

Hilton Honors Diamond members and guests staying in executive rooms get complimentary access to the executive lounge on the 33rd floor. In January 2024, it was open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.

The lounge has a cozy vibe and a variety of seating, from dining tables and a banquette by the window to sofas around a fireplace and a two-seat workspace. Light snacks and drinks are offered throughout the day.

1 / 9

Hors d'oeuvres

Hors d'oeuvres were served from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., along with a self-serve honour bar. The food options weren't very extensive, but there was a well-rounded mix of hot food, cold food, fruits and desserts.

That evening, it was fried dumplings, spring rolls, a bocconcini salad, salami and olives, cheese and fruit. Beer, wine and spirits were on the honour bar's price list.

I must say, the mousse cake was absolutely delightful. (I might have gained 2 kg just from feasting on the cake)

1 / 14

Breakfast

Breakfast is also complimentary for guests with access to the executive lounge, but I chose to try out the hotel's restaurant, Tundra Restaurant, which has since closed.

The bottom line? I wouldn't recommend it.

Perhaps they were running a reduced menu and service because of the renovation, but it was essentially a slightly extended continental breakfast. The buffet had scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, potato wedges and French toast, plus pastries, cereals, fruit and cold cuts.

1 / 20

What was more surprising was the bill: $32 plus tax, or around $40 after tax and tip for one person. For that amount, I'm quite confident I could've had a much fancier breakfast at a nearby restaurant.

Amenities

Hilton Toronto has both a gym and a pool on the second floor. The gym and pool themselves were in moderate condition, but the pool entrance, the change room and some parts of the common area were in need of serious renovation work.

Gym

The gym is open 24 hours, with various cardio machines, weight machines and free weights. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a Smith machine or a bench press.

1 / 7

Pool

The pool is heated and split into indoor and outdoor sections. Personally, I enjoyed relaxing in the outdoor section while admiring the night sky.

There isn't a separate hot tub, but there is a dry sauna in the change room. However, I must admit that I felt like I had travelled back to the 1970s in the change room.

I really hope they renovate the change room soon.

1 / 7

Final Thoughts

Despite its uninspiring exterior, I was pleasantly surprised by Hilton Toronto's modernized interiors. With enjoyable amenities like the executive lounge and the heated pool, the hotel offered a comfortable and delightful experience overall.

There are areas that could be improved, such as the breakfast options and the sections in need of renovation. Still, I highly recommend Hilton Toronto for tourists looking for a central, refreshed place to stay in Toronto (although Delta Toronto remains my favourite :p).