As a hotel enthusiast, I’m always eager to explore new accommodations, especially when it’s a brand-new addition to the hospitality scene.
So, when I stumbled upon the newly opened Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville back in March 2023, I couldn’t resist the opportunity.
One day, while casually browsing on Hilton app, I came across a remarkably affordable rate for this hotel, and spontaneously made the booking.
Booking (Feb 2024)
I managed to secure a booking at $200 per night since Downtown Toronto hotel rates tend to decrease during winter months.
Typically, Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville commands upwards of $350 CAD per night.
Location
The hotel is conveniently located just outside of Sherbourne subway station, offering excellent convenience for exploring Toronto
However, the immediate neighborhood doesn’t offer particularly pleasant scenery.
It’s worth noting that despite being named after Yorkville, the hotel is technically situated just outside the corner of the Yorkville neighborhood.
Yorkville itself is renowned for its luxurious 5-star hotels such as the Park Hyatt Toronto, Four Seasons Toronto, and W Toronto, as well as upscale shopping malls, making it a symbol of wealth and luxury in the city.
Given this, it’s uncertain whether residents of Yorkville will readily accept the Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville as part of their neighborhood 😂
How to get to Canopy by Hilton Toronto from Toronto Pearson International Airport:
- Taxi / Uber / Lyft:
- ~$50
- 30 minutes ride depending on traffic
- Public Transit:
- $8.95
- 17 minutes on UP Express, Airport to Bloor Go Station
- 16 minutes on TTC subway, Bloor station to Sherbourne station.
Lobby & Check-in
Entrance
There are two entrances to the hotel.
You’ll most likely be entering through the Bloor street side unless you’re driving, in which case you’ll enter through the parking lot on the rear side of the building.
Check-in is takes place in the lobby located on the second floor.
While the lobby boasts a modern and elegant design, there are only two desks available for processing check-ins.
This setup may lead to congestion, particularly during peak check-in hours.
While the hotel appeared to be pretty quiet, I didn’t receive any room upgrades as a Hilton Honors Gold member 🥲 (not even to a higher floor).
In fact, I originally thought I had been assigned the lowest floor when I received my room keys showing 2M06.
Luckily(?) it was one floor higher than the lobby, offering a small consolation.
Transfer Lounge
One standout feature at Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville was the “Transfer Lounge” in the lobby, offering shower and locker rooms for guests.
The convenience of having lockers to store your belongings and the ability to freshen up with a shower, especially if you happen to arrive early in the morning, is truly invaluable.
I truly appreciate this offering, and I genuinely wish more hotels provide this option for guests.
Seriously, how many times have you found yourself needing to kill time after arriving at your destination hotel following an overnight flight?
Hallway
The patterned carpet in the hallway added to the overall aesthetic, providing a pleasant stroll to the room.
There was a water station in the hallway as well, where guests could help themselves to filtered water.
It was a nice touch to see these stations on every floor. (you’d be surprised by how many hotels out there place these kind of facilities only on every other floor to save costs)
Room (1 King)
I was overall very impressed with the room in terms of style and functionality (except the view)
Let’s take a look.
Foyer
Upon entering room 2M06, I was immediately impressed by the spacious foyer.
To the right, there is a full touch screen control panel for lights, curtains, and housekeeping options.
To the left, there was a closet with a pair of bathrobes, while to the right, there was an LED light-framed full-size mirror.
Bed
Stepping in to the bedroom, we see a king bed topped by a canopy headboard, which is a signature feature of the Canopy by Hilton brand.
The king bed was elegantly dressed with a tasteful grey cover, a refreshing departure from the typical white bedding often seen in hotels.
The mattress had a medium-firm feel to it.
On the left side of the bed, there was a unique three-layered nightstand, featuring a phone and an alarm clock with wireless charging functionality placed on top.
On both sides of the bed, there were controls for the lights and curtains, along with an outlet, two USB-A ports, and a USB-C port for convenience.
View
Facing south-west side, I had a “NoFrills” view, as if the hotel knew my frugal nature 😂 (I actually grocery shop at NoFrills lol)
Desk
Opposite the bed, was a desk area, with a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall above.
Adjacent to the desk, there was a comprehensive set of amenities including Nespresso, tea, a kettle, an ice bucket, glassware, and disposable cups.
This attention to detail demonstrated the hotel’s commitment to satisfying its guests’ every need.😍
Additionally, just below the desk, there was a drawer style fridge.
TV
The flat-screen TV was not only large but also offered a significant feature that many other hotels typically do not provide:
SCREEN MIRRORING !!!
Finally, a hotel where I didn’t need to go through the hassle of pulling out my laptop and an HDMI cable just to watch a show.
Sofa
In the corner of the room, there was a cozy sofa accompanied by a side table, creating the perfect spot to unwind with a good book and a cup of coffee.
Bathroom
The bathroom was relatively compact, especially when compared to the size of the suite.
However, it boasted a modern and stylish design.
Stocked with thankyou toiletries, which were available for purchase at the front desk if desired, the bathroom added a touch of luxury to the stay.
Breakfast
Día Restaurant
Breakfast is served in the hotel’s flagship restaurant named Día, located on the second floor right beside the check-in lobby.
The restaurant shows off its luxurious atmosphere with its elegant décor.
In addition to the fancy bar area, the restaurant offers a variety of seating styles, including high-top seating and cozy lounging areas adorned with plush sofas.
As a Hilton Gold member, I was entitled to an $18 credit to be applied towards my breakfast.
The credit could have fully covered the Classic Continental, but it seemed a bit too light for my liking.
Therefore, I decided to order The Canopy instead. Full menu can be found here.
The food was displayed aesthetically and the taste was exceptional.
One thing I discovered after finishing my breakfast was that coffee was not included in the price.
I somehow assumed it would be part of the meal given that it was included in the Continental Breakfast, which is a more budget-friendly option.
I know it’s not a significant expense, but I still felt a bit iffy about it, especially considering it’s something that hotels often provide as a courtesy to their guests.
Adding to the confusion was the server’s question, “How would you like your coffee?” further added to the confusion.
Perhaps I’m being overly frugal, but I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Virtu Café
For those who don’t typically eat breakfast, there’s a sophisticated coffee shop called Virtu Café located on the ground floor, where you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee.
Amenities
Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville has both gym and pool located on the third floor
Gym
The gym operates 24 hours and is well-equipped with a wide array of modern cardio machines, free weights, yoga mats, and towels.
However, it lacks a squat rack or a bench press rack (sorry gym bros).
The floor-to-ceiling windows provide ample natural light, although the views are somewhat limited, merely overlooking the building across the street.
Pool
Beside the gym is an indoor heated pool, which operates from 6am to 10pm daily.
One thing to note is that it lacked a general public change room; instead, it had a very spacious shower room designed for a single person, which felt somewhat unusual.
On the same floor, there was a lounge area to hangout, with a coffee machine.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, Canopy by Hilton Toronto stands out as a top-notch hotel among those I’ve stayed in Toronto.
With its modern and stylish rooms, furnishings, and amenities, it certainly makes a strong debut for the Canopy brand in Canada.
While the location may not be as bustling as other parts of Toronto, its proximity to Sherbourne TTC station and a 5-minute walk to the Bloor-Yonge TTC hub make it quite convenient.
Overall, I was very satisfied and I look forward to revisiting one day.
Click here to book Canopy by Hilton Toronto