Where in Toronto can you find a hotel/resort/entertainment complex/sports facility, all in one property? Well, prior to Hotel X Toronto opening earlier this year, the answer would have been nowhere. Hotel X is Toronto’s newest (and only) luxury resort-style hotel. In fact, it’s not just a hotel; it’s an entire experience. I had the absolute privilege of being treated to the full experience last week with girlfriends, Solmaz, Soheila, and Karen, for a girls (and fur baby)-themed staycation.
The Location
Hotel X Toronto is located on the grounds of the Canadian Exhibition Place, just across from the Enercare Centre. It currently occupies 7 acres and there are plans to expand across 4 more. It has an ideal location overlooking Lake Ontario, is just across from Ontario Place and the Budweiser Stage, and is within a 5-minute walk from Liberty Village.
The Hotel
Lobby at Hotel X Toronto
At Falcon SkyBar on the rooftop of Hotel X Toronto
Hotel X Toronto is the largest property in the Library Hotel Collection – a luxury hotelier brand known for its top-class, boutique properties around the world, including the Aria Hotels in Budapest and Prague, Hotel Giraffe and Hotel Elysée in New York City. Hotel X is the first Library Hotel Collection property to come to Canada; and incidentally, at the time of our stay, we had the pleasure of meeting Henry Kallan, the owner of Library Hotel Collection.
Lobby Bar at Hotel X (to be opened later this year)
The property is made up of two main buildings – a 30-storey main tower and 4-storey sports facility, called Ten X Toronto (10XTO). The main tower has a total of 404 guest rooms, each boasting a fantastic lakefront or city view. It’s also eco-friendly, as can be seen from the large green space that surrounds the hotel and the larger-than-life green/living wall that greets you at the reception desk.
While Hotel X Toronto is a modern hotel, it’s committed to preserving and showcasing the heritage and history at its location. The main building is across from Stanley Barracks and is partly built on top of the East Enlistedman’s Barracks, both of which played an important role in Canadian military history, dating back to World War I. As part of the development of Hotel X, the Stanley Barracks has been restored, and there are plans to continue to revitalize the area into a beautiful outdoor and recreational space.
Inside the New Fort Hall Exhibition
Inside the hotel is The New Fort Hall, a floor-to-ceiling glass exhibition built on the original foundation of the East Enlistedman’s Barracks, which you can see under the glass floors.
Guest Rooms
As a brand-new dog mom, one of the things I appreciated most about Hotel X was the fact that it’s dog-friendly. I was able to bring my little Douglas (who my husband and I brought home less than 2 weeks prior, and who I just couldn’t bear to part with) along with me. I knew he felt completely comfortable during our stay. Our suite had its own doggy-bed and two bowls for him – such a nice touch! He also could not stop staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows and admiring the perfect view of the CN Tower that we had from our suite.
We stayed in one of the Suite Collection One Bedroom corner suites, and apart from the wrap-around views that my puppy and I loved, it had a living room with table and large screen TV, workspace with desk, and a separate bedroom with en-suite bath and king-sized bed. The master bathroom had both a large tub and stand up shower, and there was an additional half bath near the entryway. Each of the bathrooms was well-stocked with high-end L’Occitane bath products.
Douglas was entrusted with the ever-so-important task of testing the bed. I think he approved!
Should your budget allow, Hotel X Toronto has a massive and opulent Presidential Suite and Bi-Level Penthouse Suite for your enjoyment!
Master bedroom in the Presidential Suite
Games area in the Presidential Suite
Bi-level Penthouse Suite
The Hotel Amenities
While you could easily spend lots of time in your room, why would you, when there is literally a whole entertainment and sports complex at your fingertips?!
“The Pond” Rooftop Pool
For starters, there is my personal fave part of Hotel X Toronto: “The Pond” Rooftop Pool. It’s a partially enclosed outdoor rooftop pool, and it’s located on Toronto’s only tri-level rooftop. There are panoramic views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline, so this is the place to be come sunrise or sunset! While there is ample seating, fair warning that it will fill up pretty quickly – especially on a beautiful day. So, make sure to get up there early, if you want to get yourself a lounge chair. The pool opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. daily.
Library Club Lounge
Fireplace and library in the Library Club Lounge
Appetizers served during wine & cheese reception in the Library Club Lounge
Guests staying in the Suite Collection and Library Collection rooms enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast (served between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m.) and a complimentary wine and cheese reception (served between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.) each day in the Library Club Lounge on the 3rd floor. It’s a beautifully decorated space with a library and fireplace inside, as well as a large outdoor area with patio furniture for al fresco dining and drinking.
Ten X Toronto (10XTO)
One of the biggest perks of staying at Hotel X Toronto is access to Ten X Toronto – a premiere stand-alone sports facility that occupies a total of 90,000 (!) sq. ft. Guests can use the 24/7 main gym for free, with group and personal fitness classes available at an additional cost. 10XTO has 4 indoor tennis courts, 9 squash courts, a weight and cardio room, physio-therapy centre, hot yoga room, spinning studio, pilates studio with 7 reformers, ping pong rooms, and even a golf simulator! A newly opened Starbucks on the ground level can help guests fuel up before or after their workout, and families will appreciate the 3,000 sq. ft. children’s play and activity centre on-site.
Kandy Gallery
One of the coolest parts about Hotel X Toronto (as if there weren’t so many cool things about it already) is the fact that they take pride in showcasing local Canadian art. They commissioned a Canadian photographer, named Neil Dankoff, to provide the hotel with over 800 photographs. The framed photographs are prominently displayed inside Kandy Gallery on the main level, and all around the hotel, including in the guest rooms, in the lobby, hallways, and other public areas.
Other Hotel X Toronto amenities include:
- 2 cinema and screening rooms
- a Departure lounge, which has a TV with flight information for Billy Bishop
- 2 house cars to take you to the financial district, Union Station or to Billy Bishop airport for free
- More than 12 separate meeting and event spaces, including ballrooms, a ‘man-cave’ (Bowtie Room) and Pearl Room (perfect for use as a bridal suite)
- 2 libraries
- full concierge service by text
Large screening room
Departure Lounge
Dining Options at Hotel X Toronto
You will certainly not go hungry at Hotel X Toronto! Falcon SkyBar on the rooftop, which includes The Nest on the 27th floor and The Perch on the 28th floor, serves a variety of bar bites, appetizers and sharing plates. Tip: try the signature Falcon goddess cocktail, which is refreshing and will not disappoint! Maxx’s Kitchen (open daily between 6:30 a.m. and 11 p.m.) on the 2nd floor has a pretty extensive menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner items. My favourites? The eggs benedict for breakfast and the Cornish hen for lunch or dinner. 24-hr. room service via Maxx’s Kitchen is also available to all hotel guests.
Enjoy in your room, or out on your balcony!
In addition, Nespresso Café (open daily between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.) serves a good selection of European coffees, plus sandwiches, gourmet paninis, fresh salads, homemade pastries, dessert (including soft serve ice cream).
So, whether you’re planning a trip to Toronto, or are from the city and in need of a staycation, look no further than Hotel X Toronto. There’s so much on-site to keep you occupied for days and it’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience! A huge thanks to Hotel X Toronto for hosting us during our stay. We had a blast and can’t wait to return!
This post was done in partnership with Hotel X Toronto, who hosted us for our stay. However, all thoughts and opinions in this post are 100% my own.
I have heard so much about this. Will consider it for our next getaway in Toronto =)
It is a great hotel. So much to do on-site and the service is spectacular!