The calibre of modern luxury has long anchored the financial skyline of Toronto with grandeur. In recent years, only a handful of hoteliers have the capability to carve its mark in Canada’s most competitive urban landscape. As a Canadian-based global flagship, the new Four Seasons Hotel Toronto has certainly succeeded by taking a significant step beyond its Avenue Road predecessor built in 1972.
In 2012, the Four Seasons has revitalized its brand on the prestigious Yorkville Avenue. The new development project of hotel and private residences was constructed from the ground up. Every facet of the infrastructure was meticulously designed to reflect the true values and brand promise established forty years ago.
Upon arrival at the main lobby, I could not help but fixed my gaze on its 50-feet molded ceiling, decorated with black metallic gate panels, running straight down the floor to extend the welcome that I thought I deserve after spending the last 10 hours in front of my computer.
As a designer, brand consistency is the hallmark that moulds my discipline in delivering the story. The meaning behind that story, the evoked emotion behind that meaning, the consciousness that awakens the emotion. All were captured with the expression of purity, suffused in potent contemporary lights disseminated across the waiting area to my right.
Moments later, I became more observant of the pink fluorescent lights. With the compliments of soothing piano jazz trio tunes, they paved my way towards the lounge area better known as the d | bar. From its harmonious mixture of the sixties-inspired timeless furnishing to the lines of granite and hard wood interior, the d | bar is absolutely fitting as an instant oasis for quick-paced professionals to gather over a light banter and wind down a busy day. Such tranquility and sophistication pervaded my senses as I approached to the reception.
Within minutes after a swift check-in, I was warmly welcomed by the Director of Public Relations and Communications, Halla Rafati. Going above and beyond, she delivered a pleasant surprise in the form of a decorated cheese platter, accompanied by a bottle of Argentinean red, which found its way into my room awaiting my entrance.
Allowing no delayed I inhaled all the cheeses, particularly the Blue Benedictine which was romantically paired with a bottle of Malbec. Soon after I found myself launched into the deep-bubbled bathtub holding my glass of red. In all its glory, I managed to catch a full episode of “Big Bang Theory” projected through the contraption that I could only describe as “TV in the mirror.” A work-drained Wednesday evening has never felt so good.
After the luxuriating total abandon, the king-sized bed had sent me reeling straight through the decorated cushions and onto the fresh sheets. Breaking each quarter-hour by chirping tunes of the jazz radio, I slowly sunk my head deep into the scented pillows in preparation for a new day of indulgence.
Promptly at 7am, I woke up to another stream of piano trio tunes from the in-room iPad radio alarm. Making myself at home, I conveniently reached towards the nifty Nespresso machine to begin my morning ritual, chucking up all three flavours required to start my day.
I was fortunate to be hosted in one of the Premier Rooms, decorated with minimalist art and neutral colours to set the tone for contemporary comfort. The spacious room is highlighted with crescent-shaped sofa perfectly designed for intimate conversations. And there is a reason why they called it the “Dream Bathroom”. The idea of constructing an ultra spacious vanity counter with a single sink suggests the attention to detail of practicality. For most guests including myself, the ability to take advantage of an extra long vanity counter is much more functional than sacrificing valuable space for two identical sinks. Anchored with glass-walled rain shower, three massive mirror panels and not to forget the deep fast-filling bathtub, all of which have definitely lived up to the home-way-from-home standard of the Four Seasons.
Acted on the knowledge of the stiffness charging my spine; a morning swim became an instant member of the perfect remedy. After lurching down the corridor and eventually navigated myself down to the ninth floor, a private retreat relaxation began as I entered through a pair of giant glass doors into the pool area. Decorated with two massive rows of chaise loungers, wrapping around the heated calm water underneath a skylit terrace. It was indeed my first cloud nine experience completed with a ten-minute dip in the whirlpool quietly tucked behind.
For the remainder of my day, I had returned back to my suite to continue on my work. From floor-to-ceiling view of the luxurious Yorkville lights straight down to the lush courtyard park below, such subtly of grandeur has paved the inspiration for a productive evening of a home-away-from-home office experience.
The warm and courteous 24-hr concierge staff was exceptionally professional in every way. From my request for stationary items to the middle-of-the-night refreshment water, all considered as the staple of world class hospitality needed for burning my midnight oil.
From sudden rushes of pampering splurges to a special occasion celebration, the Toronto Four Seasons flagship exemplifies the highest caliber of customer service and attention to the smallest detail.
Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Toronto
60 Yorkville Avenue
Toronto
ON M4W 0A4
Canada
