Toronto Elite Guide to Toronto
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DESTINATION GUIDE SERIES TORONTO ELITE GUIDE TO TORONTO HIGHLIGHTS OF TORONTO 3 ONLY ELITE 4 Elite Traveler has selected a truly Canadian VIP experience in Toronto CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS 5 We asked Toronto’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations DISCOVER TORONTO BY NIGHT for the perfect day WHERE TO ➤ STAY 7 ➤ DINE 12 ➤ BE PAMPERED 14 LUXURIATE IN TIMELESS ELEGANCE AT ThE ➤ HOST AN EVENT 15 HAZLETON HOTEL WHAT TO DO ➤ DURING THE DAY 16 ➤ DURING THE NIGHT 18 ➤ FEATURED EVENTS 20 ➤ SHOPPING 21 EXPERIENCE A THRILLING AERIAL VIEW OF NIAGARA FALLS NEED TO KNOW ➤ MARINAS 23 ➤ PRIVATE JET TERMINALS 24 ➤ EXCLUSIVE TRANSPORT 25 ➤ USEFUL INFORMATION 25 ENJOY ELITE DESIGNER SHOPPING AT HAZLETON LANES TRAVELER DESTINATION GUIDE SERIES ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | TORONTO www.elitetraveler.com 2 HIGHLIGHTS OF TORONTO Don’t miss out on Toronto’s wealth of attractions, adventures and experiences oronto is one of the world’s top shores of Lake Ontario adds a touch of the with international fusion cuisine, and the T financial centers, a coveted place natural beauty synonymous with Canada. fiercely competitive home-grown sport of to do business, and arguably the most These characteristics have produced a ice hockey. You’ll find all this and more multicultural city in the world, with sophisticated cosmopolitan population, in our Toronto Guide, which captures the almost half its residents born abroad. who work hard and play hard. Visitors will city’s eclectic blend of well-heeled urban While its modern high-rise architecture discover a rich urban culture and lifestyle cool, magnificent natural vistas, ethnic of skyscrapers and gleaming office that encompasses both cutting edge art and cultural diversity, and love of sport blocks (not least the majestic CN Tower) and adventurous outdoor fun; glamorous – all with an elite twist, so you can enjoy exudes jet-set urban affluence, its cocktail bars and world-class cultural the best the city has to offer in true picturesque setting on the glimmering festivals, gourmet restaurants packed VIP style. EXperience the thrill OF Niagara Falls THE CITY SKYLINE VIEW FROM FROM THE AIR THE Toronto ISLANDS NIAGARA HELICOPTERS TORONTO ISLANDS A trip to Toronto would not be complete without taking a trip to the stunning A short ferry or water taxi ride from the main city, the Toronto Islands Niagara Falls, a breathtaking natural wonder attracting millions of tourists are the perfect getaway, boasting stunning beaches, miles of protected from all over the world every year. Located between Canada and the United lagoons and coves, and dozens of family attractions. Whether it’s relaxing States, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario meet at the Falls with six million cubic with a bike ride along the Islands’ vehicle-free roads, amusing your feet of water falling over the crest line every minute at high flow. For the children in Franklin’s Children’s Garden, or getting a thrill at ultimate elite experience take in the two major waterfalls, Horseshoe and the Centreville Amusement Park, the Islands guarantee to impress. American Falls, and the smaller Bridal Veil Falls, from the air with Niagara Steeped in history the Islands are home to the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, Helicopters. Having delivered expert tours for over 50 years, and offering the oldest stone building in Toronto, and are also the place where Babe extended trips to wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake and local golf courses, Ruth hit his first home-run. With just 262 homes on the Islands, this is the Niagara Helicopters is the perfect choice for any elite traveler looking for a perfect place for a romantic weekend or a relaxing day out – with plenty of unique and memorable experience. We tell you more on page 17 breathtaking views to set the mood. Page 11 has more. ELGIN AND WINTER GARDEN THEATRE CENTRE The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre is the world’s largest operating ‘double-decker’ vaudeville theater, offering some of the best musicals, comedies and operas in the world. Opened in 1913, the venue was meticulously restored to its original grandeur by the Ontario Heritage Trust in 1981, with the lower Elgin house boasting gilded detailing and faux marble and damask wall fabrics, while the upstairs Winter Garden Theatre blends beautiful hand-painted garden scenes, columns disguised as tree trunks and a ceiling hung with real dried beech leaves, to excellent effect. Enjoy an outstanding performance in this incredibly unique venue, or take a tour with an expert guide and discover the history behind this beautiful theater. THE IMpressiVE Elgin Theatre © DAVid DUnn Turn to page 18 for all the details. ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | TORONTO www.elitetraveler.com 3 ONLY ELITE Elite Traveler has selected a truly Canadian VIP experience in Toronto HOCKEY FUN at THE HALL OF FAME FORMAL DINING at THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME PRIVATE HIRE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME VIP contact: Sarah Lee, Coordinator, Special Events and Hospitality Phone: +1 416 548 9697 Email: [email protected] Address: Brookfield Place, 30 Yonge Street, M5E 1X8 Website: www.hhof.com Originally opened in 1961, the Hockey Hall of Fame has inhabited its current location since 1993. Costing $27 million, the Hall has emerged as an innovative leader among sporting shrines with interactive hockey games, numerous exhibitions and renowned trophies on show. For any elite hockey lover, the Hall of Fame experience can be made extra special by privately hiring the entire venue, giving exclusive access to every attraction and facility on offer. Enjoy dinner in the historic Great Hall surrounded by major NHL trophies, take a private tour of the venue with an expert guide, or grab a glove and blocker and feel what it’s like to face the best shooters in the NHL. The Hockey Hall of Fame’s pièce-de-résistance is the legendary Stanley Cup, the oldest professional trophy in North America. Housed in the Great Hall, guests can get up-close to the cup and also take a peek at the original Stanley Cup bowl, donated by Lord Stanley in 1892. With the entire or part-hire of the Hockey Hall of Fame at your disposal, the venue’s events team can tailor their services to your sporting desires, including impressive décor, delectable catering options and fantastic entertainment. THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME TRAVELER DESTINATION GUIDE SERIES ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | TORONTO www.elitetraveler.com 4 CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS We asked Toronto’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for the perfect day MELINDA WAGNER LEAD CONCIERGE, THE RITZ-CARLTON, TORONTO Phone: +1 416 585 2500 Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/toronto “Start your morning at St. Lawrence market and enjoy a famous peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery. From there, head to the Art Gallery of Ontario, which has recently been wonderfully revamped by Frank Gehry. The gallery has some beautiful exhibits, especially works by Henry Moore. After visiting the gallery, stop for lunch at Crème Brasserie before spending the afternoon shopping in Yorkville, Toronto’s answer to Rodeo Drive. In the late afternoon, pamper yourself at the Ritz-Carlton Spa with one of the signature Proudly Canadian treatments, or take part in a Melinda Wagner yoga session at the Spa’s private studio. Before dinner, sip on a cocktail at TOCA Bar before heading to its sister restaurant TOCA by Tom Brodi, Vaticano where diners can visit Canada’s only guest-accessible cheese cave and Cuisine: Italian enjoy the affineur’s daily selections.” Address: 25 Bellair Street, M5R 3L3 BEST REStaURANTS BEST SHOPPING Ruby Watchco Holt Renfrew Cuisine: Contemporary / Eclectic For: Elite designer fashion Address: 730 Queen Street East, M4M 1H2 Address: 50 Bloor Street West, M4W 1A1; 25 The West Mall, M9C 1B8; Yorkdale, 3401 Dufferin Street, M6A 2T9 TOCA by Tom Brodi Cuisine: Canadian BEST to do Address: The Ritz-Carlton, 181 Wellington Street West, M5V 3G7 Distillery District HANNA-LEENA SORRI FAIRMONT GOLD SUPERVISOR & CONCIERGE, THE FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK Phone: +1 416 368 2511 Website: www.fairmont.com/royalyork up for a night of dancing at Reservoir Lounge, BEST to do an impressive jazz venue.” Toronto Islands “Begin the day with brunch at Joy Bistro on Queen Street East – the Eggs Florentine BEST REStaURANTS and Dutch Oven Pancakes are amazing. EPIC Afterwards, take a walk in Leslieville and Cuisine: Contemporary fine dining visit the cheese market and the local vintage, Address: The Fairmont Royal York, music and furniture stores. Be sure to stop 100 Front Street West, M5J 1E3 at Ed’s Real Scoop for a sweet blood orange sorbet before heading to the Distillery District L.A.B. where you can spend time wandering through Cuisine: Molecular Gastronomy all the beautiful art galleries. Enjoy a late Address: 651 College Street, M6G 1B7 lunch at Pure Spirits Oyster House and Grill, followed by a trip to Balzac Coffee to get you Trevor Kitchen and Bar ready for an exciting 60-minute Segway tour Cuisine: Fine dining of the Distillery District. After, head back Address: 38 Wellington Street East, M5E 1C7 to the hotel to freshen up before dining at Carisma Restaurant. I recommend the grilled BEST SHOPPING calamari for start, followed by the pumpkin Bloor Street ravioli for main. The Berber Lounge is the For: Luxury and designer goods HANNA-LEENA SORRI perfect after-dinner drinks spot, setting you ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | TORONTO www.elitetraveler.com 55 CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS LILOO ALIM CHEF CONCIERGE, FOUR SEASONS HOTEL TORONTO Phone: +1 416 964 0411 Website: www.fourseasons.com/toronto BEST REStaURANTS OPUS “Breakfast at Carousel Bakery is a must for Cuisine: Fine dining any visitor to Toronto, their world-famous Address: 37 Prince Arthur Avenue, M5R 2J9 ‘peameal bacon on a bun’ sandwich is delicious.