1 Hotel Toronto — Hotel in Toronto

Where to begin about this hotel? The excellent rooms? The just-right level of service - available when you need it, never intruding when you don’t? The great breakfasts at One Kitchen? Frankly, it’s hard to choose. ||||We’ve stayed at One Hotel in Toronto once before, and to my husband, the hotel has now become nicknamed, “The Nice Hotel”. As in, “When we go to Toronto, can we stay at the Nice Hotel again?” How could I say no to that? So, we happily returned to the property for a second stay. ||||The room, as with our prior visit, was pristine, relaxing. It was one of their smaller rooms, but was so perfectly designed that we could easily put away all of our things and not have suitcases constantly underfoot. I covet the cabinetry with the excellent pocket doors that fold out of the way when needed. The bathroom has a wonderful setup with the sink divided away from the toilet and shower area with pocket doors. There’s no mystery light switches, everything is clearly labeled so you don’t need to play lighting roulette when trying to go to bed at night. The mattress was so comfortable. We both got wonderful sleep each night of our stay.||||Sadly, I don’t have the name of the excellent staffer who checked us in at the hotel, but, the room they picked for us was exactly what we needed - quiet and far from the noise of the elevator. ||||Valet parking service was immaculate, albeit for first time visitors to the hotel, it can be a little tricky to find, as it’s around the corner from the actual hotel entrance. We also took advantage of the Audi car service one night to go out to a restaurant. Many thanks to Jayjay, Ali, and Kiraz for taking excellent care of us and our car. They were able to retrieve the car and have it loaded for us with amazing speed when we were departing. ||||Housekeeping services are excellent, and deliveries were promptly dispatched to the room. Honestly, with service like this, it’s tempting to just stay in the whole time! ||||But even a pearl sometimes can have minor flaws. And these are truly minor. I’m not a fan of the shower system in the rooms at this property, because you have to switch off the water to swap between the hand spray and the rainfall. A minor thing, to be sure, but it’s not intuitive. Someday I hope they decide to include a bidet seat for the toilets at the property, as we do end up bringing a portable bidet on our visits. I’m still not wild about hotels swapping to shared toiletries between visitors, even if the practice is more economically/environmentally sound. I just have some trust issues with such things, even though they’ve become more common. It would have been nice to have a mini refrigerator, instead of just the minibar. The television has the spare HDMI port locked out, so we were unable to use a game console we’d brought with us for a grudge match of Super Mario Cart. But again, these are some seriously minor quibbles for an absolute gem of a property with amazing staff. ||||This property does charge resort fees. I much prefer everything be in the room rate so we know the full nightly cost up front when we reserve, so again, a minor quibble. (Clearly, we’re not the exact target market for this property, as we do have to maintain a budget while we travel, even if we do splurge on a nice room like this for some trips!). ||||This hotel secures the guest floor access with keycards; it’s a great practice all hotels should do. The door on the room also had good quality locks and kept the room feeling secure. Again, design here is down to the very last detail for comfort of the guests. ||||If you do breakfast at the Kitchen in the hotel, definitely try out the Croque Madame and the Sweet Potato waffle. Both are amazing, even if the overall prices at the restaurant can be a bit startling for breakfast. (These prices are on a par with similar luxury properties in NYC, so again, likely a case of us not habitually dining at upscale establishments.) Service is once again at the just-right level, which can be a rare thing in restaurants. ||||So, if you’re looking for an oasis in Toronto, I honestly think you can’t do better than our experiences at ‘the nice hotel’. I hope it will be in our budget to return...

My group of friends and I recently had the pleasure of staying at Hotel 1 in Toronto to celebrate a special birthday, and I must say, it surpassed all our expectations, setting a new benchmark for luxury and service.

From the moment we stepped into the hotel, the decor took our breath away. The lobby is a masterpiece of contemporary elegance combined with classic touches, making it a feast for the eyes. Every corner of the hotel exudes style and sophistication, from the luxurious textures to the bold art pieces that accentuate its unique character. It's evident that meticulous attention to detail has been invested in every inch of the interior design, providing a serene and inviting atmosphere that made us feel both awe-inspired and at home.

The restaurants within Hotel 1 are nothing short of spectacular. Each dining area has its own unique ambiance, yet all share the same high standards of quality and creativity. We indulged in a variety of cuisines, from exquisite local dishes to international delicacies, each plate more delicious than the last. The chefs clearly have a passion for their craft, which is reflected in the intricate flavors and presentation of the food. The service at each restaurant was impeccable—attentive, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure we had a memorable dining experience.

Speaking of service, the staff at Hotel 1 are the true stars. Their attention to detail, professionalism, and genuine warmth made our stay exceptional. Every member of the team, from the concierge to the housekeeping staff, went above and beyond to make sure our needs were met and our expectations exceeded. Their recommendations for local attractions and restaurants were spot-on, enhancing our exploration of Toronto.

The gym at Hotel 1 is a fitness enthusiast's dream come true. It is well-equipped with state-of-the-art machines, free weights, and ample space for a comprehensive workout. The gym was clean, well-maintained, and provided all the amenities needed for a refreshing exercise session. It's clear that the hotel has invested heavily in this facility, understanding the importance of health and wellness for their guests.

In conclusion, Hotel 1 in Toronto provided us with an unforgettable experience. The magnificent decor, diverse and delicious restaurants, outstanding service, and top-notch gym facilities contributed to a perfect stay. It's more than just a hotel; it's a destination that offers an escape from the ordinary. I would highly recommend Hotel 1 to anyone looking for luxury, comfort, and exceptional service in the heart of Toronto. Our birthday celebration was indeed made extraordinary thanks to the remarkable ambiance and hospitality of Hotel 1.

I wanted to give a special shout out to George Sovatzis who went out of his way to make sure the stay ended on as high of a note...

I’ve stayed at 1 Hotel South Beach many times and absolutely love the brand—so I was excited to stay at their Toronto location. Unfortunately, this felt like a complete bait-and-switch. The Toronto property is essentially the old Thompson Hotel with a 1 Hotel rebrand slapped on top, and not in a thoughtful or elevated way. Honestly, I preferred the Thompson’s original aesthetic.

I stayed in one of the most expensive suites, and it was a mess from the start. The thermostat was stuck at a sweltering 80°C in February, with no way to adjust it. I called and visited the front desk twice—was assured someone would come fix it. No one ever did. When maintenance finally showed up late in the evening, I was told the unit was broken and couldn’t be fixed. I had to sleep in what felt like a sauna.

The “city view” promised in the suite description? False advertising. My view was of a rooftop mechanical room. The blinds wouldn’t open until someone came up to force them open—and even that took repeated requests.

The service at the lobby bar was also incredibly disappointing. After being served once, the server never returned. I had to walk to the bar twice to place additional drink orders, which then took ages to arrive—and the tab was shockingly high for the quality of service provided.

The “signature 1 Hotel scent” that’s such a standout in their Miami property? Totally absent here. The restaurant, branded as fine dining, was anything but. I ordered several dishes and was underwhelmed by all of them. The wine was the only redeeming element of that meal.

To top it off, I left a pair of irreplaceable Italian hiking boots in the suite closet. I realized this en route to Pearson and immediately contacted the hotel. Despite multiple follow-ups and confirming exactly where I left them, I was told nothing was found. No follow-up offer of goodwill, reimbursement, or even a sincere apology.

The worst part? The manager I dealt with showed no empathy or professionalism. For a brand that charges premium rates and claims to offer luxury experiences, this felt amateurish and careless across the board.

I’ve stayed at the Ritz, the Four Seasons, the Shangri-La—even the Delta by the arena—and every one of them offers better rooms, better views, and significantly better service than what I received at 1 Hotel Toronto. Hugely disappointing for a brand I usually hold in the highest regard.

Save your money. This isn’t 1 Hotel. It’s a ghost of the Thompson with...