The Broadview Hotel — Hotel in Toronto

UPDATE

My initial review was two stars (specific to our initial food experience). I've since had an opportunity to return to The Broadview Hotel, at the invitation of management, for brunch in The Broadview Bistro & Bar, and it was a no-brainer that I would be adjusting my review to reflect my overall experience.

Firstly, I'd be remiss not to mention how fantastic the hotel's Senior Food & Beverage Manager, Duncan, is. It's evident that he truly cares about a guest's experience at his establishment, that he'll do what he can to ensure it's a positive one, and, if it's not, he'll make it right. Point blank: he's a professional who does his job well. It's smart on the business front, too, because the service industry is all about relationship-building and harnessing repeat customers. So thanks, Duncan, for taking the time to read my initial review and address it accordingly.

NOW, let's talk about the food (specific to brunch offered on the main floor). We ordered the East End Breakfast and the Smoked Salmon Bagel and both were excellent. The EEB was a generous platter of baba ghanoush (sprinkled with pomegranate seeds) and hummus, medjool dates, olives, tabouleh, pickled turnips and flatbread. The dish was was presented beautifully and it was flavourful all around. The smoked salmon was plentiful and the accompanying home fries were crispy, well-seasoned and hot to the touch. I'd order both again.

Service, as it was on the rooftop patio, was friendly and attentive. We consistently had our water glasses refilled and we never felt that we had to chase our server down for anything.

As a bit of an aside and one thing to note is that the brunch menu is served at both The Civic restaurant and the Bistro & Bar. We were initially offered seats in The Civic, but instead chose to sit in the Bistro & Bar. The Civic has a "moodier" old-world feel to it, while the Bistro & Bar is brighter, and felt perfect for a warm summer's day. Apparently, The Civic does a great instrumental music night, so we'll likely return for that.

Would I dine at The Broadview Hotel again? 100%. I'd dine for the superb customer care and service, alone, but I'd now happily return for the delicious brunch menu.

Management read my review and immediately got in touch to make things right. While I was not-so-impressed by the food on my initial visit, I was impressed by the service and continue to be. I've been invited back to try some of their other fare, and am hoping for a more overall positive experience. I'll be updating my review, once I do so, to reflect my second visit.

I eat out A LOT. And this was my first time at The Broadview Hotel. I'll preface this by saying that one star is for the service (which was lovely) and the second star is for the atmosphere (the rooftop patio), which was... nice enough.

Unfortunately, I found that the food left something to be desired. "Bland" is the best way I can think to describe it. For reference, we had the cauliflower (this dish was decent, but it was cold), crispy prawns and pineapple salad (these were the best two dishes, in my opinion), crinkly fries (everyone at the table loves fries, and we left more than half the bowl over, which should tell you something; they were undercooked and underseasoned - not even the dip they came with could save them), and the pork belly bao (the meat lacked flavour and the bao felt... bare).

I can't speak for the bistro brunch downstairs (perhaps the food is better?), but the patio menu is not something I would run back for. If you're coming for the rooftop, there are others in the city with superior food. Save...

My wife and I were gifted with this weekend away and were so excited to have some time away alone together. The hotel is GORGEOUS and while we had NO idea where to park due to poor signage, we were greeted enthusiastically by a gentleman who offered to valet park our car. That was especially nice since it was raining and cold.

We checked in quickly and the lovely front office manager was super kind and respectful. We found our room easily and loved how well appointed it was. Cute, retro, vinyl LP player with albums to enjoy (and a library in the hall to choose from), comfy bed . . . just the kinds of things we look for aesthetically.

THEN we went into the bathroom. While it looked lovely, we realized that it was clearly not cleaned thoroughly when we found the head of a men's razor on the floor. We did not touch it but clearly there hadn't been much care used in cleaning the bathroom.

We had reservations for dinner at The Civic. The menu was limited but we both found something we thought would be appealing. Our waiter was super attentive at first, answering questions. That said, not once were we told of any features, including what was offered on the Chef's Menu Special that was noted in the menu. Once our waiter realized that we were not going to order bottles of wine or appetizers then his interest in attending to us vanished as I assume he felt his tip would be too small to be worthwhile. We were clearly beneath his attention level because we watched the tables around us being lavished with attentiveness.

My tagliatelle was AMAZING and I would easily order it again. My wife ordered the charred salmon (a dish she loves and has ordered in many different restaurants) only to be given a plate full of burnt broccoli and salmon with a flavourless broccoli sauce under the salmon. It wasn't charred. It was burnt. She could not get the terrible taste out of her mouth.

We ordered a cappuccino and an espresso and they were brought to the table. We then waited 45 minutes from the time we were given our drinks until our waiter slowed down walking past (not headed to actually speak with us or check in with us) so that we could ask for our bill.

Little things quickly became big things over the weekend. The fact that the conditioner dispenser was completely empty in the shower, the conversation in the room next door that we could hear over our television, the wedding reception going on three floors up that was so loud that we could not sleep, the slamming of every single door on the floor, the people talking in the hallway that sounded like they were in our room with us . . . Overall, and despite being people who travel around the world for business and pleasure, this was probably the worst night at a hotel we have ever experienced.

We explained all of these things to the front office manager when we checked out and she was kind enough to tell us we did not need to pay for our valet parking (usually a $35.00 charge). She did say that we would hear from the hotel again; reading other reviews here and on Google I am not confident that that will be the case though.

Needless to say, there are other amazing boutique and unique hotels in Toronto that we will refer others to when asked instead of...

I stayed at the hotel three months ago and given them every opportunity to resolve - or even reply to - my feedback. No response whatsoever. I'm really not a complainer - have a look. I write several reviews and most are very positive. I believe that people are very quick to criticize and rarely take the time to compliment, so I've taken my time writing this. I feel like it is fair and warranted. Firstly, the positive. It looks incredible. Beautiful art deco sort of with a modern twist. Design is forest green, blush pink with black and gold accents. The artwork is a neat addition - tasteful but still interesting. I love the little self service bar area on my floor (3rd). Never seen anything like it and I'd love to see it more. Beautiful glassware with taps for sparkling or still and fridge space. Rooftop bar looked lovely but was advertised as being open until 11pm that day. It closed at 9.45pm. Oh dear. SO. Hear's the complaint - and it's a serious one. I feel ill whilst staying there. It's unfortunate but it happens. I was given a cell phone number to text if I needed anything. I texted asking for a doctor to come up and there was no response. My son (8) tried to call front desk but the line wouldn't connect. Housekeeping came for three days and he told them that the phone wouldn't work. He told them mom was sick and couldn't get out of bed and needed help. They never helped. For three days my kids went to reception to collect Uber Eats at all hours - even my three year old - alone. I was UNCONCIOUS. My oldest child told the staff that I needed help. They just wouldn't. No one questioned that there were children coming downstairs for days all alone to collect food. Housekeeping came inside the room to help the kids stream Netflix via my phone. Saw that I was unresponsive and didn't think to call for help. When I checked out of the hotel - and I was awake but still very unwell - I told them we'd lost a teddy bear. It might not be a big deal to most but I'm sure any person can appreciate that to a three year old it means the world. We haven't seen that bear since. Text messages in the hotel - no response. Housekeeping staff - no response. Front desk staff - no response. Phone in room - not working. Emails sent beginning of December, end of December and in January - no response. I've given them more than ample time to reply and I really feel like they just don't care. I'm not asking for much - just an aknowledgment and an apology. Let's see if the social media team replies to this and...