Viewed for years as a slightly staid and business-like city, Toronto has kicked off its unexciting reputation with a brace of high-profile hotel and restaurant launches. This month, the upmarket Yorkville district welcomes the
Four Seasons Hotel, which promises sun-drenched suites in shimmering dual glass towers, and the launch of the city's largest luxury hotel spa.
Throughout the autumn, when Toronto swarms with Hollywood A-listers for TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival), and models stride the city's streets for Fashion Week, other major players have opened for business, too. After the success of its previous TIFF pop-ups, Soho House made its permanent home on Adelaide Street West, just steps from TIFF HQ. It's next door to the Shangri-La hotel, which opened at the end of summer, with super-spacious rooms, a vast 'urban living room' and sidewalk café.
The year got off to an equally impressive start with the first Trump property in Canada opening its revolving doors in the heart of Toronto's financial district. Touches of cherry blossom lift the caviar and Champagne-inspired design palette, and that Trump attention to detail is everywhere — from a glittering blossom-inspired crystal artwork to the cherry blossom-infused vodka in the bar at Stock restaurant.
Foodies will be happy. Momofuku by New York's culinary hot property chef David Chang has just opened. Add to that the new Hoof Raw Bar, opened by the guys behind The Black Hoof, and it looks like after years of being the film industry's favourite cinematic stand-in for New York, Toronto's finally created a sophisticated character all of its own.
British Airways (ba.com) flies to Toronto.
What would your Perfect Day in Toronto look like? Map it — and share it — at British Airways' Perfect Days Facebook page.
