Overnight At The Delta Toronto

If I had the chance I’d always jump on a plane for a getaway but things aren’t always that easy. When the plane trip isn’t possible a little staycation at a local hotel can help soothe the travel itch, and recharge your battery, just a little. A couple of weeks ago my wife and I spent a night downtown at the Delta Toronto and it was just what we needed.

The Delta Toronto. Image by The Globe And Mail

Location

We were going to take the train into Toronto for our stay but eventually decided to drive in because the hotel was so easy to get to. It’s located right off the Gardiner Expressway in the South Core, which is Toronto’s newest entertainment district. Even if we did take the train we could’ve easily walked over because it’s very close to Union Station and subway. The only downside to driving in was the cost of parking, which was a bit pricey.  The hotel is also connected to The PATH which has over 30km of shopping, restaurants and various other services. As a matter of fact, Guinness World Records lists The PATH as the world’s largest underground shopping complex, which was something my wife picked up on and made sure to point out to me.

Next door to the hotel is Ripley’s Aquarium which is perfect for a family outing. The Rogers Centre is also very close. In fact, it’s so close that we were able to see into the stadium from our room. If only I could’ve seen the field I would’ve stayed in the room, ordered up a steak, and cheered on the Blue Jays.

First Impressions Of The Hotel

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the lobby was just how big it is, but the space didn’t seem wasted. There were the usual things you’d find in a lobby, but it was modern and very nicely decorated. There were lots of seats and separate little sitting areas. Those spaces were perfect for impromptu business meetings or even sitting alone for some “me” time. I also noticed some interesting pieces of art in the lobby and the hotel itself that showcased both Toronto and Canada. The hotel rises to 46 floors, has 567 guest rooms which includes a number of suites designed for extended stays. These suites come with a fully equipped kitchen, dining and living areas, and king beds.

What an impressive lobby!

There’s art all over the hotel.

There are pieces of art all over this hotel

Quiet seating area overlooking the lobby

Walkway over the lobby

Stained glass in the lobby

The Room

Our room was on the 43rd floor and the views were spectacular! My jaw dropped as I walked into the room, looked out the window and saw the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Billy Bishop Airport, and Lake Ontario right in front of me. I’m sure we stood at the window for at least 10 minutes taking in the view before exploring the rest of the room. Floor to ceiling windows flooded the room with natural light and opening up the drapes made it feel huge.

Modern furniture and a lovely piece of artwork over the king sized bed added some nice splashes of colour. Lets talk about that bed! Apart from it giving me a perfect night’s sleep, I liked how there were electrical outlets and lights on both sides so my wife and I could charge our devices, or read (surf Instagram) without disturbing each other. The room also included a mini-fridge, work area, lounger, lots of storage, robes and slippers. Other rooms offer a soaker tub that faces the window. Imagine relaxing in a nice warm bath with a  book, a glass of wine and these views.

Amazing views from all sides of the room

Lounging and taking in the city view

Comfy bedroom with the city view

Who can get any work done with a view like this?

Super comfy king sized bed.

Toiletries

Amenities

I love being in water so I headed down to the 4th floor to check out the pool. It’s not the biggest but the huge windows made the whole space seem much bigger and provided a great view of the city. Next door to the the pool was the fitness centre. I thought it was well equipped for a hotel gym with a nice selection of cardio machines and free weights. They say that it’s the little details that make biggest difference.This couldn’t be more true because in the gym guests are provided with free fruit, bottled water and disposable headphones for their workout.

Pool time

Nice pool to lounge at

Fitness centre

The fitness centre was stocked with fruit, water and disposable earphones

Gym views

Dining

I don’t think the words “There’s nothing to eat” have ever been uttered in this hotel. Executive chef Keith Pears, is the man responsible for all the food offerings. Originally from Vancouver he moved to Toronto when he took on the role of Executive Chef at the hotel. He has quite the resume behind him. He started washing dishes when he was 15 years old and has been in the kitchen ever since. He has worked in a number of well known restaurants in British Columbia, competed in many food competitions and has been recognized as B.C.’s Chef Of The Year. He’s also a Chopped Canada champion and is the current Coach/Manager of the Canadian team at the Worlds Chef Global Chefs Challenge in Malaysia.

The open kitchen at SOCO Kitchen allows you to see the chefs in action.

The desserts at SOCO will definitely satisfy that sweet tooth

The bar at SOCO Kitchen

The main restaurant at the Delta Toronto is SOCO Kitchen + Bar whose menu can be described as Mediterranean inspired. Their sister restaurant, SOCO To Go, is more like a grab-and-go spot. They offer soups, sandwiches, pizza and pastries, as well as coffee and tea. I found some unique cocktails at Char No. 5, the whiskey bar that’s also located in the lobby.  Needless to say I didn’t want to leave!

While it’s fun to hang out at any of those restaurants, I think the hottest spot in the hotel for the summer months is the new rooftop bar called, fittingly, The Roof. I can’t stop talking about the views of Toronto that this hotel offers and this spot delivers. I loved the relaxed vibe with a live DJ and games such as ping pong to help us pass the time. The menu up here isn’t a very big one. It’s made up of small bar snacks and delicious cocktails that went down very nicely.

Welcome to The Roof

Cold cocktails that pack a punch on The Roof

The Roof is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with friends.

The Roof

Food, drinks and ping pong at The Roof

Bar food from The Roof

After spending a night at the Delta Toronto I can see why it’s such a popular place. The location, the views (I’ll never stop mentioning the views), the friendly staff, the food and everything else make it the perfect spot for families, a couples getaway, or business travelers who need to be downtown. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, they’re also pet friendly so make sure and bring your furry friends.

Disclaimer: Our overnight stay at the hotel was complimentary but all opinions expressed are 100% my own.