The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto Review

The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto—well, it’s got the name, but does it live up to it? We spent one night here on September 28th, 2024 celebrating my girlfriend’s birthday, courtesy of my Marriott Ambassador Elite points. And the stay? Mostly stellar, but with a few “really?” moments sprinkled in.

Let’s start with the service, which was as good as you’d expect at a Ritz. A special shout-out to Eduel at the front desk, who was the epitome of helpfulness—nothing was too much trouble. That’s the level of service that matches the Ritz-Carlton name.

Our corner room suite with a king-sized bed was impressively clean, with a bed that felt like a cloud after a long day. The lighting was also spot on—great for setting the mood or just admiring the well-lit, double-sink main bathroom. There’s even a bidet—now that’s a unique touch. The extra half-bathroom was also a welcome surprise. However, what wasn’t welcome? That brown couch in the living area, which looked like it had seen better days. It was as out of place as flip-flops at a black-tie event. Plus, the view of the CBC building’s roof wasn’t exactly the stuff of postcards.

The amenities, though, delivered. The pool area with its whirlpool? Clean and relaxing, with a lovely scent that made it a perfect spot to unwind. We didn’t hit the weight room, but it seemed well-equipped for those with more motivation than us.

Now, about Epoch, the hotel’s main floor restaurant. The coconut shrimp was one of the best I ever had! We also had the strip loin steak, and it was cooked to perfection (we removed the strange hay” like topping), no complaints there, but everything else we ate was just alright. Dining in the indoor area to the left of the bar was really another story. The ambiance was nice enough, but who designed those chairs? They were low, uncomfortable, and felt like something more suited to a patio than an upscale dining experience. It’s like they couldn’t decide if we were dining or lounging. Either way, not ideal.

The biggest letdown, though, was the lobby. For a Ritz-Carlton, I expected something grand, something memorable. Instead, it was underwhelming, bordering on bland. We’ve stayed at the Ritz in Grand Cayman, and the lobby there was like stepping into an art gallery—here? It could use a serious facelift to match the brand’s luxury reputation.

In summary, we enjoyed our stay, but the Ritz-Carlton Toronto feels like it’s coasting on its name in some areas. Five-star service, but not quite five-star polish across the board.