Hotel Review: The St. Regis Toronto
St. Regis Is one of the best hotel brands in the world and is certainly at the top of the list on the Marriott ladder, along with the Ritz-Carlton brand. When I realized that Toronto had both St. Regis and the Ritz-Carlton, I was hesitant because I heard some St. Regis properties could be antiquated and traditional. However, I was still curious about the level of hospitality I would experience from the St. Regis brand and decided to give The St. Regis Toronto a shot. Moreover, I was visiting Toronto for a special occasion and wanted to indulge myself in the best hospitality experience that Marriott could offer. In summary, my lodging experience at The St. Regis Toronto was far better than my original expectation, and here is my review of The St. Regist Toronto:
The St. Regis Toronto is located at 325 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5H 4G3, Canada.
What Card(s) Should You Use to Book?
I earn tons of Marriott Bonvoy points by using my American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on dining and flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X on all other purchases. Paired with Marriott’s promotions and AMEX offers, it opens doors to endless points-earning opportunities.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card comes with great benefits that can substantially offset its annual fee.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card does come with a hefty $650 annual fee but offers tons of perks to significantly offset its costs. The card features the following benefits:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
$25 monthly dining credit—$300 total in a year
$100 property credit when booked directly with Marriott and staying a minimum of two nights at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties
An 85,000-point Free Night Award
Access to Priority Pass lounges
25 Elite Night Credits for chasing Marriott Bonvoy status
Even if you don’t stay at Marriott properties often, this card is still a must-have, in my opinion. It’s a true example of a keeper card that offers benefits that outweigh the annual fee.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
If you are looking for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card with a low annual fee, consider the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of three Free Night Awards after spending $1,000 in three months, each covering up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. I personally value Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents each, making the 105,000 points offer worth $840. The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card earns 6X points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases every year on dining, grocery stores, and gas stations, and 2X points on all other purchases.
Be aware that 15 elite night credits from the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card can’t be combined with 15 elite night credits from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card’s annual fee is $95, and it offers useful perks to offset the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits that will help you achieve a higher Marriott Bonvoy status
Please note that you can’t combine Elite Night Credits from two Marriott Bonvoy personal credit cards, but you can stack Elite Night Credits from one personal and one Marriott Bonvoy business card. Thus, if you own both AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, you would only earn 25 elite night credits.
If you’d like to apply for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you!
The last Marriott Bonvoy credit card you could use would be the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. Considering that the annual membership costs $125, you get paid to have the card! The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 4X points on dining, U.S. shipping purchases, U.S. wireless telephone services, and at U.S. gas stations. All other purchases earn 2X points.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card is the only Marriott business card on the market.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card’s annual fee is $125, and it offers valuable benefits to justify the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits, which can be combined with 15 Elite Night Credits from other personal Marriott Bonvoy credit cards
As you can see, the card’s benefits are less substantial than the ones from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, but it is a great long-term keeper card due to its annual Free Night Award perk. Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary if you want to chase a higher Marriott Bonvoy status because it is the only Marriott business card that is on the market and will grant you an additional 15 Elite Night Credits. Lastly, even though it is a business credit card, it is very likely that you could get it approved. Check out my article on how to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
Location
The St. Regis Toronto is located in the middle of downtown Toronto, making the hotel ideal for business travelers. However, because downtown Toronto is quite diverse, you are still only a few steps away from major tourist attractions such as the Hockey Hall of Fame or the CN Tower. If you want to do some shopping, the Toronto Eaton Centre is right next to the hotel. Explore local vendors and eateries at St. Lawrence Market nearby. If you have spare time, I suggest taking a quick Uber ride to Casa Loma.
Lobby & Check-In Review
I originally requested an early check-in at noon and arrived a quarter past noon. When I arrived at the hotel, I instantly noticed a pleasant floral scent in the lobby. Because I stayed on Sunday, there was noticeable traffic in the lobby due to people checking in and out. Luckily, I was assisted almost immediately upon arrival.
Front desk representatives welcomed me with smiles and explained the hotel in detail.
The front desk agent was very informative and greeted me with a water bottle. He notified me that I’d be upgraded to a Deluxe Suite and explained the property in detail, including gym and pool locations and breakfast hours. For my Titanium Elite status, I chose complimentary breakfast instead of points. Because the suite had to be inspected to ensure absolute cleanliness, I was asked to wait 15 to 20 minutes. I grabbed coffee at Astor Lounge, which was right behind the front desk.
You can grab a quick bite to eat or drink at Astor Lounge.
Only the bar area was available for the day because the lounge hosted a private event on the day I arrived. The lounge was beautifully decorated with artificial cherry blossom trees, and I ordered a cup of latte.
If you are a tea aficionado, I recommend making a reservation at Astor Lounge for an afternoon tea experience.
The coffee was decent, and as I finished it, I was notified that my suite was ready.
My latte was 6 CAD, but it was delicious, and the service from the staff was excellent.
I grabbed my card keys from the check-in desk and went up to the 25th floor, where my suite was located.
Living Room Review
The living room was carpeted and emanated a sophisticated persona. The living room featured a gorgeous black marble mini bar with a generous selection of food and beverages.
The mini bar housed a mini-fridge in the corner, which was full of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Even though the snacks and liquors were priced high, the mini-bar offered various choices from the bar top and in the mini-fridge.
The mini bar featured a collection of glassware for all types of drinks
I was happy to find a Nespresso machine, and there were decaffeinated capsules for those sensitive to caffeine. An electric kettle was ready for brewing tea bags by Sloane, which I enjoyed later in the afternoon.
A Nespresso machine always wins extra brownie points in my book.
The living space was curated with a comfortable and plush microfiber couch that was great for lounging or napping in general. The lounge chairs had leather side panels and microfiber seats, and I thought the contrast between the two materials was intriguing.
The microfiber material matched the high-end profile of the St. Regis brand.
There were coffee tables with interesting geometric steel frames. Across from the couch, a huge smart TV was wall-mounted, and below the TV, a digital fireplace warmed up the room. It functioned as a heater by blowing hot air out, but the illumination brought a layer of coziness to the living room.
The digital fireplace added coziness to the room, especially at night.
The work desk was located right next to the big window overlooking downtown Toronto. The work desk was an oval-shaped glass desk with handsome gold trims on the edges and integrated wood to the surface as well as side panels. I liked the work desk, but the internet connection was consistently unstable, disrupting my workflow quite a bit.
The living room was very spacious, and it was full of luxurious details, indicative of the St. Regis brand.
The drapes were both manually and digitally controllable using a master controller on the wall, and all lights were dimmable. All materials used in the living room were rightfully high-end, from crystal wall lights to the digital fireplace, and I genuinely felt that I was in a luxurious suite at a St. Regis property.
Enjoy a breathtaking view of Toronto from your room and take your remote office to the next level.
Bedroom Review
The bedroom was also carpeted, and it featured a luxurious king bed. The mattress was divine, and I slept better than ever. The headboard expanded full length across the wall and used navy-colored leather and microfiber finishes.
The mattress was exceptionally comfortable, and I slept very well during my stay.
Each side of the bed came with a large nightstand with a white marble top with navy patterns, which matched the headboard. Of course, USB ports and outlets were accessible for charging electronic devices as well as a touchscreen-enabled master light switch for lights and drapes.
The nightstand had ample countertop space, and the master light switch made all lights available at my fingertip.
Recessed lights above the bed provided additional lighting, and reading lights came in handy before going to sleep. Across from the bed, a second smart TV was positioned on a minimalistic media console.
The bedroom came with another smart TV, and a huge window let in a healthy amount of natural light.
Though I wasn’t entirely sure of the purpose, a lounge chair and a floor lamp took the corner of the bedroom. The closet had ample space for storing clothes or luggage, and indoor slippers were soft and snug.
The closet had plenty of space to hang and store clothes for you and your partner.
The bedroom had a big window that was the same size as the one in the living room, and it offered a similar view of the dynamic city of Toronto.
Both bedroom and living room had massive windows for guests to take in views of Toronto.
The bedroom continued the level of elegance and opulence from the living room. From the intricate crown moldings to crystal wall lights, I spent a restful night in the bedroom. The bedroom had a door separating it from the living space, and it canceled the noise from the outside, even more, leading to a restful night in the bedroom.
You can enjoy this view in the comfort of your room.
Moreover, when I returned to my room after enjoying drinks at Louix Louis, I noticed that the cleaning staff performed a turndown service. They placed a new bottle of water and a cup by my bedside in case I would quench my thirst at night. I was impressed with their thoughtful consideration and appreciated the service very much.
The housekeeping team at The St. Regis Toronto performed a turndown service at night and tied up the suite.
Bathroom Review
There were two bathrooms in the suite, and a half bath was located right by the suite entrance. The black marble floor was attractive, and the single-sink vanity had the same black marble countertop as the minibar.
The half bathroom was quite plain, but the master bathroom was an entirely different story.
I was unsure whether it was intentional, but the lighting was quite dim. Only one wall light was the sole source of brightness, and I wish the hotel could replace the mirror with integrated LED light to illuminate the bathroom more. The master bathroom was connected to the bedroom, and the entire floor and walls were finished in white marble. Even the water closet had the same stunning white marble floor.
Except for the ceiling, the master bathroom was full of white and black marble.
Contrary to the half bath, the master bathroom was full of lights and was equipped with a digital master light switch to control all lights at once. The master bathroom had a double-sink vanity, and the countertop material followed the same black marble from the minibar.
A small TV was integrated with the mirror, and it was great to listen to the news when I brushed my teeth.
The mirror was huge, and a TV was built into it. I’m not a big TV person, but I enjoy watching sports or catching up on the news while brushing my teeth. I’m generally not keen on bathroom faucets, but they were interestingly appealing. They had hard edges, and for some reason, I really liked the aesthetics; perhaps because they didn’t present traditional design elements associated with luxury bathrooms.
You won’t find plastic cups in the entire suite.
The walk-in shower was a true rainfall-style shower with a handheld option. The water pressure was amazing, and I enjoyed every shower I took.
Thanks to the powerful rainfall shower, every shower was glorious.
The toiletries were by Laboratoire Remède, and I didn’t like the strong herbal scent of the products. However, the soap was great and didn’t dry out my skin.
I didn’t particularly like the strong herbal scents from the toiletries, but they didn’t strip moisture away from my skin.
The separate bathtub was really deep, and it was ergonomically designed, making it easier to lean back and unwind. It had a bamboo bathtub tray so that you could place a book or a tablet while taking a bath. I used the bath after working out at the hotel gym, and it was relaxing to loosen up my muscles and sit back.
I placed my iPad on the bamboo tray and caught up on some shows while taking a bath.
Lastly, I was appreciative of the thick bathroom doors. Whether it was the water closet door or the main bathroom door, these doors were solid at isolating any noise from the bathroom. If you were to stay with your partner, I can guarantee you would not need to worry about waking up from early morning shower noises from the bathroom.
Gym & Pool Review
To access the gym and pool, I had to go up to the 31st floor and take another elevator up to the 32nd floor. The gym was open for guests from 6:30 AM to 10 PM daily and had high ceilings. When coupled with tall windows overlooking downtown Toronto, the setting significantly enhanced the workout experience. Most cardio equipment was by Matrix, but there were two Woodway treadmills for low-impact training.
Woodway treadmills are some of the best-in-class running machines.
For avid Peloton users, the fitness center had two Peloton bikes with weights. Thanks to tall windows, any guest running or cycling could enjoy a refreshing view of Toronto.
Take a cycling class with your partner on these Peloton bikes!
The gym saved a dedicated space for HIIT exercises, and kettlebells and medicine balls were ready to break down your muscles.
I used one of the Lululemon yoga mats to do post-exercise stretches.
For yoga practice, you could even take advantage of Lululemon yoga mats. I’ve never seen a luxury hotel using Lululemon yoga mats, but it was nice to see a Canadian luxury property showing love for another Canadian brand. The rest of the gym was devoted to weight training. The main area was padded and had dumbbells going up to 75 pounds and a Smith machine.
No need to worry if you drop a dumbbell on the floor since it was heavily padded.
Unfortunately, the Smith machine had safety bars that were permanently positioned, so I couldn’t engage in exercises that required me to lower the bar fully. An all-in-one machine by Matrix came with a variety of attachments to broaden exercise drills. The gym offered a few strength machines by TechnoGym, targeting specific muscle groups.
There was no shortage of strength equipment at the gym.
When I was working out, hotel staff constantly replenished chilled towels and bottled water, so guests could stay hydrated and feel refreshed.
You can refill your own water bottle or take one of the chilled water bottles in the mini-fridge.
The fitness center was perfect for any audience–casual gym goers and serious athletes. Overall, my workout session remained pleasant from start to finish, all while enjoying panoramic views of Toronto.
The gym had mirrored walls and a small barre for support and stretching routines.
The pool was also located on the 32nd floor and operated from 6 AM to 10 PM daily. The men’s changing room was clean and well-organized.
You can secure your belongings in complimentary lockers.
There were complimentary lockers and a small sauna to relax your muscles after swimming.
After swimming, take advantage of the sauna and promote muscle recovery.
For some reason, the overall atmosphere of the changing room reminded me of the one at Park Hyatt New York. The pool was an infinity lap pool with gently heated salt water. I was the only guest using the pool in the afternoon, and I definitely made the most of the serene setting of the pool.
The salt water was gently heated, and it was so peaceful to have the pool by myself.
If you don’t like swimming, take advantage of the hot tub, tucked in the corner of the pool.
The jacuzzi was big enough to accommodate up to eight people at once.
While I was a big fan of the pool, I wish the hotel provided more seats for guests. There were only a handful of lounge seats for families and guests, and perhaps the hotel could include some sunbeds so people and lie down.
Since the pool was indoors, there were no sunbeds and only lounge chairs and sofas.
Similar to the gym, the pool had a mini-fridge with chilled towels and bottled water for refreshment and regular bath towels to dry yourself after being in the water.
With a mini-fridge full of water bottles, I was able to stay hydrated.
Both the pool and the gym were well-maintained amenities that would please any visitors, and I recommend taking advantage of them when you stay at The St. Regis Toronto.
Bar Review—Louix Louis
Louix Louis is St. Regis Toronto’s premium restaurant and bar serving contemporary French-American dishes. The restaurant was located on the 31st floor, and I highly recommend making a reservation if you were to visit the establishment during peak hours.
I highly recommend securing a reservation during peak dining hours.
My brother and I had a reservation at 9:30 PM on a Sunday night, but the place was pretty packed with chatty customers and loud clubby music. The restaurant was decorated exquisitely; curved wood panels and reflective gold mirrored walls were thoughtfully highlighted with accent lights. The bar table featured a beautiful marble backsplash and bar stools with gold frames that perfectly matched the restaurant's atmosphere.
The nightly ambiance at Louix Louis was intimate and energetic.
The bar capitalized on its tall ceiling and displayed numerous liquors on high bar shelves. I wondered whether the bottles stored on the top shelves were actually being consumed or for decoration, but there was no doubt that they were statement pieces.
The bar shelves were impressive, stretching all the way up to the end of the ceiling.
Since we were too stuffed from dinner at Bar Isabel, we only ordered cocktails. Louix Louis offered unique experiences such as Basil Hayden whiskey tasting flights, and we opted for its signature cocktails. I appreciated how descriptive the menu was. For instance, the restaurant depicted flavor profiles and visual illustrations of each cocktail and even added blurbs regarding the history of the drinks. For the first round, we ordered Clover Club and Naked Ambition.
Every cocktail from Louix Louis was executed well, but it came with a price.
Both drinks were on point, and Clover Club used vegan foam, instead of typical egg white foam. I presumed the bartender used aquafaba, which was silky smooth without changing the flavor profile of the cocktail. Moreover, the St. Regis logo dusting was an attractive touch.
The vegan foam in Clover Club was superb, and the dusting of the St. Regis logo on top was gorgeous.
As we were savoring the drinks, the waiter offered complimentary bar snacks. They were marinated olives and spiced nuts. The spiced nuts consisted of cashew, almond, pecan, and hazelnut, and they were mildly spicy.
The marinated olives were slightly sweet and packed a spicy kick.
The olives were marinated in chilis and orange rinds, and the olives packed serious heat but also presented sweet notes from orange. For the second round, we ordered Gold Rush and Jungle Bird.
Having the gold dust in Gold Rush was only fitting.
I only ordered Gold Rush because of the gold dust. The gold dust faintly shimmered as I sipped the drink, but I don’t recommend Gold Rush if the only reason for your order was the gold dust. If you were to stay at The St. Regis Toronto, I recommend stopping by Louix Louis to enjoy fine cocktails.
Breakfast Review—Louix Louis
The breakfast was also served at Louix Louis from 7 AM to 11 AM on weekdays and from 7 AM to 1:30 PM on weekends. I was seated almost immediately without reservation. The restaurant expressed a different vibe compared to the setting during evening hours. Elegant jazz piano music played in the background, and the restaurant was brighter and more inviting.
With peaceful jazz music playing in the background, my breakfast at Louix Louis was a perfect start to the morning.
Since I had Titanium Elite status, my breakfast was complimentary, up to 32 CAD. The menu was inclusive, and while I would’ve normally chosen Avocado Toast and Seasonal Berry Bowl, I went with the classic Canadian breakfast with white toasts, chicken apple sausages, scrambled eggs, and orange juice.
I wish I had one more grilled tomato since I enjoyed it so much.
The chicken apple sausage was a great guilt-free option, and the potatoes were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. However, the scrambled eggs were cooked slightly more than I liked. The toasts were a little soggy, but I was able to revive them with butter and jam.
The level of service from the wait staff was remarkable.
The service was impeccable, and even though the menu prices could be steep for those without high Marriott Bonvoy status (Platinum Elite or higher), Louix Louis would be a superb choice for enjoying breakfast in a refined setting.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
My Deluxe Suite was packed with luxury amenities. Features such as button-controlled curtains, a TV-embedded bathroom mirror, and a digital fireplace differentiated the suite from standard rooms. The details and finishes in the suite were immaculate, and the level of service I experienced from the hotel staff was remarkable.
The gym was located on one of the top floors, which meant you could enjoy breathtaking views of downtown Toronto when exercising. The fitness center was decked out with the latest gym equipment like Woodway treadmills and Peloton bikes, and whether you are a cardio lover or a heavy lifter, you will leave the gym satisfied.
As a mixology enthusiast, I was impressed with the cocktails that Louix Louis served. They were executed perfectly as long as you could swallow the bill. Nevertheless, the cocktails were worth the splurge when you consider its intimate and grand ambiance. The breakfast at Louix Louis was enjoyable as well, and I appreciated that my complimentary breakfast credit actually gave me some options to choose from, instead of only being able to get an underwhelming continental breakfast.
Negatives
The only hiccup I encountered during my stay was the occasional failure to connect to the WiFi. Because I need a solid Internet connection to work remotely, when WiFi dropped, it disrupted my workflow.
Summary
My first experience with the St. Regis brand at The St. Regis Toronto exceeded my expectations. Because of my Titanium Elite status, I was upgraded to the hotel’s Deluxe Suite, which was beautifully curated with premium furniture and high-tech amenities. The suite overlooked downtown Toronto, and I could control all lights, drapes, and even the digital fireplace using the master controller from almost everywhere in the suite. Gorgeous black and white marble finishes in the bathrooms and the mini bar represented the brand’s opulence, which continued at Louix Louis during dinner and breakfast. The gym was an all-inclusive training hub for any active guests, and the infinity lap pool offered a serene atmosphere with a hot tub for unwinding and relaxing muscles. My first experience with the St. Regis brand was spectacular, and I look forward to visiting other St. Regis properties around the globe. For anyone staying in Toronto, I highly recommend The St. Regis Toronto.
