Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites

Our stay at the Don Valley was just “ok”. It was decent for the price we paid considering we weren’t spending much time in our hotel while we were in Toronto. However the hotel does need some upgrades. There’s not a whole lot of ramps for handicap, the exterior needs some love. The door to our room needs some WD-40. We had to practically throw our weight into the door to open it. We had 2 of us booked in the room with 2 beds yet had to ask housekeeping for extra wash cloths. The pool looked nice & inviting. We didn’t use the pool or eat the buffet. The best thing though was the bathroom floor was heated.

I have been a guest at this hotel for more than three years and have stayed here many times. I had never experienced a problem like this before, which is why what happened yesterday was particularly disappointing and upsetting. After spending the entire day out, I returned to the hotel around 5:40 p.m. I simply wanted to relax for a few minutes in the pool area. At exactly 6:00 p.m., I went to the front desk and asked if I could use the pool. There was no one behind me in line. The employee could have simply explained what was happening. She could have told me that the pool was temporarily unavailable and that I could return later. Instead, she simply told me that the pool closed at 6:00 p.m. I accepted what I was told and left the hotel again, believing that this rule applied to everyone. A short time later, when I returned, I saw other guests using the pool. I have photographs and timestamps documenting this. I went back to the front desk, and another employee told me that I was allowed to use the pool. So I have a very legitimate question: If the pool was closed at 6:00 p.m., why were other guests using it shortly afterward? And why was I not simply told that there was a temporary issue and that I could return later? This morning, when I asked for an explanation, I was given a different story involving the pool pump and maintenance. The problem is that this was not what I was told yesterday. When I questioned the employee yesterday, she did not mention a pump, maintenance, or any temporary procedure. The other employee working with her did not mention it either. This explanation only appeared today. I have records of the situation and of my conversation with the employee afterward. I am not saying this as a threat. I am saying it because I believe situations like this should be evaluated based on facts. The hotel has security footage, and I also have my own photographs, timestamps, and records. What affected me most, however, was the way I was treated. From the moment I was standing in line, I noticed a different attitude from this employee. She was cold, dismissive, and unwilling to properly explain what was happening. When I handed her my key/card so I could access the pool, she did not even make an effort to take it from me. I know what I experienced. I am not claiming that I know exactly what was going through her mind, but I absolutely have the right to question why I was denied access without a proper explanation while other guests were apparently allowed to use the pool shortly afterward. This is much bigger than a swimming pool. It is about respect, professionalism, dignity, and basic humanity when dealing with the public. People can have bad days or be unhappy with their jobs, but when you work at a hotel front desk, you have a responsibility to treat guests with courtesy and respect. Prejudging someone or making a guest feel unwelcome is unacceptable. And when that treatment involves someone who already knows what it feels like to be judged and discriminated against simply for being who they are, it becomes even more painful. I am not asking for special treatment. I am asking for equal treatment, courtesy, transparency, and dignity. I sincerely hope management will review the security footage, speak with the employees involved, and look at the situation objectively rather than simply protecting a staff member. I have stayed at this hotel for years without any issues. That is precisely why this incident was so disappointing. The problem was never simply the pool. The problem was the way I was treated. And that is what I hope management understands.

We stayed at Don Valley hotel for one night. It was an ok place to hang your hat for the night due to the location, but the rooms were tired and dirty. The bathroom was interesting… it was like there was a very flimsy tub cover placed over the old fixture that water had gotten underneath and with every move inside the shower, the water came rushing back up the drain. It was hard to stand in, the best way I could describe it is like standing on a waterbed. The bathroom was filthy… the counter was full of hair and dust and the shower had some brown grime in the drain. The air conditioner ran all night and the room felt and smelled damp. With that said, the pools were clean and well kept and the front desk staff were night. If you’re looking for a place to sleep and not so much else I think it’s fine, but don’t come here expecting anything really nice.

Room had insects. And house keeping staff was not changing linens or towels saying they would change after check out

Contrary to many of these reviews, I had a great experience. Much nicer than a lot of Toronto hotels at the same price point and no issues with safety, comfort or service which is important to me as a solo female traveller. I enjoyed the restaurant downstairs and thought the food as very fairly priced. Would have loved to have used the pool, but there was a child screaming in it (which is in no way the hotel staff’s fault). Had to check out super early for work, but otherwise would have loved to stay longer and enjoy the amenities.