Fairmont Royal York

Wonderful hotel stay! We were delighted to find a bottle of wine and chocolate-covered strawberries waiting for us—such a thoughtful touch. The staff were incredibly friendly throughout our visit. The valet was especially impressive, with excellent knowledge of the surrounding area—truly a great ambassador for the hotel. Natalia at the front desk was fantastic and made us feel very welcome. Great rooms and view of the Tower. A special thank you to one of the managers, Mr. Noorullah, who surprised us with chocolate-covered strawberries and wine after learning we were celebrating a birthday. What a lovely and memorable gesture!

One thing will always stand out in my memory of my Royal York stay, is the VERY LOUD, blasting house/club/dance music audible in every square inch of the hotel's public spaces. Inappropriate does not begin to describe how horrible it is. Played by a DJ, the music seems to be a deliberate decision of someone to make a 100 year old hotel relevant to 20 somethings. This was not a one time event. That is what we assumed on our May 2024 visit, so we risked coming again. Ugh! How wrong we were! It is piped into every nook and cranny of the ground floor, including the restaurants and bars. At check-in I could not hear or converse with the front desk agent. At Reign I had to shout my order to the server. This was a NEVER AGAIN experience related not only to the Royal York, but also Fairmont in general. Someone in management is NUTS.

We recently stayed on the Gold Floor at the Fairmont Royal York, and I can confidently say—it completely changed how I look at hotel stays. We actually come every year as a family tradition for a staycation, and it’s something we all look forward to. At first glance, the price might feel higher than a standard room, but once you factor in everything that’s included, it actually works out to be incredible value—especially if you’re traveling with family. The perks are next level: a generous full breakfast buffet to start your day, tea and snacks available throughout the day (a lifesaver with kids or busy schedules), and in the evening, a fantastic spread of hors d’oeuvres that easily replaces dinner. And just when you think it couldn’t get better—there’s also a dessert buffet. All of this is set in one of the most stunning lounges I’ve experienced. It’s expansive yet somehow still feels cozy and welcoming—elegant without being even remotely stuffy. What truly makes the experience stand out, though, is the staff. Every single person we encountered was exceptional, but Grace deserves a special mention. Her warm smile and genuine willingness to help elevated the entire stay—she’s the kind of person who makes you feel instantly at home. As a travel agent, this is absolutely on my “recommended splurge” list. If you’re debating whether to upgrade—do it. It’s not just a room, it’s an experience, and one that truly delivers on value.

The Gold Level food and wines have been further improved. Lots of new options and very high quality. Of course the stars of the level are the staff who are simply outstanding. The rooms are excellent and housekeeping keeps them perfect. We had yet another perfect stay. We love the location which has easy direct access to the subway. Lots of restaurants and museums nearby. The hotel is really pushing digital keys but a heads up to not bother because the phone digital key app does not work and there is no support to get it working.

Had a wonderful weekend getaway at the Royal York. From the time we arrived Will at the check in desk upon hearing it was a birthday had a nice gift of wine and chocolate covered strawberries sent to our room, this was a very nice touch and above and beyond what we would expect. The building is full of history and it’s so fun to sit down and think of all the people who have been in the spaces we were in. Cocktails at the library bar were very good albeit expensive for sure. The pool was nice for a swim. Our room was on the corner of one of the blocks and had two windows looking out which was very nice.