It was hard to picture a place called the Windsor Arms in downtown Toronto. We had visions of clashing sabres, armour and bar wenches, but were quite a way off, although smug in our premonition as we arrived through the hotel’s castle-like entrance to a majestic, but welcoming air. A 1920s Neo-Gothic building, the interior was totally re-jigged to include just 28 guest suites, with the décor a tasteful fusion of modern and classic.
The spacious rooms were well appointed in a ‘European’ style, characteristic of most of the hotels in this city. We particularly liked our ‘dumb butler’, a secret cupboard that hotel staff to drop things off into your room without having to disturb you.
It’s a weird one to sum up, as whilst it is a designer, boutique hotel, there is a distinct, old-world charm – not dissimilar to the Mayfair ‘clubs’ of London, naturally oozing in class, but not without a touch of stuffiness. It isn’t the nearest ‘star-studded’ hotel to the gay village, but it is right in the heart of the glamourous Yorkville. Church Street isn’t far, if you make it past the shops on Bloor.
www.windsorarmshotel.com
www.slh.com
