Heading to Toronto for a getaway? Check into the Kimpton Saint George Hotel, and you will not be disappointed.
Ever since I got my drivers license a million years ago, I have always loved road trips. My kids kinda sorta love them (depends on the destination, duration, and mood).
And so that’s how we found ourselves driving to Toronto at the end of May. We had been to Canada a few years ago, and loved our Niagara Falls visit, so when we went back to visit the Falls again this past Spring, we wanted to venture a little bit beyond that area.
In the grand scheme of things, I would have liked to stay a few days longer in Toronto, but we just did one overnight this time. When I was looking for hotels, I picked the brain of a friend who had recently gone there with her family for Spring Break, and she mentioned how much she loved the Kimpton. I had never even heard of the hotel chain until then, and now that we’ve been, we are all smitten.
Any time I’m booking a hotel room, I like to stay under a hundred bucks a night. Because, let’s be real, I am looking for a safe area and a clean bed, anything after that is a bonus (swimming pool and room service check my kids’ boxes). I sometimes find great deals through Groupon or Living Social, and scour all the travel web sites, and the hotel’s own web site as well. Kimpton is not exactly an inexpensive brand, but I got lucky and because I had flexibility with my arrival date, and with the US/Canadian conversion, our gorgeous room ended up being around $75/night.
SCORE!
We pulled up right to the front door and splurged the extra ten bucks for valet parking, because even if I didn’t, I still would have had to pay for parking, and it would be in a separate lot and a bit of a schlep. We were greeted warmly as soon as we walked into the lobby and checked in quickly. Adjacent to the lobby is a comfortable sitting area, with lemon water, a few books, and a fireplace.
We walked down the hallway to the elevator so we could dump our bags and start checking out our room.
To say the hotel is very Instagram-worthy would be an understatement. There was a photo opp literally around every corner.
And the room … oh our room did not disappoint. So luxurious in a non-pretentious way, and thoughtful gestures everywhere … bathrobes in the closet, along with a yoga mat even!
*seriously such a simple idea, why don’t more hotels do this? (I’m guessing because people will steal the full size bottles, but even with a theft here and there, this way has to cut down on so much excess plastic usage by having and supplying the travel size bottles for each and every guest)
As soon as we walked into the room and flopped on the bed, I got a text message from the front desk clerk asking if everything was to our satisfaction. Like what?! We took this open line of communication and really used it, asking for directions to a few things nearby, recommendations on where to eat dinner, and more. It was kind of awesome.
The hotel is directly across the street from the Bata Shoe Museum (my kids had zero interest), bikes that you can rent hourly, several restaurants and stores, historical highlights and the University of Toronto (a highlight for my oldest who has a penchant for collecting college hoodies).
The Kimpton brand is part of IHG, so if you are a member, you can still get those valuable rewards.
Now, every time we’re planning a hotel stay, I will forever be looking for a Kimpton outpost, and new locations are popping up everywhere (the Toronto one is still fairly new). If you’re looking for a boutique-style hotel that provides luxury service and amenities that is a little bit … different … yet still affordable, I hope you’ll give Kimpton a try.
Hungry for more Canadian adventures?
The Whirlpool Aero Car in Niagara is a must-do.
On our first visit, we did the Journey Behind the Falls and it was so cool! I am always mesmerized by the water and could stay and watch it for hours.
Do not leave the area without having dinner in the clouds at the Skylon Tower.
A recap on our visit to Canada.
Bird Kingdom was a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon.
Our first (and definitely legit) taste of poutine.
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