Toronto: a must-see multicultural metropolis

Toronto is known for its vibrant and rich culture, elite food scene, not to mention impressive and spectacular sights – and what better way to enjoy the city than to stay at one of the finest hotels, the Shangri-La.

This luxury hotel is the perfect base, where everything you want to see is within walking distance or easy reach.

And when you are done exploring, there’s nothing quite like the welcome of the Shangri-La to help you relax at the end of each day in luxury.

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Toronto is becoming a popular destination and there are many reasons it should be on the top of your travel list. It’s a foodie’s sanctuary (and it's not just about the delicious maple syrup), a shopper’s delight, not to mention spectacular sights that will leave you in awe.

Staying at the Shangri-La, Toronto

The comfort and service at the Shangri-La, Toronto, is world class. The spacious rooms and suites, which come with unparalleled views, means you may not want to leave.

The rooms are bright and comfortable, floor to ceiling windows, high tech controls and marble furnishing.

My suite was an impressive 820 sq ft with views of iconic landmarks such as the CN Tower, a walk-in wardrobe, a separate living room and the most beautiful marble bathroom which included a walk-in shower and a deep-soaking bath, where you can relax and soak in spectacular views day and night.

The rooms include luxurious John Masters Organic toiletries which are simply divine.

Shangri-La truly takes care of all your needs as you surround yourself around pure luxury.

And should you need it, there’s also a coat concierge by the brand Nobis, which you can request in advance.

Located on 188 University Avenue, downtown Toronto, it is the perfect location to explore everything the city has to offer.

Relax with a spa

And just as you may expect, Shangri-La Toronto offers the perfect spa experience for you to unwind and relax after a busy day of shopping and sightseeing.

The Miraj Hammam Spa blends Middle Eastern wellness rituals with modern needs – you’ll want to try out more than one treatment.

I opted for a deep tissue massage which was certainly one of the best I have had, but you may well be tempted by the Turkish bath or a Sodashi plant-based facial.

You can also spend time relaxing in your room; ask for the ‘bath butler experience’ (book in advance) and your bath will be set up with petals, a candle and a truly divine bath bomb, alongside optional in-room dining.

Dining

Breakfast at the Shangri-La is worth waking up for. It’s not your typical buffet, but an experience in itself with dishes that include a wellness frittata, a duck congee, or homemade granola for example.

It is served at the hotel’s signature Bosk Restaurant, where dinner is just as scrumptious. The restaurant sources produce from Canadian farmers and businesses.

One of the markets the hotel sources its produce from is St Lawrence Market, where I took a tour of the markets with Bosk Restaurant’s chef Troy Cabarios. The market has food from around the world which truly reflects Canada’s diverse population.

Eating out in Toronto: Peller Estates

Venturing out of the hotel, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to try out. I tried Takja BBQ House, a Korean BBQ restaurant where food is grilled in the middle of your table.

A must do is a visit to Peller Estates, where some of the best wine in Canada is produced and sold.

You can do a tour of the winery, too. Don’t miss the 10below Icewine lounge, fully made of ice, including the furniture. The temperature there is set at -10 all year round, which is the temperature Peller uses to harvest icewine grapes.

Niagara Falls

No visit to Toronto is complete without a tour of the Niagara Falls. Get the full experience with the Niagara Helicopters, where you will have the opportunity to capture the most amazing views of the Falls. I also tried out the recently opened virtual experience at Niagara Parks, where the virtual flight ride will take you through time, experiencing the rich history and culture that Canada and the Falls come with.

While the falls is often one of the main attractions, don’t miss the CN Tower for amazing views of the city, Little Canada, the Aquarium, plus the historic Distillery District is a must-see. You can book via destinationtoronto.com.

Getting to Toronto

Getting to Canada is fairly simple, with Air Canada. If you are flying business class, you can take advantage of the recently refurbished Maple Leaf Lounge at Heathrow terminal 2, where you can kick back and relax with food and refreshment before you fly. The comfort of business class is like no other with its roll back seats, large personal screens and a Acqua Di Parma amenities kit.

I was lucky to experience Air Canada’s business class cabin, allowing me to arrive fully relaxed.

Kalpana was a guest at the Shangri-La, Toronto (shangri-la.com/toronto/shangrila). The deluxe one bedroom suite costs $1,269.01 (CAD) and the deluxe king room is $827.62 (CAD).