History and Art Beckon With These Three Hotels (Re)opening in the GTA This Fall
Applauded accommodation.
The Gladstone House Bistro.
September ushers in three more accommodation options in the GTA with the reopening of two historic hotels and the first Marriott Autograph Collection hotel in Ontario. For an overnight or a weekend, they offer a peek into the past, modern art, memorable dining options, and photoworthy design.
Gladstone House
The corner of Toronto’s Queen West and Dufferin has been made over: one of the oldest operating hotels in the city has a new moniker, as well as reimagined public spaces and guest rooms. Streetcar Developments, owners of the Broadview Hotel, has added a sister property to its portfolio with Gladstone House.
Guests will be welcomed to a new lobby featuring plush seating, a fireplace, an antique desk for check-in, and striking ceiling art by Bryan Espiritu titled Love & Above. British design firm Elastic Interiors, known for its work with Accor, Marriott, and Aman, reimagined the 1889 building, updating the guest rooms with a neutral palette while keeping the exposed brick and enhancing historical elements like the vintage hand-operated lift, reimagined with dichroic film. Gladstone House issued a call for submissions for artwork, and from over 500 entries, 55 pieces were selected for rooms and public spaces, including a neon sculpture by Kal Honey depicting the hotel’s Romanesque revival architecture. Art programming will continue to be a central feature, with Gladstone House curator Lee Petrie overseeing the art studio; there will also be three fitness studios offering workout and wellness programs.
The Broadview Hotel’s executive chef, Richard Singh will created the Bistro + Bar’s menu, a ballroom has been revamped for events and weddings, and the beloved Drag Brunch (and Miss Moco) returns to Melody Bar every weekend. Gladstone House will also feature several Toronto guest amenities partners such as Graydon Skincare, Propeller Coffee, Village Juicery, and 100km Foods.
1214 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1J6
The Pearle Hotel & Spa
Newly opened on Burlington’s lakefront and the first Autograph Collection by Marriott hotel in Ontario, the Pearle Hotel & Spa may be a new build, but history has guided its creation. Pearle Hospitality named this newest project after the grandmother of one of the partners. Pearle Ciancone once had a cottage in Burlington and with her husband owned a restaurant in Hamilton showcasing Ontario ingredients. The hotel logo is based on Pearle Ciancone’s handwriting, and there is a note from Grandmother Pearle in every guest room too. Studio Munge created this boutique hotel’s design inspired by the seasons of Ontario at a lakehouse escape. A neutral colour scheme, white oak panelling, and art sourced from Ontario creators throughout the property welcome guests to enter vacation mode.
Inspired by summer, the 151 guest rooms contain postage-paid postcards with vintage cottage images sourced from the archives of the Burlington Historical Society. The lobby area is autumnal, the warm hues highlighting the grand spiral staircase, while the Edgewater ballroom channels winter cool, with its south-facing views of the lake and custom ceiling installation with suspended blue glass lupine flowers by Munge. The Spa at the Pearle takes its cue from spring, with fresh shades of white and blue, personalized spa treatments, relaxation pool, lounge, and hammam steam room.
Executive chef Ben Heaton and his team oversee Isabelle, the restaurant, featuring Mediterranean flavours and ingredients grown on the hotel’s 97-acre Earth to Table Farm in nearby Flamborough. The hotel also includes the fourth location of Earth to Table Bread Bar for fast-casual dining options.
3 Elizabeth St, Burlington, ON L7R 0G3
Park Hyatt Toronto
Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood welcomes back an old friend with the reopening of the Park Hyatt Toronto, a beloved fixture since it flung open its doors in 1936 as the Park Plaza Hotel. Designed by Studio Munge, art deco curves are a repeating influence in public spaces. A collection of contemporary art is displayed throughout the hotel, each piece featuring a QR code with more details on the artist. Guests are greeted with a custom tapestry depicting Yorkville’s fashion scene by artist Shannon Bool before being whisked into private elevators.
The high-rise hotel now features 219 rooms, including 40 suites, with a palette of off-white, caramel and walnut wood, and rich blue. Rooms have a wood floor entryway; living areas with ample seating, a desk and cocktail table; a bed with a cream leather headboard and art deco bed lamps; a custom-designed wardrobe; and a bathroom with walk-in glass shower and marbled stone.
Executive chef Antonio Soriano will oversee the hotel’s restaurants, with a dining room featuring a rotating exhibition of ceramics from the Gardiner Museum, and a lounge area for coffee, cocktails, and afternoon tea with custom tea blends. The beloved 17th-floor roof lounge has been expanded and renamed the Writers Room, an expansive space with an enlarged terrace with sublime views of the Royal Ontario Museum and University of Toronto. Stillwater Spa has been renovated too, a calming luxury enclave with 13 treatment rooms and a 24/7 fitness centre.
4 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 2E8
