Review: Courtyard Toronto Downtown | Prince of Travel

I just lately went dwelling to Toronto to reconnect with my household for a short weekend sojourn.

It was vital for me to discover a resort that had a wonderful price-to-quality ratio, particularly since I hardly wanted luxuries akin to free breakfast or full service as a result of brevity of my keep.

Fortuitously, the well-situated Courtyard Toronto Downtown fulfilled all my wants at a good worth, and had surprisingly trendy and engaging facilities for a limited-service resort. 

Courtyard Toronto Downtown – Reserving

I used to be fortunate sufficient to attain an trade fee for the Courtyard Toronto Downtown, which drastically lowered the price of my keep. Nevertheless, I’ve seen that costs at this location are inclined to hover across the $210–300 (CAD) mark, relying on demand and seasonality.

On weekends in the summertime, costs can surge precipitously, so ebook early should you can.

For a limited-service resort, this could appear a bit steep, however the primary worth level is within the location, which we’ll tackle in due time.

In the event you’re trying to redeem Marriott Bonvoy factors, then count on nights to return in at round 25,000–30,000 factors. Which means that you could possibly realistically surpass our goal purpose of 0.9 cents per level, making redemptions a good worth when in comparison with money charges the Courtyard Toronto Downtown. 

As nights price lower than 35,000 factors, this additionally makes the resort a good alternative for a Free Evening Award, akin to these granted by yearly renewing loyalty bank cards such because the Marriott Bonvoy American Categorical Card.

As a result of Toronto isn’t a city recognized for its lack of expense, be at liberty to additionally use any and all company codes to which you will be entitled to additional scale back the affect to your pocketbook.

Courtyard Toronto Downtown – Location

As its title would recommend, the Courtyard Toronto Downtown is positioned within the coronary heart of the town, proper subsequent to the historic Maple Leaf Gardens (now an ultra-premium Loblaws), in addition to a slew of different providers, eating places, and experiences.

I grew up on this neighbourhood, and my childhood house is just a few blocks away in neighbouring Cabbagetown, so please excuse my biases in favour of the locale.

The resort is positioned on the crossroads of Yonge and Faculty Streets, two main thoroughfares in Ontario’s capital.

It’s additionally a mere block away from the Faculty Park plaza, an underground community that connects to the arterial Faculty TTC station, which runs alongside the Yonge–College line.

A mere two stops to the north is Bloor–Yonge station, the key connecting hub for Downtown Toronto. One cease to the south is the long-lasting Eaton Centre, which homes the nation’s flagship Hudson’s Bay Firm showroom, amongst different buying locations.

All of those are additionally simply walkable from the Courtyard Toronto Downtown, and you’ll wash down any exhaustion incurred with dinner and drinks at Kinka (previously Guu), my favorite Japanese-style izakaya in Canada.

Additionally inside strolling distance is the well-known Phoenix Live performance Theatre, an icon of the Toronto music and performing arts scene, which has hosted virtually each well-known act the thoughts can fathom.

To sum up, the placement is far of what you pay for whenever you select to remain at this resort, and it’s great should you’re on the lookout for the Bohemian bon-vivant picture Downtown Toronto aspires to.

Courtyard Toronto Downtown – Examine-in

I arrived late at night time attributable to my night flight in from my new dwelling of Edmonton in freezing Alberta. Whereas I used to be irritated at having misplaced two hours attributable to time zone variations, I used to be very joyful that the resort’s entrance desk employees had been extremely aware of my entreaties through the Marriott Bonvoy app.

The entrance desk employees additionally suggested me that as a result of the resort is within the downtown core, its entrance doorways could be locked to all individuals besides company between 9pm–8am. Additionally they knowledgeable me that they’d be on standby to open the doorways as quickly as I arrived, which was true.

After I arrived, the entrance desk employees had my room keys prepared for me, and went out of their option to make my check-in course of fast and painless. This was lucky as a result of I used to be drained, hangry, and barely sore from sitting on a airplane for 4 hours.

They had been additionally joyful to let me know that the entrance desk was normally quiet on Saturday mornings, so I may delay taking footage till then. I used to be additionally thanked for my Titanium Elite standing, and supplied a alternative of 500 Bonvoy factors or a $10 meals and beverage credit score.

I used to be solely staying for a short while and had no intention to dine on the resort, so I went for the factors, and didn’t thoughts the dearth of point out of a collection improve.

Subsequent to the entrance desk space is an open seating space. Through the day, it has a concierge desk for company trying to discover out extra info relating to their environment, and supplies an excellent place to sit down and watch for an Uber or taxi to reach to take you to the airport or elsewhere.

There have been additionally some public-use computer systems obtainable.

The resort has two separate towers, a south tower and a north tower, that are related by separated diverging hallways. I used to be within the south tower, so I made my method down that hallway to the Marriott Bonvoy-branded elevators.

Then it was as much as my room on the fifteenth ground, and I made my method down the hallway to room 1516.

Courtyard Toronto Downtown – King Visitor Room

Though I had a mere base-level room, I’m not afraid to confess I used to be impressed by its modernity, consolation, and, above all else, measurement. House is at a premium in Downtown Toronto, and this room had it in spades.

The structure was attention-grabbing: a hallway led into the room, with a half-bathroom on the left-hand facet. This toilet contained the bathroom and bathe.

Nevertheless, the sink was in a separate, open area on the right-hand facet of the hallway subsequent to the room’s closet. The sink space additionally contained all of the towels.

I’ve solely ever seen this open idea at ultra-chic W-branded motels, and by no means at a Courtyard. Personally, I like open-concept dwelling.

Many don’t, so maybe this room isn’t for you need to you want to keep away from it. All the pieces was additionally meticulously clear, which ought to be anticipated on the worth level however was good to see, regardless.

Transferring on to the bed room, there was a big king mattress. The linen was crisp, and I slept with out grievance.

The paintings was a pleasant bonus, too, as was the seating space which featured a luxurious armchair. 

The seating space additional ignored the downtown core with a practical balcony, although there wasn’t a lot in the way in which of a view from my explicit room.

Throughout from the mattress had been the same old facilities, akin to a flat-screen tv and occasional maker, in addition to a desk and workplace chair.

As soon as once more, the tv was a more recent mannequin, and even featured streaming capabilities out of your cellular gadget, so no want to make use of cable or overpriced resort pay-per-view to your leisure wants.

My one critique of the setup could be the espresso, which was just about undrinkable. Then once more, it did include a considerable amount of caffeine, which could be stated to have deserves of its personal, no matter flavour.

Additionally of observe is that full turndown service is offered day by day on request; nonetheless, you must depart the room to ensure that cleansing to be accomplished.

Courtyard Toronto Downtown – Different Amenities

I didn’t have the prospect to partake in any breakfast meals on the Courtyard Toronto Downtown as a result of my itinerary was crammed with household visits, which frequently included dim sum.

Nevertheless, the resort is dwelling to a restaurant the place elites can use their $10 meals and beverage credit score, must you want to forego the five hundred Bonvoy factors in its favour.

The restaurant gave the impression to be a mixed counter-service providing that additionally sells Starbucks espresso. Because the restaurant is licensed, it’s also possible to order beer, wine, and spirits between 11:30am and 8pm most days.

There’s additionally a grab-and-go fashion collection of choices obtainable 24/7. I didn’t wind up shopping for something, however I can’t think about costs are low as a result of comfort issue.

A phrase to smart late-night snackers: the Courtyard Toronto Downtown is correct throughout the road from each a Consumers Drug Mart and a Pizza Pizza, that are open late. Whereas these might not include essentially the most palatable foodstuffs, their choices are equal or superior to something within the lineup on the resort.

So, be at liberty to pop throughout the road, must you be hankering for one thing to eat.

Conclusion

The Courtyard Toronto Downtown is an satisfying place to remain, and I don’t remorse selecting it for my household go to wants.

The room was neat, recent, and trendy in its inspiration, and I genuinely loved its open-living idea and sheer measurement, which was wonderful for Downtown Toronto.

I even have many constructive phrases to say concerning the entrance desk employees, who helped to expedite my check-in and made each facet of my keep, from requesting turndown service to trying out shortly, that a lot simpler.

Alternatively, the resort lacks luxurious facilities akin to an Govt Lounge or a significant elite breakfast, and the meals on the grab-and-go market appears uninspired contemplating the wealthy variety of Toronto’s culinary scene.

However then once more, who amongst us can declare to remain at North American Courtyards for his or her transcendental gustatory experiences? For what I wanted – a snug mattress, an excellent location, and wonderful service – I obtained greater than what I desired, and would keep once more with out hesitation.