Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Toronto Downtown

The Ramada Plaza Toronto Downtown is set in a designated heritage building, which was originally constructed in 1930 as an apartment house. The interior exudes the kind of stately presence instilled by almost a century of history. The occasional appearance of old-fashioned brass fixtures or crown moldings adds some character to the hotel, but overall it still feels like a chain. The large lobby has plenty of seating, but the drab decor doesn't feel particularly inviting.From the guest rooms to the facilities, everything is comfortable but bland.

The hotel attracts a mixed crowd, with a set of interconnecting guest rooms and diverse meeting spaces drawing large groups that range from conference attendees to wedding parties. The hotel’s familiar brand name and accessible location appeal to singles, couples, and families of all ages. 

The Ramada Plaza Toronto Downtown is located in Toronto’s Garden District. True to the neighborhood’s name, the hotel is set across the street from Allan Gardens which is comprised of several greenhouses and a pretty park. Just up the street is Jarvis Street Baptist Church, which adds a little charm to the plain stretch of road with its striking 19th-century architecture. The area around the hotel was quiet during our daytime visit, however, some guests have reported it can feel a bit sleazy at night.

A 10-minute walk north will take you to the city’s lively gay village, which is home to hip bars, cafes, restaurants, and shops. The hotel is also less than half-a-mile away from the Yonge-College intersection, where you’ll find many more shopping and dining options as well as the College subway station. 

Large, well-maintained rooms all include a small seating area, with most featuring sofa beds that can be used to accommodate additional guests (for a surcharge). The color scheme is a lifeless palate of red, beige, and brown; and identical black-and-white photographs decorate the walls of each room. The amenities are a standard line-up of coffee-and tea-making facilities, desks, and TVs. Beds include Serta Pillow-Top mattresses and crisp white sheets. Most rooms feature excellent views overlooking scenic Allan Gardens. 

Bathrooms are tiny but functional, offering showers and San Francisco Soap Company bath products. In some suites, the sink and countertop area is set outside the shower and water closet to create a little more space. 

The on-site restaurant, Shade, is open for breakfast and dinner, in addition to catering for meetings and events held at the hotel. The restaurant’s interior is bright, but its blonde-wood chairs and muted colors fail to create any sort of ambiance. Breakfast is not included in the basic room rate, but packages with breakfast are available. 

The 12 diverse meeting and banquet rooms can accommodate between 30 and 250 guests. Like the hotel’s other facilities, these rooms are practical but unlikely to win any awards for style. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. 

The indoor pool area is more attractive, with bold red chairs contrasting against deep blue walls. A small hot tub is set at the far end of the pool, and the rear door opens onto a seasonal outdoor sun lounge. There’s also a mid-size exercise room with free weights and cardio machines, as well as a full-size squash court.