DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown

The hotel has artistic, snazzy public spaces exemplified in the lobby and restaurants. A huge black staircase with golden railings anchors the vast lobby, which is also adorned with a large globe pendant light, glossy marble floors, and chic upholstered furniture on a patterned rug near the front desk. There are two large abstract art pieces hanging by the long wooden front desk -- both triptych canvases -- one in black-and-white, the other color. The hotel’s restaurant, Hemisphere's, is similar in that it has high ceilings, glossy wooden tables with cream padded chairs, a large artistic display of wine bottles, and a kitchen buffet topped with etched-glass dividers. In comparison, Lai Wah Heen, the Chinese restaurant, has crisp white linens on tables, high-backed black chairs, artistic napkin displays, and large white art pieces with black Asian characters. The clientele is a mix of couples and business travelers utilizing the hotel’s convenient location in downtown Toronto.

Doubletree by Hilton Toronto, located in downtown’s business district, is within walking distance to popular attractions. Toronto Eaton Centre, a large shopping mall, is a four-minute walk away. It takes 18 minutes on foot to reach the Hockey Hall of Fame. The University of Toronto St. George Campus is a 15-minute walk. Though the CN Tower, Air Canada Centre, and Ripley’s Aquarium Canada are 20- to 25-minute walks away, it may be easier to reach these destinations by the metro system. The closest metro station, St. Patrick Station Southbound Platform, is only a three-minute walk from the hotel. There’s a large variety of dining options on surrounding streets. Toronto Pearson International Airport is a 20-minute drive (without traffic) or a 45-minute subway ride. 

Rooms at the Doubletree by Hilton Toronto Downtown hotel are on the small side. The decor is pleasantly modern, though simplistic and generic compared to the elegant, artistic nature of the lobby and restaurants. The look includes white linens and maroon bed runners, gray headboards, dark wooden streamlined furniture, gray couches or chairs (in some rooms), and gray carpet. Each room has a flat-screen TV, coffee/tea facilities, safe, ironing facilities, and views of downtown. Executive One-Bedroom Suites have separate living rooms with couches and chairs, and some have dining areas and kitchenettes. Each Junior One-Bedroom Suite has a kitchenette that includes a large refrigerator, microwave, some pots and pans, a sink, and a dishwasher. The sleek bathrooms have black counter tops, dark gray floor tiles, and cream-colored wallpaper with geometric designs. Executive Suites differ in that the bathrooms have cream tiles and porcelain double sinks on cream countertops. Some rooms have showers while others have shower/tub combos. They all include Aroma Active toiletries and hairdryers. 

Guests at this hotel can begin their day with a breakfast buffet in the on-site Hemisphere’s Restaurant, for a fee. Lunch and dinner are served at Hemisphere's Restaurant most days of the week, though a light menu and drinks are offered every day at Hemisphere’s Bistro. The hotel also has Lai Wah Heen, a Chinese restaurant that serves lunch and dinner every day of the week. Room service has limited hours. There’s an indoor heated pool and a sauna, though guests have complained that the temperature of the pool isn’t warm. The 24-hour fitness center has multiple cardio machines with TVs, one weight machine, and a large set of free weights. Business travelers can make use of 13,000 square feet of fully equipped meeting and event spaces, a 24-hour business center with two computers and a printer, and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. A coin-operated laundry room and self-parking are available, though the fee to self-park is expensive.