Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites

Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites has a certain sense of tranquility thanks to its lovely green spaces dotted around the property as well as its large indoor and outdoor pools. The hotel’s enormous lobby is modern and elegant, if not particularly imaginative. This trend continues throughout the hotel’s other facilities, all of which are tidy and inviting but unmemorable. The beautiful glass-domed indoor pool is a welcome exception to this rule, adding much-needed character to the hotel’s otherwise staid interiors. Guests range from families to business travelers and this suburban hotel appeals to travelers looking to take advantage of the slightly lower room rates available outside the city center.

As its name suggests, Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites is located just east of the Don Valley Parkway, in Toronto’s North York suburb. It’s possible to reach downtown Toronto in a little less than an hour by bus or around 20 minutes or so by car (traffic permitting), but this may be a long commute for those hoping to do some sightseeing. A McDonald’s and a Tim Hortons coffee shop can be reached in less than five minutes on foot, but there are few other amenities within walking distance. The Ontario Science Centre and the Shops at Don Mills are both around five minutes away by car, and more shopping is accessible a 13-minute-drive away at Scarborough Town Centre. Getting to the airport takes 20 minutes without traffic, but can easily take up to an hour during rush hour. 

Guest rooms at the Toronto Don Valley are uneven in terms of their offerings. Traditional and Executive Rooms feel dated, with beige or gray color schemes, light-wood furnishings, and tiny off-brand coffeemakers. The worn red armchairs and clunky armoires in the Executive Rooms are particularly in need of a refresh. Deluxe Rooms are noticeably more modern, featuring dark woods, steel-blue and gray decor, and rectangular padded headboards. All Deluxe Rooms include Keurig coffeemakers and balconies with plastic patio chairs for seating. Suites feature separate living and dining areas with long sofas and several armchairs, as well as second bathrooms, large tables with seating for six, microwaves, and mini-fridges. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, irons and ironing boards, and alarm clocks. Bathrooms are outfitted with long countertops, shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and Spa 360 bath products. Some rooms include balconies overlooking the hotel’s glass-domed pool or the appealing green areas surrounding the hotel.

The hotel’s stand-out feature is its round indoor pool topped with a striking glass ceiling. But the area around the pool doesn’t quite live up to its grand centerpiece, and it's lined with a few lounge chairs and potted plants. Off this central pool area, there’s a small hot tub and a medium-sized fitness center stocked with an impressive range of treadmills, exercise bikes, rowing machines, free weights, and other equipment. The long outdoor pool is bordered by tall trees, which provide shade and privacy. There’s a small poolside bar area with a tiki bar, plain patio furniture, and a few dark-colored sofas.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are offered at open-concept DV Bar Bistro, which is found just off the lobby. A daily breakfast buffet is available at Garden Cafe for a fee. The bar is an attractive space with a handsome fireplace in one corner, as well as aqua-colored banquettes that add pops of color to otherwise gray color schemes. 

There’s a small business center open to the lobby, which features two PCs and a printer, plus lots of flexible meeting space, ranging from banquet halls to small, bland-but-functional meeting rooms. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and on-site parking is offered for a fee.