If you are traveling in Canada and looking for luxury living, then the city of Toronto is a must-see. It is proudly sold by those who live there as the crown jewel of Ontario which itself is the most populated province in the country, set alongside the idyllic Lake Ontario and just a stone’s throw away from the stunning Niagara Falls. There is so much to do in the city and it has a real modern feel to it. Canada is well known for being one of the cleanest countries in the world and Toronto lives up to that reputation too. You can spend days there just browsing the shops, museums, and galleries, sampling the nightlife that suits both young and old or using your hotel as a base to explore the lakes and countryside further afield.
Above all, and the reason that we are interested in that Toronto is perfect for high-end holidays, celebrating events like big birthdays or as a stop on your honeymoon. And in this article, we are taking a look at some of the best luxury attractions in the ‘6ix’ to give you a taste of what to expect if you visit.
Shangri La Hotel
Let’s talk accommodation.
Toronto is no slouch when it comes to 5-star hotels. The Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons are both exceptional but for us, and stay in the lap of luxury has to be at the Asian-style Shangri La. The hotel soars high above the main skyline in one of the city’s tallest buildings (and that is saying something!). It makes a great stop for business or pleasure but perhaps what it’s best for is for couples who are looking to tie the knot – you can take on their comprehensive wedding package, or just stay as part of your honeymoon. You’ll be well looked after whether it is an intimate weekend event of the mother of all parties!
The Shangri La is picked out as the top hotel in the city in numerous travel guides for good reason – it has a great, central location on University Avenue, ornate rooms, sophisticated executive suites, a health club, Hammam Spa with cascading water features, and an Asian-inspired cuisine which is top of the range. The only issue is you might not want to leave to see the city, it’s that good!
Luxury Tours of Niagara Falls
You can’t visit Ontario and not pay a trip to Niagra Falls, the world’s largest waterfalls. It is possible to see them for free, but we are discussing high-end holidays here so let’s cut to the chase.
Whilst there are plenty of ways to get up close and personal and soak in the mist from the water as you journey behind the falls on one of the many voyages on the iconic Niagara Falls boat rides, perhaps the best vantage points come on the Skylon Tower with its Observation Deck set 775 feet above the Falls for truly breathtaking views. The tower is particularly popular as it has a revolving restaurant where you can enjoy award-winning continental cuisine.
Finally, and for those on honeymoons or looking to splash out (excuse the pun) you can take a tour in a helicopter which lets you explore both the Canadian and American sides of the Falls, Bridal Veil, Horseshoe Falls, and also Niagara wine country.
There are no excuses for missing Niagra – it’s sensational and as you can see, plenty of high-end ways to see the sites without getting yourself soaked!
Canoe Restaurant and Bar
A great dining option if you plan to get married or celebrate a big occasion in Toronto is the Canoe Restaurant and Bar which is popular for offering a rare selection of indigenous dishes. Whilst much of Toronto’s dining out is themed-on influences from outside the country, Canoe offers a different viewpoint – contemporary Canadian cuisine. And it’s situated in another high-up location, this time with stunning views of Toronto from the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower!
If you are visiting the city for the first time then we really recommend
dropping in here. Canoe’s dishes are inspired by the landscape and culture of the country and everything is locally sourced by chefs passionate about what they do. You can find out more about it on their website – it’s worth checking out and booking well in advance because it gets a lot of attention, for good reason!
Oh, and did we mention a close-up view of the 553-meter high CN Tower with Lake Ontario in the distance?!
Fallsview Casino Niagara Falls
One thing you might not know about Canada is that its gambling laws are currently undergoing significant review. It is expected that in 2022 privately-owned online casinos will be allowed to operate for the first time. Before that happens, you can place your bets in a few brick-and-mortar casinos across the country, including this one, the Fallsview Casino, which is situated on a cliff overlooking the Horseshoe Falls in Niagra. It is elegantly defined. Just don’t let the view put you off your poker face!
If you fancy a night out at the tables, this is the best option in Toronto in our experience. Fallsview Casino is the largest gaming resort in the country. It has over 3,000 slot machines and 130 gaming tables so the possibilities for placing your bets are endless. It also boasts 374 luxury hotel rooms, a service spa and fitness center, and doorstep access to our other previous recommended activity, the Falls themselves.
Before you arrive, can get some practice at some of these high payout casino sites available to play in CAD to give you the best possible chance to pocket some serious cash at Fallsview.
Helicopter Tour of Toronto
Let’s end on a high!
Toronto is a city of tall buildings and there are plenty of chances to view the sites from high up in the CN Tower or Canoe Bar, but the ultimate trip is of course a helicopter ride. There are a lot of options here, all of which are pricey but worth it on a special occasion.
On these voyages, from over 2,000 feet in the air where you cruise, you are as high as the second pod on the CN Tower, and when traveling at speeds of 100 miles per hour (oh yes!) the expanse of Toronto is mind-boggling. You’ll be amazed at the views that take in everything from the CN Tower to Ontario’s Parliament building, the Air Canada Centre, the Inner Harbour, and a lot more. In most cases, you can ask the pilot to give you a bespoke route too if there is something you want to go back and look at again.
So, there you have a pick of some of the best luxury attractions in Toronto. This is just a small selection, but hopefully, it gives you a sense of what you can expect if you visit the city. We highly recommend it if you are planning to travel to Canada this year.
