Rath checks in: three hotels in Canada

Heavenly expanse. Bears in the wild fishing jumping salmon out of the river. Howling wolves and lakes glittering in the sunlight. With this romantic idea of ​​Canada, the country had been on my travel list for a long time. This year I finally saw what the Canadian reality is like in reality.

Admittedly, in March Canada still has an icy and very harsh climate. Up to minus 30 degrees await me. Canada is a country with a stubborn but warm-hearted character. A starting point for real adventurers.

I like to discover new places on my own, including Canada. Nevertheless, I looked for professional travel support and found it with the professionals from America Unlimited, Destination Canada. I get the service I want for my trip: great organization of the flight, my rental car and the hotels.

At the same time, I enjoy my personal freedom. I design my program items individually and spontaneously, just as I like. Would I have noticed The Hazelton Hotel and the town of Huntswill on my own? Probably not. The route tips from American United are pure time savers for me.

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Canada inspires me from the moment I land. Normally I prefer to fly long distances with Swiss Airlines. But the quality of Air Canada surprises me positively: the ground and flight staff are extremely courteous, the food is very good and the seats are extremely comfortable. An important criterion on a long-haul flight.

In the canyon of houses

The Fairmont is located downtown Toronto among the high-tech glass skyscrapers.

(Photo: Fairmont Royal York Hotel)

The plane lands on time, to the minute. In exactly 19 minutes I’m through all the controls: security, customs, Covidcheck. Baggage takes another 40 minutes. Shortly thereafter, I’m standing at the subway to Union Square Toronto. 25 minutes later I’m in the vibrant city center. A temporal sensation that I was so rarely allowed to experience.

Everyone is very friendly and accommodating. It seems Canadians are closer to Europeans than Americans when it comes to hospitality. The positive impression is also strengthened in the hotels that I visit. Nevertheless, my Canadian stay also includes a travel warning.

Fairmont Royal York in Toronto: cozy spaciousness

Some stories start like a fairy tale, others like a popular TV show. Edwin Frizzell, General Manager of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, loved watching Arthur Hailey’s series “Hotel” as a young man. The grandeur of the big wide world and hospitality fascinated him. He then decided to go into the hotel industry as well.

Frizzell opened great hotels like the W Hotel in Chicago. He then worked at Starwood and Hilton. The reputation of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, an absolute Accor flagship, was not long in coming. Maybe it was just fate? In any case, the series “Hotel” was filmed in this house. Arthur Hailey lived in this house for many years and wrote a novel about his experiences. This is how the circle closes. Edwin Frizell has been working in this hotel for nine years now, and his handwriting is omnipresent.

Heaven, hell and back: Carsten K. Rath has never experienced Canada like this

The luxury hotel has been hosting international guests for almost 90 years. Among them are numerous heads of state such as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, celebrities and superstars from sports and media. The building that stands between the high-tech glass skyscrapers in downtown Toronto is still glamorous today. What particularly fascinates me: Despite its large dimensions, I feel comfortable in every room of my suite, in the spacious lobby and in the restaurants.

The decor conveys harmony and security, the service staff do the rest. Chain hotels often run the risk of offering an off-the-shelf experience. That’s definitely not the case in Toronto. What the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg is to me – the best hotel in Germany – is the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

The city of Toronto is ideal for a longer stay. My tip: Be sure to stroll through the Distillery District. Here the whiskey from the old distilleries is still in the air. The district definitely has flair, a very alcohol-soaked one. Old brick buildings are naturally placed next to ultra-modern new buildings. Cafes and shops let the credit card glow. I found what I was looking for in Gotstyle: The brand “Not your fathers suite” presents very high-quality and individual suits.

If you are interested in cannabis, just its medicinal properties of course, then Queens Street East is the place for you. One cannabis shop is lined up along this street. In the dark, however, I would refrain from visiting, since the clientele suits the shops.

Side note: Toronto is probably the most dog-friendly city I’ve ever discovered. From dog hairdressers to various dog shops – you will find the right equipment for man’s four-legged friend. In any size and color, of course.

An absolute “must do” is a Canadian ice hockey game. I didn’t understand the rules. But the atmosphere in the hall, the enthusiasm of the fans and of course the exciting action on the ice give a good impression of the Canadian passion. Incidentally, the Buffalo Sabers pulled the skin over the ears of the Toronto players during the game.

Deerhurst Resort Huntsville: The dark side of the Canadian hotel landscape

Deerhurst resort

Hospitality and joy in hotel management were mostly not to be found here.

(Photo: Deerhurst Resort)

A particularly cool adventure awaits me, in the truest sense of the word. I booked a snowmobiling trip for the perfect Canada experience. For this I head towards the Canadian expanse and check in at the Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville. The place is idyllic, the resort is located directly on the shore of Peninsula Lake and almost four miles from the dreamy place.

But you guessed it, a big “but” is in the air. If I ever write about the 101 worst hotels, the Deerhurst is sure to be one of them. And way ahead! The service staff give me a bad feeling, I don’t feel welcome. My room is not ready yet, even though I booked early check-in. Of course that can happen. So I have an early lunch and wait. 1.5 hours later I’m still standing in front of closed doors. I wait in vain for help with my luggage or even for an apology.

Then I enter the room and learn that there is no room keeping service. The reason given is Covid. My room will only be cleaned for a surcharge. The breakfast buffet is a disaster. I only see preserved food lying carelessly on the buffet. Right from the start, the whole attitude is “can’t we, can’t we, can’t do it.” I can’t get an adapter for my mobile phone. Softer pillows – doesn’t exist. The low point: the spa. I have never found a darker place. In any case, wellbeing does not take place here. My only highlight is my Portuguese waiter Ruben, who served me very courteously at dinner in the evening.

Carsten K. Rath’s travel warning for Deerhurst Resort Huntsville: “I don’t feel welcome”

No management, cold showers without shampoo bottles, wherever I look, I look for them in vain, the hospitality, the love for the guests, the joy of the hotel management. In the end, the team at least senses my dissatisfaction and doesn’t bill me. That was certainly not my goal, I’d rather pay a high price and experience great service in return than the other way around.

Luckily, said snowmobiling tour makes up for the inconvenience at the hotel. At minus 28 degrees I put on my helmet and accelerate. Thanks to the warm clothing from Nobis, the cold hardly bothers me. I recommend this investment to everyone for Canadian outdoor activities in winter. You can also rent the appropriate equipment from the tour operators on site. With the snowmobile I drive at up to 200 kilometers per hour over frozen lakes and experience pure Canada, which is cold at up to minus 30 degrees. An incomparable experience.

On the snowmobile

At up to 200 kilometers per hour, it goes over frozen lakes.

(Photo: Carsten K. Rath)

The Hazelton: Back to heaven

After rain or, in this case, freezing cold, sunshine follows. This also applies to my stay in Canada. I check into my third hotel, The Hazelton, and am greeted with warm warmth. It’s Sunday. Nevertheless, or precisely because of this, I meet General Manager Gaurav Dutta. As I found out, he likes to take time personally for his guests and employees on Sundays. This is probably one of the reasons why the house is one of Toronto’s Leading Luxury Hotels.

Hazelton, they just can do it is my first thought. The doorman welcomes me warmly in front of the door. Despite the freezing temperatures, he has a smile on his face. Check-in is also personal, I’m offered a glass of water right away. A table for dinner is reserved without asking. I feel like I’m a well known regular. The hardships of the past few days vanish into thin air.

The Hazelton in Toronto

The house is one of the leading luxury hotels in the city.

(Photo: The Hazelton)

Everyone addresses me by name, nobody asks me for my room number. I find myself in an absolute benchmark when it comes to service. The hotel is simply amazing. Concierge Robert makes everything possible. He is fast, helpful, courteous and knows his stuff perfectly. I asked him for a hidden address. I got it promptly, but not on a piece of paper, but entered it directly into my navigation system. world class.

The facility shines, as do the employees. Luxury, class and taste in every corner. Speaking of taste: Mark McEwans, an Ontario culinary luminary, runs The One Restaurant and pampers his guests. I tested the 24 hour room service offered and was not disappointed.

Conclusion: Spontaneous trips with a good travel organization

Canada is a travel destination for everyone who wants to experience authentic wildlife, enjoy warm hospitality and like to switch between relaxed shopping, city strolls and breathtaking landscapes. Few destinations offer activities for all tastes. In Canada, around Toronto, I had impressive experiences in a very short time. My tip for a stay: plan or even better: depending on your preferences, have the trip organized by experts in the area such as America Unlimited, Destination Canada. So you can fully concentrate on your reason for traveling and get to know the country and its people in a relaxed manner.

By the way: Currently you can easily win a trip to Canada, Ontario. Visit the Canada Unlimited website for more information.

About the author: As a former grand hotelier and operator of a travel platform, Carsten K. Rath is a professional globetrotter. He travels to all the hotels he writes about for the Handelsblatt on his own account. Rath is the brain behind the ranking “The 101 best hotels in Germany”, whose partners include the Handelsblatt.

More: Ranking “The 101 best hotels in Germany” – Four Seasons Hamburg and Schloss Elmau together at the top

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