Highlights: Park Hyatt Toronto

•The Park Hyatt Toronto is ideally situated in the heart of Bloor Street shopping and within walking distance of the hip and trendy Yorkville Shopping District

•Personal service reigns supreme for hotel staff well-versed in quick name recognition and other details

•Rich tones of gold and grassy green meshed with dark woods and sculptures gives the hotel interior a glamorous look

•Guests can enjoy dining in two restaurants, Annona and Morton’s Steakhouse, or relaxing and mingling in two lounges, the Mezzanine Lounge and the Roof Lounge

•Complimentary limousine service provided for the downtown commute during rush hour

•Mobil Four-Star-rated Stillwater Spa offers plenty of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments

Amenities: Park Hyatt Toronto

• 346 rooms, 18 story. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access. Restaurant, bar. Fitness room, spa. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Park Hyatt Toronto

Located in the hub of the swanky Yorkville Shopping District, a quick cab ride away from the city’s financial district, and steps from cultural institutions, the Park Hyatt Toronto is an ideal location for business and getaway travelers alike. The Royal Ontario Museum, which just completed a renovation by Daniel Libeskind, is directly across the street, as is the newly renovated Gardiner Museum. Shopaholics will drool at the selection of luxury boutiques from Holt Renfrew, Chanel to Louis Vuitton on Bloor Street. Other Toronto attractions like the CN Tower, the Eaton Centre, Roy Thomson Hall, and the Princess of Wales Theatre are just a quick cab ride away.

While this isn’t a hotel for a family per say, thanks to its sophisticated ambiance, the Park Hyatt Toronto does offer kids complimentary milk and cookies upon arrival along with an age-appropriate gift. The beautiful hotel is more suitable for business and leisure travelers.

For a romantic getaway, couples will enjoy a massage suite for two at the hotel’s Mobil Four-Star-rated Stillwater Spa. With advance notice for special anniversaries, the hotel will sprinkle rose petals in the suite and provide chocolate-dipped strawberries and wine. The Park Hyatt Toronto also provides many perks for the business traveler, from high-speed Internet access in guest suites to rush-hour limousine service to the Financial District.

The Park Hyatt Toronto meshes cosmopolitan and comfort together, creating a luxurious experience with a cozy, homey touch. The hotel knows its repeat guests well and will provide them with their favorite amenities, from bottled water to freshly squeezed fruit juices. Top-quality bed linens, oversized plush towels, and thick terry bathrobes are some of the creature comforts.

I stayed in a deluxe guest room; the hotel offers either a luxury or deluxe category for its guest rooms and suites, available in either the hotel’s North or South towers. The North Tower also has several specialty suites. Perfect for a couple, the roomier condo-style presidential suite on the 15th floor comes with its own butler service and is equipped with a spacious bathroom featuring a jet whirlpool bathtub and a separate walk-in shower. The bedroom features a four-poster bed with a Versace-like faux fur throw, and the kitchenette is stocked with beverages and snack items.

Like other Park Hyatt properties, this Toronto location pampers its business travelers by offering a spacious work area and high-speed Internet in guest suites, WiFi in public spaces, ample meeting rooms, and a business center with photocopier, computers, and a fax machine. Guests can also access the on-site fitness center or use the hotel spa’s change lounges and steam rooms for free.

(+) Great location, fine-tuned service, and refined style for most types of travelers
(-) Limited amenities for children, but services include special touches like milk and cookie turndown

Guest Services: Park Hyatt Toronto

The Park Hyatt Toronto is known for personalized service and this location continues the tradition with small but meaningful details like identifying guests by name.

Upon arrival, I was greeted curbside, and the baggage assistance was automatic. From the charming bellman to the attentive front desk agent, I received a warm welcome and had a quick-and-easy check-in. As I was escorted to my guest room, I was given an orientation of the hotel as well as of the room. I felt genuinely welcomed by staff and that my arrival was anticipated.

The concierge was pleasant, personable, and very thorough when I asked for assistance about local shops. He not only found me a flower shop, but different restaurants to suit my tastes after a delightful conversation about my preferences.

I was surprised that turndown service wasn’t part of the regular service, as it is with most Four-Star-rated hotels, but housekeeping was prompt and thorough in keeping my room clean, and delivering a toothbrush upon request.

My check-out was just as efficient as my arrival. Even though staff knew I was leaving, they stored my luggage for two hours while I made some quick stops in town. When I returned, the staff was quite accommodating, called me by name, and made sure I departed safely in a car with my luggage. No detail was left unattended.

(+) Attentive to all needs, staff provides a warm personalized touch that trickles down to every detail

Guest Rooms: Park Hyatt Toronto

The Park Hyatt Toronto has 346 rooms, including 45 suites that offer 24-hour room service. It also claims to have the largest guest rooms in the city, averaging 500 square feet. All the rooms have Italian cotton sheets, complimentary high-speed Internet access, three two-line telephones, personal safes, luxurious bathrobes, a fully-stocked private bar, and signature bathroom products. The moderately priced rooms don’t have the decadent bathrooms featured in the premium suites, however. The hotel offers dry cleaning, pressing, and laundry services seven days a week, as well as a complimentary shoe shine and twice daily housekeeping service.

The design and décor of my room was elegant and styled in tones of copper, gold, and dark wood. It looked as if it had been recently renovated. The room was spacious yet comfortable, with a beautiful view, two double beds, and a large work area.

From arrival to departure, my room was immaculately serviced; the bathroom literally shimmered throughout my stay. The room was soundproof so I had a very peaceful night’s sleep.

(+) Elegant yet comfortable guest rooms offered the ultimate in luxury and privacy

Facilities & Activities: Park Hyatt Toronto

Guests who stay at the posh Park Hyatt Toronto should take advantage of its well-equipped fitness center, which offers a good selection of cardio equipment and complimentary fruit and bottled water. The center is open from 5:30 am to 10:30 pm, but can be used after hours upon request.

Yoga Away, a Park Hyatt program, is another big attraction. Complimentary yoga workout DVDs and yoga mats are available through the concierge, and there’s even a kids yoga program. For those who want ultimate relaxation, the Mobil Four-Star Stillwater Spa is a must. This on-site, water-themed facility has treatment rooms that are accessed by crossing a glass-bottomed floor with running water beneath, resulting in mini islands--the ultimate getaway. The physical layout was wonderful. Male and female locker rooms were fully equipped with showers, towels, and toiletries.

The Park Hyatt Toronto’s location is near all of city’s shopping, dining, and nightlife hotspots. Culture buffs can easily access the city’s entertainment district, the harbor front, and local landmarks by cab or public transit. The Walk of Fame on King Street and Wayne Gretzky Way is also nearby. Art lovers will want to visit the galleries in Yorkville and the Art Gallery of Ontario, which are just a few blocks away. The club circuit downtown is big and hopping on the weekends around John Street.

(+) Wide variety of leisure activities, from the on-site spa facility to nearby shopping, entertainment, dining, and local landmarks

Dining & Lounge: Park Hyatt Toronto

In addition to its 24-hour room service, the hotel offers two restaurants, Annona and Morton’s Steakhouse, and two lounges, the Mezzanine Lounge and the Roof Lounge. Overlooking Avenue Road, Annona’s setting is cosmopolitan chic with dark tones and minimalist floral table accents. Annona features healthy Mediterranean fare overseen by award-winning executive chef Joan Monfaredi.

Known for its martinis and cosmopolitans, the Roof Lounge in the South Tower is considered one of the best hotel bars in the city, with its awesome panoramic view and intimate setting. The bar attracts literary types and international celebrities who stay in town. The head bartender, a fixture for nearly 50 years, knows his clients well.

My room service was excellent. The staff was polite, professional, and engaging. When I called, the order taker was well-versed in both the food menu and the wine selections. Upon arrival, the staff paid attention to every detail and even set up my chairs comfortably. Best of all, the food was excellent.

(+) Excellent food in gorgeous settings; room service food and presentation exceeded expectations

Business Services: Park Hyatt Toronto

A business traveler’s dream-come-true, the Park Hyatt Toronto ensures its business clients are well-attended. Besides having a spacious office in the suites, the hotel has a business center that offers such standard equipment as fax machines, computers, and photocopiers. During my visit to the business center, I was given a tour and shown how to use the equipment and was also offered bottled water.

The hotel provides ample function space for meetings or conferences, and even has an audiovisual support staff to help with presentations and on-site catering for dining needs.

The hotel has a selection of more than 300 newspapers for international guests who request their favorite daily. This arrives early morning in a signature Park Hyatt cloth bag. Complimentary limousine service is available daily during rush-hour, and your favorite newspaper can also be ordered for the downtown commute.

(+) Business travelers are provided for both in their rooms and in the business center