Anybody here ever stayed at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto? Help needed.

[Rerun]

My wife and I are flying in to Toronto and we will be staying there 1 nite next week... primarily because we have to catch a train the next day (hopefully they are still running). Is there anything interesting in the hotel that we should check out? It sure looks ritzy from the pics on the internet. I've been to Toronto lots but have never stayed at the Royal York.

This appears to be a pretty fancy hotel so what is expected of me regarding tips? Who should I tip and how much?

Also, as a back up plan in case Via Rail goes on strike, I have reserved a car at the airport. Does the hotel have parking? Do I have to pay for a valet to park my car or can I just do it myself? If I have to have the valet park my car how much to I tip him? Do I tip him for parking the car and then bringing it to me the next morning?

As you can see, I have a lot of pretty dumb questions as I don't spend a lot of time in hotels... particularly ones with bell boys, valets, etc.

[HelloHockeyFans]

It's definitely very upscale but you shouldn't feel pressured to tip a higher amount just because of that. Whatever your personal feelings are towards tipping, go with that. I've never parked there so I can't help you out.

[Bobblehead]

I stayed there once. Yes they had parking. I didn't use the valet or bellboys so I can't be much help there.

[valo403]

Not sure about things to check out in the hotel, but you're fairly close to lots of Toronto attractions. The Jack Astors right across the street is actually pretty good if you're looking to grab a few drinks and bar type food.

[HelloHockeyFans]

^ Yeah, Jack Astors burgers actually aren't that bad... if you're looking for something a little nicer, Trevor Kitchen & Bar is in the area (Wellington) and is pretty good value for quality food... or if Japanese is your thing, walk up a bit to 55 Adelaide and check out Nami sushi... probably the best Japanese restaurant in the downtown area of Toronto... or walk down South on York Street and you'll arrive at the waterfront... Il Fornello's has a great patio right by the water and a couple other neighbouring restaurants as well to sit down on a nice night and enjoy some wine and eats...lots of neat little places to go to on weeknights here in Toronto.

[ken0042]

All I know is that "While in Toronto guests of Bizarre stay at the royal famous Royal York."

[getbak]

Originally Posted by ken0042

All I know is that "While in Toronto guests of Bizarre stay at the royal famous Royal York."

Damn. That was going to be my contribution.

I've only seen the outside of it, but it looks like your typical upper-class old hotel (like the Palliser in Calgary).

I would tip what I'd tip at any hotel: $1 per bag to the bellhop if they store your bag and/or bring it to your room, and leave a buck or two for the cleaning staff (not important if you're only staying one night, but I do it anyway).

You'll probably have to pay $20 bucks to park a car, so I'd avoid renting one until/unless you absolutely need it, and you won't really need it if you're staying in the area of the hotel since everything is walkable.

[Titan]

What getbak said.

Keep in mind, you are paying the bill. They don't know who the frack you are. Act like you own the place and they will assume you do. Be polite but confident and if they don't like it to hell with them. Anyone gives you any guff just ask them how the leafs are going to do then smile and walk away.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by getbak

Damn. That was going to be my contribution.

I've only seen the outside of it, but it looks like your typical upper-class old hotel (like the Palliser in Calgary).

I would tip what I'd tip at any hotel: $1 per bag to the bellhop if they store your bag and/or bring it to your room, and leave a buck or two for the cleaning staff (not important if you're only staying one night, but I do it anyway).

You'll probably have to pay $20 bucks to park a car, so I'd avoid renting one until/unless you absolutely need it, and you won't really need it if you're staying in the area of the hotel since everything is walkable.

Looks like I will probably need to rent a car because I have to get to Belleville the next day. I was originally going to take the train but it looks like Via is going to be on strike.,,... thus the car rental backup plan. I reserved a car for pickup at the airport upon my arrival there.
If there is no strike, I'll cancel the car rental and take the train to Belleville, as originally planned.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Titan

What getbak said.

Keep in mind, you are paying the bill. They don't know who the frack you are. Act like you own the place and they will assume you do. Be polite but confident and if they don't like it to hell with them. Anyone gives you any guff just ask them how the leafs are going to do then smile and walk away.

LOL...

My wife wants to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame before we leave for Belleville. I've been there before. Its only a couple of blocks away from the hotel.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

^ Yeah, Jack Astors burgers actually aren't that bad... if you're looking for something a little nicer, Trevor Kitchen & Bar is in the area (Wellington) and is pretty good value for quality food... or if Japanese is your thing, walk up a bit to 55 Adelaide and check out Nami sushi... probably the best Japanese restaurant in the downtown area of Toronto... or walk down South on York Street and you'll arrive at the waterfront... Il Fornello's has a great patio right by the water and a couple other neighbouring restaurants as well to sit down on a nice night and enjoy some wine and eats...lots of neat little places to go to on weeknights here in Toronto.

YES, that place is amazing. I had black cod there over the winter and I still crave it on almost a daily basis.

[Sample00]

you are within walking distance of the HHOF, Rogers centre, CN Tower, great shopping.
its a nice hotel. I stayed there a couple of years ago for a conference. Nice rooms.
Very similar to the Palliser.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Titan

What getbak said.

Keep in mind, you are paying the bill. They don't know who the frack you are. Act like you own the place and they will assume you do. Be polite but confident and if they don't like it to hell with them. Anyone gives you any guff just ask them how the leafs are going to do then smile and walk away.

To be honest, I have always found the staff at the Royal York to be top flite. Never found them snooty or condescending or anything like that

[bigtmac19]

Originally Posted by Rerun

My wife and I are flying in to Toronto and we will be staying there 1 nite next week... primarily because we have to catch a train the next day (hopefully they are still running). Is there anything interesting in the hotel that we should check out? It sure looks ritzy from the pics on the internet. I've been to Toronto lots but have never stayed at the Royal York.

This appears to be a pretty fancy hotel so what is expected of me regarding tips? Who should I tip and how much?

Also, as a back up plan in case Via Rail goes on strike, I have reserved a car at the airport. Does the hotel have parking? Do I have to pay for a valet to park my car or can I just do it myself? If I have to have the valet park my car how much to I tip him? Do I tip him for parking the car and then bringing it to me the next morning?

As you can see, I have a lot of pretty dumb questions as I don't spend a lot of time in hotels... particularly ones with bell boys, valets, etc.

Definitely stay there!! Have stayed there 4 times recently, it's my favourite hotel. Excellent staff, walking distance to all kinds of stuff, Jack Astor's nearby is really good. Heading down Front street towards the HHOF there is a nice looking sushi restaurant, some nice pubs in the area.

Stayed on Fairmont Gold, really good service, nice lounge, great breakfasts.

[ah123]

Stayed there for a week a couple of years ago, and wasn't very impressed. I had asked for a non-smoking room through the travel agent my company dealt with, but because I had not confirmed the non-smoking room, I got a smoking room. I made a fuss, but the hotel was full, so I was SOL. A colleague of mine (who arrived a day earlier) had the same issue, but he made a bigger fuss and got a non smoking room, but had to evacuate the room in the middle of the night because the pipes in the ceiling burst and his room was flooded. The room I had was blah - the room barely fit a bed, a desk and a chair, the heating/cooling/AC didn't work, so it was quite uncomfortable. On the bright side, there is a lot of stuff to do in the area, so we didn't spend much time in the hotel itself...

[firebug]

I stay there a couple times a year usually.

Staff are polite. Standard rooms are small, but the beds and linens are comfortable. It has a grand lobby, and is well located with many of the other Toronto attractions close by.

I usually tip the cleaners $5/night on my first morning, and $2 for the kid who loads my luggage into the back of the car. I usually carry my own luggage up and down, but if it carried, or stored for the day, I tip about $2/bag.

If you are not already, sign up for their rewards program as it will give you free internet access (rather than paying $12/night).

~firebug

[urban1]

The hotel is underwhelming. Its neat because of its age and history but otherwise its nothing extraordinary. Dont expect anything extraordinary and you wont be disappointed.
Read tripadvisor to see what others have to say:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...o_Ontario.html

As for tipping, $1/bag seems to be a widely held consensus. And $2 to $5 for the valet and yes, you should tip both the guy who parks your car and the guy who retrieves it. You should also tip anyone who goes out of their way to help you ($1 to $2).

One suggestion: Sign up for the Fairmont Presidents Club. Its free and you get perk while you stay. You also collect points but thats not a big deal if you dont stay often. Often the best part is that you get an express checkin desk which is great on busy days. You also get free internet.

Heres some other perks:

"
Membership is complimentary and your Fairmont President's Club experience begins the moment you arrive at any of our properties with express check-in at our private reception desk and continues during your stay with complimentary high-speed Internet access, free local calls, complimentary health club access, complimentary use of TalyorMade golf clubs, use of Fairmont Fit and so much more."

http://www.fairmont.com/fpc/

[TimSJ]

The Esplanade is within walking distance i think lots of nice bars restaurants along there but it is right in the heart of downtown so you shouldn't have a problem finding anything ot do.