The Fairmont Royal York, Fairmont Gold Floor

The Fairmont Royal York isn’t just a hotel—it’s a piece of Toronto’s living history. When it opened in 1929, it was the tallest building in the British Empire and a beacon of Canadian ambition. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway to welcome dignitaries, royalty, and luxury travelers arriving at Union Station across the street, the Royal York has been part of Toronto’s skyline and social fabric for nearly a century. The hotel’s architecture is a love letter to the Châteauesque style: think grand marble pillars, soaring painted ceilings, and that iconic lobby clock gifted by Queen Elizabeth II herself. Over the decades, the hotel hosted world leaders, Hollywood stars, and musicians like Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, who performed in the hotel’s legendary Imperial Room. In 2019, the Royal York underwent a $65 million transformation that smartly balanced historic charm with modern flair. The result? A hotel that feels both timeless and thoroughly up-to-date. The Gold Floor truly is an ultraluxe hotel within a luxury property…Only 104 rooms spread over 3 floors, they were taken back to studs in the last renovation. Now a dedicated elevator takes guests to a private check-in & concierge. Rooms have marble bathrooms, walk‑in showers (some have tubs too), aromatherapy via Skinjay pods, personalized Le Labo toiletries, plus the pillow menu. I’m a feather girl. But best of all is the lounge. The food was truly delicious (unlike the so-so options you often find) with an extensive assortment of top quality treats at all times of day…eggs benedict for breakfast and jumbo shrimp with a cocktail in the afternoon…you will be tempted to just stay especially on a cold winter’s day. The Royal York has now earned the Zero Carbon Building – Performance Standard™ certification from the Canada Green Building Council, proving that luxury and sustainability can indeed share the same stage.