The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto

Character and identity

Set at the meeting point of Toronto's Financial, Entertainment and waterfront districts, this 263-room high-rise is wrapped in a distinctive multi-level glass façade and hung with more than 400 pieces of Canadian art. Inside, the look is contemporary luxury: gold-toned rooms (among the largest in the city) with floor-to-ceiling windows over Lake Ontario and the skyline, Portuguese marble bathrooms, and Frette linens. Dining runs from Roman chef Oliver Glowig's TOCA, with Canada's only cheese cave, to Lano Cafe and Epoch Bar & Terrace Kitchen. Spa myBlend by Clarins, an indoor saltwater pool and a fifth-floor fitness centre round out the wellness side.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What sets this place apart is the combination of unusually large rooms, lake-and-skyline views, and a seriously credible food and spa programme inside a downtown big-box luxury hotel. Splurge if you want space, central access and TOCA on speed dial; book Club Level for the lounge and faster arrival, and reserve well ahead for September if TIFF is on your radar.