TORONTO — With its 1,590 guest rooms, Chelsea Hotel, Toronto is not only Canada’s largest hotel, it also accounts for an incredible 10% of all hotel rooms in downtown Toronto.

With all those rooms, and with decades as one of Toronto’s go-to properties for Canadian and international visitors (and staycationers too), the Chelsea is working hard at keeping current and in top shape.

Now, thanks to a $25 million dollar refurbishment, the hotel is looking better than ever.

The investment – the most extensive since 2013 – included a complete refresh for 600 guestrooms in the Executive Tower, hotel corridors throughout the hotel, and modernization and refurbishment of the Executive Tower elevators.

There was also a refurbishment of Market Garden Restaurant including new carpet and furniture, while the Chelsea’s full-service restaurant, Elm Street Bar & Lounge, has undergone extensive enhancement. The venue now offers double the seating capacity, plus new furniture and lighting.

The Chelsea’s executive guestrooms start at 325 square feet, with one king or two double beds. Room amenities include private balcony access in the majority of rooms, Nespresso coffee machines, 50” flat screen TV, in-room safe, electric kettle, mini-fridges and views of the downtown core. The renovation included …

• New carpet, wallcovering, drapes, lighting, mattresses, televisions and artwork
• Case good surfaces covered with a stone cap
• Bathroom lighting and tub glazing

Executive King room at Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

Not only that, but starting next month the hotel will roll out its WiFi upgrade, after a further investment of $2.3 million. The new WiFi will offer guests a significant improvement for streaming multiple devices.

Any travel advisor who’s sold Toronto travel to their clients, or who lives in Toronto, knows about the legendary Chelsea Hotel. The property first opened in 1975 with one tower, now the North tower. A second tower, the South tower, was added in 1999.

With its ideal location in the downtown core, the hotel is close to attractions including the CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Little Canada and more. The Chelsea is also active in the city, as a generous and long-time partner of The Hospital for Sick Children. Since 2013, Chelsea Hotel has donated over $1 million in support of AboutKidsHealth, a health education resource for children, youth and caregivers.

Plus, for two decades the annual Chelsea Charity Golf Classic has raised funds and awareness for charity in support of AboutKidsHealth.

“YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY REINVEST”

Trade and consumer media got a look at the newly refurbished rooms yesterday at a lunch hosted by Josef Ebner, Regional VP – Canada & Managing Director; Tracy Ford, Director of Public Relations; and Robert C. Housez, General Manager.

Hong Kong-based Great Eagle Group, owner of the hotel since 1996, assumed management under its subsidiary, Langham Hospitality Group on July 1, 2013.  The owner has invested over $54 million since the re-branding.

“You have to constantly reinvest if you want to stay competitive,” said Housez, adding “we see this as a vote of confidence from our owners that we’ll be the Chelsea for a long time.”

With these enhancements, the hotel continues to raise the bar and remains at the forefront in terms of service and value within the competitive hotel market in Toronto, said Ebner. “This renovation is another very exciting phase in the life of the Chelsea. A newly vibrant and fresh environment, the Chelsea delivers everything one could need at exceptional value,” said Ebner.

Not only have hundreds of rooms been refreshed, the hotel’s six main elevators are getting redone too. Five have been completely modernized, and work is underway on the sixth.

As for renovations for the North tower, the team promised more news to come in 2024.

The Chelsea offers three restaurants, separate adult and family recreation areas and pools – including the ‘Corkscrew’, downtown Toronto’s only indoor waterslide. Other family-friendly amenities include the Family Fun Zone, Kid Centre and Club 33 Teen Lounge.

For more information see chelseatoronto.com.