TORONTO — A hotel that’s been around for 50 years knows a thing or two about making guests happy.

When those hospitality skills shine during one of the busiest weeks of the year – March Break – it’s really something to see, and experience.

A recent stay at the Chelsea Hotel, Toronto made it clear that the legendary hotel, in business since 1975, deserves its reputation as a March Break mecca. The Chelsea serves as both a staycation spot for locals, and a fun getaway destination for out-of-towners.

Executive Guest Room at Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

It certainly has the space. With 1,590 rooms, it’s Canada’s largest hotel. With its central location it’s also an ideal spot for a made-in-Canada summer vacation, already in high demand this year.

Thanks to a $25 million+ refurbishment, the Chelsea is looking better than ever. The investment included a complete refresh for 600 guestrooms in the Executive Tower, hotel corridors and modernization and refurbishment of the Executive Tower elevators.

There was also a refurbishment of Market Garden restaurant, while the Chelsea’s full-service restaurant, Elm Street Bar & Lounge, also underwent an extensive enhancement, now with double the seating capacity.

After completing that facelift in 2023, the hotel quickly embarked on another massive renovation project the following year. The 2024 investment included 993 guestrooms in the Chelsea Tower, plus extensive upgrades to all function/meeting/banquet facilities.

With a total investment of close to $60 million, additional refurbishments scheduled for 2025 include a renovated lobby and a new lobby bar.

LOTS OF BUZZ – AND NO BOREDOM – FOR KIDS AT THE CHELSEA 

All the refurbishments and multi-million dollar investments were no doubt completely lost on the kids this March Break, and with good reason, thanks to the hotel’s action-packed schedule of kid-friendly activities.

Most families head straight for the Chelsea’s dedicated Family Fun Zone, featuring the only indoor 130 ft. water slide in downtown Toronto.

During busy times like March Break, families can sign up for their time slots at the pool (two per day). It’s an easy process and ensures no overcrowding in the popular pool.

The Family Fun Zone is also home to the Kid Centre, ideal for the hotel’s youngest guests with arts & crafts, costumes, games, books and more. The Kid Centre is also home to Mango and Patches, the hotel’s two resident bunnies. At the Family Fun Zone’s Club 33 Teen Lounge, there are vintage arcade games, Xbox One, a pool table and foosball.

Chelsea Hotel, Toronto’s Family Fun Zone pool

Families can also take advantage of the Chelsea’s Show Your Key and Save program, offering discounts at Ripley’s Aquarium, Toronto Zoo, the ROM, Medieval Times and more.

The Family Fun Zone is available year-round at the Chelsea, as is Show Your Key and Save. It’s enough to keep any family happy and busy, but for March Break, even more activities are on offer.

The hotel’s second floor, full of big conference rooms, transforms into action central during March Break.

This year kids were loving ‘Energy Lane’, with a bouncy castle, ping pong and Wii tournaments set up in hotel’s biggest ballroom. There are also movies and board games, karaoke sessions and more. In the evenings, families can try their luck at bingo, or check out the Mad Science and Hands On Exotics demonstrations.

The lobby was buzzing too, with CT the robot making daily appearances from 3 – 6 p.m. There’s free popcorn and lemonade too, and ‘Movies Under the Stairs’ (yes, stairs) where kids can watch movies in a perfect spot tucked underneath the lobby’s west side staircase.

March Break also means special breakfast and dinner offerings just for kids, at special prices, at the Market Garden restaurant.

According to Rob Housez, General Manager, Chelsea Hotel, Toronto, this was the best March Break for the hotel since post-pandemic. Occupancy was high, not quite back to pre-pandemic levels in 2018-2019, but not far off.

Canadian guests were driving much of the occupancy. “When the tour season launches in May, we begin to see those international guests arriving,” said the Chelsea’ director of PR, Tracy Ford. “We also took note that people were booking within days of arrival, resulting in last minute domestic demand. We believe they were looking for alternatives and ended up staying local.”

Chelsea Hotel, Toronto is an affiliate property of the Langham Hotels and Resorts. More information about the Chelsea can be found here.