What it's like staying at the new W Toronto Hotel
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If forgettable, cookie-cutter corporate hotels don't excite you, Marriott's W brand could be the answer for your next stay. Unapologetically mixing music, fashion and design, W properties offer an accommodation experience where nothing is taken too seriously.
After a positive stay Down Under at the W Melbourne last year, I decided to try one of the latest additions to the W portfolio on a recent trip to Canada.
Here is what it's like staying at the W Toronto, part of Marriott Bonvoy.
Quick take
Housed in a brutalist-style building that was previously the exact type of Marriott property the W brand promises not to be, the 254-room W Toronto opened in 2022, following a two-year delay and a $30-million makeover.
The unusual layout and design focus guests' attention on the Living Room lobby and bar; it's an opulent yet informal meeting space that immediately inspires relaxation.
Rooms were spacious and comfortable, and I appreciated the hallways were sufficiently lit so I did not feel like I was stumbling down a nightclub.
Beyond the Living Room, moving from space to space was sometimes awkward, and the views from the internal facing rooms were not ideal.
Getting there
The W is in Yorkville, on the northeast edge of downtown Toronto. Guests can reach the hotel by car from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in around 40 minutes, subject to traffic; it'll cost about 50 Canadian dollars ($37) to take an Uber or Lyft.
If you prefer to take public transport, the Union Pearson Express train reaches Union Station in downtown Toronto in 25 minutes for 12.35 CAD ($9). You can then transfer to the subway Line 1 to ride six stops to Bloor-Yonge station. Expect this total journey to take just more than an hour, depending on the time of day.
Related: What it's like staying at the renovated Park Hyatt Toronto
Booking details
A base-level Wonderful Room at the W Toronto can be booked for $324 to $518 per night, or 42,000 to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
It's easy to earn Marriott Bonvoy points with some of our favorite cards:
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 185,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. Annual fee: $650 (see rates and fees).
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Earn 155,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees).
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Earn three free nights (each night valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Annual fee: $95.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. No annual fee.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card: Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases in the first three months from account opening. Annual fee: $250.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. Annual fee: $125 (see rates and fees).
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Standout features
- The property gets most of the basics right, with spacious and comfortable rooms, luxurious showers, great staff, and plenty of decent food and beverage options. There was especially faultless room service.
- W branding is taken just far enough with playful and sophisticated touches without feeling like you are in a nightclub that never closes.
- The Living Room is a well-designed social space that draws in guests and the public alike.
Drawbacks
- Taking up just a handful of floors in a dated, high-rise (now residential) building, the hotel lacks a true sense of place; it feels temporary and even a little confusing to navigate. It's a bit of an awkward route from the street to reception.
- The Yorkville location is close to upmarket retail outlets and charming Church Street but not walking distance to some of Toronto's most famous attractions like the CN Tower.
- Some of the bar food options are style over substance.
- While the gym is well-equipped, the hotel does not have a swimming pool.
The vibe
Marriott's W brand has never shied away from adopting a cheeky sense of fun to attract guests. I spied plenty of young couples, arm-in-arm, whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears, sneaking in and out of the building at all hours.
An American couple seated next to me for dinner in the Living Room seemed perplexed at their surroundings and the Instagrammable meals served to them (perhaps they were expecting a corporate Marriott property). Still, they seemed to enjoy their experience.
The room
I checked into a 266-square-foot courtyard view Wonderful King Room on the seventh floor — the same base level category I had booked (no upgrade for this lowly Bonvoy Gold elite member).
Overall, my first impressions were positive. There was plenty of space to move around the room, and I slept very well in the comfortable king-size bed. It had high thread count sheets and various pillows.
Some W room designs can be polarizing in their outlandish and impractical style, but this new mix of cream, gray and royal blue was pleasing and soothing to the eyes. I wasn't thrilled with how the bed was laid out against the window, though; it blocked some of the natural light coming into the room. The view into the interior courtyard also wasn't great and made it difficult to get a sense of the weather outside.
I'm not a huge fan of exposed bathrooms, especially when traveling with someone else, so I wish the vanity had a little more privacy. The spacious shower had both handheld and rainfall showerheads. It was stocked with Momo toiletries and housed behind frosted glass, as was the toilet.
Given that the outline of the toilet was visible through the frosted glass, this room would only be suitable to share with someone you were very comfortable with. This seemed like a design flaw.
The huge 55-inch LCD Television was wall-mounted, but you could swing it around to catch up on the morning news before getting out of bed. The minibar featured everything you would need to mix up an aperitif before hitting the town or a cheeky nightcap before bed.
Food and drinks
Guests can start the day at the ground floor Public School coffee house, kitchen and bar. There, a respectable smashed avocado toast with almond hummus on black charcoal sourdough with two poached eggs costs 24 CAD ($17), and the barista-made coffee is excellent. A great selection of pastries and breakfast sandwiches are also available for guests looking to grab something on the go.
During the day, lighter options at the venue include (excellent) poke bowls, Caesar salads, jerk shrimp rolls, baked pasta and fried veal cutlets.
The Skylight rooftop bar, with its Mediterranean mezze restaurant, was closed during my mid-week stay. However, the Living Room bar sufficed with light bites and inventive cocktails. The grapefruit gin and prosecco-led "Flower Power" served with dry ice in a huge glass sphere was terrific theater and attracted the attention of surrounding guests.
The food options were decent, though the jerk chicken skewers for 18 CAD ($13) only contained a few scraps of meat. The watermelon and tomato salad (also $13) was pretty but far more complicated than needed.
Room service was available 24 hours a day. Within 20 minutes of ordering, I received a perfect turkey club sandwich with fresh, crispy fries and condiments for a late-night snack. It cost 25 CAD ($18).
Amenities and service
While the W Toronto does not have a pool, the FIT gym on the eighth floor is well equipped, and there was never a wait to use the equipment.
The service impressed across the property. When I tried to check in around 4 p.m., the front desk agent explained that the room had been cleaned but would need a final inspection. She said she would let me know when it was ready. Twenty-five minutes later, she still had not given me my room key. I approached the desk to follow up, and she apologized profusely, admitting she had forgotten about me due to a large group arriving to check in immediately after me. She quickly gave me my room key and two drink vouchers to compensate for the oversight.
This quick service recovery made up for the slight delay. It was indicative of the staff at W Toronto's ability to deliver efficiently and solve problems quickly.
Out and about
The hotel is one block from Church Street, Toronto's LGBT+ village. I've visited gay neighborhoods worldwide, and I don't think I've ever seen one as charming and well-executed as this. Despite being in the middle of a major city, it has a wonderfully relaxed and quaint vibe. There are dozens of bars, independent cafes, bookstores, vintage clothing stores and coffee shops. It is a lovely place to wander down and explore.
There are plenty of high-end retail stores on Bloor Street. Also, the hotel is close to Toronto University with its beautiful Gothic and Romanesque revival-style buildings, well worth the short stroll on a sunny day.
Accessibility
With no elevators on the ground floor, guests with mobility restrictions face a fairly steep ramp in an unglamorous parking garage to enter the property step-free. Once reaching reception on the sixth floor, there are wide hallways with elevator access to all guest rooms.
However, given the complex layout of this property, it is not ideal for accessibility.
Checking out
The W Toronto had more whimsy than I was seeking for a mid-week business stay, but the hotel got most of the basics right.
Spacious rooms, great staff, decent food and beverage options, and the communal Living Room space made for a comfortable stay. However, I wasn't a huge fan of the thinly frosted toilet and exposed vanity.
For a first-time visitor, the location is a bit far north of the main attractions, closer to Lake Ontario. However, if I were returning to Toronto on the weekend — especially with a loved one — the W would be a fun way to unwind and explore the sights and sounds of nearby Church Street until the early hours.
Related reading:
- The award traveler’s guide to Marriott Bonvoy
- The best Marriott credit cards
- What is Marriott Bonvoy elite status worth?
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- Which credit cards offer the most lucrative rewards for hotel stays?
- The best hotel rewards programs in the world
- Best hotel credit cards
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card, click here
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex Card, click here
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex Card, click here
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.