The Hotel Le Germain opened in February 2003 on a secluded backstreet in the heart of Toronto's Clubland. The whole hotel says style, sleek, and sexy. The rooms are done in dark wood, glass and metal, and the beds are made up in the softest, pillowiest duvets imaginable! There is also their signature - a voyeuristic glass wall between the shower and the bedroom that is perfect for getting "in the mood" although there is a shade for the demure.
When you walk in your room, there is soft music playing on nothing less than a BOSE wave radio and mood lighting set to say "Be dazzled"!
Almost everything in your room is for sale. Look in the leather box on the desk, and you'll find a price list for almost everything in the room.
Storage room is ample with plenty of mirrors, two large drawers and two closets for hanging your party clothes.
Amenties in room include a mini-bar, bottled water, wine glasses, corkscrew, icebucket (refilled daily), Toronto guides, iron and board and in-room safe. There is also a fabulous flat-panel Zenith TV and reading lights next to the bed. There is a lounge chair, divan (with cozy throw blanket) and desk with phone, lamp, pen, pad and sticky notes.
The bathroom is a work of art with sliding wood doors, and separate enclosed toilet. The shower is open with both rainfall shower head and hand-held nozzle. The Kohler sink is in silver set in green glass - very stylish. It is also stocked with Egyptian cotton towels and robes. As a final touch, there are complimentary Aveda shampoo, conditoner and body wash in rosemary/mint scent. And in case you forget your room number, it is engraved on your bathroom glasses.
What are the down sides? As of November 2003, their restaurant and lounge ("luce" and "yellow") had yet to open, so you are forced to go out for dinner and drinks. Fortunately, there are many options within a short walk. Also, the area can be very noisy, especially on weekends when the bars and clubs close. Thoughtfully, the hotel has supplied bed-side earplugs.
Despite not having a restaurant yet, breakfast IS included, with a nice selection of breads, cheeses, fruit, cereal, hardboiled eggs and fab coffee with seating around two rectangular central bars. Bring the newspaper hanging on your door in the morning and you have the first hour of your day planned for you.
In the aftermath of the SARS scare, the Le Germain was quite the deal for US$144 per night. Their average rates have now risen to be more in the US$180 - 200, and exchange rates aren't what they used to be.
Nevertheless, want to feel Euro, sexy and trendy? Then this is a great home base in TO!
See their website at Hotel Le Germain Toronto