St. Regis Opens First Canadian Property

It’s a new era in glamour for Canada as Marriott’s prestigious St. Regis brand opens its first hotel in Toronto’s downtown core.

Yesterday, Paul Cahill, area vice-president, Marriott International Canada; Toronto Mayor John Tory; Lydia Chang, Marriott International; and Tim Terceira, general manager, St. Regis Toronto, were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Recognizing the value of Canada’s tourism and hospitality industry, Mayor Tory noted that “it’s important for world leading brands to be in the city; last year 44 million people visited Toronto, contributing $9 billion to the local economy.”

The Hotel

Formerly a Trump property, the rebranded St. Regis Toronto at 325 Bay St., offers 250 of the largest standard guest rooms in the city, including 124 suites. All guest rooms will undergo refurbishment in the signature St. Regis style and design in the new year through March, but the hotel will remain open throughout.

For now, the property offers a new lobby featuring the Astor Lounge. “It was a transactional space before, and now it’s experiential,” describes a proud Tim Terceira, general manager, St. Regis Toronto. “The Astor Lounge is a place to collect, relax, or grab a leisurely drink.”

The hotel also boasts a hot new, two-level dining experience, the Louix Louis Grand Bar & Restaurant offering classic French preparations of contemporary cuisine and Toronto’s deepest whiskey bar with a staggering 500+ varieties of whiskies and dark spirits.

Plus, what were meeting spaces on the 31st floor are now two expansive, sophisticated presidential suites, which will set the tone for the design throughout the hotel.

The Brand and its Promise to Travel Agents

But bricks and mortar alone don’t make a hotel brand. St. Regis brings clients a level of service excellence that has defined the brand since 1904 and, with an expected rate of 50% guest retention, keeps them coming back.

“Travel agents can be confident that their client is going to be treated the way they want them to be treated,” promised Paul Cahill, area vice-president, Marriott International Canada.

Committed to personalized, anticipatory service, all guests will be treated to signature butler services. “Its a proactive relationship; we are engaging with guests, learning about them, and predicting what their needs will be, explains Terceira.

Services that butlers offer could include pressing garments, unpacking and repacking, making restaurant reservations, or dog-walking. A butler will learn about the purpose of a guest’s stay and offer suggestions accordingly. Moreover, client preferences or requests will be tracked and shared across all St. Regis properties to create a more personalized stay each time a guest returns.

It seems Toronto is just the beginning for the St. Regis brand in Canada. “There is demand for the luxury travel experience in Canada,” explained Cahill. “St. Regis Toronto is our first flag here, but it certainly won’t be our last.”

To learn more about the St. Regis Toronto, visit marriott.com/hotels/travel/yyzxr-the-st-regis-toronto.

In the photos (from top to bottom)

At the ribbon cutting (l-r) are Paul Cahill, area vice-president, Marriott International Canada; Toronto Mayor John Tory; Lydia Chang, Marriott International; and Tim Terceira, general manager, St. Regis Toronto.

Astor Lobby Lounge

Dining and drinking at the Louix Louis Grand Bar & Restaurant

John Jacob Astor Suite

A tub with a view in the John Jacob Astor Suite

Tim Terceira and Paul Cahill