All Torontonians have heard of the Royal York Hotel, have attended functions, weddings, or passed through this old world charming hotel. Located right across from Union Station, the Royal York will be viewed by many tourists and some will even stay in this classy hotel. Some locals (such as myself) will have even stayed at the hotel. Sometimes, in the winter, we get these blizzards and many people working in their downtown offices will opt to spend the night in one of the many hotels located near the financial district. On such snowy days, hotels would offer specials for those stuck in the city.
I’ve stayed at the hotel as after the Annual Ball the bank I used to work for with hold at the Royal York. I remember getting a suite at the Royal York and at this time, they had just finished the renovations of all the rooms. I’ll never forget the sound sleep I had on the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in. Big fluffy pillows, firm yet comfy mattresses made me want to call down to reception for a late check-out.
The Royal York is located in the city, near the lake and from here you can access the rest of the city with regional and local transit located across the street in Union Station. There’s always a row of cabs outside of the hotel waiting to whisk you to any part of the city or back to the airport.
The Royal York also has “an angle” for us foodies, Torontonian or tourist: a visit to the Royal York’s rooftop, 18 stories above ground) where this dead piece of real estate was turned into both an herb garden and apiary. The herbs and some varied salad greens are used in all of the kitchens/restaurants located in the hotel and the apiary has been producing award-winning honey since the Spring of 2008.
The Royal York’s apiary was the first of it’s kind, being the leader of a trend that has hotels all over the world following this creativity. An estimated 150,000 bees thrive at the apiary, despite thinking that the rooftop of a a downtown hotel can’t be all that good for a colony of bees. Any Torontonian will tell you how green Toronto is as a city and tourists soon find out how many trees, parks and nature still exist in and around the city. Bees will travel up to six kilometres to forage and the Royal York bees will forage on the nearby waterfront, the Leslie Street Spit and the Don Valley. The result? About 1400 small jars of award winning honey (Royal Winter Fair) are produced each year.
The hotel has affectionately set-up the apiary with the V.I.Bee Suite, The Royal Sweet and Honey Moon Suite! You too can see the Royal York’s apiary and herb garden. The Library Bar hosts afternoon High Tea each Saturday and Sunday and included in the service is a visit up to the rooftop. It’s always a good idea to call ahead and check for availability.
Toronto just recently hosted the G20 Summit with the arrival of world leaders and delegates, clogging the city and hotel rooms for their annual pow-pow on how to improve the planet. I’m not sure what the results were but I do know that most Torontonians are happy to have their city, streets, restaurants and bars back. City life is back to normal and the summer is full-on!
If you looking for a place to visit this year, consider big, clean, safe, exciting, calm and delicious Toronto. We also boast as being the most multicultural city in the world and you’ll have fun trying to taste your way through all the ethnic offerings from this diverse city.
The Royal York Hotel is having a summer special with room rates starting at $159 Cdn. and are available for booking from June 28th until September 6th. Stay in Toronto with comfort and style (the Queen stayed here), visit the museums, art galleries, the many ethnic neighborhoods in the city like the Danforth (Greektown), Chinatown and Kensington Market, Bloor West Village or the world-renowned St. Lawrence Market!
Toronto is a foodlover’s city, it’s safe, it’s clean and those that are in the know, come back each year for that pleasant Canadian hospitality. You can still catch Summerlicious (until July 25th) where some of Toronto’s top restaurants become accessible to all with their prix-fixe menus.
*Special thanks to Melanie Coates, who provided me with the tour of the rooftop apiary and herb garden.
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© 2007-2010 Peter Minakis
One of the other great culinary attractions of summer in TO is the Spicy Food Festival at Harbourfront. The last time I went I enjoyed myself immensely
first place i stayed at , first time in Toronto in 1985. love the bee hives~
What an interesting hotel! Thanks for the tour, Peter!
What a cool place to stay, equipped with bee farm on top! I would love to visit Toronto sometime.
I have never stayed there Peter, but I have eaten there many years ago and attended a function. I love these icons that have rooftop gardens. I have some honey sent to me by a food blogger from a roof top garden in New York. May as well put the space to good use!!
Toronto is a great foodie city and the Royal York looks very interesting. Not a bad price for afternoon tea.
Nice to see some pics and read about some of the places available in Toronto. The Royal York looks cool especially with that herb garden! Thanks for sharing!
I hope you got to taste the honey. What a great idea and I’m sure the chefs like the access to such fresh herbs. Thanks for sharing.
What a cool way for them to use the roof, I’m impressed
What a great idea to have a rooftop herb garden and apiary! I wish rooftops in Athens had the same treatment. We would have been a whole different city.