Undeniably, Toronto knows how to host the world with concerts, sports events and other major events, but during the Toronto International Film Festival’s golden 50th year, the city turns into Hollywood North. Screenings and red carpets light up the marquees, with the whole city getting in on the act. But the most interesting scenes unfold in the city’s luxury hotels when it’s time to retreat, recharge, and revel in your own temporary sanctuary.
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
60 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 0A4
The official hospitality partner of TIFF, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto (also the brand’s global flagship), is quietly luxurious while remaining meaningfully connected to the action. Hosting an afternoon tea and Champagne affair with BAFTA, the Road to the Golden Globes Party presented by RBC, and the Vanity Fair party hosted by Ethan Hawke, Richard Linklater, Baz Luhrmann and Alice Winocour, are just part of the fun. Throughout the festival, the lobby of Four Seasons features a photo exhibit in collaboration with the TIFF Film Reference Library, showing a curated selection of festival photos (Meryl Streep, Joaquin Phoenix and Michael Caine, among others) from the past five decades. There is also an outdoor mural. Nestled in Yorkville, the glass tower with 259 freshly renovated rooms and suites. The service is anticipatory, the spa a destination in itself with treatments such as the Red-Carpet Glam Facial and luxurious Golden Glow Manicure, and the dining—led by celebrity chef Daniel Boulud—ensures that even staying in feels like an event.
1 Hotel
550 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2V4
1 Hotel Toronto rolls out its green carpet for TIFF. Known for its biophilic design and focus on sustainability, this hotel brand attracts individuals dedicated to wellness, environmental activism, or simply a desire to reconnect. The design of the 112 guest rooms and suites with heated floors, live plants, an in-room water filtration system, organic cotton linens, yoga mats and organic bath products pays tribute to Toronto’s local environment through the use of raw materials and textures sourced throughout Ontario. Until Sept. 9, Flora Lounge transforms into The Hollywood Reporter Green Room, a chic piano lounge tucked away from the festival buzz. Sip film-inspired cocktails by Grey Goose from 2 p.m. to midnight and enjoy music from 8 to 11 p.m.
St. Regis Toronto
325 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5H 4G3
Those lucky enough to call St. Regis their home away from home during the festival will be staying in accommodations that make up Canada’s largest collection of luxury suites, designed like private residences. They offer butler service to press your gown or tux and deliver a perfectly timed latte. Full kitchens, oversized living areas, grand soaking tubs in spa-like bathrooms overlooking the Toronto skyline and stylist-worthy closets make even the most discerning hotel snobs swoon. The hotel’s Astor Lounge becomes a low-key meeting ground—humming with important conversations and yet without spectacle.
Nobu Hotel Toronto
33 Mercer St, Toronto, ON M5V 1H2
New on the scene, the intimate 36-room-and-suite Nobu Hotel Toronto joins the brand’s booming expansion throughout the world and boasts its first residences. Above the historic Pilkington Glass Factory, there are two residential towers with 660 units, and the hotel, the highest in Toronto, is located atop the west tower on floors 41 to 45. Nobu’s arrival, with the kind of anticipation reserved for a film premiere, makes it a new TIFF hot spot. The design balances Japanese minimalism with Toronto cool—think natural woods, neutral palettes, and clean lines punctuated by dramatic light. Guest rooms feature deep soaking tubs, luxe linens, tech-forward touches and a wellness mini bar that make long festival days easier. The crown jewel, of course, is the signature Nobu Restaurant, where the yellowtail jalapeño and sake flow with the industry chatter.
The Hazelton
118 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1H5
In the chic Yorkville neighborhood, The Hazelton, designed by Canadian firm Yabu Pushelberg, packs a punch with just 77 rooms, including grand suites, private balconies and marble bathrooms radiating Hollywood golden-age glam vibes. The Norman Jewison–named private cinema and Spa by Valmont add exclusive touches. Thanks to the roaming Macallan Bar Cart, you’ll get to experience cocktail theater as your are unpacking the night’s screenings. In proximity, discover the TIFF50 Timescape on Yorkville Avenue, a retrospective that charts the evolution of the festival with interactive multimedia content, archival images and entertainment. See it all from The Hazelton’s balconies and wrap-around patio.