With the onslaught of blogging events that I attend outside of Ottawa, I’ve been staying in more and more hotels lately. A hotel stay would always be super exciting with it feeling like a vacation within itself! I mean – no washing dishes, no laundry, no grocery shopping – great!
Lately though, my trips to Toronto have become so rushed and frenetic, that I barely even spend time in my hotel rooms…collapsing on the bed at the end of a long day and falling asleep in record time. In addition, a few of the hotels I experienced weren’t all that great. There was the hotel with unfriendly front desk staff (way to make a great first impression) or the other hotel that misplaced my luggage (turned up in another guest’s room).
I learned my lesson quickly to just stick with the hotel that always delivers, that’s always comfortable and whose staff actually know my name. Thanks, Hotel Le Germain for always coming through. I should have known to just stick with you after my first lovely visit. You can read about that weekend here.
My last trip to Toronto was – as per usual – a crazy one. I had three events to attend in one day plus a meeting with a local PR firm. It wasn’t a great trip, with me feeling a little stressed and anxious…which in turn, made me feel lonely. Ryan wasn’t with me and neither was Reese, and I was kind of dying to get back home. When I checked into the Hotel Le Germain located on Mercer Street, I made a comment to the front desk staffer that while I was happy to be there, I felt a little homesick.
When A Few Kind Gestures Save The Day
Well….you know what that staffer did? She ensured that when I got to my room, there was a plate of my favourite desserts waiting for me. Curtis Mayfield was playing softly from the BOSE speaker in the room, which instantly put me in a good mood. My bed was turned down, and little boxes of caramel-filled chocolates sat on my pillow. I plopped down on the bed and thanked God I was there. A few minutes later, there was a knock on my door. There a staff member stood, wanting to know if everything was ok and if I felt better. She had a complimentary cup of tea and a very fancy-looking brownie. I hugged her.
Right at that moment, I decided to make Hotel Le Germain “my hotel”. Each visit has always been fabulous, with the locations in prime spots and the service second to none. Mercer Street, by the way, seems more like a quiet little enclave than a street in the centre of the Entertainment District which suited me just fine.
This eco-hotel itself is STUNNING, like “ripped from an interior design magazine”-sort of stunning. The interior is modern, but very warm and cozy. In fact, the lobby has a split level tucked away behind the front desk. This slightly elevated level features a large cozy living area where you can tuck away to get work done on your laptop or simply enjoy a drink by the fire. Filled with light, large tropical plants and chic furnishings, this lovely space immediately relaxes you.
Across the lobby is Victor Restaurant and Bar which has recently been remodeled. A little jewel box of a restaurant featuring North American favourites, this is another Instagram-worthy spot within the hotel. Of note, Victor offers all guests a free deluxe Continental Breakfast. And I’m not talking the usual boring, dried-out fare. There are tasty options from decadent to super healthy for those of us still on The Whole30 diet.
Other Amenities Of Note:
- The gorgeous rooftop terrace…perfect for grabbing a cocktail and taking in the city views before taking in a show.
- Golf lovers should take advantage of the hotel’s putting green during the summer season. Golf balls and clubs are available to those interested.
- The hotel offers a complimentary car service. If you need transportation, be sure to take advantage. The ride in their luxe Lexus SUV is stellar!
- Did I mention the Hotel Le Germain Mercer is in the centre of the Entertainment District? This is your chance to visit the TIFF Bell Lightbox, take in a Raptors game at the nearby Scotiabank Arena, dine on fine sushi at Momofuku and have a pint at Steamwhistle Brewery. Be sure to check out the historic The Second City comedy club which just so happens to be located directly across the street from this fine hotel. This is just a small snapshot of things to do in this fun area. Do a little research and be prepared to be entertained!
Before I wrap up this post, I want to bring your attention to something very important about the Hotel Le Germain: the sleep you will have at any of their hotel’s is epic. I don’t know what it is….maybe its the incredibly comfortable rooms, or the super soft sheets, or the mattress that was made in heaven…but each time I stay at a Hotel Le Germain, I have the BEST night’s sleep! Honestly – I wake up in the morning with this strange, foreign feeling. I think it’s called being “rested and energized”.
Anyway, I really hope you enjoyed this post and that it inspires you to treat yourself with a stay at this lovely property. Be prepared to feel like a VIP.
*In collaboration with Hotel Le Germain Toronto Mercer
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
