If you’re looking to stay at the heart of the action, make a beeline for The Chelsea Hotel Toronto, a local institution that’s ideally suited for the needs of today’s corporate traveller. By Nick Walton

The first thing you notice when arriving at The Chelsea Hotel in Toronto is the vibe, This is a hotel that never sleeps and a stroll through the bustling lobby testifies to the hotel’s position as a hospitality icon in one of Canada’s most important cities. There are corporate travellers and families on vacation as well as aircrews arriving and departing and locals bound for meetings and meals in the lobby level restaurants. This wasn’t my first stay at The Chelsea and it was this vibe that drew me back again.

A Location that Counts

Located right on the main subway line in the heart of Toronto, The Chelsea Hotel – with 1,590 rooms – is the largest of its kind in Canada. With Eaton Centre, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and HBC within a 10-minute-walk radius, as well as two renown live-theatres and the city’s financial district just down the street, The Chelsea is situated right in the nucleus of the city’s entertainment, culture and business precincts.

Despite the hustle of the lobby, the check-in counter dedicated to members of Langham Hospitality’s 1865 Privilege program, of which I have been a member for a decade, was blissfully line-free and after a quick check-in process, we were making our way to our rooms on the 25th floor.

Despite the many families who call The Chelsea Hotel Toronto their home-away-from-home when visiting Toronto, the hotel is very much geared towards corporate road warriors. There are six categories of room on offer, all with balconies and an interior design which blends old-school with modern comfort: a sleek, minimalist tan and taupe colour scheme compliments light-wood furnishing and bold-pattern carpets.

The standard Chelsea Room includes a king-size bed and blackout drapes, so you can catch some shut-eye no matter where you’re travelling from, while both Deluxe and Club rooms offer the same luxury and comfort, but with a larger floor area and balcony space, the latter also offering access to the hotels executive lounge, the E Club.

Travellers with a more up-market disposition (or a longer stay in mind) will enjoy the Studio Kitchenette or the One Bedroom Suites, which boast an additional living room (including a pull-out sofa) and kitchenette. Regardless of the room you choose, all offer free Wi-Fi, dry-cleaning and laundry services, a large LCD flat screen TV, a decadent bath and an in-room safe.

Club Access

If you’re travelling for business, the Club Rooms make a lot of sense. In addition to spacious work areas and a position high above the city, the rooms offer access to breakfast and happy hour in the exclusive E Club, located on the 27th floor. The lounge is open daily and offers an intimate complimentary breakfast option, as well as an evening cocktail hour during which complimentary hors d’oeuvres are paired with a variety of beverages including wine, liquor, beer as well as soft drinks, which are available at a nominal charge. The lounge also offers complimentary wifi and is a great spot for intimate meetings. We found the breakfast at the E Club to be ideal; the simple yet delicious hot and cold options allow for a quick bite before we headed out and the lounge attendants were only too happy to offer advice on exploring the city.

Space to Meet

If you need a little more space for those corporate get-togethers, you can head for the hotel’s 23 separate meeting rooms, which include a large space that caters to 420 guests for sit down events and 550 for stand up receptions.

The Chelsea is also a great spot for corporate entertaining; the Market Garden on the Go, located in the lobby, offers a wide range of healthy bites for travellers on the move, and also offers pick up or room delivery. During the warmer months take your selection our to the Market Garden for some of the city’s best al fresco dining. The Express|o Coffee & Wine Bar is a great spot for evening drinks and offers some great local wines as well as organic coffee blends and a series of indulgent desserts.

Food for the Soul

Finally, for something a little more formal, my favourite spot of the T|Bar, which matches the best Bloody mary menu I’ve ever seen with mouthwatering international cuisine, including a coveted Indian curry buffet at lunch and Canadian classics at breakfast time. The T|Bar is also a great spot for rounds of quick meetings and world-class service will ensure you never want to leave.

You’ll have a chance to burn off all that indulgence on the 27th floor, where the heated adult’s only pool is perfect for a soak or a few laps, and is adjacent to a modern fitness centre, his and hers saunas, and a spacious terrace with views of the city centre.