"We're not familiar with the name—what is Hotel X?From the Library Collection brand—the team behind NYC’s Library Hotel and the ARIA Hotels in Budapest and Prague—Hotel X took Toronto’s hospitality offerings to another level when it opened in 2018. Crafted as an urban oasis, the property is set in the Exhibition Place complex along the Downtown waterfront; it's a short drive from the Entertainment and Financial districts and the Harbour, and so close to Billy Bishop airport you could walk to the pedestrian ferry that leads to the terminal—that is, if the hotel didn’t already offer complimentary transport there (and to Union Station). Natural light off the water floods into the warm, modern lobby, illuminating the living wall behind the reception desk and the large-format photography spread throughout the main floor. So who are the early adopters of this newbie?With its spacious rooms and wealth of on-site activities, the hotel has already proven popular with visiting families and staycationers alike; its excellent fitness facilities draw wellness buffs. If you're flying into or out of Billy Bishop, no hotel is more convenient. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.The 404 pet-friendly rooms and suites have lake views, Nespresso Zenius Pro machines, 55-inch TVs, Bluetooth alarm radios, mini-fridges, and nine-foot-tall windows. Mattress are high-end Concierge Suite Elite Pillow Tops, and bathrooms have fluffy robes and L’Occitane products. Some suites are duplexes and, in keeping with the hotel's family-friendliness, some can be configured in different ways via a cool Create Your Own Suite program. Wifi yea or nay?The wifi is free. What should we be eating here?Seven on-site dining and drinking options can satisfy pretty much any craving at any time. Although some spots haven't opened yet, you'll do just fine with Maxx's Kitchen, a casual all-day restaurant with lake views, and Falcon SkyBar, a three-level rooftop complex with multiple distinct spaces. There’s also a solid room service menu. You mentioned a wealth of on-site activities... Can you give us the rundown?There are almost too many amenities to count: a 55-foot indoor/outdoor rooftop pool; an enormous fitness complex with Technogym equipment, a spin studio, nine squash courts, four tennis courts, and group fitness classes; a 250-seat movie theater; an art gallery, and more. So who is this best for?This is a gleaming, modern pick for those looking for an urban resort—10 minutes from Downtown."
