Lipstick Lifestyle

Located in the heart of Toronto’s fashionable Yorkville district are several of the city’s most luxurious hotels. These are where A-list actors can be found catching a couple hours of shut-eye between attending film screenings, parties and the oh-so-fabulously decadent gift lounges.

Situated at 18 St. Thomas Street is a charming boutique hotel named the Windsor Arms Hotel. Many visiting film celebs, big-ticket musicians, and prestigious jet-setters call this property home when they are in town. And during TIFF, it plays host to the annual In Style party.

Built in 1927 and completely reconstructed in 1999; The Windsor Arms Hotel offers 28 luxury suites with 24-hour butler service, a highly rated full service spa and Lipstick Lifestyle’s favourite spot for high tea in Toronto. It is also just steps away from a glittering array of top designer boutiques like of Hermès, Tiffany & Co., Chanel and Prada.

“There’s nothing we can’t do,” says George Friedmann, Owner of Windsor Arms Hotel. “I once had a guest who frequented the hotel, and before one of his arrivals he called us up to fill his tub with JELL-O. That’s right — JELL-O. You know how our concierge responded? He asked, ‘what flavour?’”

The Hazelton Hotel is the latest luxury offering to the Yorkville group of hotels. It opened just as the 2007 Film Festival was about to get underway. Named as one of the world’s best new places to stay by Condé Nast Traveler in May of this year, this five-star property sets a new standard in style, detail and service with its unique mix of stunning rooms, sensational art collection, private screening room, and world class cuisine at ONE Restaurant by Mark McEwan.

Designer-clad guests are drawn to this boutique hotel for its luxurious accommodations. Choose from 62 beautifully designed rooms and 15 glamorous suites that evoke grandeur with a splash of 1940s-inspired Hollywood glitter.

If you can drag yourself away from your heavenly room, you may wish to enjoy the intimate, tranquil surroundings of The Hazelton Health Club & Spa. Take the private elevator to the lap pool with imported Bisazza mosaic tile or workout in the state of the art fitness centre with Technogym equipment.

The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is situated just moments away from exclusive boutiques, exciting nightlife and cultural activities including art galleries, museums and theatres. Many actors have been known to grace the hotel with their presence. And for the 24th year, the annual George Christy luncheon will be hosted onsite. This yearly TIFF tradition includes the who’s who of Hollywood and Canadian celebrities, leading business people and community leaders.

In addition to 380 ultra-comfortable guest rooms (30 non-smoking), this elegant establishment offers its guests several topnotch venues to dine, a health club with indoor-outdoor pool, whirlpool and separate men’s and women’s saunas, and a business center for those busy professionals.

Customer service is paramount at the Four Seasons. One example of this is their No Luggage Required program. “On occasion, trips are extended or luggage is lost in transit,” says Chef Concierge Liloo Alim. “However, the hotel’s ‘No Luggage Required’ program can minimize the stress of missing belongings.” The hotel makes special arrangements with local retailers to extend their hours and assist guests in replacing essential items. The skilled team makes last minute alterations and provides amenity kits for the stay. Impressive.

The InterContinental Toronto Yorkville resides on Yorkville’s premiere shopping street and exudes timeless sophistication. During TIFF season, it is one of the key interview hotels and paparazzi can be found camped outside of the main doors, hoping for a star sighting, or two.

Enjoy a meal or cocktail in one of the award-winning lounge and dining venues: SkyLounge, Signatures Restaurant or Proof Vodka Bar. Keep fit in the hotel fitness centre, open 24 hours, or take a relaxing swim in the heated indoor lap pool. And weather permitting, unwind on the roof top sundeck and enjoy the beautiful views of city.

After a busy day of film festival activities, indulge in a great night’s sleep on a divine pillow top mattress, fitted with renowned Rivolta Carmignani all-cotton linens and cozy duvet, in one of the hotel’s 208 guest rooms (including 23 suites).

Always one to stand apart from the crowd, the InterContinental Toronto Yorkville will be the exclusive hotel to offer an emission-free EcoCab to their guests. “We are thrilled to be the very first hotel to offer an EcoCab as an added service,” said Pascal Forotti, General Manager, InterContinental Toronto Yorkville. “This allows us to offer our guests a stylish and energy-efficient means of transportation and demonstrates our strong commitment to promoting green initiatives.”

The Park Hyatt Toronto stands high amidst Canada’s finest art galleries and renowned museums – directly across from the spectacular Royal Ontario Museum and the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. This art-deco style hotel boasts 291 spacious guestrooms and 45 unique suites, where beds are draped in fine Italian linens and some of the world’s most celebrated talent have laid their heads.

The first-class team at the Park Hyatt has geared up for TIFF season by adding a little glitz and shimmer to its already star-studded hotel menu. Becoming glamorous is a must during TIFF premiers, galas and parties, so Stillwater Spa is offering the exclusive Red Carpet Ready package. This luxurious pampering features the popular Shimmer Me Vichy body treatment, followed by a blow dry and makeup application by one of Jane Iredale’s renowned makeup artists.

All the celebration can undoubtedly work up quite an appetite, so Park Hyatt’s Executive Chef Joan Monfaredi is making sure that there are delicious bites available at all times. “While we do receive special menu item requests like Malbec oysters and Beluga caviar, many guests are also looking for comfort food especially during the wee hours of the morning”, says Monfaredi. “We are fully prepared to take care of any menu request.”

As per usual, the Park Hyatt Concierge will be available 24 hours a day and will be anticipating out of the ordinary requests, which may include: private yoga classes, booking a helicopter tour in Niagara’s wine country or arranging for special jewelry from Myles Mindham, Canada’s “Jeweler to the Stars.”