End of Summer Girls Staycation

When Roxanne West of Bonjour Bliss Blog asked me if I was down for a girls staycation, I didn’t even check my date book (yes, I still have a date book). I said YES immediately!
I had big plans this summer, to get in a lot of relaxation time so that I would be refreshed for the new school year.  Although I’m not in school, I always feel like the fall is a crazy busy time.  I was hoping for more time away from the regular schedule and this was the perfect answer.

We checked into the Hazelton in Yorkville and immediately I felt safe in this hotel.  I always get a little worried in hotels with their grand lobbies, because security is usually non-existent.  The Hazelton feels small and quaint, and the staff are all ready and waiting to serve you.  When we approached the room, I loved how walking down the hallways, again, felt like we were truly walking into our own private suite.  There were no sounds of doors slamming or people talking.  There is even a doorbell at every room so you don’t get a startling knock and then a barge in from the housekeeping staff.

The rooms are great – clean, high-end and classic are words that immediately came to mind.  The carpeting was soft and so clean – I felt totally fine walking around barefoot.  There was a beautiful balcony window that overlooked Yorkville and the restaurant below.  The bathroom was wonderful and spacious too, with all the luxuries, a TV in the mirror, double sinks and a huge deep soaker tub with high-end fixtures.
We were greeted with a bottle of wine and some snacks (it was perfect timing because we still hadn’t eaten dinner yet and we needed a pre-dinner drink).

We dined at the hotel restaurant, which happens to have the best patio in Yorkville – One by Mark McEwan.  Every dish was perfection but the highlight for me was the boston cream doughnuts that we finished the meal with.  These were the best I have ever had.  There was crunchy sponge toffee on top – how brilliant is that?

We made our way to the Budweiser Stage, and we got to bypass the big entry lines thanks to Roxanne’s American Express perks.  My teenage self spent the night swooning over John Mayer.  The concert was great — John Mayer played old and new hits and I was feeling very nostalgic.

We woke up the next morning and went for breakfast at One – I’ve heard it’s the best brunch spot in the city.  I got the eggs Benedict (I get it everywhere I go so that I can compare apples to apples when it comes to brunch).  It was fabulous and a great way to start the day.  They serve their Eggs Benedict on a brioche, however, I swapped for an English muffin because I am very traditional like that.  It was fantastic and the pastries and coffee made for a fabulous brunch.

It was nice that we didn’t have to rush and check-out.  Roxanne gets late checkout because of her American Express card.  We spent the afternoon shopping in Yorkville and had a great pedicure too.
I loved staying at the Hazelton –  We got to sit and chat with the General Manager of the Hazelton, Hani Roustom.  The seasoned hotelier who has managed hotels around the world was eager to tell us why he chose to come back to Toronto and manage the Hazelton.

Hani explained that it is the only true luxury Boutique hotel in the city.  The rest of the luxury properties are all corporate and much larger in size and character.  The location is fantastic as well, 118 Yorkville, at the heart of this beautiful upscale destination of Yorkville.   The Hotel was designed by world renowned firm Yabu Pushelberg and is the only low rise luxury property in Toronto and the only one with balconies.  Currently the hotel is the #1 property on Trip Advisor and they have been so, for almost 13 months running.  Last but not least, the hotel has become a founding partner of the newly re-imagined Toronto Fashion Week and sponsor hotel. The hotel was instrumental in inviting this important event to Yorkville from its previous destination on King Street.
It was so great to spend some time with a good friend and away from the daily rigorous daily routine of motherhood and being a sole proprietor.  It was also a great way to end off a busy summer.
With Love,
Julie