Sheraton Centre Toronto Review - Suite Dining Experience
Right now is not the best time to travel far from home. Unfortunately, COVID-19 continues to dictate that it’s time for us to stay home for now. That being said, as it was my partner’s birthday, I still tried to plan a fun activity within the COVID realm of reality. The Sheraton Toronto Centre was offering a suite dining package, a perfect option to support local Toronto hospitality while planning a unique date during these less than ideal times.
Booking The Sheraton Toronto Centre
I first saw the Suite Dining Experience at the Sheraton Toronto Centre on Instagram. As I’ve used the hotel earlier this year for business purposes (before COVID was a thing), I also follow them on Instagram. When I saw the posting with the experience, I knew it would be a fun, unique and COVID safe idea to celebrate my partner’s birthday.
Sheraton Toronto Centre Instagram Ad
The original booking was done about a month before the stay, for a total of ~$340. The price included a second room for the dining experience, valet parking, dinner and breakfast in the room. That being said, I was able to have up to 4 other people join us for an additional $65 each, although this was ultimately reduced to 2 other people due to the local restrictions.
I kept checking the booking and I was able to find a cheaper price of $299 all in about 10 days before staying at the hotel. If you’re not gunning for Marriott Elite status, your best option is to book with Hotels.com. Their 11th night free means that you’re getting a return of 10% on every stay, which is a fantastic return for those of you who’re not able to hit the 50 nights needed for platinum.
After booking, the Sheraton Toronto Food and Dining manager Abhijeet reached out to me to discuss the menu for our dining experience. Abhijeet was more than helpful, as he helped curate the menu for my partner’s lactose allergy. I truly feel like he went out of his way to make the changes necessary for us to have the best possible meal.
Arrival Sheraton Centre Toronto
I broke the surprise a few hours before leaving, letting my partner know that we’d only be going down the road for a special birthday surprise.
We arrived at the hotel around 6:30, a little bit later than planned, and the valet promptly took our car and sent us to the front desk. Having been to this hotel multiple times, I was saddened at how empty the hotel was. That being said, COVID-19 protocols were clear and followed by all the staff in the hotel.
The front desk agent mentioned to us that we were one of the last people staying with them in the near future, as the hotel was to undergo renovations of the public concourses, the lounge and the pool. The team at the front desk was truly proud to work in this hotel and was sad to see the hotel closed for the near future (as the expected opening date is June 2021). The front desk team did let us know we had been upgraded to a suite and the dining experience and Abhijeet was already set up in the room.
Update October 2021 - While the hotel recently opened, it appears that the lobby renovations are way behind schedule. I had to grab my race kit for the upcoming Scotiabank 10k race in Toronto and snapped a couple of pictures of the chaotic lobby. When booking, just understanding that it may take time to get anywhere in the hotel.
Sheraton Centre Toronto - Driveway (Oct 2021)
Sheraton Toronto “common” area - Oct 2021
The Room - Sheraton Centre Toronto Suite
The Sheraton Toronto Centre Room was a pretty standard room, although it seemed a little bit dated compared to the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, it was still better than the Sheraton Vancouver Airport.
The room had a comfy king size bed in the middle. With a desk and a chair in the corner. To be honest, if I was here on a work trip, this room would be more than sufficient for a few days of work. It was nice that there was a wired connection and ample plugs at the desk, always needed after a day of meetings at the office.
There was also a nice robe and a luggage rack (key for going in and out of hotels)
The bathroom was simple, with a shower bath combo that was clean and completely sufficient for this type of hotel.
The real reason we were there was for dinner. The adjacent suite was all ours, a massive room that was in the middle of the hotel.
The room also had a bathroom attached.
The room had a seating area, perfect for a post-dinner TV (or hosting a few people over once the Pandemic has subsided) and for our Chef to lead us through the meal!
The table was set by Abhijeet before we arrived and it was gorgeous. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.
The menu was as follows.
Just as we arrived, we noticed that Abhijeet set up the iPad with the TV so we could see the Executive Chef Andre Walker prepare our meal, certainly a nice touch. He explained the menu and how the evening would work, truly a special touch for the night.
We sat down to the Welcome Bite accompanied by Prince Edward County’s new Slake Brewery beer. If we didn’t bring local beer, we were able to order additional drinks via the QR code menu.
After finishing our appetizers, we had a long conversation with Chef Walker about the meal. He was professional, articulate and passionate about his work. It was truly a unique experience. After chatting to us for a bit, he set off finishing our meal. And what a meal it was!
We devoured the meal that was accompanied by a bottle of bubbly on the house!
What an amazing dinner!
The delivered dessert with the main course so it was ready when we were. That being said, they came by to collect most of the plates and the food waste while also delivering us a round of coffees to finish off our lovely meal.
Overall, the dining experience was exceptional - I without a doubt think it’s a unique experience that I would love to do even once we get back to our new normal! I highly recommend it!
Sheraton Centre Toronto Amenities
Unfortunately, all amenities were closed in the building. The hotel currently has the largest outdoor pool in the downtown core.
That being said, the hotel is closed until June 2021 for renovations based on what the staff told me. Unlike what the article states, the hotel is owned by Brookfield Asset Management, who bought the hotel for a record $335M in 2017. In addition to renovating the Lounge, the hotel will be renovating the pool, the lobby and some other common areas. With 1,372 guest rooms, it’s the second-largest hotel in the country after the Chelsea Hotel (with the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre that I stayed at recently the largest in the west).
Breakfast
Breakfast was included as a part of our package - although it was a very disappointing experience. Kath and I ordered off the menu that looked like this.
Also included was a muffin / yogurt / fruit, a coffee and a juice, plenty for a large breakfast. If it wasn’t included I would have been able to use my $30 credit (as a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite) at the Link Cafe to get myself breakfast - in the end, I used this credit for lunch before leaving. Typically, breakfast would be served in the lounge.
We were clear when we ordered that Kath was lactose intolerant and couldn’t have any milk in her meal. We got back to the room (as we weren’t able to eat in the lobby due to COVID-19 regulations) and had our meal in bed (which was a treat).
I thought my breakfast was good (and better than expected for a Sheraton). I was surprised with how much smoked salmon they put on my bagel!
That being said, Kath became sick after eating her breakfast with what I assume to be lactose contamination as it happened right after eating breakfast. Up until then, we had eaten the same things for the last two days, so it had to have been the breakfast that set her off. I emailed the Restaurant Manager Abhijeet letting him know the wonderful night that we had but the unfortunate ending. I originally thought that the cashier hadn’t noted down the lactose allergy, but Abhijeet was thorough in his review of the issues and noted that the ticket had the lactose allergy noted. He was professional and detailed with his review and followed up with me three times to check the status of Kathleen and keep me informed, although unfortunately he ultimately didn’t seem to think it was the kitchen's fault, even if I still think it had to be the fault of the kitchen.
I asked for Bonvoy points in return, but he was only able to give me 2000 Bonvoy points for this significant inconvenience. I think he handled it professionally and diligently, but being offered $15 for 48 hours of food poisoning is insulting. In the end, the fact that the hotel was closing that day and most of the team would be out of a job for a few months, I can’t blame them too much for this as the rest of our experience was exceptional for a large hotel.
The Point
The Suite Dining Experience at the Sheraton Toronto Centre was a special night celebrating a special occasion in these unprecedented times. While the ending was disappointing, the team at the Sheraton Centre truly works hard to deliver a good customer experience even in the most trying of times. I hope this unique offering returns when the hotel opens in the Summer of 2020.
