The Ace Hotel brand's Canadian debut — housed in the restored Waverley Hotel building on Portland Street, the Ace Toronto delivers the brand's signature creative energy with local art, a ground-floor lobby bar that functions as a neighbourhood gathering spot, and rooms that attract design-conscious travelers from around the world.
Neighbourhood: Portland / King West · Address: 51 Camden St, Toronto, ON M5V 1V2 · Hours: 24 hours | Check-in 3pm | Check-out 12pm · Price Range: $$$ · Website: https://acehotel.com/toronto/ · Rating: 4/5 · Editorial status: Not yet verified
The Ace Hotel Toronto is the city’s gathering spot for creatives and design fans, blending standout architecture with an inviting, always-buzzing lobby bar frequented by locals. It's an ideal launchpad for exploring King West’s food and nightlife scene.
Unlike most boutique hotels, the Ace transformed a Toronto landmark—the Waverley Hotel—infusing the space with prairie-inspired interiors by Shim-Sutcliffe Architects and rotating contemporary art from local creators. The lobby bar is less hotel-lobby and more neighbourhood living room, making it one of the only hotel spaces truly embraced by Torontonians.
If you want a hotel in downtown Toronto that feels personal without tipping into luxury-hotel prices, Hotel Victoria is one of the easiest recommendations I can make. It’s right at 56 Yonge Street in the Financial District, a short walk from King Station, and it gives you something a lot of newer places can’t: actual character. The building dates to 1909, and it’s the oldest continuously operating hotel in the city. You feel that as soon as you walk in. There’s ornate ironwork, old floors that have clearly seen a century of luggage roll across them, and a compact, intimate scale that makes the whole place feel more like an old London hotel than a glass-box tower in downtown Toronto. That’s really the appeal here. Hotel Victoria isn’t trying to compete with the big luxury brands on spa amenities or giant suites. It wins on atmosphere, location, and the fact that it still feels like Toronto. With only 56 rooms, it stays relatively quiet and low-key, which is a gift in this part of the city. Most guests are business travelers, solo visitors, or people who want to be steps from meetings, Union Station, the PATH, the St. Lawrence area, and the waterfront without paying Bay Street hotel rates. The rooms are on the smaller side, which is pretty normal in a heritage property, so I wouldn’t book this expecting to spread out like you’re in a modern chain hotel. But they’re comfortable, well-kept, and much more charming than the standard corporate setup. If you care more about a good bed, a central location, and a building with personality than you do about having a massive bathroom, you’ll probably be happy here. It’s especially good for solo travelers because it feels secure and manageable, and for couples who like older properties with a bit of texture. The neighborhood is mostly business-first during the week, and that’s actually when I’d stay here. Weekdays suit the hotel. The area has energy in the mornings, coffee spots fill up fast, and you can walk almost anywhere downtown in under 20 minutes. On weekends, the Financial District gets noticeably quieter, which some people like, but if you want that sense of the city in motion, Monday to Thursday is the sweet spot. A practical note: because it’s an older building, expect some quirks. Elevators and hallways feel tighter than they do in newer hotels, and that’s part of the deal. Check-in starts at 3 p.m., check-out is at noon, and the front desk runs 24 hours, which is useful if you’re arriving late from Pearson or coming in on a delayed train. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes polished but not flashy, central but not sterile, Hotel Victoria gets the balance right. It’s one of those places people return to because it’s easy, dependable, and has just enough old-world charm to make a work trip or quick city stay feel a little less routine.
Ace Hotel Toronto typically runs $$$ per night depending on season and room type. Boutique hotels in Toronto often have dynamic pricing — booking 3-4 weeks ahead usually secures the best rate. Shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) offer better value than peak summer.
Portland / King West is one of Toronto's most vibrant creative corridors — independent galleries, vintage shops, live music venues, and some of the city's best restaurants and bars. The energy is distinctly local rather than touristy, and the streetcar provides easy downtown access.
Ace Hotel Toronto is ideal for design enthusiasts, creatives, content creators, king west access. The ace brand's signature creative cool — commissioning local artists, thoughtful design, neighbourhood integration appeals to travellers who want character and design over chain uniformity.
Book 2-3 weeks ahead for the best rates and room selection. Transit access via Osgoode Station (Line is a major plus. Expect ace brand's signature creative cool — commissioning local artists, thoughtful design, neighbourhood integration. Check the cancellation policy carefully — Toronto hotels often have stricter terms during peak events.
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