STANDING TALL: The outer facade of Ritz-Carlton Toronto located close to the city’s business district.
Luxury hotel Ritz-Carlton Toronto is offering services tailor-made for visitors from the Gulf
By Umer Nangiana
With its elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites offering spacious accommodations and expansive views of Toronto’s beautiful waterfront, Ritz-Carlton Toronto is welcoming guests from the Middle East.
Apart from 263 guest rooms and suites, complimented by frequent flight service from the United Arab Emirates, the hotel is offering a selection of services specially developed for visitors from the Gulf.
As a centrally located luxury hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto is only steps from the city’s banking district, world-renowned medical centres, cultural and family attractions, amusement parks and premium shopping centres.
“People are looking for new experiences and they are looking to explore the world and I think Canada and Toronto should be part of it,” said Tim Terceira, General Manager (GM) of Ritz-Carlton Toronto. “We were very encouraged to see great potential for business growth from this region into Toronto and we bring some decision-makers from Canada here to see and explore it,” he added.
Terceira and his team are in Doha on a visit to promote tourism opportunities for people of Gulf region in Toronto, Canada, and “some great experiences Ritz-Carlton Toronto offers.”
Catering to the needs of guests from the Middle East, the hotel offers several services and amenities, including Arabic language television channels and newspaper options on an in-room iPad, welcome and turndown amenities featuring preferred floral and fragrance options, Qur’an and prayer carpets, Qiblah directional arrow placed in-suite, ascription/prayer beads, regional culinary favourites from an award-winning team with extensive Middle Eastern experience.
Accompanied by his director of sales, it was Terceira’s third visit to Doha. “When we opened people from this region went there and stayed with us for longer period of time. It was very nice and we were encouraged,” said the GM.
Taking inspiration from other Ritz-Carltons, they decided to explore the business opportunities in the Gulf region. “It is always nice that people stay with you for a longer period of time. Ultimately, our aim is to make people happy,” Terceira told Community.
The hotel’s exclusive Club Level provides an added level of pampering with private check in, personal concierge service and food and beverage services throughout the day, including select regional dishes as required.
Private car hire and personal shopping assistance is available upon request — the city’s premium shopping district of Bloor-Yorkville offers global specialty brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Cartier, Chanel, Apple, Prada and Gucci among others.
With convenient access by car or private helicopter, one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, Niagara Falls, is only a short distance away. The GM said he, after initial success of his team and his visits, had earlier brought president of the Office of Tourism of Toronto and the Chair of the Tourist Ministry Association of Canada to Doha. The aim was to make them see the tourism and business potential for themselves and they were encouraged.
In another plan, the Ritz-Carlton Toronto intends to take travel writers and decision makers from this region into Toronto and other parts of Canada and let them experience the country besides the hotel. “Once you experience it you can judge better and then promote it,” Terceira added.
At Ritz-Carlton Toronto, guests wishing to relax without ever leaving the comfort of the hotel can enjoy the convenience of the award-winning spa My Blend by Clarins. Voted number one Hotel Spa in the World by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine, the 23,000 sq ft spa features an extensive treatment menu, male and female therapists, separate men’s and women’s wet and dry relaxation areas, private yoga studio and state-of-the-art fitness training facility.
For a uniquely Canadian dining experience, the hotel’s signature restaurant, TOCA, features a contemporary Mediterranean menu including a lavish Sunday brunch offering.
The restaurant’s show-piece is a glass encased cheese cave, offering cheeses from around the globe. Guests may also enjoy the park-like ambience of DEQ Lounge’s outdoor terrace or the authentic sushi experience available at Ritz Bar.
BELOW:
1) GROUP EFFORT: Tim Terceira, General Manager of Ritz-Carlton Toronto (second from right) with Charge d’affaires of Canadian Embassy in Doha, John Rodney (first from right), and others.
2) INSIDE STORY: A lounge at Ritz-Carlton Toronto.