Review: Delta Toronto

On a trip to Ontario in 2021, I stayed one night at the Delta Toronto. It was a brief visit, sharing meals with friends and working from the hotel during the day, before a quick departure for a pit stop in the suburbs and onwards to my primary destination of Ottawa.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the property, my first Delta and my first experience as a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, I returned for five nights for The Travel Summit 2022.

When I first visited, service levels were greatly reduced due to COVID-19. In the year since, things have returned to normal. I’ve updated this review with my impressions of the full-service experience.

Delta Toronto – Booking

The Delta Toronto can often be booked for 30,000–40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, or around $300 (CAD) per night if paying a cash rate.

The hotel is often pricey on event dates, which are quite frequent. This should be no surprise based on its location, as you’ll see below.

When I visited in 2021 for one night, I used my annual Free Night Award worth 35,000 points from my Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. This redemption was right on our target valuation of 0.9 cents per point.

When I stayed longer in 2022, I booked at a discounted cash rate as a business expense.

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Delta Toronto – Location

The hotel is located three blocks from the Toronto waterfront.

South of the train tracks, it’s a bit removed from the rest of the city, but it’s perfect walking distance to many popular tourist attractions, including Scotiabank Arena for the Leafs and Raptors, the Rogers Centre for the Blue Jays, the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, Steam Whistle Brewery, and the ferries to the Toronto Islands.

It’s also in a prime location for business travellers, across the street from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The building is connected to Union Station by the sheltered PATH walkways. You can seamlessly get in and out of the property using Toronto’s various transit systems.

Both times I visited, I took the UP Express from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Union Station – my preferred way to get to and from YYZ – followed by a short indoor walk to the Delta. (I imagine this would be extremely useful in the middle of winter.)

Delta Toronto – Check-in

To access the hotel from the PATH, you need to use your mobile key in the Marriott Bonvoy app. Mine hadn’t activated properly, so the front desk had to come let me in.

Entering from a side door is never as grand as the first impression from the main lobby entrance. Still, the spacious conference level seemed well-appointed, with modern design features and ample public seating.

Even if I’ve done mobile check-in, I still like to touch base with the front desk to prepare for my stay. On my first visit, the staff gave me a very helpful run-down of the most up-to-date COVID-19 policies in effect during my stay, specifying which facilities were closed or operating in a limited fashion.

There’s a concierge, and a front desk with two counters, one being a priority lane for Bonvoy Elite members.

The entire check-in process was very smooth. All of the customer service staff with whom I interacted were professional and proactive, even the trainees to the best of their ability.

I like to describe the Delta brand as “business chic”, and that’s certainly the vibe I got from the lobby. There’s a modern energy with a mix of light-toned wood and bright, colourful lighting, which not only captures the brand but also the neighbourhood.

The public spaces in the hotel were accented with a hockey theme, a fun touch for a Canadian property so close to a major NHL arena and the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Delta Toronto – Deluxe Guest Room

Prior to checking in for my 2021 stay, I had requested an upgrade via the app’s chat feature. There were no suites available that night, but instead I was put in a Deluxe Guest Room with a king bed.

I stayed in Room 3414. While it doesn’t adjoin to Room 3412, the two share an alcove at the end of the hallway. This arrangement might appeal to parents who want to stay close to their kids, while also maintaining a bit of privacy. 😉

In the room, the design features matched the aesthetic of the lobby, from the colourful palettes to the bright earth tones.

The Deluxe Guest room boasts a skyline view, and it didn’t disappoint.

The hotel is so close to the CN Tower, you have to get right up against the window and look up to see the top.

However, the Delta’s position across the street from the CN Tower grounds means that there are no other skyscrapers to obstruct your view, a rarity in downtown Toronto. It’s quite uncommon to have a skyline view, while simultaneously feeling like you’re a part of the skyline yourself.

Upon my arrival into my room, I was greeted by a sunset view and a peek into the open roof of the Rogers Centre, with the Blue Jays about to throw the first pitch in a big game against the Yankees.

The king bed was quite comfortable, with bedside lamps on the nightstands, reading lights built into the headboards, and a view of the large smart TV.

At the desk, you can connect your personal device to view on the big screen – although the available dongles are a bit dated, featuring the original iPod connector but lacking the industry-standard USB-C.

Speaking of the desk, you truly can’t beat this view if you’re spending an afternoon working from an urban hotel. The desk chair was quite supportive, too, with a sleek modern design.

There’s also an armchair in the corner, should you choose to unplug.

Other amenities include a safe, an iron and ironing board, and a hot/cold hydration station with coffee, tea, a kettle, and an ice bucket.

While other rooms have a king bed and a skyline view, what makes the Deluxe Guest room unique is the soaker bathtub.

The bathrooms for all Deluxe Guest rooms are positioned on the corner of the building, so you can enjoy a panoramic vista while relaxing in the pristine, piping-hot bathwater. I carved out some time to unwind and take in the planes landing at Billy Bishop.

Additionally, the bathroom features a separate shower, a private toilet nook, and blinds for all the windows in case the southwest exposure becomes excessive.

Personal hygiene amenities were pretty standard, with the usual offerings of individually-packaged shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, and moisturizer, all with wholesome ingredients that left me wondering if I was reading a cookbook.

Delta Toronto – Junior Suite

For my five-night stay in 2022, I was thrilled to receive an upgrade to a Junior Suite. When the confirmation came through in the Marriott Bonvoy app before my arrival, I was excited and relieved to have a bit of extra room to roam for our busy weekend.

I was in Room 2015, on one of the hotel’s “low floors.” This room is serviced by a separate set of elevators than the ones you’d use to access the Club Lounge on the 46th floor, so it was a bit of a run-around to go down to the lobby and back up again, especially at peak hours.

Immediately upon entering the room, there’s a pull-out couch with a coffee table. This constitutes all of the room’s leisure seating, and it was perfectly adequate for a quick team hangout before The Travel Summit’s evening party.

Across, the desk is much the same as the one in the Deluxe King Room, with similar CN Tower views.

The king bed fills the bulk of the room, with the hotel’s familiar design notes imitating a colourful lightbox above the headboard.

Across from the bed, the TV is perched atop an elliptical cabinet, which houses the room’s mini-fridge.

The bathroom was well-appointed, if lacking the grand exposure of the corner room, which honestly wasn’t the worst thing. There’s no soaker tub, but I found an alternate solution, which I’ll mention at the end of this review.

Delta Toronto – Breakfast

In 2021, with the lounge closed due to COVID-19, the only breakfast option on the property was the main restaurant, SOCO Kitchen & Bar. Breakfast was served daily from 7am to 10:30am.

Operating on a first-come-first-served basis with reduced seating capacity, we had to wait about 15 minutes for a table for two on a Thursday morning.

The kitchen was running an à la carte breakfast menu, with a full meal and beverages included for Platinum members and above, in lieu of a buffet in the lounge.

I ordered the buttermilk pancakes, served with fresh berries, whipped cream, maple syrup, and a berry compote. My friend who joined me was skeptical of my choice, but the pancakes turned out to be delicious, with the perfect fluffy texture.

My friend ordered the breakfast sandwich, with egg and peameal bacon, and a side of tater tots.

Delta Toronto – Club Lounge

When I returned in 2022, the Club Lounge had reopened to Platinum Elite members and above (plus guests staying in an eligible room with Club Lounge access), and breakfast was back to being served there as usual. The buffet is available from 6:30am to 10:00am on weekdays, and 7:30am to 11:00am on weekends.

The calibre of the food in the lounge wasn’t quite what I enjoyed in the restaurant a year prior, but it hit all the right notes. They had scrambled eggs, sausages, hashbrowns, fresh fruit, cold cuts, smoked salmon, cheeses, yogurt, chia, pastries, cereal, juices, and coffee and tea.

Hors d’oeuvres are served from 5pm to 7pm. Snacks are also available throughout the day.

There’s a small selection of beer and wine, including some local craft options. Alcohol is billed to your room, but everything else in the lounge is complimentary.

Seating throughout the lounge is diverse, with a few different spaces to enjoy. The two rooms closest to the buffet are mostly filled with dining tables.

The largest room, where you enter, has a high-top bar along the window, but is mostly filled with lounge space. The Prince of Travel team frequently enjoyed brief but impactful moments of downtime here throughout our time together.

There’s a private meeting room, which was closed, and a small business centre with printers.

And of course, the views from the lounge on the 46th floor are stunning, with a panorama of the lakefront and skyline from the high vantage point atop the hotel.

Delta Toronto – Dining

SOCO has two other spaces aside from the primary restaurant: an adjoining patio, which I didn’t have a chance to see, and a detached rooftop bar, which I visited in 2021. The outdoor space is accessed via the fourth floor, sitting above the main restaurant, while the hotel tower rises off to the side.

After I wrapped up my work day and made the most of my late check-out at 3:59pm, I stashed my luggage at the front desk and went with a friend to The Roof at SOCO.

The sprawling terrace has similar views as I had from my room.

The space has a fun vibe. There’s a mix of seating, including lounge-style chairs and a fireplace. There was also a DJ set up in one corner.

The front desk had informed me that they weren’t taking reservations that day due to a private event filling half the space, but if I showed up early and said I was a hotel guest, I should have no trouble being seated. Sure enough, there was more than enough space to accommodate us.

The bar has a selection of cocktails by the glass or pitcher, wine, craft beer, and bottle service for spirits and sparkling wine. The menu features drinks with a summer theme.

I enjoyed a Lost Craft Skyline IPA. Prices could’ve been a lot worse for a downtown Toronto rooftop.

The food menu is geared towards “snack and share”-style plates, heavily featuring barbecued meat and raw seafood but also with a few vegetarian options.

We shared an order of ahi tuna ceviche and the Absolut Mango chicken pinchos. Both were great, but the Basque-inspired skewers especially stood out, delectably marinated and grilled to perfection. Portions were a bit small, but the quality more than made up for it.

My one day at the Delta Toronto in 2021 happened to be the last day of the season for the Roof at SOCO. At the time of my visit, it was open only Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm to 10pm.

It’s a cool space to enjoy a casual drink and a snack, despite a menu and setup that imply that they’re better-suited to cater to private events.

Keep in mind that the restaurant and bar operate as part of the hotel. Even if you pay your server instead of billing the meal to your room, it’ll earn rewards like a Marriott hotel purchase, not like an eats and drinks purchase.

Therefore, it’s best to use a co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card, rather than a card with a strong dining bonus like the American Express Cobalt Card, regardless of whether you’re spending a night at the property.

Delta Toronto – Other Facilities

When I returned in 2022, the hotel had gone from pretty much no facilities open, to all facilities open. I made an effort to sample as many as I could.

The whiskey bar in the lobby is called Char No. 5, and it’s a classy yet lively spot to gather in the evening. T.J. and I made a point of having a nightcap here to keep our spirits up through an exhausting weekend, using a $10 food and beverage credit to help cover some craft beers.

The 24-hour fitness centre is a good size, with a mix of cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights. Spread across a few separate rooms, there’s lots of open floor space to do mobility exercises with the balls and resistance bands, either solo or with a group.

I finished my stay in Toronto with a nighttime soak in the hot tub. The pool area is open from 6am to 11pm.

There’s also a rather utilitarian steam room, but after fiddling with the controls to no avail, I resigned myself back to the jacuzzi for the remainder of the night.

The gym and pool are on the 4th floor, on the same level as The Roof, and directly accessible from both elevator banks whether for low-floor or high-floor guest rooms.

Conclusion

I’ve really enjoyed my whirlwind stays at the Delta Toronto, a hotel that I’m becoming quite fond of through familiarity. It’s a polished property and a great choice if you’re not prepared to shell out for a top-of-the-line brand in an expensive city.

It’s extremely accessible and in a fantastic location for anyone filling their time in the city with tourist activities. I’ve also found it very suited for on-the-go business travel, in an ideal location with an appealing Club Lounge and expeditious breakfast.

However, if my plans put me in other parts of the GTA or wanting a more bespoke on-property experience, I’d consider looking elsewhere.

Between the Junior Suite and a corner room with a soaker tub, I’d say it’s a toss-up depending on what sort of experience you’re looking for. The suite has advantages if you expect to entertain a small crowd, while the lower-tier room might be more comfortable for a more personal stay.

All things considered, I found the Delta Toronto to be a very comfortable space for both work and relaxation as a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member. If the Deluxe Guest room is the worst-case scenario upgrade for when all of the suites are occupied, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again.