Hotel Spotlight

Bisha Hotel Toronto Does Retro Right

by Danielle Austin
Lobby All photos courtesy of Bisha Hotel Toronto.

Bisha Hotel Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Modern, $$$

Pour another Rob Roy and settle in at Bisha Hotel Toronto, where geometric prints and moody color schemes are giving off all the right kind of glam vibes. Harkening back to the height of retro decadence, this is disco meets fashion, a decade reimagined with quality materials and lush textures, creating a space that feels luxurious and casual at the same time. The lobby gives a nod to a bygone era of power players and glamour models, with crushed velvet paneled walls trimmed with jet-black lacquered wood and an etched golden reception desk with matching backdrop wall. Bold, boundary-pushing art choices — a fuchsia Jeff Koons sculpture in the lobby, a framed Damien Hirst scarf for Alexander McQueen in the lounge, Andy Warhol pop art prints in corridors, powerful Maxine Bocken photography in washrooms — are abundant. Named for famous artists — the Nina, the Frank, the Grace, the Stella — the rooms are fitted out with the same luxury retro styling.  Armoires, cocktail carts, and custom beds, alongside prints of supermodels and magazine covers in silver, black, and white frames, evoke the feel of a vogueish residence. Audacious and provocative, Bisha Hotel emboldens and empowers.

At A Glance

Vibe: Artistic and sophisticated with a nod to the sultry 1970s.

Standout Detail: The food scene. With Kōst, Mister C Bar, Akira Back, and French Made all on site, you won’t need to go further than the ground floor to find a tempting, decadent bite.

This Place Is Perfect For: Global citizens, artful movers, and influencers; the elevated fashion, art, and design will appeal to power players and fashion and media crowds alike.

Rooms: 85 guest rooms, ranging from 400 to 540 square feet, as well as ten luxury suites, and the Lenny Kravitz-designed, two-floor, 2,000-square-foot Bisha Suite. From metallic accents to to velvet upholstery, abundant dark grays and blues with pops of orange and red and retro wall prints, the custom rooms remain true to the '70s theme. The Bisha Suite features floor-to-ceiling windows and includes a living area, full kitchen, an eight-seat dining table, and a powder room and bathroom with golden spider marble flooring. Nespresso coffee makers are standard in each room  (so go ahead and enjoy a coffee in the comfort of beds made up with Frette linens). In a Canadian first, in-room amenities, including shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, bath gel, and soap bars, are provided by Byredo.

On Site: A rooftop infinity pool, with expansive views of Toronto and close proximity to the drinks list at Kōst, will be hard to tear yourself away from. A meeting space, located on the penultimate floor, provides rooms for a range of events and is large enough for 230 guests. The hotel also provides access to an on-site fitness center.

Food and Drink: Have a casual bite at Kōst, the 44th-floor dining room open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as weekend brunch. With a peach, ivory, and green marble bar, apricot velvet barstools, and raw timber features, the paradisiacal dining room serves Toronto's take on the Mexi-Cali cuisine of the Baja Peninsula: Expect food that is fresh, healthy, and accompanied by copious killer cocktails. For a lighter option, the alluring smells of fresh-baked Parisian pastries drifting from lobby cafe French Made will be hard to pass by, as will the array of sandwiches, salads, and coffee on offer. Serving both lunch and dinner options, the lobby lounge, Mister C's Bar, features masculine dark wood panelling, dark green armchairs in suede and leather, and a plethora of leopard influences next to a show-stopping verde onyx bar with emerald leather front. Elevated bar food, like fried pickles and tuna ceviche, is served alongside a lengthy curated list of spirits, wines, and specialty cocktails. A destination restaurant from award-winning chef Akira Back, his first namesake restaurant in Toronto and fourth instalment in the global Akira Back series, is the real highlight of Bisha's dining scene. On the menu: Korean and Japanese dishes showcasing signature Back twists, like micro shiso-topped pizza or tuna and pop rock sashimi roll, alongside cocktails as artful as the meals.

Book It

Rates change seasonally and typically start at $299 depending on the room type. Click here for reservations. Or get in touch with the Fathom Travel Concierge, and we can plan your trip for you.

What to Do Nearby

Bisha is located on prime real estate, sitting on the border of the city's fashion, entertainment, and financial districts, with Chinatown and Downtown and the Lake Ontario waterfront all in easy walking distance. Head to Old Toronto to visit St Lawrence Market, one of the world's best food markets, for a wide selection of artisanal and local goodies to sample, like cheese, charcuterie, sandwiches, and seafood. Try a renowned peameal bacon bun from Carousel Bakery or any of the award-winning offerings from Mustachio. Take a walk along Queen Street West for Toronto's best shopping, including boutique Oak + Fort, The Cure Apothecary, and vintage finds at F As In Frank. For a nightcap, visit the dining room and bar at Alo, and get views of the city downtown.

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