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Top Coffee Shops in Toronto

August 25, 2015

Photo Credit: Sam James Coffee Bar

Sometimes, you need the professionals to take care of your morning pick-me-up, aka that really strong coffee or espresso to get you ready for the day. Even though you have a coffee maker in your furnished rental in Toronto, going out for a coffee is a great way to explore a new neighbourhood or connect with the local community. We’ve rounded up our favourite coffee shops in Toronto – for both quality of coffee and ambiance.

Photo Credit: Ryan Fung

1. Odin and Thor Espresso The Scandinavian inspired coffee house, Thor, located at Bathurst and Wellington near many of our downtown properties, serves up strong espresso and treats to go. It recently got a new sibling, Odin, in the developing neighbourhood of Corktown. Odin’s minimalist designed space is a treat for fans of architecture and of course, coffee. The difference at Odin, however, is that there are more food options as well as a chance to have a drink later in the evening. Watch their space for different events throughout the year, check out the new patio, or purchase locally-inspired swag.

2. Boxcar Social Over a year into the game, these coffee experts located in Rosedale have already opened up a second location in Riverside. What’s fun about this place is that their selections change all the time. Don’t know what you want? Try one of their coffee flights. Want to go next level? Try a whiskey and coffee flight. At night, their spaces transform into a wine bar. It’s a great place to work and socialize.

Photo Credit: Ryan Fung

3. Tandem Michie Yamamoto, who used to work at Rooster Coffeehouse, has opened up this cute cafe with her husband in Corktown, just east of Parliament. For strong espresso shots, you can currently select from suppliers Pig Iron, Cut Coffee, or Detour. It’s a great pitstop to the Distillery District.

4. Fareinheit. Located on the edge of the Financial District, these award-winning baristas know their coffee and if you need to grab and go, they’ll get your expertly pulled americano or cortados with a smile. Try any one of their choices from Pilot like the silky Diablo beans or Ethiopian selection. Stay for the energy-inducing dance music.

Photo Credit: Sam James Coffee Bar

5. The Common Now with three locations (it’s most central in the Annex), come for the $2 americano. Stay for the rustic atmosphere. Come back for the Rufino and Mountain View beans.

6. Sam James Coffee Bar Back when he was a barista at Hank’s and Dark Horse, Sam James has moved up the ranks as one of Toronto’s best baristas and making a name for himself with his eponymous cafe now with 5 locations. Serving the Cut Coffee brand, SJCB serves up espresso based drinks from macchiatos to mocha lattes. Every shop minus the Coffee Pocket serves rotating single origins as brewed drip coffee. If you’re on the go, this is your daily pick-me-up.

7. Te Aro One of Pilot Cofee Roaster’s cafes, the industrialized garage space serves up some perfectly executed coffee and is now known for Toronto’s best cold coffee. Te Aro is also the only cafe in Toronto that pulls coffee from a tap. Worth the trip to Leslieville to stock up on beans for your furnished rental or to sit with a cup in hand and watch people walking by on their expansive streetside patio.

8. Manic One of the pioneers in Toronto’s coffee scene, Manic still continues to pump out some of the best espresso in the city. They were also one of the first shops to perfect latte art. There’s no wifi here so it’s an ideal place to read a book or catch up with friends. They also serve gelato if you’re looking for something frozen and sweet.

Photo Credit :Rooster Coffee

9. Jimmy’s This tiny spot at Portland and King has become so popular, it now has three locations. It’s the place to get a strong cup of joe quick.

10. Rooster Coffee Not only does Rooster have one of the most scenic spots in the city to get your espresso at their Broadview location, they also have some of the best coffee. If you’re working or living closer to their King Street location, it’s a great place for business meetings or to savour over their custom Pilot blends or single origin beans. Stay tuned for a third location soon!

What are your favourite coffee shops in Toronto?

Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Downtown Toronto Condos, Fitness and Health, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel

Family Fun Outdoor Activities in Toronto

August 14, 2015

When you are staying in a furnished condo in Toronto, your accommodations will be so comfortable that you might not want to go outside – but if you can pry yourself away from your cozy living space you will find so much to see and do right outside your door. Here are some of the best family fun outdoor activities in Toronto that you can enjoy.

1. Rollerblading on the Humber River Recreational Trail
Take the subway to Old Mill Station and you will discover this scenic winding trail. There are shops where you can rent rollerblades for the day if you don’t have your own, such as Wheel Excitement. Follow it through to Thackeray Park at Steeles Avenue West and enjoy the lush and quiet atmosphere of the river valley.

2. Surf Kayaking at Woodbine Beach
Kayaks actually work better than surfboards when it comes to catching waves, as they offer a lower centre of gravity, higher speeds and better manoeuvrability. Try surf kayaking on the waves of Woodbine Beach, where you can carve through the swells. Flipping over is very likely, so before you try this make sure that you and your family have taken kayaking lessons and knowhow to roll the kayak upright or exit the boat underwater.

3. Swimming and Sandcastles at Centre Island Beach
Take the kids to Toronto Island, which is a quiet and peaceful oasis far from downtown that offers stunning views of the city skyline. This is a very family friendly beach that is close to the ferry docks and it is a wonderful place for your little ones to splash in the surf, build sandcastles and much more. There are changing rooms nearby, as well as concession stands where you can grab a bite to eat. You can also rent a canoe or a kayak from the Boat Rental, but make sure that you get there early in the day as the boats will go quickly.

4. Biking on the Don River Trail
Rent bikes and go for a ride along the Don River Trail, a 20 km dirt trail that takes you from the waterfront in the south all the way to Sunnybrook Park and Taylor Creek Park. This beautiful trail is very kid friendly and it offers many quiet woodland areas as well as some neat wooden bridges to ride across. You and the kids will have a blast!

5. Exploring Bluffer’s Park
Escape the city and find some wilderness to explore in beautiful Bluffer’s Park. It is located just outside of Toronto in Scarborough and it is the perfect spot for cycling or cycling. Admire the gorgeous views of the bluffs that were formed 12,000 years ago by the Wisconsin Glacier.

These are just five of the family fun outdoor activities in Toronto that you can do with your family while you are staying in furnished condo rental.

Announcements, Business Travel, Customer Service Experience, Lifestyle talk, Relocation, Toronto Family Travel

DelSuites Shortlisted for an EMMA

August 10, 2015

FEM_AMERICAS_BUTTON 2015 DelSuites is having a great year, fresh off from being shortlisted for an EMMA 2015 (Expatriate Management and Mobility Awards), the global mobility industry’s premier awards by the Forum for Expatriate Management (FEM).

These awards recognize industry leaders, business successes and rising stars in global mobility. This is the second nomination for DelSuites being nominated for Corporate Housing Provider of the Year. The awards ceremony takes place on September 10th in San Diego, California.

‘It is always great to be nominated for awards like this,’ says Cliff Norton, Director of Sales. ‘When you see the caliber of other finalists and to see DelSuites right there beside them shows that what we are doing is working. On a personal side, it is recognition of our staff and the countless hours that they put in during work time and on their personal time. Although it would be great to win, the nomination in itself is prize enough for me.’

Since its inception in 1999, DelSuites partnered with the Tridel group to meet the needs of a niche market: corporate travelers who require long term stays that is more comfortable than a hotel stay. It has since then positioned itself as one of the best furnished accommodation rental properties in the business. The company has receive the 2015 TripAdvisor award of Excellence and is consistently rated by its guests for its service and cleanliness. Learn more about our guest services in our video; the role of reservations; and reasons why your company should consider booking an executive rental in Toronto. That said, Delsuites has not only grown to accommodate corporate clients, they also appeal to leisure visitors and families. Here are our tips on relocating your family to the city.

A full list of all EMMA Shortlisted nominees is listed here.

Stay tuned to see if DelSuites takes home the award this year!

Business Travel, Feedback and Reviews, Lifestyle talk, Vacation Travel

Reservations Role in Corporate Housing Toronto

August 5, 2015

The reservations department is a vital part of DelSuites. They ensure all guests are offered a suitable location at the best value, based on their lifestyle. Jessica Tsang shares her experience in her reservations role in corporate housing. She keeps in touch with a guest throughout their stay ensuring they are comfortable and get the most out of their stay in their furnished apartment in Toronto.

Business Travel, Lifestyle talk, Relocation, Toronto Family Travel

Ease the stress when relocating with family to Toronto

July 31, 2015

Family Relocation Moving, especially from one city or country to another, can be a very emotional and at times, stressful process for the family. At DelSuites, we try our best to make your home away from home, especially for families. Here are a few tips to ease the transition when relocating with family to your furnished suite in Toronto.

1. Tell Your Kids!
For younger children, it is best to tell them when it’s necessary (certainly not a week or the night before you are moving) so they can understand and cope with the process (even if they may not understand it). Teenagers feel like adults in the family and it’s important to tell them as soon as plans are in place so they can also cope and maximize their time with friends in their old neighbourhood. Having a family meeting may help so kids can express their feelings about the situation.

2. Focus on the Positive Aspects of Moving.
Most kids may only focus on the negative aspects of moving (they will be removed from their friends and familiar surroundings, for instance). By focusing on positive aspects like a new neighbourhood that may be close to some of Toronto’s top attractions for kids (like Ripley’s Aquarium or the Toronto Zoo) or that they will make new friends or that they will have a bigger room, they may start to understand the process of change. One way to look at the process is as an adventure.

That said, feeling at “home” in their new home may just take time and they’ll get used to their new surroundings. DelSuites helps with this process by offering a Kid Care gift to every child under 14 when they arrive. Find out more here. Many of the DelSuites properties have a pool, which would be an exciting aspect of a new home for a child that swims or wants to learn.

3. Schedule a Doctor’s Appointment for Your Children Prior to Moving.
Having this in place will ensure your child is healthy and safe to fly abroad (if this is the situation). If you are moving via driving, it’s good to know hospitals along the way in case something happens. Having a doctor, pediatrician, or clinic set up in your new neighbourhood and your family’s medical records easily accessible, will ensure that your family’s needs are taken care of in case something happens.

4. Get Your Kids Involved in the Process.
Having your kids involved will make the process seem less scary. A few tips: host a going-away party with your kids and their friends from their old neighbourhood/school and take photos (remind them that saying goodbye doesn’t mean that they won’t see their friends again). While moving, let your kids pick some of their favourite items that they will want to travel with them (especially if you are flying to Toronto, in case certain items get lost or delayed in the process). After moving, an “open me first” box for your kids will help them with the excitement of moving somewhere new. For older kids, helping them unpack their boxes together, or putting together their room will help them become more comfortable with the new space. If you are going to be staying in a furnished rental in Toronto, one of the advantages is that everything is set up for you, including a stocked kitchen, laundry facilities (including laundry soap!), housekeeping, and even pre-arrival grocery services are available.

5. Use Your Resources.
When moving specifically into a DelSuites property, our team is here to make your transition as easy as possible. We’ll take care of the essentials for childcare, including car seats for your baby or young kids; airport pick up and drop off if need be; home furnishings and safety essentials needed for your children; and babysitting services.

DelSuites is here to help take the worry away of what can be an emotional and busy period. What are your tips for relocating with family? What is the best part of living in Toronto?

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