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How to Make Your Relocation Run Smoothly

October 17, 2022

Whether you are relocating for professional opportunities, being prepared for the move can make the transition much less stressful.

Here are some tips to keep in mind that will make your relocation go more smoothly.

Consider a Relocation Package

If you are moving for work, your company may have a relocation package which can be a big help. These packages may include temporary housing, a city orientation, education, government registration, health care, moving services and other services to help you get settled in. These services can even help you to set up things such as car insurance, banking, cable and television providers and more. It really helps to have support on your side when you are undergoing a relocation.

Orient Yourself With The City

One of the first steps will be to get yourself oriented in your new home. Many relocation packages will include a city orientation which will give you an overview of the city and help you to get your bearings. You’ll learn about how the city is laid out, how public transport works and where important amenities are located. This will also help you to determine where in the city you want to base yourself. You can figure out the best location that is close to schools, shopping malls and your place of work, while still within your price range.relocation

Fill Out The Required Government Registration and Immigration Forms

If you are relocating to another country you will need to go through the immigration process. This will require a lot of official documents, such as birth certificates, work permits and other legal paperwork.  If documents need to be authenticated, it is easier to arrange this before moving. A relocation service can also assist with organizing this documentation and making sure every box is ticked.

Related: Furnished Rentals For Those Immigrating To Toronto

Explore A Temporary Housing Solution

Finding the right place to live before you move to a new country can be difficult. You may need to base yourself somewhere for the short term while you do your research and shop around for a home. Temporary housing for relocations, such as the apartments offered by DelSuites, is very convenient and much more economical than a hotel. Look for a short-stay property near your place of work to save time.

Consider Your Proximity To HealthcareRelocation

It’s also very important to think about healthcare and how you will access it in your new location. Will you be covered by the health insurance provided by your employer? You should also register with a dentist and a doctor near where you live – before you fall ill.

Find School/Education Services

If you are travelling with children you’ll also want to consider where they will be going to school. Do some research into the schools in the area to determine which one will be the best fit for their educational needs.

Related: Moving to Toronto? Short-term rentals can help.

Here are a few great tips for finding the best schools for your kids when you move.

The most important tip when relocating?

Take a deep breath and stay calm. It’s a big task but if you approach it one step at a time you will get it done.

Business Travel, North York, Toronto Condos, Toronto Family Travel, Vacation Travel

Hullmark Centre Connects You to Toronto—Elegantly

August 23, 2022
Hullmark Centre lobby

There are the pictures, the video tour—and then there’s real life at Toronto’s Hullmark Centre. What’s it like to live day to day in a building—whether it’s for a month or six months? It’s a combination of neighbourhood flavour, personal design, and how your new home connects to the wider city.

This week, we’ll take a closer look at Hullmark Centre: 35 stories of glittering sophistication in Toronto’s Yonge & Sheppard neighbourhood.

An uptown neighbourhood that has it all

Hullmark Centre is the centrepiece of Toronto’s vibrant uptown, Yonge & Sheppard: a neighbourhood that combines business savvy, family fun, laid back city living, and the diversity Toronto is famous for into one place.

Without losing its community feel, Yonge & Sheppard packs a bustling corporate district into the sky. The neighbourhood is home to major corporations like Nestlé and Bank of Montreal, legal offices, and a growing medical technology hub.

Government and diplomatic offices are also quartered in the neighbourhood: Service Canada, ServiceOntario, and Canada’s federal immigration agency have major offices in the area. It’s home to multiple diplomatic offices, including the consulates of South Africa, Panama, Argentina, Ghana, Kazakhstan, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Despite its business credentials, Hullmark’s at the centre of one of Toronto’s most family-oriented neighbourhoods. Hullmark is surrounded by both public and private schools—including two Montessori locations and one of Toronto’s most famous arts schools, Claude Watson School for the Arts. It’s ringed by parkland and playgrounds, including a major golf course. The neighbourhood is also a hub for religious communities, with churches from multiple denominations, a mosque, and several synagogues in the area.

There’s also no lack of culture and fun. With a major movie theatre a few blocks north, a slew of karaoke bars and Asian cafés, and escape rooms, it’s easy to plan a quick night out. Hullmark is also a few short blocks south of arts and concert venue Meridian Hall and Mel Lastman Square, a 20,000 square foot public square complete with a winter skating rink, outdoor concert space, a regular farmers’ market, gardens.

The square also hosts one of Toronto’s biggest library branches—complete with a hands-on digital innovation space and fabrication lab—and programming for everyone from young children to adults new to Canada.

An elegant uptown lifestyle

Behind Hullmark’s doors is where the vibrant city life of Toronto’s uptown meets soothing elegance.

From its warm, bright lobby to the marble kitchen counters, DelSuites’s Hullmark suites are built for your urban lifestyle. Each is equipped with comfortable, modern furniture: warm wood, soothing greens, and ultra-chic greys. You’re welcomed into a space that’s bright, natural, and ready to fill with your own unique personality.

When you want to sweat, socialize, or just relax, there’s also the chance to use Hullmark’s peerless amenities. Hullmark boasts a spacious, fully equipped fitness centre with treadmills, cycling, yoga facilities, and full weights available. For swimmers, an outdoor pool lets you get your laps in, and there’s an indoor hot tub and sauna to relax.

For friends and family, the indoor party room includes a wet bar and fireplace—perfect for dinner parties, cocktail receptions, or holiday meals. A theatre-style media room lets you host your own mini-cinema or invite friends to watch the big game. And if you’re working remotely, Hullmark’s sleekly professional conference room means you can meet clients and colleagues with flair.

The city at your feet

One of Hullmark’s best features is how it connects to everything you need for Toronto living.

Hullmark living makes groceries and necessities easy, with a Whole Foods Market, Rexall Drugstore, and an LCBO just downstairs in the building. Local upscale grocer Longo’s Fine Foods and Korean grocery H-Mart’s M2M concept are across the street.

But beyond the neighbourhood, Hullmark gives you direct indoor access to Yonge/Sheppard subway station and two transit lines. On hot or wintry days, you can unlock the whole city—and the greater Toronto region—without stepping outdoors.

For those who’d rather take the car, Hullmark is located just blocks from Highway 401, making your adventures through the Toronto area and Southern Ontario region easy. With five 24-hour charging stations in the neighbourhood, it’s an ideal area for electric, hybrid, and Tesla drivers.

Experience Hullmark Centre for yourself with DelSuites

There’s a little bit in the Hullmark Centre lifestyle for everyone: families, professionals, retirees, community-lovers, and more.

If you’d like to try out Hullmark living—or make it a fit for your energetic city life—call us at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com. With fully furnished short-term rentals at Hullmark Centre and throughout the GTA, DelSuites can give you a taste of Toronto hassle-free.

Business Travel, Downtown Toronto Condos, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Condos

DelSuites: A Home for Digital Nomads in Toronto

August 2, 2022
Digital nomads toronto photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels

Your job’s gone fully remote and you’ve decided to see the world—starting with a few months in Toronto.

Now that so many of us are free to leave the office, thousands are taking to the road to try out the digital nomad life. But working while you explore all the places and lifestyles you’ve always dreamed of needs a few steady building blocks: good WiFi, a bit of privacy, and a comfortable home base to start from.

Whether you’re coming from down the highway or across the world, here’s why DelSuites is your perfect Toronto home base for digital nomad life.

A Toronto home for digital nomads

Travelling for a while means travelling light—and a DelSuites fully furnished rental apartment has everything you need to step into a Toronto lifestyle.

Our units are located in modern, high-end condo buildings across the city, complete with concierge service, underground parking, and the amenities you need to keep your lifestyle moving. All our guests can access every building amenity: from the swimming pool where you can get in morning laps to party rooms and garden decks so you can host new friends.

We fill each unit with comfortable, stylish furniture, appliances, and décor. You’ll never have unwelcome surprises in a DelSuites unit—and you’ll always look professional, no matter where you set up your desk. And once you’ve put in your workday, our soft beds, cozy couches, and high-end televisions can help you relax.

Our rates include high-quality, reliable WiFi that’ll handle your work connectivity needs without a flicker. Our inclusive long-distance calling packages—covering both Canada and the United States—will let you keep up with work and family without having to buy expensive roaming plans. And our full cable TV packages—and complete neighbourhood guides—mean it’s just as easy to plan nights out and nights in.

Explore Toronto with a neighbourhood’s-eye view

Travel’s all about getting the real flavour of a new place—and DelSuites puts you in the real Toronto. Or any of Toronto’s vast, exciting neighbourhoods you’d like.

If you’re looking for fast-paced professional networking, Qwest and The Livmore set you up near Toronto’s tech, arts, and social innovation hubs. If you’d rather be close to the city’s restaurants and nightlife, 300 Front Street West and Republic get you close to two different fine dining neighbourhoods. For nature-lovers looking for regular hikes, living active, and a more laid-back, intimate urban vibe, Old Mill puts you in the city—and right at the door of High Park.

All our locations around the city are fully embedded in living, vibrant neighbourhoods: bustling residential buildings that ease you into Toronto’s daily life. Our digital neighbourhood guides can help you find your local coffee shop, parks, necessary services like pharmacies and groceries, and highlight what’s near you.

While you’re finding your feet, our recommended grocery delivery services can get your kitchen set up—or help you find that one ingredient you need for a perfect meal.

And if you’d rather keep the office at the office, our partnership with Regus Office Space Rentals lets you step into a fully working office space—just as easily as your fully working temporary home. Regus’s 10% discount for DelSuites guests can help you keep your work-life balance affordable.

Travel with everyone you love

Digital nomad living isn’t just for twentysomethings with time to kill. With schools going virtual, there’s lots to discover for the whole family—and you still have a chance to travel and explore without leaving your pets behind.

DelSuites fully furnished apartments are flexible enough to fit your lifestyle. Our two- and three-bedroom suites are big enough to travel with friends or family without getting in each other’s way. There’s enough privacy to set up separate offices—inside, or on our sunny balconies—during the day, or co-work when you like.

If you want to take the kids along, our family-friendly packages will have cribs, highchairs, playpens, and change tables ready and waiting in your unit—or just a complimentary Kids’ Care play package to make sure they have some fun. And your full access to our building amenities means it’s easy to have pool parties or play dates whenever you like.

If you’re hesitating about trying digital nomad life because of a furry friend: DelSuites has you covered. Our pet-friendly units provide a comfortable home for you and your pet—and service animals are welcome everywhere.

A springboard for your digital nomad lifestyle

Digital nomad living doesn’t have to mean roughing it—and in Toronto, it can take any shape you’d like. Whether you’re setting up in the city for a month or six, call us at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com to find out how we can help build a comfortable, hyperlocal home base for your Toronto adventure.

 

Business Travel, Toronto Condos

The New Era in Business Travel: 2022 Trends

May 17, 2022
2022 business travel photo by mentatdgt from Pexels.

Business travel is dead. Or—not?

Since the world pulled inward to combat COVID-19, the business travel industry has been declared dead and resurrected with every pandemic wave. What’s certain, however, is that the growing corporate housing industry, after weathering quick and unpredictable pivots, is starting to see broader change emerge.

The global COVID pandemic hasn’t killed or revived business travel, but it’s definitely changed what business travellers value—and how to approach making guests feel at home.

We’d like to share what we’ve learned about 2022 business travel: how it’s evolving, what’s changed, and what we’re seeing grow into the future.

Trend: 2022 business travel budgets are all about supply chain

The COVID-19 pandemic saw business travel all but shut down as borders closed, offices went remote, and conferences wheeled to a stop. We saw the majority of our 2020 and 2021 bookings come through B2C channels: health care workers staying closer to work, insurance housing, and medical stays for patients travelling to access treatment.

But as 2022 has opened, vaccines have rolled out, and restrictions have loosened in Ontario, we’ve seen employer-assisted travel make a comeback.

Companies are navigating an uncertain landscape as businesses update travel policies to reflect our new reality. Travel managers are reporting new challenges around fuel costs, environmental concerns, continuing supply chain backlogs, and how an evolving employment market has changed per diem expectations.

They’re also facing a changed continent-wide demand for furnished apartments, according to a Corporate Housing Providers’ Association report. Rising urban rents and disruptions in the furniture and housewares supply chains have made furnished housing more expensive.

As industries find the tempo of 2022 business travel, we’ve found they value providers that meet them halfway with stability, flexibility, and transparent options.

Trend: How business travellers use our space

COVID-era living has demanded a new flexibility from our everyday spaces—and that need has carried over to furnished rentals and corporate housing. When more time is spent inside the suite, our guests want to eat, sleep, work, and live comfortably, without feeling constrained.

We’ve noticed an understandable desire for larger spaces, as guests rethink their accommodations as multi-functional space. 2022 business travel is prioritizing spaces that adapt: where guests can move between functional “zones” throughout their day.

But we’ve also supported our guests in making their business travel accommodations do more. We’ve provided more permanent office furniture to enable remote work, helping set up temporary office nooks in spaces that, pre-pandemic, were geared toward off-work hours.

That desire for a fully-stocked temporary office space is a trend we see continuing, as remote work—full-time or sometimes—keeps its place in our lives.

Trend: A COVID plan that works

COVID-aware business travellers are prioritizing safety when they choose their accommodations—and a clear, transparent protocol is more important than ever.

DelSuites implemented a layered response to protect our guests and staff from COVID. We added new cleaning and safety protocols at all levels of interaction, shifted to lighter and no-touch operating models, and incorporated quality PPE into our procedures. All guests are issued standard COVID-19 questionnaires and informed of our protocols on booking.

We’ve seen travellers respond to not just the presence of our COVID plan, but its clear standards and layered components. Each business traveller’s experience of COVID-19 has been different, and a multifaceted plan lets us provide a good welcome to guests from all over the world.

Trend: A stay based on flexibility

After two years of uncertainty, good planning has shifted to mean flexibility. More than ever, business travelers are privileging the ability to flex, adjust, and accommodate their travel plans. At DelSuites, we’ve seen positive responses to all the flexibility we can build into our service offering.

More client-friendly terms and conditions, which allow guests to cancel on shorter notice, extend their stays, or modify their travel dates, have been met with enthusiasm as travel requirements change. Our ability to accommodate guests has been deeply appreciated when they’ve faced delayed or cancelled travel due to flight rescheduling or government COVID mandates.

Our guests have also appreciated flexibility in how we welcome them. The age-appropriate kids’ activities in our family welcome kit have made family travel easier in an era of changing travel requirements. Our pre-arrival grocery request service has also seen more use, as guests shift to using our fully equipped kitchens over local restaurants.

We’ve also found ways to “door drop” guest requests and service, such as grocery orders, cleaning supplies, linens service, and more. While the services we’ve traditionally offered—linens service, suite cleaning—are appreciated, our business travel guests have also reacted positively when we can modify them to keep everyone safe.

While the state of the COVID pandemic constantly evolves, and we won’t be living with extreme levels of COVID forever, we’ve learned important things from that desire for flexibility. Whatever conditions we’re facing, business travelers appreciate being heard and accommodated—and when their provider works with them to make a stay good.

Trend: Balancing technology and the human touch

The social distancing COVID-19 brought us has turbocharged the use of technology for established corporate housing providers. From sales to service delivery, we’ve taken many of the ways we do business digital: live bookings, 24/7 Guest Services availability.

With digital bookings soaring, we’ve upgraded our suite photos and virtual tours to help guests understand our suites from a distance.

We’ve also introduced digital solutions for guest support, with how-to videos for some of our suites’ unique features, such as wall beds and AEG microwaves.

While we can sometimes think tech solutions and personal connections rarely mix, industry experts are actively exploring how to connect with our guests in different ways. We believe the personal touch that real hospitality brings isn’t going away, but ubiquitous digital solutions will change how it’s delivered. Establishing the right balance for our guests—making the digital feel personal, with the right amount of human touch—is going to be a growing trend for successful corporate housing providers.

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Our knowledge of corporate housing is always growing—and we’re always eager to share!

For more DelSuites insights into how business travel is evolving, join us at our blog or get in touch at 647-370-3504 or info@delsuites.com.

Announcements, Business Travel, Corporate Housing

DelSuites Returns to the Global Business Travel Association Conference

April 26, 2022
GBTA 2022

Business travel is picking up across the world, and DelSuites is stepping out to meet it at this spring’s Global Business Travel Association Conference.

We’re pleased to announce our first event of the year: exhibiting at the GBTA 2022 Conference on May 2 and 3, at downtown Toronto’s Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.

What is the GBTA?

The Global Business Travel Association is the business travel industry’s premier professional association. With operations on six continents and over 9,000 members, the GBTA lets us take the international perspective on business. With members from all corners of the business travel industry, GBTA Canada alone represents more than $23.5 billion in business travel.

The GBTA’s annual Toronto event is the leading business travel & meetings conference in Canada. With over 40 exhibitors, a full schedule of industry education sessions, networking opportunities, and sector-focused lunch sessions, it’s a 360-degree look at where business travel is now, and where it’s going.

Growing our industry savvy to help you

DelSuites has been a member of GBTA Canada for over 5 years. The connections we’ve fostered there are an essential part of meeting our guests needs. As GBTA members, we’re in touch with the cutting-edge research, partnerships, and programs that take your stay from good to incredible.

With this year’s theme of (Re)Connect, (Re)Imagine, and (Re)Create, GBTA 2022 is the place to rebuild the networks that sustain business travel—and look forward to what’s new. We’re looking forward to being a part of the conversation as business travel comes back to life.

Join us at GBTA 2022

Join us at Convention Hall 1, Booth 45 to meet our team and discover how DelSuites makes business travel feel just like home. We’ll be there to talk about how DelSuites fits into the new business travel landscape—and bring back what’s next to our guests.