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Downtown Toronto Condos, Entertainment, Lifestyle talk

Plan Your Perfect Toronto Valentine’s Staycation

February 1, 2022

Toronto Valentine's staycation photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels.

It’s been a hard winter—both in terms of the windchill and the COVID-19 situation. It’s not the easiest time to set up a romantic Valentine’s Day gesture, but it’s a good time to show the special people in your life how much you care.

Whether Valentine’s Day is a chance to spoil yourself or set up a romantic treat, here’s some of your best options for a Toronto Valentine’s staycation that feels like a real escape.

You don’t need to go far for your Valentine’s getaway

If staring at the same familiar walls doesn’t make you feel romantic—well, you’re not exactly alone. But it’s not too hard to find a change of scene and feel loved while keeping things COVID-safe.

Toronto’s famously a city of neighbourhoods—which means we never have to go far to find a whole new landscape. If you’re a downtown-dweller, the winter hiking trails at Mimico Creek and the Humber River can get you outside into nature, not far from Parc Nuvo. And if you’ve been aching for a little city action, the lake views and city lights downtown can set up a weekend of nice meals, great Instagram shots, and adventure.

Wherever you land, a DelSuites booking comes with soft sheets, fluffy towels, and warm, luxurious furniture that’s great for cuddling up together. Take a luxuriant hot bath in our deep soaker or Jacuzzi bathtubs, or enjoy sweeping balcony views of Toronto’s city lights.

A romantic dinner delivered to your door

Pandemic restrictions don’t have to mean missing an incredible Valentine’s dinner—or a catered breakfast. Toronto’s local dining scene has been getting creative with the limits of home delivery for two years—and they’re going all-out for Valentine’s.

High-end wine bar Grey Gardens offers full five-course meals for pickup a short walk from The Livmore. A stay at Qwest puts you down the block from Momofuku Toronto, which offers both takeout, delivery, and meal kits if you want to whip something up yourself—with a little help. Toronto chocolatier Soma is offering virtual tastings of both spirits and chocolate kits.

Even local specialty stores are offering serious options for Valentine’s Day. Local sustainable fish store Hooked is lining up three-course dinner specials–as well as oysters, caviar, and more. And for breakfast, the all-online Matchmaker Coffee can set up offering a DIY tasting tour of Canadian coffees—complete with flavour notes.

Our fully-equipped kitchens mean you can set the mood with fine plates, not takeout containers, or whip up a last-minute surprise dessert if you’re in the mood. Pack a few candlesticks and your best playlist, and you’re a restaurant built for two.

Do your Toronto Valentine’s staycation your way

Romance is personal—literally. For some people, it’s flowers, gifts, and fanfare; for some, it’s chocolate cake and Shark Week. And that means a little gesture, if it makes you feel heard and loved, can go a long way.

If your ideal Valentine’s weekend is keeping it low-key: our full premium cable packages and cozy couches let you curl up together for a movie night. If it’s big, bold, and classic, our building concierges can take delivery of as much chocolate and flowers as you need.

You can also book our buildings’ convenient—and romantic—amenities. Go for an evening swim at Ten York, enjoy the spa-grade saunas at Element and Republic, or take in the panoramic city view at The Livmore.

Whatever’s on your mind, our Guest Services team can help you put it together. With a little ingenuity, all you’ll have to do is open the door.

Get cozy in the city

We’re happy to set up your romantic getaway—whether it’s with friends, spoiling yourself, or with a special someone. Contact us by phone at (416) 370-3504, email at info@delsuites.com, or use our live chat to find out how we can make your Valentine’s Day extra romantic.

Entertainment, Vacation Travel

East Coast Vacations: Inspiration For Your Next Trip

November 12, 2019

An East Coast USA vacation is a classic getaway. After all, this region has everything you could want from a fun break: beautiful beaches, cities packed with culture, quiet pockets of nature and stunning views of the ocean.

When it comes to planning the best East Coast vacations (or even an East Coast road trip), there are a lot of great destinations to choose from. From the gorgeous forests of upstate New York to the famous amusement parks of Florida, you can keep coming back to the East Coast again and again.

The Best Places to Visit on the East Coast

If you are looking for some East Coast vacation ideas, (whether for
Spring Break or an autumn getaway) these are some of the hottest spots on this side of the country.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Historic Philadelphia is the birthplace of America and a fantastic place for an East Coast trip. It’s very popular with families, but it could also be a wonderful romantic trip or a solo adventure. The city is very walkable and there are countless museums and historic sites to check out. You can taste the delicious food at the Reading Terminal Market, revisit history at the Betsy Ross House and go for a jog up the “Rocky” steps by the
Philadelphia Art Museum. Of course, don’t forget to try a big juicy and irresistible Philly cheese steak as well!

It’s no wonder this city draws so many visitors for East Coast vacations.

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusets

This pretty island is a dreamy getaway, accessible from Cape Cod via a ferry. You’ll fall in love with the charming beaches, quaint lighthouses, gingerbread cottages and sweet hotels. Also, if you love hiking this is a great place for you. There are several stunning national parks where you can explore the great outdoors, including Aquinnah Cliffs and South Beach State Park. It’s one of the most popular East Coast attractions for celebrities, so keep your eyes peeled and you might spot some famous visitors.

Kennebunkport, Maine

This lovely and quaint Maine village is filled with chic boutiques, friendly coffee shops and quirky antique shops. The rocky coastline is ideal for capturing those iconic seaside photos, with a scenic lighthouse in the background. There’s plenty to keep you busy here, from kayak tours of Mousam River Estuary to lobstering and much more. At the end of the day, you can relax with a few local brews at the
Kennebunkport Brewing Company while you admire the views.

Washington, D.C.

There’s so much to see and do in Washington! If you are a history buff or an art nerd, you’ll love the world-class collection of Smithsonian museums – all of which are free. You can also go for a walk along the National Mall, a stunning space lined with iconic landmarks such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Take a tour of the White House and the Library of Congress, then stroll through the hip streets of Georgetown and enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants that overlook the water.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

If you’re looking for the quintessential charming New England town, Portsmouth is a pretty great example. It’s just an hour north of Boston but it has a completely different vibe. One of the oldest cities in the USA, it was settled in 1623. This peaceful historic town has excellent museums (such as the USS Albacore Museum) and a lot of stories to tell. Check out the Strawberry Banke Museum, an outdoor exhibition that will show you what life was like when this community was originally settled. Or, you can take a walk along the Portsmouth Harbor Trail, which showcases 70 landmarks and is lined with excellent restaurants, cute artisan boutiques and lovely sidewalk shops.

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine is very special – it’s the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in North America. This gives it a completely different feel than most Florida destinations. Founded by Spanish colonialists in 1565, it has more of an Old World ambiance and feels more like Spain than Florida. You can take a stroll through the cobbled streets and admire the 1672 Castillo de San Marcos. Plus, the Plaza de la Constitución is pretty impressive and the city is filled with beautiful Spanish-style architecture. If you venture only minutes away, St. Augustine has more than 40 miles of stunning beaches.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

If you’re looking to relax on a beach or take the family somewhere chilled out, Myrtle Beach is a delight. Along the beachfront you’ll find an array of attractions, including live entertainment, multiple amusement parks and great restaurants. Every night during the summer there will be live entertainment on the oceanfront boulevard, including stilt walkers, jugglers and bagpipers. There’s even a weekly firework display – making the nights very magical indeed. It’s no wonder this is one of the most popular East Coast vacation spots.

These are just a few of the best places to visit on the East Coast. What are your favorite places for East Coast vacations? Share them with us in the comments!

Entertainment, Lifestyle talk, Markham

5 Reasons to Live in Markham

December 13, 2018

Although Markham is part of the Greater Toronto Area, it’s officially its own city. In fact, it’s the 16th largest city in Canada. More affordable than Toronto, safe and conveniently located, it’s a desirable place to live. Here are 5 reasons why you’ll love life in Markham:

1. The Markham Fair is a Blast

The Markham Fair, held every year on the weekend before Canadian Thanksgiving, is one of the biggest events in the city. Established in 1844, it’s one of the oldest country fairs in the entire country. Watch a gymnastics demonstration, a cooking show or a sheep-shearing competition, take a spin on the midway rides, treat yourself to food truck fare and much more. This fair, which hosts upwards of 80,000 attendees each year, won’t disappoint!

2. The Parks Are Beautiful

The city of Markham has so many beautiful green spaces – perfect for a relaxing stroll or a picnic. For example, there’s Toogood Pond Park, a 81.5 acre park that is known for its pretty pond. (You can even ice skate on it in the winter!) There’s a trail encircling the pond, as well as some lovely quiet forests.

Markham But Toogood Pond Park isn’t the only place to find solitude in nature. There are over 50 different parks within Markham, including Crosby Memorial Park, Berczy Park and German Mills Settlers Park.

3. The Golfing is Top Notch

If you love to golf, you’ll really love living in Markham. There are 9 different golf courses there (4 private, 5 public), so you will be spoiled for choice. One of the most popular golf courses open to the public is Angus Glen Golf Club. It’s known for having been a host to many PGA tour events.

You can also check out Markham Green Golf Club and the Remington Parkview Golf Club. Either way, you’ll find some great places to work on your swing and play a few holes.

4. The Chinese Food is Amazing

This is one of the best areas of Toronto to live in if you enjoy Chinese cuisine. Check out the unpretentious Wonton Hut in Markham Town Square, a mom and pop restaurant that specializes in classic wonton noodle soup. The chef uses shrimp shells, eggs and ground sun-dried flounder to create a delicious broth. Another local favourite is Casa Victoria, known for mouthwatering set menus of Cantonese dim sum featuring dishes such as wok-fried lobster with a coating of salted duck egg yolk.

5. You Can Explore a Historic Neighbourhood

Unionville is one of the oldest areas of Markham – dating back over 200 years. The original storefronts of this charming neighbourhood have been restored as restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Also, Markham Village is another interesting historic area of the city where you can see many fascinating old buildings.

Plus, every year at the end of September the city celebrates Doors Open Markham. This is a community event where buildings and places of interest that are not generally open to the public are free to visit.

To learn more about our properties in Markham, click here.

Business Travel, Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Lifestyle talk

Toronto Newcomers Groups and Activities

June 28, 2018

Whether you have located to Toronto for work or for pleasure, chances are if you are new to the city you may not know very many people yet. Making friends in a new city can be challenging at first – it’s difficult to break the ice when everyone is a stranger. There are many fun activities and Toronto newcomers groups that are the perfect opportunity to connect with others. Here are a few of the best sources for finding activities and things to do in Toronto:

The Toronto Newcomers Club

The Toronto Newcomers Club was created to make it easier for new residents of the city to meet others and learn what Toronto can offer. They host a number of events including monthly coffee meetings as well as other interest groups such as hiking groups, book clubs, foodie outings, wine tastings, yoga, skiing and much more.

Membership is open to anyone who has been a resident of the Toronto area for less than 3 years and the annual membership fee is $50. You can attend two of the events first to see if you would like to become a member, then once you join you can be a member for as long as you want.

“I Wanted to Do That… Just Not Alone”

If there is something that you want to in Toronto but you don’t know anyone to do it with? This is a

meetup group in Toronto that is perfect for meeting friends who also want to do things in the city but don’t know anyone.

The aim of the group is to help you find someone whom you can go on Toronto adventures with – whether that is seeing a movie, checking out a new restaurant, going for a hike or learning a new language. If there is something that you want to do in Toronto, suggest it to the group and see who else wants to join!

Internations Toronto Newcomers Group

Internations is a worldwide organization that hosts meetups for expats and newcomers in 390 cities all over the world – including Toronto. Their TO chapter is a great place to connect with other members of the community and make friends.

There are many sub-groups that you can join within Internations Toronto depending on your interests – such as the Toronto Nightlife Group, the Toronto Arts and Culture Group, Toronto Independent Coffee Lovers Group (dedicated to checking out independently owned coffee shops in the city), Toronto Wine Appreciation Group, Toronto Film Enthusiasts Group and more. Take a look and find something fun to do with people who share your interests!

About me, Entertainment, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel, Toronto History

Toronto Neighbourhood Spotlight: Greektown

May 4, 2018

Toronto is a delightfully diverse city and its many neighbourhoods reveal cultural influences from around the world. Let’s take a close look at one of those exciting neighbourhoods – Greektown.

Introduction

Greektown, also known as the Danforth, is a neighborhood in Toronto located on Danforth Avenue between Dewhurst Blvd and Chester Avenue. This was one of the main settlements of Greek immigrants in Toronto after World War I. Several scenes in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding were filmed here.

If you love Greek cuisine, you’ll want to head down to this part of town. It has one of the highest concentrations of dining establishments per kilometre of any other neighborhood on the planet, showcasing mostly delicious traditional Mediterranean dishes. If you visit during the Taste of the Danforth festival in mid-August you can enjoy yummy samples of cuisines from all of the restaurants along this street – not just Greek food but also Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese and much more.

Must Visit Spots in Greektown

Start with a great coffee at Broadview Espresso, where you can lean back on the comfy Muskoka chair on the outdoor patio and enjoy a high quality latte.
The Carrot Commons on Jackman Street is a busy avenue filled with cafes, bookstores and a funky organic food market.

Shopping for cute clothes? Social Butterfly is a chic little shop with a great selection of jewellery, denim, boots, footwear and more.
Get your fill of big tasty Greek gyros at Messini Authentic Gyros.
If you want to enjoy Greek cuisine in a more sophisticated, sit-down setting you can treat yourself to a meal at Mezes. It’s a busy spot with a welcoming vibe and a heated patio. They serve up the dishes that you would find in any traditional greek home, with fresh, quality ingredients.
If you are a music geek, you will fall in love with the huge collection of new and old vinyl at Mike’s Music.
In the mood for some live music? The Danforth Music Hall is a fantastic venue that showcases a range of great talent. Check to see which shows are on during your visit!

History

Greek immigrants came to this area after WWI and by the 1970s and 80s, it was the largest GreekTown in North America. There was also a large influx of Greek immigrants during the 1960s, as they were fleeing the political and economic unrest which resulted in the Greek military junta seized power in 1967-74. This neighborhood became home to one of the highest concentrations of Greek immigrants living outside of Greece.

How to Get There

Greektown is located on the TTC Bloor-Danforth Subway line and can be accessed from Pape, Chester or Donlands stations. If you are visiting in a car, you can reach Danforth avenue by taking the Bayview/Bloor exit off the Don Valley Parkway and following the signs for Danforth Avenue/Bloor Street.

What’s your favourite Greektown spot? Let us know in the comments below.

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