Business Travel, Downtown Toronto, Lifestyle talk

The Best Cafes to Get Work Done in Toronto

April 10, 2024

Perhaps you are visiting Toronto on business and want to get work done during your stay – or maybe you are looking for a cozy place where you can write on your blog or work on your novel. No matter what you are working on – a comfortable and welcoming café can be a great place to use as an office on the go. You’ll have an endless supply of coffee, a pleasant environment to work in and a strong and steady Wi-Fi connection.

The great thing is that it offers a great selection of coffee shops and cafes to get work done in Toronto. Here are a few of the best options:

Dark Horse Espresso Bar

The interior of the Dark Horse Espresso Bar is sleek and modern and the long tables are ideal for group projects. The Wifi is strong, the coffee is great and you can find a spot to settle all day long with your computer and a latte so that you can get plenty of work done.

Red Rocket

Working at Red Rocket feels like you are hanging out in the living room of your cool best friend. Awesome music is playing, the seats are comfy and the snacks are delicious. Try the Nutella sandwich cookie – which will keep you going through all of the work you need to do while you are staying in Toronto.

Dineen Coffee

If you want to get some work done early in the morning, head to this welcoming café that serves up delicious brews in aesthetic and convenient locations all over the city. Dineen Coffee is the perfect morning person’s retreat, with fast Wi-Fi and spacious and chic surroundings.

Balzac’s Coffee

This fantastic café has many locations throughout the city and is fantastic for getting work done. It is a popular place for students to do their project meetings and emergency cramming for exams.

5 Elements Espresso Bar

This coffee shop has an excellent location in the heart of Yorkville, with several lovely comfortable couches and cushions. The cozy space is perfect for curling up by the fireplace with a latte and a good book or setting up your laptop and getting some work done.

These are just a few of the best cafes to get work done in Toronto so that you can type away on your laptop in peace and comfort and keep your brain energized with delicious coffee.

In addition, why not check out some of our other favourite top Coffee Shops in Toronto?

Experience A Digital Nomad Lifestyle

Looking to work remotely, try living in Toronto or staying for the coffee culture in the Greater Toronto Area? DelSuites offers 30-day minimum suites that are fully furnished with all if not more amenities than at home. We have suites everywhere from Markham to Etobicoke and everywhere in between. Explore our available suites today in Toronto.

Business Travel, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel, toronto toursim

Work Hard, Play Harder: The Rise of Bleisure Travel

February 28, 2024

The clock is always ticking in business; time is a precious commodity. Annually, corporate travellers find themselves spending an average of 22 days on the move, crisscrossing the globe for meetings, sealing deals, and attending conferences.

Perhaps you’re on the verge of closing a pivotal deal with a major international client. In the most critical of meetings, the knight in shining armour is often none other than business travel.

In the wake of the business world’s recovery from the pandemic, the business travel industry has seen a resurgence, signalling its enduring importance. However, this resurrection is more than a return to the past. This calls for a new era.

Enter “bleisure travel.” No longer confined to boardrooms and hotel rooms, bleisure seamlessly integrates work and leisure. The focus on bleisure is about creating an experience that is not only productive but also rejuvenating, offering a more stress-free short-term stay for those who find themselves on the road.

Discover how the business travel landscape is undergoing a transformation, creating an environment that fosters success without sacrificing the joys of relaxation.

What is Bleisure Travel?

As the term implies, “bleisure” is the clever blending of business and leisure travel. This turns what might be a conventional business trip into an opportunity to add a dash of exploration and relaxation.

This emerging trend is gaining traction, with almost 42% of business travellers now preferring to infuse their work-related journeys with a bit of leisure time.

The concept of bleisure travel is extending business trips on either end to explore new destinations. It’s not just about the solo business traveller, either. This can also be done by bringing friends and family along for the journey, adding shared experiences that enrich the business travel experience.

The rise of bleisure travel is closely tied to the changing dynamics of work in the wake of the pandemic. With more people embracing remote work, individuals find themselves untethered from a fixed office location.

While digital nomads might choose to work from various destinations, bleisure travellers are motivated primarily by the business aspect of their trip. However, the desire to explore new places, reduce environmental impact, or simply savour the joys of a change of scenery drives them to extend their trips.

Source: Pexels

Factors Driving the Bleisure Trend

The rise of bleisure travel is a breath of fresh air. It’s a response to the changing dynamics of work and the quest for a more balanced lifestyle. The factors driving this trend reflect a collective desire to redefine the traditional boundaries of business trips.

Changing Attitudes of Business Travellers

The conventional perception of business travel often brings to mind images of packed schedules, back-to-back meetings, and minimal time for personal exploration. However, the tide is turning, and business travellers are adopting a more holistic approach.

Whether it’s extending a stay to explore local attractions, immerse in cultural experiences, or simply unwind in a new environment, the changing attitudes reflect a conscious effort to blend the lines between work and leisure.

Influence of Work-Life Balance Considerations

Work-life balance has become a cornerstone in discussions surrounding modern employment. Work-life balance is already important to 94% of employees.

The traditional notion of segregating work and personal life is gradually giving way to a more integrated approach. This cultural shift is especially pronounced in business travel, where professionals are seeking ways to infuse a sense of leisure into their work-related journeys.

The purpose of leisure travel is to break free from the monotony of conventional work models, allowing professionals to inject moments of relaxation and exploration into their busy schedules. Work-life balance considerations are driving the bleisure trend, which reflects a societal shift towards prioritizing well-being, both at work and at home.

Impact of Technological Advancements on Remote Work

Professionals are liberated from the constraints of mundane office setups thanks to advancements in technology. The advent of remote work, coupled with advanced communication tools, has redefined the very nature of work.

This major shift in the way work is conducted has a direct impact on the trends in business travel as well. Professionals now have the flexibility to seamlessly conduct business from anywhere, be it a bustling city or a serene coastal town.

It’s clear that bleisure travel is not just a shift in travel preferences, but a shift in mindset. The journey is no longer a linear progression from point A to point B. This type of travel offers a hybrid experience, combining work and leisure to enrich both professional and personal lives.

What Bleisure Travellers Look For

So, what exactly are bleisure travellers looking for? Some notable considerations include:

Work-Life Balance: Bleisure travellers seek destinations that offer a blend of business amenities and leisure activities, allowing them to transition from boardrooms to local attractions seamlessly.
Convenient Connectivity: Accessible airports, efficient public transportation, and reliable Wi-Fi are non-negotiables. These individuals want to stay connected to work while also being able to explore their surroundings hassle-free.
Flexible Accommodations: Bleisure travellers have shifted away from standard hotels in favour of short-term rentals that cater to both work and relaxation. Short-term rentals offer well-equipped business centers, ergonomic workspaces, and comfortable lounging areas, making them highly appealing.
Local Experiences: One of the main draws for bleisure travellers is the opportunity to experience the local culture. They seek destinations that offer unique attractions, dining experiences, and cultural insights.
Networking Opportunities: Business doesn’t always stop after office hours. Bleisure travellers value destinations where networking opportunities extend beyond formal meetings. A vibrant business community and networking events contribute to the overall appeal of a location.
Time Efficiency: Bleisure travellers are time-conscious. They appreciate destinations where they can efficiently manage their work obligations without spending excessive time in transit.
Health and Wellness Options: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a priority for many bleisure travellers. Access to fitness facilities, wellness programs, and healthy dining options contribute to the overall appeal of a destination.
Tech-Friendly Environment: Destinations that embrace technological advancements, from efficient transportation systems to smart hotel features, are likely to attract these tech-savvy travellers.

Offering the right combination of work amenities and leisure opportunities can help destinations position themselves as ideal choices for travellers seeking a seamless integration of work and relaxation.

Source: Pexels

Tips for a Successful Bleisure Trip

Embarking on a bleisure trip? Here are some quick tips to ensure your business-meets-leisure journey goes off without a hitch.

Plan Ahead, But Stay Flexible: Start by outlining your work commitments and key deadlines. Plan your leisure activities around these, but leave some flexibility. Unexpected work issues can arise, so having a bit of wiggle room in your schedule can be a lifesaver.
Choose Your Accommodations Wisely: Opt for furnished rentals that offer comfortable workspaces, reliable Wi-Fi, and amenities that cater to both business and leisure needs.
Stay Connected on the Go: Having the right technology can enhance both your work and leisure experiences. Ensure you have the necessary tech tools to stay connected while on the move.
Know Your Company’s Policies: Understand any limitations or guidelines to avoid any hiccups during your trip. Clear communication with your employer ensures a smooth and stress-free experience.
Explore Transportation Options: Consider factors like proximity to your accommodations, convenience, and the opportunity to explore the destination during your commute.
Prioritize Self-Care: Get enough rest, stay hydrated, and consider incorporating wellness activities into your itinerary. A balanced approach to your well-being contributes to a more enjoyable trip overall.
Network Strategically: Leverage the networking opportunities your destination offers. Attend industry events, conferences, or local meetups to expand your professional circle.

The key to a successful and enriching bleisure trip is to combine thoughtful planning with a flexible mindset.

In Conclusion

A bleisure travel approach to business travel lets you view your next trip not just as a business trip but also as an opportunity for combining work and play.

Now, if you’re on the lookout for the perfect bleisure stay within the vibrant Greater Toronto Area (GTA), DelSuites is the perfect choice. Every stay with us is personalized, and the Canadian skyline outside your window becomes the backdrop to your unforgettable adventure.

So, whether you’re extending your business trip for leisure or seeking the perfect blend of work and travel, DelSuites leads you to a more fulfilling, balanced, and engaging travel experience.

Your journey across GTA awaits – redefine it with DelSuites!

Lifestyle talk

Trick or Treating Safety Tips Halloween

October 23, 2023

Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for your little ones. They get to dress up in costumes and spend the evening knocking on doors and getting heaps of candy. It’s a quintessential childhood experience – but as the responsible adult, you play an important role in making sure trick or treating is done safely. Here are some trick-or-treating safety tips to keep in mind so that you can make sure your kids have a safe and happy Halloween.

Make Sure Their Costumes Are Visible

Wearing a black Batman cape at dusk means that drivers will have a very hard time seeing your child as they try to cross the road. Instead, go for bright and colourful costumes or attach reflective tape to the costume. Also, your child can carry glow sticks, a flashlight or any other type of flashing device to make them more visible in the dark.

Can They Move and See Clearly?

Sometimes the trouble with masks and hooded costumes is that they restrict vision. Your child may struggle to see out of the small eye holes in the mask, which could cause them to walk into traffic or take a nasty fall. It is better to wear face paint rather than masks so that your child’s vision is not obstructed. Also, make sure that their costume doesn’t restrict their movement and make them more likely to trip and fall over such as a long skirt dragging on the ground.

Be Smart Around Strangers

Some other trick or treating safety tips are to trick or treat in a familiar neighbourhood where you know most of the people who live there. Make sure that your child knows that they should never go inside someone’s house unless they know them. Only trick or treat at well-lit houses and do not approach someone’s property if the lights are not on.

Check Out the Candy Before Eating

When your child arrives home with a bag filled with sweets, make sure that you give it an inspection before you let them dig in. Watch out for any items that they are allergic to, or any sweets that look like they have been tampered with or are not in their original wrapping. You might want to place the Halloween candy somewhere on a high shelf so that you can dole out a reasonable amount and avoid a candy binge sugar rush and subsequent crash.

Alone or With Adults?

Children that are quite young should always trick or treat with an adult, or at least with a responsible teenage sibling or family friend. However, your older pre-teen children may be able to trick or treat in a group without an adult. You know your own child and how responsible they are – so use your judgement. When they go out you should know what neighbourhood they will be trick or treating in, they should be contactable via mobile phone and they should agree to be back by a specific time.

Another thing to add is if your child is also showcasing some symptoms of a cold or flu, it might be best for them to stay home.

If you are looking for fun things to do or wondering where to buy a costume, check out this guide to find out the latest on what’s going on in Toronto!

Keep these trick-or-treating safety tips in mind for a fun and safe Halloween!

Food & Recipes, toronto toursim, Vacation Travel

The Best Beer Gardens Toronto Offers

August 14, 2023

Drinking and eating outdoors is a popular Canadian pastime. The weather is only nice for a fraction of the year, so we like to make the most of it before the snow starts to fall again. Why not spend every possible moment enjoying the sunshine? Plus, after a big day of sightseeing and wandering all over Toronto, there’s nothing more satisfying than settling into a chilled-out beer garden and taking a big sip of a cold frothy one. Here are a few of the best outdoor beer gardens Toronto offers.Here are a few of the best outdoor beer gardens Toronto offers.

Granite Brewery

This popular beer garden in Mount Pleasant and Eglinton has been around since before the hipster trend of craft beers in Toronto. It is a great chilled-out space serving a selection of classic English-style beers that are made on-site. You can choose to hang out on the outdoor patio on the front that faces the street, or the more private back patio that overlooks a lovely garden. If you really fall in love with the chilled-out atmosphere you could consider tying the knot here – the Granite Brewery hosts weddings.

Mascot Brewery Beer Gardens Toronto

Located in the heart of downtown on Mercer Street, this casual and sunny beer garden in Toronto is a great place to grab a drink with friends on a hot summer’s day. There are communal picnic-bench style seats perfect for socializing and there is even a food truck to fulfil your beer-fueled appetite. The AstroTurf on the floor and the laid-back vibe make it feel like you are just hanging out at your buddy’s house for a weekend barbeque. If you are visiting with a larger group, it is even possible to order a five-litre keg of craft brew which you can self-serve.

Amsterdam Brewhouse

This great watering hole has a large beer garden right on the waterfront, which comes to life with laughter and conversation every summer. There are three different outdoor areas you can sit in, depending on how close you want to be to the water.

This Brewhouse also offers a superb selection of beer, including several special housemade brews. The selection changes every month, so every time you come back you will find something new on the menu to try. They also serve food – yummy bites that pair well with a cold glass of beer such as Honey Sriracha Chicken Wings, Amsterdam Pretzel and Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Feta Cheese.

The Pilot Tavern

Check out the “Flight Deck” of the Pilot Tavern, a rooftop beer garden offering sunshine, great food, cold drinks and a great atmosphere. High on a roof in Yorkville, it is removed from the hustle and bustle of the street and it is fully equipped with retractable awnings and heaters so you can keep on drinking no matter what the weather. In fact, it has been around for more than 70 years and was named by the readers of The Globe and Mail as Canada’s Favourite Patio.

Enjoy these great summer spots and more when you stay in Toronto

If you are looking to enjoy living in downtown Toronto for a summer to enjoy all this and more that the GTA has to offer, be sure to find a furnished rental in downtown Toronto now.

Business Travel, Downtown Toronto, Family Vacations in Toronto

A Guide to Getting Around Toronto During COVID-19

September 21, 2020

If you’re planning on visiting Toronto or the surrounding area, you may be in for a little surprise. Even if you’ve visited the city in the past, things have changed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As with most large cities, Toronto has had to make some slight changes to its travel system to ensure people’s safety. While the changes are fairly easy to navigate, it’s important to be prepared for the new rules.

Here’s what you need to know about Toronto and the way the city is handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Getting to Canada

The biggest changes you’re likely to experience in travelling to Toronto is getting into the country. As of September 2020, the border with the US is closed to most foreign nationals unless you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

If you’re travelling from another country via plane, the airline will do a health assessment to check for symptoms of COVID-19. If you display any of the symptoms, you won’t be able to board the flight. You will also need to wear a face mask over your mouth and nose during the flight. Toronto Pearson (YYZ) is one of the only four Canadian airports currently allowing international flights.

When you arrive at Toronto Pearson, you will again be checked for symptoms. Whether you display symptoms or not, you will be required to isolate for 14 days if you are coming to Canada from another country. Certain exemptions may be made if you take a COVID-19 test, or if you’re classified as an essential worker.

Public Transit With the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)

Once you’ve arrived in Toronto (and gone through the necessary 14-day self-isolation period if you’re coming from another country), you’ll probably need to get around the city!

The TTC is Toronto’s public transport network. It consists of subway trains, streetcars, and buses. While the entire system is now up and running as normal, there are some additional guidelines to be aware of.

As of July 2020, it is mandatory to wear a mask or face mask while using TTC public transport, unless you have an underlying medical condition that makes wearing a mask unsafe.

On all buses, streetcars, and trains, you may notice that several seats are blocked off. Avoid using these seats to ensure you are practicing social distancing from other passengers.

Fares can be paid as normal by cash, PRESTO card, or token.

Click here to see the latest guidance from the TTC about using public transport safely. You can also visit the TTC website to see a full map of the city’s public transport.

Use a Ride-Hailing App

Uber and other ride-hailing apps have become increasingly popular over the last few years. With Uber and other similar apps, you can order a cab to your exact location and it usually arrives within the space of a few minutes. For many, it’s a more convenient and affordable option than regular taxi cabs.

As of March 2020, all Uber drivers and passengers are required to wear masks while in the car. Drivers now have to verify they are wearing a mask through the app before they are assigned to a ride.

Drivers are also required to sign documentation confirming they:

Have no COVID-19 symptoms
Have disinfected their vehicle
Have washed their hands

If your driver arrives without a mask, you’ll be able to cancel your ride for free.

You will also have the luxury of choice when it comes to ride-hailing apps in Toronto. Other ride-hailing apps that are currently available include:

Lyft
RideGuru
Ola
Didi
Poparide
BlancRide
HiRide

Toronto’s regular taxis are still in service too.

Bike Share in Toronto

Bike Share Toronto offers an easy bike renting system. With over 6,000 bikes held at convenient outdoor stations around the city, you can grab a bike easily and quickly and drop it off at another station when you’re finished.

This bike rental system is still in operation despite the COVID-19 pandemic. While it isn’t required, you may wish to wipe down the handlebars of your bike and sanitize your hands before and after your trip.

Find out more about renting a bike in Toronto.

Finding the Perfect Accommodations in Toronto

Travelling around Toronto is actually a lot easier than you may think, in spite of the ongoing pandemic. Just remember to keep a respectful distance from other passengers when possible. And don’t forget to bring a few masks with you, so you never have to worry about being refused entry.

No matter how long your trip is, DelSuites has the perfect temporary accommodations in Toronto. Find out how we’re keeping our guests safe during the pandemic.

Whether you’re travelling for business or for pleasure, our fully furnished, stylish suites will make you feel right at home from the moment you step through the front door.

Plus, with suites located all over the city, you’re sure to find a place to stay that’s exactly where you need to be. If you’re lucky, you may not need to worry about public transport at all! Discover our short-term rentals in Toronto today.

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