Toronto Staycation: A Girls’ Weekend at Chelsea Hotel
By Rachel Naud
A Toronto staycation can feel just as exciting as travelling somewhere new. Best of all, there are no flights, long drives or complicated itineraries.
We recently planned a girls’ weekend at the Chelsea Hotel to celebrate my best friend’s daughter turning 21. The downtown location made it an easy choice for our birthday getaway.
Once we checked in, we settled into our room and relaxed. There was no pressure to race from one attraction to another. Instead, we could catch up and enjoy having nowhere else to be.
For two moms and a daughter, it was the perfect mix of quality time, great food and a break from our usual routines.
Dinner at Elm Tavern
Every great Toronto staycation needs a memorable meal. Luckily, we found one without leaving the hotel.
We celebrated at the new Elm Tavern, a British-inspired restaurant with a Canadian heart. The restaurant feels stylish yet relaxed. Therefore, it was special enough for a birthday dinner without being too formal.
The menu gives classic comfort food a fresh twist. First, we shared the King Crab Cakes with a tangy dill and mustard dip.
Next came the main courses. The Elm Lager-battered haddock arrived with thick-cut “fat chips,” marrowfat peas and tartar sauce. The Tavern Prime Rib Burger was another favourite. It came topped with caramelized onions, mushrooms, maple-and-pepper bacon, cheese and relish aioli. A soft brioche bun held it all together.
Meanwhile, the steak lover in our group ordered the 16-ounce AAA rib eye. It came with fat chips and a rich sauce au poivre.
Of course, we couldn’t celebrate a 21st birthday without dessert. We shared the Sherry Trifle with English custard, sherry-soaked vanilla sponge and toasted almonds. We also tried the Pecan Butter Tart with bourbon caramel sauce.
Somehow, we found room for both.
Breakfast at Elm Tavern
The next morning, we returned to Elm Tavern for the deluxe breakfast buffet.
The selection included eggs Benedict, pastries, fruit, bacon, hash browns and pancakes. In other words, there was something for every kind of morning craving.
We took our time over breakfast and recapped the night before. Plus, no one had to cook or clean up. It was the perfect way to extend our girls’ weekend before checkout.
Pools and Hotel Amenities
One of the best parts of a Toronto staycation at Chelsea Hotel is the range of on-site amenities.
The Heights is an adults-only wellness area on the 27th floor. Its heated indoor Skyline Pool overlooks downtown Toronto. Guests can also relax outdoors on the Horizon Deck.
Photo courtesy of the Chelsea Hotel
In addition, the renovated Movement Studio offers cardio and strength-training equipment. We could have worked out. However, lounging by the pool felt much more appropriate for our weekend.
Families have a separate recreation space called The Hive. It features another indoor pool and the hotel’s famous waterslide. As a result, the Chelsea works well for both adult getaways and family vacations.
A New Toronto Escape Room
Guests can also try Time Zone Escapes, located on the hotel’s lobby level.
Groups of four to eight can choose from two private adventures. The Curse of the Evil Genie and Blackbeard’s Brig each give players 60 minutes to escape. Both new and experienced players can join the fun.
Better yet, Time Zone Escapes participates in the hotel’s Show Your Key and Save program. Chelsea Hotel guests can book one experience and receive a second one free. That makes trying both rooms even more tempting.
Our weekend proved that milestone celebrations don’t require elaborate travel plans. Sometimes a comfortable hotel, delicious food, a beautiful pool and your favourite people are all you need.
For our Toronto staycation, Chelsea Hotel delivered all four.