Delta Chelsea, Toronto

...two email's back from the Delta Chelsea with more infomation than I'd asked for. This seemed like a very good start to us that they bothered to reply to our inquiry even though we had said that at that point we hadn't even booked anything.

A few days later we booked our honeymoon and the delta chelsea was the hotel we chose for our five night stop in Toronto.

On arrival at the delta chelsea from the airport I was quite ...
...with people. Members of delta privalige had their own check in desk away from the main reception area (this is for regular buisness travellers) and they also had their own lounge too. The reception desk was large with space for about five or six members of staff to be checking customers in but only ever saw two or three people working on front desk. Airline staff also had their own check in desk. When we arrived there was no line of people waiting ... more

My first experience of this hotel was back at the end of January 2006. We we're thinking about booking this hotel for one of our stays on our honeymoon in August. I emailed the hotel for some general infomation about the hotel itself, the location for transport from the airport and tourist infomation. As there we're numerous email addresses on the website I sent the same email to two addresses, one to the front office manager and one to the general front desk email. Later the same day because of the time differnce I recieved two email's back from the Delta Chelsea with more infomation than I'd asked for. This seemed like a very good start to us that they bothered to reply to our inquiry even though we had said that at that point we hadn't even booked anything.

A few days later we booked our honeymoon and the delta chelsea was the hotel we chose for our five night stop in Toronto.

On arrival at the delta chelsea from the airport I was quite impressed. The reception area was large, airy and buzzing with people. Members of delta privalige had their own check in desk away from the main reception area (this is for regular buisness travellers) and they also had their own lounge too. The reception desk was large with space for about five or six members of staff to be checking customers in but only ever saw two or three people working on front desk. Airline staff also had their own check in desk. When we arrived there was no line of people waiting for the reception desk but we did wait in line a couple of times when we went down for something else and the line was always moving and everyone was dealt with quickly (but not felt rushed) and efficently.

Our check in was very simple. They took our booking form and sorted out our room keycard. We got told our room had been upgraded from a standard 'Delta Room' to a 'Deluxe'. This was done by the holiday company as they made a mistake with our first hotel in New York. This was a bit of a suprise as we hadn't expected it and my husband said 'Thats nice as we're on our honeymoon'. The lady booking us in was really excited we were there on our honeymoon, congratulated us and finished explaining where our room was and the services that the hotel provided. She said that if we had any problems or queries to come down and see her and wrote her name down for us. During check in we were asked to provide a credit card for any services which we used, such as room service etc. This seemed to be standard as we had to do the same at the hotel in New York.

Our room was easy to find and located on the 23rd floor of the hotel. On entering the room we found a reasonable size living space (although alot smaller than in New York) but this didn't matter. It was well decorated in a modern style. The room was very clean and airy. Our room was non-smoking but if you wanted a smoking room they do have them.

The room had a large flat screen TV with a number of channels and an in hotel entertainment system of music and movies etc, all chargable to your account. There was a comfy armchair, table and workstation with telephone and access to high speed internet access (again, chargable to your account). The hotel also had a folder with lots of useful infomation not only about the hotel but surrounding areas of Toronto, resturants, bars, sightseeing tours and contact numbers for all of the major airlines which was very useful. The bathroom was not massive but plenty big enough with a fairly big sink area, hairdryer, shower over bath, plenty of towels & flannels and a selection of mini june jacobs toiletries including, a facial cleansing bar, shoe shine, body wash, shampoo, tissues, conditioner & soap. We also had coffee making facitilies in the room (we hear Canadians love their coffee) but we didn't use these as neither of us are coffee drinkers.

Our room also had a balcony which was fairly small and didn't have any chairs etc like balconys on your European holidays but to be honest we we'ren't worried about spending time sitting out on the balcony anyway. At present the hotel is going through the process of having all of the balcony's re painted which is good as they are looking a little worse for wear.

The wardrobe was built into the wall and was really quite big with iron and ironing board & a bath robe. The hotel also offers a dry cleaning service and leaves the dry cleaning bags in the wardrobe as well but we didn't make use of this service.

You can also have room service. If you want breakfast in your room you can just fill out the card and hang on your door before 2am and anything else during the day/night you can ring down direct from you room as they have a complete menu in the room and it will be charged straight to your account. For room service you get charged $3CAN each time you order plus 15% gratuity automatically added onto your bill.

Overall we were impressed with the room itself and how clean it was. Maid service was every day and the room was always kept sparkling clean and tidy. This really could not be faulted.

As mentioned earlier my husband said we were on our honeymoon at check in and later that evening of arrival we had a special delivery to our room. A bottle of champainge, chocolates and a red rose delivered with a card from the lady who'd booked us in on arrival wishing us a pleasant stay at the delta chelsea and if there was anything they could do for us during our stay to let them know! The little touches like this just really made our honeymoon. I've kept that card with all of our photos etc.

The following day we had another delivery to our room, another bottle and a plate of fruit, this time from the reception manager (it wasnt until I got home and checked back on my emails I had from the delta chelsea before booking this was from the lady that had replied to my email!) Again, it's the small touches that really do make all of the difference.

The delta Chelsea has plenty to offer it's guests. Rather than just the one resturant in our New York Hotel there are a selection of places to eat. Theres the B33 bistro and Brasserie which has a choice of a la carte or buffet. We didn't eat in here but it did look relaxed but upmarket. Then theres the Market Garden which we ate in a fair amount. You can help yourself and hot meals are cooked there and then while you wait. There was a lovely salad bar and you could get pretty much anything to eat in (or on the patio) or take away with sandwiches, soups and pizzas just to name a few. All of our meals here were excellent value for money, plenty of fresh fruit, yoghurts, drinks and pastries etc at breakfast. This was most defiantely the most relaxed of dining experiences at the hotel. It reminded me of the food courts you get in shopping centres only better.

The hotel also has it's own bar called 'Monarchs' which went to in the evening. When we went it was fairly quiet but it seems its very popular when a major sporting event is on and boasts a massive big screen tv and some nights has a dj. The atmosphere was friendly, comfortable and relaxed.

The Elm Street lounge was also open which looked fairly upmarket and has an a la carte menu at lunch times. We didn't use this facility. Then of course theres Deck 27 which gives superb views of Toronto. This is for evening drinks and continental breakfasts with a great view. The one night we decided to go up there was noone there! We must have been early!

Relaxing in the delta chelsea is great they have a dedicated area and pool for families which is located on the 2nd floor. Theres a games room, pool with whirlpool and sauna and a four storey waterslide for those little ones who just love to make a splash.

For us we used the Deck 27 pool which was lovely. We made use of this facility a few times during our stay. The pool and surrounding area was lovely and clean, you get towels, nice changing/shower facilities and loungers by the pool. At the other end of the room there is a small gym which looked to have more than enough equipment including weights, cycle machines, treadmills etc. You could have a workout/swim pretty much any time, both opened at 6am and are open until midnight (6.30am opening at the weekend)

As well as all of this the hotel also offers a gift shop which we used and had friendly service and another little shop which sold some gorgous candles in glass pots etc, a really cute gift for someone if thats there kind of thing. I didn't dare buy anything of fear of getting it home in one peice! The smell past that shop was gorgeous!

The delta chelsea also has it's own conceirge and booking desk for trips. They offer a wide selection of leaflets and info on things to see and do in Toronto during your stay. We had such wonderful advice given to us and managed to fit in a few trips booked through the hotel.

If your staying here for buisness the hotel also has plenty to offer in this department too, with conference facilities etc although I can not comment on these as we were not there for buisness.

As well as laundry, dry cleaning, multi lingual staff, currency exchange and parking this hotel has so much to offer.

The location is excellent, close to Younge Street it is close by to shops, the mall, resturants and bars in downtown Toronto. We took a walk to the waterfront and CN tower from the hotel. This took about half an hour but taxi's are readily available from the hotel or close by. Transport was also important for us as we were travelling to Niagara Falls and wanted to take a coach. This was not a problem as the coach/bus station was a two minute walk from the hotel. This was perfect for us literally just being around the corner meaning we could leave the hotel and practically be at the coach station within minutes.

Theres nine different styles of room at the delta chelsea. One to suit every need and budget. We were booked for a standard delta room (upgraded to a deluxe) but you can get anything from a basic delta room to familiy room, rooms with kitchen to suites and honeymoon suite! The sky is the limit with this hotel. This extends not only from the rooms but to the pools (family or not family) to the different choice of resturant and bars. You can be as up market or casual as you wish. This is what I really loved about this hotel.

In our experince everything about this hotel was perfect for us. It was upmarket but casual, excellent friendly, efficient staff, excellent range of services, resturants, bars and shops, recreational facilities are second to none, the hotel was spotless.

Would I return to the delta chelsea? Most definately and I 100% recommend this hotel.

http://www.deltahotels.com/hotels/hotels.php?hotelId=10 

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