Cosmopolitan Toronto Hotel, a Zen lifestyle hotel, has been named one of the world’s hottest new hotels in the Condé Nast Traveller Hot List 2006 - The Very Best New Hotels in the World. The list, featured in the May edition, comprises 60 hotels, and Cosmopolitan Toronto is the only Canadian hotel, and one of five North American hotels, included.

The Condé Nast Traveller Hot List recognizes hotels and resorts for design, service and ambiance, making it one of the industry’s most coveted designations. Each year, an anonymous group of writers evaluates new hotels and resorts around the world for the publication. This year, Cosmopolitan Toronto was among the 60 properties whose style and service surpass industry standards and is described by Condé Nast Traveller as follows:

    “The 97-room Cosmopolitan, in a 1960’s office block, is as
    straightforward as it is stylish. Owner Gil Blutrich, a Zen
    enthusiast, has taken his favourite theme and run with it:
    the interiors were designed with an ‘energy balancing expert’;
    all the bedrooms have yoga mats; and an incense menu is part
    of the turndown service ... Esoterica aside, the Cosmopolitan
    is extremely comfortable and chic, with hardwood floors and
    almost wall-to-wall windows for spectacular views of Lake
    Ontario, the landmark CN Tower and buildings by IM Pei and
    Mies van der Rohe.”
 
“A hotel stay can no longer be standard, but must offer more than even just great amenities; it must be an extension of what you love about your home and your lifestyle,” said Blutrich. “We try to emulate this so our guests truly feel like they have a safe and comfortable haven as well as the style elements that are reflective of their lifestyle.”

Located in the epicentre of Toronto’s financial district at 8 Colborne Street, Cosmopolitan Toronto opened its doors on June 8, 2005 as an environmentally chic oasis in the heart of the city. The serene yet invigorating environment radiates throughout this wellness hotel. Guests are greeted upon arrival by flowing purified air throughout the sleek high-rise and at check-in receive a guided meditation CD courtesy of the hotel. With only five suites per floor, truly a home away from home, amenities are plush, offering hardwood floors, air purifiers, balconies and windows that open, full kitchens, washer/dryer, 400 thread-count Egyptian cotton linens, 32” LCD flat screen TVs and wireless Internet. This hotel retreat not only creates an at- home feel with such deluxe amenities, it offers an urban sanctuary to balance both mind and body.

“The continued growth of the hotel industry in Canada is a testament to the worldly traveller’s desire to visit our culturally rich country,” says Michele McKenzie, President & CEO, Canadian Tourism Commission. “This award shows that Canadian hotels, like the Cosmopolitan Toronto, are providing the unique and stylish experiences in demand. We congratulate the Cosmopolitan on receiving this prestigious honour.”

Paul Burke, president of Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Cosmopolitan Toronto’s operator said, “Being a part of this prestigious list brings more attention to one of the most unique properties in our portfolio and is a high point in its short existence. It is also a credit to the hard work of each team member at Cosmopolitan Toronto in developing a serene yet invigorating atmosphere that blends age-old Eastern philosophy with the best of Western technology to suit the needs of the modern traveller, for business or pleasure.” He continued, “We view this special recognition as just the beginning for this new gem in Toronto as it continues to improve its product and services in order to continue being one of the best hotels in the world.”

Cosmopolitan Toronto Hotel is the sister hotel of Pantages Suites Hotel & Spa also in Toronto. It is owned by Skyline International, a Toronto-based real estate development and investment company, and is operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts who operate approximately 300 hospitality properties in 41 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Russia and Portugal. For more information about Cosmopolitan Toronto Hotel visit the website at www.cosmotoronto.com or call 1.800.958.3488. To view Condé Nast Traveller’s Hot List, log onto the magazine’s website at www.cntraveller.com
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