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Chelsea Hotel, Toronto: Perfect for a staycation with kids

It’s not very often that you see some tiny-tots line-up happily at the check-in counter of a hotel. The scene is quite the contrary in fact, with the little ones getting all cranky while the parents complete the formalities. But not at Chelsea Hotel, Toronto. Here, the kids can be seen all smiling and giggling in front of the ‘Kids Check-In’ counter, waiting to pick a toy from a treasure chest, and play the gong, announcing their arrival at perhaps the best hotel for families with kids.

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At the check-in counter of a hotel, it's common to see toddlers and kids get cranky and restless. The scene is quite the opposite at the @chelseahoteltoronto where we went for a staycation this weekend. While you finish the formalities, your baby can select a toy and play the gong at the cute check-in counter for kids. And then when your naughty toddler runs all over the lobby, you are not embarrassed by it. Because the smiles on the faces of staff members immediately put you at ease. They even come up and tell you, how cute your little one is. These are not the only elements that make Chelsea one of the best kid-friendly hotels in Toronto. Read our blog soon to know why we're gushing over this hotel for a staycation with kids. .(Swipe to see more pics) . . . . #staycation #chelseahotel #hotelsintoronto #hotelswelove #torontotourism #toronto #travelwithkids #parentlife #weekendgetaway #blogto #torontolove #hotelstay #blueskydreamers #hotelreview

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You will be pleased to know that the cute check-in is not the only thing that the hotel has for its little patrons. There are several facilities and elements that make it one of the best hotels for a staycation in Toronto with kids.

It’s wonderfully convenient location (minutes away from subway stations) is certainly a big USP of the hotel; you’ll never be too far away from anything brilliant happening downtown. Add to the fact that you can even receive discounts to art galleries and museums be simply flashing your room key makes you feel even more special.

Your Chelsea room key literally becomes a key to the city of Toronto. You can save on many other Toronto Attractions by showing your room key, see the full list here.

But before you head out, make sure you check out what all you can do at the hotel first. I would be surprised if you feel compelled to stay indoors instead. How you ask? For starters, the pool area comes with a promise of fun times with the family. Add to that the fact that it is the only pool with a waterslide; how’s that for fun?

If you have toddlers, you can let them enjoy themselves in the children’s play area that offers a safe and friendly environment for them to play with exciting toys and make new friends. There are several educational and creative activities to keep them happily busy. Kids can also dress up in fancy costumes for cool Instagram pictures! Our little one was too busy playing with two cute bunnies there.

You can even request nanny services, for a nominal charge, and leave your little one in the safe hands of a trained expert. Use this time to enjoy some couple time and catch up on matters of the heart without worrying about your little one.

If you’ve got teens, don’t worry, Chelsea’s got your back there as well. The teen area is full of fun and interactive activities such as arcade games and a pool table that will keep the apples of your eye entertained for good. There are also old school arcade games, two LCD flat-screen televisions, and two Xbox 360s. 

There is an indoor heated pool, a whirlpool, and an exciting corkscrew waterside with no age limit. They also have an adults-only pool and fitness center on the 27th floor. If you happen to visit the hotel during summer time, you can sunbathe while enjoying a lovely view of the CN Tower from the sundeck there.

Food Options

With so many activities you are bound to work up an appetite. Head down to the Market Garden restaurant or T| Bar and enjoy a selection of delicacies that are bound to keep you craving for seconds. Also, there is Market Garden On-The-Go, a unique concept where you can walk out with your conveniently packed meals and hit the city all nourished and happy. T |Bar offers a wide array of options from Indian curries to steaks, burgers, and pizza. A special highlight is an Indian buffet that’s organized Monday to Friday. Even if you aren’t planning to stay, do drop-in for lunch. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. We relished the Meat Lover’s Pizza and Butter Chicken platter along with a glass of very smooth Woodbridge California Chardonnay.

There is also the express|o coffee and wine bar, offering a selection of cold and hot beverages from cappuccinos to smoothies, along with an array of delicious desserts.

If you feel like getting a taste of cuisines other than the ones available here, there are several restaurants in the vicinity of the hotel. You can get good discounts at some of these restaurants by showing them

staycation wth kids chelsea hotel toronto

Disability Friendly

We are also pleased with the hotel’s attention to its differently-abled guests. Not only are the rooms and main areas accessible for people with disabilities, they have menus optimized for people who have low vision, are blind or partially sighted, and those with dyslexia.

Rooms & Service

The rooms are functional, and comparing the cost to the hotel’s location, they seem to come off as a good deal. There are different room categories: Chelsea, Deluxe, Club rooms; and 4 kinds of suites. A family fun suite is perfect for large families. It has two rooms with a queen bed in one, and a twin and double Murphy bed in another. It also includes a kids’ creative corner, DVD player and Xbox with free access to video games and movies through the Kid Centre. Cool, eh?

Our kid was quite happy in the Chelsea room with comfortable beds. The room service is impressive too. We requested a Playpen for our little one, which was promptly delivered to our room in less than five minutes, quite impressive considering the size of the hotel and occupancy.

I would like to specially mention the hospitality quotient of the hotel. I was personally impressed with the effort the staff members put in to make their guests feel welcome, especially the little guests.

I vividly remember the friendly robot that interacted with the children and grown-ups alike, making them smile, passing compliments, making them feel welcomed.

In an age where the rest of the properties are striving for luxurious overtures, Chelsea Hotel is striving for warmth, friendship, and character, and that, in my opinion, makes it perhaps one of the best hotels in Toronto to visit with children.

Attractions Near the Hotel:

As mentioned above, the hotel is conveniently located near all the major places to see in Toronto. Since our stay was hosted by Chelsea Hotel in partnership with Tourism Toronto, we were given passes to visit the attractions. But for anyone staying at the hotel, there are lots of discounts available (check the list in the link mentioned above).

We chose to visit the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. About 20,000 aquatic creatures at the aquarium fascinated our toddler and us equally!

places to see in Toronto

Ripley’s Aquarium is surely a must-visit if you are looking for places to visit in Toronto with kids.

While it will take some time for our baby to appreciate the symbol of Toronto, the tallest freestanding structure in Western Hemisphere, she certainly did enjoy her time at Chelsea and around Toronto!

For more information on the Chelsea Hotel, Toronto, or to book a stay, visit their website here.

PS: If you are planning a holiday in Toronto with kids in May, do check out the brand new production of The Sound of Music at the Princess of Wales Theatre from May 29th to June 2, 2019.

Abhinav Sahni is the co-founder of Blue Sky Dreamers. He quit his job in IT to pursue his love for writing and travelling.

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