A FINE EVENING AT CHELSEA HOTEL TORONTO (AND LES MISERABLES)
We had tickets for Les Miserables at Mirvish’s Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday night. The show was ending at 10:30, which is a little late for me. But we had been given a night’s stay at the Chelsea Hotel Toronto, so we were able to grab a quick uber after the show and be at hotel by 10:45. A match made in heaven, you might say.
We couldn’t check in until 5 p.m., but we managed a half-hour rest in our lovely 25th floor room (a corner room, 2583). We had a comfy, king-size bed, a big screen TV (not that we had time to watch anything), a nice work desk, a mini-fridge, a Nespresso maker (thank you), a nice chair and even a balcony overlooking Yonge St. just north of Dundas, with a slice of Lake Ontario in the distance. The room was done up in cooling shades of grey and blue, a sophisticated look with textured wallpaper and striking art work reflecting downtown Toronto buildings and intersections. A nice, urban look for a hotel with a great downtown location.
A lovely, soothing room at the Chelsea Hotel Toronto. JIM BYERS PHOTO
My wife and I enjoyed a fine dinner at Elm Street Bar and Lounge; salmon with asparagus and potatoes and a nice burger with apples, brie and arugula. An 8 oz. glass of Rodney Strong Merlot set us back $24, but it was a nice meal.
It was a nice evening, so we walked from the hotel to City Hall and then on to the theatre for Les Mis, which was OUTSTANDING. I had trouble hearing Jean Valjean clearly at first, but it cleared up and his solos were beautiful. Even better, to me, were Javert, Fantine and Eponine. The music is as incredible as ever, the staging was fabulous and the cast was terrific. I quite liked the characters who cheekily played Monsieur Thénardier and Madame Thénardier, who star in the wonderful “Master of the House” number.
We grabbed a quick uber back to the hotel and settled in for the night. I couldn’t see any northern lights, but we saw plenty of urban lights in the city.
It was remarkably quiet overnight considering the downtown location.
A special kids check-in at the Chelsea Hotel, Toronto.
We had a nice breakfast the next morning at Elm Street, including avocado toast, scrambled eggs and sausage with good sourdough toast, and very good coffee lattes.
The service people at the hotel are super helpful and friendly with check-in, making change, or helping with directions to main attractions such as the Rogers Centre. There’s also a terrific indoor waterslide for families (or big kids like me.)
All in all, a terrific choice for business or leisure travellers in the heart of Canada’s biggest city.
LE BOAT RENTALS DEBUT ON TRENT-SEVERN WATERWAY IN ONTARIO
Le Boat trips are now available on the Trent-Severn Waterway in Ontario, Canada.
Le Boat has announced their Canadian expansion and new cruising route and newest base on the historic Severn- Trent Waterways. The new base is located at newly renovated Horseshoe Bay Marina in Peterborough, Ontario, which offers guests easy-access to the Trent-Severn Waterway.
The Global Executive team from Le Boat unveiled the new base with a ribbon-cutting ceremony a tour of their Luxury Horizon Cruises, and an inaugural 2024 voyage on the waterway.
Yours truly will get a chance to try one out in late May and early June, and I can’t wait!
“We are so excited for the grand opening of our second Canadian Base on the Trent-Severn Waterway, a national historical site. Our customers have been asking when we will be offering luxury boat rental vacations on this National Historic site we are excited to give them what they have been waiting for,” said Lisa McLean, North American marketing manager and head of
Canada. “Our Le Boat international customers will be in awe of the beautiful Ontario landscapes and pristine waterways as they experience the infamous Lift Locks in Peterborough and cruise Ontario’s wide-open lake. It also offers those staycations looking for a getaway to ‘cottage country’ the opportunity to enjoy boat life like a local.”
Boating season on the Trent-Severn opens on May 17, Victoria Day Long Weekend, marking the unofficial kick off to summer. Guests can still have time to book their long weekend getaway or their summer vacation for 2024. Le Boat is both family-friendly and pet friendly so everyone can enjoy the summer escape.
Le Boat will have a fleet of eight premier Horizon Cruisers on the waterway in the first year of operation. Boats range in size from two bedrooms to four bedrooms and will offer several suggested cruising routes from their new base at Horseshoe Bay Marina. Pricing starts at $2,800 CND for a week on Horizon 1 Cruisers that sleep up to five people. Travellers can choose a 3 to 6-night short break or a 7-10+ night vacation where they can eat, sleep, and live on board Le Boat’s luxury houseboat as they captain the boat themselves and cruise the waterways. No Boat license or prior boating experience is required—the experienced Le Boat base team will teach guests everything they need to know to captain the boat themselves.
Events Happening Summer 2024 Along the Waterway
For travellers who want to book their sailing during a prime time for events along the waterway, here are a few to consider that will add an extra touch of culture and fun to their sailing. The Peterborough Music Festival takes place June 29- Aug. 17; the New Canada Canoe Museum opens on May 13 and will give guests the opportunity to check out Canada’s Snow Bird Formation and F-16 Falcon as they pass overhead; and on June 29th guests can cruise to the Trent Port Marina for the weekend to watch the Air Show from their deck.
To help with trip planning, Le Boat provides their customers with sample cruising routes as well as recommendations and key highlights of what they can see and do along their sailing.
Suggested itineraries would include a cruise north towards Peterborough to Bobcaygeon, including experiencing the Peterborough Lift Lock, a National Historic Site, checking out the pretty town of Lakefield and enjoying beautiful Burleigh Falls.
A second option for Le Boat customers to do a return trip cruising south toward the historical town of Trenton, cruising to Rice Lake and exploring towns like Hastings and Campbellford.
Le Boat’s Trent-Severn Waterway Cruising Grounds
For suggested itineraries and more information visit https://www.leboat.ca/en/boating-holidays/canada/trent-severn
For more information, visit www.leboat.com www.leboat.comor for booking information call 1-800-734-5491.
About Le Boat
Le Boat, a leader in boat rental holidays in Europe, has more than 50 years of experience in the industry. With 950 boats stationed at a network of over 33 different departure bases across eight European countries, Le Boat arrived in Canada in 2018 and now has a local fleet of 32 boats available for rental on Ontario’s UNESCO Rideau Canal. With no boat licence or previous boating experience required, Le Boat shows you how to captain your boat at your own pace on a flexible itinerary. Boats range in size from one to five cabins (sleeping up to 12 people), and travellers can choose a 3–6-night short boating break or a 7-10+ night holiday. Le Boat’s luxury Horizon Cruiser boat rentals come with bow and stern thrusters, fully equipped kitchens, fresh linens and bedding, a top deck sun deck with lounge area, BBQ hot plate & much more! Le Boat is a proud Rainbow Registered company. For more information visit www.leboat.com or call 1-800-734-5491.
About the Trent- Severn Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
The Trent Severn Waterway is in central Ontario’s cottage country region and is a 386km (241 miles) waterway, which first opened in 1922 to connect Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay. Today Parks Canada maintains and operates this historic lock system as a perennial destination for recreational boaters and paddlers, and a home to the many people who live, work, and play along this National Historical Site.
A NEW CANADIAN CANOE MUSEUM IN PETERBOROUGH
The new Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
The Canadian Canoe Museum hosted an official celebration on May 10 unveil its new purpose-built, two-story, 65,000-square-foot museum, on its five-acre lakefront campus located on Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough, ON.
“Today marks the culmination of years of planning and hard work that ushers in a new era for The Canadian Canoe Museum, our local community and economy and the arts and culture sector,” stated Carolyn Hyslop, executive director, The Canadian Canoe Museum. “We are thrilled to welcome our donors, partners, members and volunteers as we gather to celebrate the unveiling of the new museum and Lang Lakefront Campus at the start of the paddling season.”
Situated on the Traditional Territory of the Williams Treaties First Nations, the five-acre site of the new museum provides stunning west-facing views of Little Lake, a connection to the Trans Canada Trail and is surrounded by public parks.
Reflecting on this milestone, Kevin Malone, chair, board of directors noted, “The Canadian Canoe Museum collection is unlike any other and has been recognized for its national significance to Canada. Now, it finally has a befitting, purpose-built home that enables it to be displayed in its entirety and meaningfully cared for as a fundamental part of Canada’s past.”
WHAT’S NEW IN SAN FRANCISCO
The Presidio Tunnel Tops park in San Francisco, California. JIM BYERS PHOTO
LATEST HOTELS
The Jay, an Autograph Collection – Launched 2023
The Jay Hotel is a newly renovated luxury hotel located in the heart of the Embarcadero neighborhood. Opened at the end of 2023, guests can now settle into one of their 360 luxurious rooms to glimpse the skyline and San Francisco Bay through floor to ceiling windows. The hotel’s third floor features a garden terrace and will house a dining and cocktail outlet by famed San Francisco-based Omakase Restaurant Group.
Starlite at the Beacon Grand Hotel
A San Francisco original, the newly renovated Starlight at the Beacon Grand hotel blends historical grandeur with modern sensibilities. Their newly renovated rooftop lounge is the latest addition as a reimagined take on the iconic San Francisco bar, Harry Denton’s Starlight Room. It will serve classic cocktails complemented by views of the San Francisco skyline.
THE FOOD SCENE
Noodle in a Haystack
After years of pop-ups catered to ramen enthusiasts, Noodle in a Haystack has opened a brick and mortar restaurant and has already redefined the iconic dish. Offering an eight course tasting menu and incorporating the flavors of traditional Ramen into each dish, the restaurant has already made it onto the third annual New York Times Restaurant List featuring the best 50 places as well as Bon Appetit’s 24 Best New Restaurants of 2023 list.
Shuggie’s is a climate-solutions restaurant and natural wine bar located in the Mission District. In their efforts to prevent food waste, Shuggie’s takes a unique approach by rescuing surplus produce and byproducts from food manufacturing and making them the stars of their menu. Guests are drawn in by the natural wines and enticing seasonal menu.
New for 2024, Il Parco Italian cafe prides itself on locally sourced ingredients, and its eight-year-old sourdough starter which is the foundation of its focaccia and pizza dough. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner options, Il Parco can be enjoyed al fresco, so diners can fully take in the views.
NEW EXPERIENCES
Spanning 14 acres of parkland, the Presidio Tunnel Tops are among the most anticipated new attractions in San Francisco this year, offering scenic walkways and picnic areas with panoramic views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. As one of the most historic, picturesque, and famous open spaces, the Presidio is the perfect place to relax. With a two-acre playground made entirely from natural materials and a variety of mobile food vendors, it’s the perfect family hotspot. I was able to check this out last summer and thought it was outstanding.
The Golden Gate Park Golf Course has undergone an exciting new 1,162-yard design, now offering golfers superb views of the hilly local terrain and a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. Providing a relaxed golfing experience at the edge of Golden Gate Park since 1951, the Golden Gate Park Golf Course is known for its undulating terrain and ocean breezes. The Ocean Beach provides the perfect scenic setting for a post-golf stroll.
