There’s something about a truly great hotel that wraps you up in a warm hug and lets you know you’re with a good friend.
I can’t quite explain it, but Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer has long had that effect on me. When I step inside, it’s like I’m in a quiet, familiar sanctuary.
The hotel being located in the heart of the city’s entertainment district, there are busy streets all around, as well as buzzing clubs and restaurants. But the tension and cacophony of downtown life disappears when you stroll through the front door and walk into the airy lobby, which is filled with gorgeous, polished wood and radiates an understated elegance. Not a posh, in-your-face, look-at me approach, but a relaxed embrace from a hotel that’s confident enough to whisper, not shout.
The lobby isn’t super large, but it’s got plenty of tall windows to let in the light and beautiful, polished wood. A short flight of stairs leads you to the quiet Mercer Lounge, an ideal spot for reading a book or (here’s an idea from a 32-year journalist at the Toronto Star) the morning newspaper. It feels like a private library, with immense ceilings and comfy seating you won’t want to get up from.
The Mercer Lounge at Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer. Jim Byers Photo
The lounge turns into a peaceful bar at night, with signature cocktails, such as a Negroni or a Manhattan, as well as fine wines and small bites, including a fine cheese board, tuna or steak tartare, and more. There’s live music midweek, which is a nice treat. Check out the “freezer martinis,” which are hand-made in advance and freezer-chilled to perfection. My recommendation is the Vesper, made famous by James Bond, with a mix of gin, vodka and lillet.
The rooms feature lovely, European styling and are super quiet, which is quite something considering you’re in the heart of the entertainment district. Our room, 606, had cool, patterned carpets, a stylish, wavy, ivory-white sculpture over the bed, dark walls, a super-comfy king bed with fluffy pillows and a double-wide chair that’s ideal for reading. There were reading lamps on both sides of the bed, but I’d prefer a bit more light, but I was able to make it work.
Our room was fully outfitted with outlets for personal devices, as well as a mini-bar, a very good-sized TV, a lovely Bose sound system, a Nespresso coffee machine and a kettle. Snacks include candied, wild salmon, dark chocolate and Miss Vickie’s potato chips.
The bathroom is a good-size, and features Ruby Brown bath products. The shampoo and body lotion are particularly rich.
Room 606 at Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer. Jim Byers Photo
Our room had a rain shower and also a deep, wonderful bathtub with a perfectly reclined back. There’s a window to the room with wooden slats that can be lowered for privacy, but I left ours open so I could have a bath and watch the Blue Jays game at the same time.
One nice touch is your room number is etched into the drinking glasses, which comes in handy if you have one too many frozen martinis in the lounge.
The hotel restaurant, which used to be open to the lobby, has been enclosed and given a new menu. Now known as Punch, it features a well, punchy, menu that’s a British-Indian twist. The hotel website says the idea is to reinterpret the flavours of Indian aunties and British mums, and isn’t that a nice idea?
There are fine photos on the walls, including Indian cricket players and British-looking portraits. There are super-high ceilings and elegant chandeliers that look like leaves on a tree. Overall, the feeling is high-end comfortable, but not stuffy. Which is pretty much the way Germain approaches its hotels across Canada (see note below).
The dinner menu includes such dishes as beef wellington, lamb chops with a tandoori spices and butter chicken pot pie. The New Zealand hamachi ceviche is to die for, with spiced mango vinaigrette, melon, herb oil, finger lime, valentine radish. The ginger glazed black cod is equally exquisite and served with a meen moilee, curry leaves and (gentle) pickled chili.
Gulab Jamun dessert at Punch restaurant at Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer. Jim Byers Photo
Veggies include wild sauteed greens (spinach, mustard greens, and swiss chard with a saag masala) and grilled cabbage with curry leaf pesto, a tasty dish that Executive Chef Mandar Kulnarni told me was his grandmother’s recipe. Kulkarni has worked at some of the city’s top restaurants, including Le Select Bistro, BUCA Osteria & Bar and Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890).
We also got to try a tasty Cornish hen with crispy garlic, smoked chicken fat, poppy seeds, cashew and pandhra rassa (a creamy curry with coconut milk, cashews and poppy seeds), which isn’t on the menu. I have a nut allergy so they served up a nice tropical gulab jamun dessert; like a warm, Indian doughnut with saffron yogurt/ice cream and a light, pineapple consommé. Delicious.
The cocktail menu includes Punch Panch, with Captain Morgan’s dark rum, mango, pineapple, fresh lime and ginger, as well as the British Vogue, which features Empress 1908 gin from Victoria B.C. mixed with lavender thyme syrup, grapefruit and prosecco.
Punch restaurant is a terrific spot at Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer. Jim Byers Photo
I enjoyed a classic Manhattan, and my wife had a fabulous glass of St. John’s Beausoleil rosé from the south of France, which makes the best rosé on the planet.
We had a very good breakfast the next morning that included avocado toast with watermelon radish, cherry tomatoes and whipped cottage cheese, as well as oatmeal with fresh berries and coconut milk. The croissant wasn’t terribly flaky (I’d put them in line for an upgrade) but they substituted grilled sourdough toast for me. I also had a very good coffee latte.
LOCATION
The Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer Street is in the heart of the entertainment district. It’s an easy walk to the Rogers Centre or to the Princess of Wales Theatre, as well as the TIFF Lightbox for film buffs.
OTHER GERMAIN PROPERTIES
Germain has two other Toronto properties; Le Germain Hotel Toronto Maple Leaf Square (lovely) and the Alt Hotel Toronto Airport, which is stylish and super handy for customers at Pearson/YYZ. The Germain group also operates The Alt Hotel St. John’s, Alt Hotel Halifax Airport, Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel & Spa (marvellous) in Quebec, Le Germain Hotel Quebec in Quebec City, Alt Hotel Quebec City, the lovely Le Germain Hotel Montreal, Alt Hotel Montreal (stylish and fun), Escad Hotel Quartier DIX30 in Montreal, Alt Hotel Quartier DIX30, Le Germain Hotel Ottawa, Alt Hotel Ottawa Airport, Alt Hotel Downtown Ottawa (very nice), Alt Hotel Winnipeg, Alt Hotel Saskatoon, Le Germain Hotel Calgary (a fabulous spot downtown), Alt Hotel Calgary University District and Alt Hotel Calgary East Village. They hope to open a Germain property in Vancouver in 2029.
Editors Note:
Our visit was paid for by the Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer Street. They did not review or approve of this post prior to publication.
