The Eaton Chelsea is an affordable, family-friendly hotel with a great location in downtown Toronto.
The Chelsea Hotel, Toronto (formerly known as the Delta Chelsea and the Eaton Chelsea) has always been a popular choice with families visiting Toronto who appreciate affordable and comfortable accommodations in a centrally located hotel.
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Read reviews and check current rates at the Chelsea Hotel, Toronto on TripAdvisor
The Langham Hospitality Group assumed management of Canada’s largest hotel in the spring of 2013 and the hotel was re-branded as the Eaton Chelsea. Langham’s Eaton brand aims to provide guests with a stylish, modern environment, welcoming service and value for money. Extensive renovations were undertaken to the public areas of the hotel and the new brand was officially launched with a Canada Day celebration on July 1st.
My 10 year-old daughter and I had the opportunity to spend a night at the newly-renovated Chelsea Hotel and planned a fun city break around our stay. We took the train into Toronto and the ferry to Centre Island to enjoy Centreville Amusement Park for the day, checked into the hotel late in the afternoon and had a quick dinner before attending a performance of Cats at the Panasonic Theatre on Yonge Street. The following morning we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the hotel before exploring the Bata Shoe Museum.
Hotel Location
The Eaton Chelsea is located at Yonge and Gerrard in downtown Toronto which is very convenient for all visitors but especially those with kids. The hotel is within easy walking distance of shopping, entertainment and also to public transportation so that families don’t need to drive or take expensive cabs to get around the city.
Hotel Accommodations
After checking into the hotel, we settled into our room which was furnished with two double beds and Emma made herself completely at home. While the Eaton Chelsea is not a luxury hotel, the rooms are comfortable, nicely decorated and clean. The hotel provides complimentary WIFI in all of the rooms which is one of the most important hotel amenities as far as I’m concerned. There was also a kettle and supplies to make coffee or tea in the room for everyone who needs their caffeine first thing in the morning.
The type of room that we stayed in is described as approximately 315 square feet. This was fine for us for a one night stay but a family of four (particularly with older kids) or anyone staying for a longer period of time might find it a bit crowded if they are spending any amount of time in the room. It might not matter so much to families who plan to be out and about for the duration of the stay but I would recommend booking one of the rooms with a kitchenette or two separate rooms for those that prefer to have more spacious accommodations.
Dining at the Chelsea Hotel
Guests at the Eaton Chelsea have several dining options available to them. We were running short of time pre-theatre so opted to eat at the Market Garden which has a selection of tasty prepared foods as well as chefs who prepare menu items to order. There is a comfortable dining area for guests and also a lovely outdoor patio that can be used during the warm weather season.
The following morning we had a delicious breakfast at BB33 Bistro & Brasserie before heading out to the museum. Other dining options on-site include Monarch’s Pub serving pub fare after 5pm along with live music and the T Bar lounge where guests can enjoy drinks in a relaxing environment, an Indian lunch buffet or an à la carte menu for lunch and dinner.
Family-Friendly Amenities
Families staying at the Eaton Chelsea know that they are welcome because of the kid-friendly amenities that are included. Our time at the hotel was limited but there was no way that Emma was going to agree to leave without the opportunity to swim in the Family Fun Zone’s pool so we fit in a quick morning swim. There is a lifeguard on duty and kids are required to take a swim test to demonstrate their competence in the water before they are allowed to ride the 130 ft corkscrew slide.
The slide twists outside the hotel before depositing riders with a splash into the deep end of the pool. Emma was nervous about riding the first time because the slide is dark but she loved it so much that she went again and again before we had to leave to get ready for breakfast.
The Family Fun Zone also has a Kid Centre which is a fun, well-equipped play area for children with games, books and art and craft supplies. There is even a pet bunny which I’m sure is the highlight for many young guests. A separate teen area (Club 33 Teen Lounge) is outfitted with all manner of entertainment – flat-screen televisions, XBox 360s, arcade games, foosball and a pool table.
Guests of the Chelsea Hotel also receive exclusive access to Chelsea Beach on the Toronto Islands.
We enjoyed our overnight city break at the Eaton Chelsea. The hotel was ideal for our mid-week getaway and exactly what most families visiting Toronto are looking for – comfortable accommodations in a great location without breaking the bank.
Thank you to Eaton Chelsea for hosting our stay – my opinions are, as always, my own.
What You Need To Know
- The Eaton Chelsea is located at 33 Gerrard Street West in Toronto.
- The hotel has 1,590 guest rooms and suites.
- Club Room guests have access to the E-Club Lounge on the 25th floor which serves a complimentary continental breakfast, all-day refreshments and evening canapés.
- The Family Fun Zone consists of an indoor family pool with waterslide, Kid Centre, and Teen Lounge.
- Other amenities include: Deck 27 adult-only indoor heated pool; fitness centre; and access to adjacent Elmwood Spa.
- There are four dining venues: Market Garden and Coffee Bar; BB 33 Bistro and Brasserie; T Bar; and Monarch’s Pub.
- All rooms have complimentary WIFI.
- Guests self-parking is available in underground garage $29 per night with unlimited in and out privileges. Valet parking is available at $39 per night with unlimited in and out privileges.
- The Eaton Chelsea has 24,000 sq. ft. of meeting and function space.
Lisa wood
Looks like a great place to visit! I so would end up staying at that pool the whole time, the slide sounds incredible 🙂
JodyR
What a thorough review! I’ve been looking for a good family-friendly hotel in TO.