Halfway down a dark and edgy side street, the architectural vision of a detached building of red-brick and glass looks incongruous. Once inside, the surprises keep coming: a split-level lobby and sofa lounge with open-hearth fireplace, cappuccino bar and scattered objects d'art is achingly cool and cosy.
Rooms are intimate, catering for the intimate: a sexy slate and mosaic bathroom cheekily reveals a glass rain shower beside the bed (not to panic: there are Venetian blinds). Although they profess to be Fido and kiddo friendly, everything here suggests a deux. Victor restaurant serves local Canadian cuisine including a Toronto tasting menu of starter portions that explore the city's culinary diversity.
And the good times roll right onto the hotel's doorstep: Maison nightclub (see Play), Ame (see Eat), Milagro (see Eat) and Second City comedy club (see Culture) are right opposite. Not such a grubby side street after all.