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Windsor Arms Hotel
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Beauty and Spas Day Spas Restaurants Canadian (New) Hotels, Day Spas, Canadian (New) [Edit]
18 St Thomas StToronto, ON M5S 3E7
Neighbourhoods: Discovery District, Yorkville, Downtown Core
(416) 971-9666
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 5:30 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Upscale
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
11 reviews for Windsor Arms Hotel
11 reviews in English
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Review from Frank L.
Toronto, ON
2/13/2012 3 photos
What can I say sitting in the Courtyard enjoying live piano play while eating my Sunday Brunch. The atmosphere is wonderful. The pianist sits on the 2nd floor and the music traveling throughout the courtyard. The spacing of the tables is plenty. The waiter is polite. The food display is neat and tidy.
The first table to catch my eyes is the dessert table. There are dipped strawberry, strawberry, creme brûlée , chocolate cake, mousse, cup cakes and lots more. I try them at the end of the meal. The crème brûlée is disappointed. It is very thick and solidified.
For the entree, there is large, I mean real large, King Crab which has lots of meat. King Crab lover will sure love it. Shrimp is big, tender but doesn't have the shrimp taste. The smoked salmon is one of a kind. Don't miss the Caesar salad. Only the sprout part of the lettuce is chosen and mixed with tiny dice of celery gives you a crunchy feeling. Another salad is also tasty. The a la King with mushroom is juicy. The lamb shank is average. The bean and asparagus are very fresh. The disadvantage of having them warming in closed trays makes them turn yellowish at the end of the meal. The roast lamb is a bit dry but the roast beef is good. I have a slice medium rare which is tender and juicy.
Given that the Courtyard may only have a seating of up to 100 people, there may not be too many choices for a buffet. But the raw material quality selection is above average.
We order egg Benedict. There is one that you can choose with salmon. The egg is boiled just right. The yolk flows out when you cut it. I like the one with salmon. You can also order omelettes. Unlimited supply of orange juice, tea, coffee is also included.
We like it so much till the end. We are reminded to leave after sitting there for 1.5 hours. We do not know that there is a time limit nor we are reminded at booking. The waiter comes twice or 3 times within 15 minutes to politely ask us to leave before 1 pm as there is another seating. I don't think it is too comfortable to hear that especially you are having an expensive Sunday Brunch at $50 pp in such a high class hotel. This definitely needs to be improved. At least if we are informed at booking, there won't be such a pushy feeling.
Overall with the atmosphere, food and service, I am still willing to give it 4 stars. -
Review from Joy L.
Scarborough, ON
5/7/2012
Bunch at Windsor Arms Hotel was a disappointment. Previous reviews indicated that the hotel had severely degraded their buffet, and ultimately themselves. For a luxury 4 diamond hotel, Windsor Arms' services were not up to caliber. Our table was ignored for a good 10-20 minutes. The server had failed to inform us of the made-to-order food items included in the buffet. We were not offered juice and had to request for coffee three times. I was dumbfounded by the lack of quality, lack of selections and lack of effort. It was almost demeaning as the tables around us had visibly better services.
Windsor Arms' legendary scones were unavailable. It was filled with Dare multi-grain crackers. My dad felt the bread was stalled. My mom, however; did enjoy the chocolate-filled croissant.
The chef's idea of a Waldorf salad is green apple with greens. Traditional Waldorf salad includes apples, walnuts, celery, grapes and chicken, yet the salad at Windsor Arms was missing many of the key ingredients. Please just name it mix greens with (non)seasonal fruits, as it was FAR from a Waldorf salad
The seafood from the cold food selections were awfully frozen. Rubbery king crab legs and tasteless prawns are definitely not food items one would expect from a $50 'luxury' brunch.
Windsor Arms no longer offers waffles and pancakes in their made-to-order menu. Limited selections, coupled with serving possibility the worst Eggs Benedict in Toronto, Windsor Arms may just be the most overpriced brunch available in the GTA. Do not be deceived by my the images, the Eggs Benny was opposite of delectable. My brother's girlfriend had left a whole piece of pre-made French toast on her plate. It was a testament to how disappointing majority of the food was. The feedback for the lamb was regrettably fat and gamey.
While, my brother felt the curry chicken breast was moist and flavorful, I felt was missing a significant amount of spices found in traditional curry dishes.
The best item at the brunch was prime rib. It was moist, juicy and tender. Just the way it should be! Another notable item was the strawberries! HOLY GMO! They were the size of my palm! Devouring a plate of sweet and succulent strawberries with knives and forks was quite an experience.
The crème brulee had a grainy texture. The mousse was not airy. The cupcake resembled cake mix. The tiramisu lacked mascarpone and cognac. The hazelnut bombard had a strange paper aftertaste. It certainly may be an indication of its age.
Overall, I do not see myself returning to Windsor ArmsHotel. I was really hoping to fall in love with Windsor Arms; unfortunately, the brunch was appalling, the service was poor. Disgustingly dried back bacon and rock hard English muffin are things I would expect from a diner, not a hotel. It is short sighted to capitalize on small gains by downgrading offerings. Windsor Arms is sabotaging their brand equity. A hotel with such rich history had fallen from grace....to disgrace. -
Review from Ashley P.
Toronto, ON
2/12/2012
This is a review of thier Sunday brunch.
The room was beautiful, I enjoyed the natural lighting, but I think that it was a bit too dark in the room for brunch. I think that they should have made it more bright in the room.
The brunch table was fairly limited and pretty basic. They mainly served up lunch items as opposed to breakfast dishes. I was a little disappointed because I was expecting there to be more of a variety. There were made to order items, but I didn't try them -- maybe I was missing out....
The tea was excellent. It was strong tea, so I recommend asking for less tea leaves if you prefer weak tea. However, I love my tea strong and this was very delicious. The dessert table was nice. I HIGHLY recommend the desserts. They were all very good and beat the rest of the food there...... However, it was first come first serve, so once they were gone, they were gone.
Overall, the ambiance was very nice; quaint. There was a woman who played the piano beautifully throughout the brunch service. The seafood there was fresh and delicious, but limited in its selection. The french toast and pancakes were cold and disappointing. I have been to better brunches in the past and would not return to this one as I felt it lacked variety. The food selection reminded me of a wedding cocktail hour for some reason.
The hotel is beautiful, but there are better brunch options in Toronto. -
Review from Tanya N.
1/20/2012
This is a review for their Sunday brunch.
In a nutshell - pricey but luxurious.
I've heard about their fabulous Sunday brunch for awhile now so I was excited to finally come here with my sisters. The spread is vast from their buffet tables to their made to order items. Just to list off a few items at the buffet table: large steamed crab legs, shrimp, prime rib, vegetarian lasagna, number of salads, cheese, breads, pastries, petit fours, mash potatoes, etc. As for their made to order items, you can order omelettes, pancakes and french toast. I had their french toast and it was absolutely delicious.
Service was attentive.
At $50/person it's steep but worth it to try once. Make sure you're hungry when you get there! -
Review from Mark F.
Sweet suites. Impeccable service and Great location! You want to be here.
A party every night in the ball room but no, you're not invited. Keeps the lobby lively and the quiet, quaint bar rotating conversations.
My only complaint is the the Jacuzzi tub in my suite is only big enough for two. The glass shower fits 4 but tub, 2.
The rooms are amazingly large but some faults:
1. The music did not work as demonstrated
2. The light switches were confusing
3. I rarely used the giant living room
4. My room came with a guitar and not a piano
The hotel itself was great along with Natasha in the bar. The food however, at Prime, was borderline poor. More of that in my Prime review.
Stay here. Stay here. Stay here.
It will be well worth it and I'm looking forward to my next visit. -
Review from Sandy W.
Toronto, ON
1/13/2010
My boyfriend took me here for our 6 month anniversary a few weeks ago, and it was so awesomesauce it's my new favourite tea place. We came in 30 minutes late for the 12:30 sitting (trying to find parking in that area on boxing day is next to impossible!) but we still had plenty of time to gobble down our snacks.
We ordered the full tea, and were presented with a tea tray laden with scones, dense rolled up sandwich maki, and dainty desserts. I loved the scones, the boy loved the sandwiches, neither of us could finish the desserts, especially when they gave us complimentary strawberries and cream! They use Greaves jams, and clotted cream of course (some awful places stick you with whipped butter... like the Old Mill Inn). I had the earl grey rose tea, which was spectacular, as I love both flavours. Yum. Wonderful friendly service. I can't wait to go back.
The only things that marred this perfect experience was my boyfriend's stinky russian caravan tea which smelled of cigar smoke and the burning refuse left behind from a traveling russian caravan where I assume it got its name from. He loved it however. -
Review from Cat F.
8/9/2009
I've tried high tea across the city and this is by far the best! The ambiance is perfect, the service is good (not too stuffy). Our entire experience was lovely. More importantly, the warm scones and Devon cream were excellent (better than Four Seasons and Royal York) & the selection of teas were wonderful.
I took my mom here as we heard it was the best place in Toronto and it certainly deserves its reputation. I suspect that we had a better than average experience because it wasn't too busy in the tea room, only half the tables were occupied) so it made for prompt service and ample room to manoeuver.
A perfect way to spend a rainy summer afternoon in the city! -
Review from Jes L.
Toronto, ON
2/18/2009
As a gift for a friend's birthday, instead of the usual drunken shenanigans, I arranged a gathering at the Windsor Arms for high tea. It was really fun to see how well everyone managed to clean up and look the part to tea with the blue-bloods, as it were. The selection of tea is exceptional (as you would expect) and the finger food delicious.
I've had cream scones with fresh jam in the Cotswold's (think Jane Austen), and the Windsor Arms seemed just as authentic to me. -
Review from Vanessa G.
Toronto, ON
9/10/2008
Although I have not stayed in the hotel, I did enjoy their High Tea and it was quite an interesting adventure.
Served in the traditional British manner, high tea at The Windsor Arms is a sophisticated and elegant way to enjoy an early evening dinner. You select your tea (I had the rose Earl Grey which was so fragrant and quenching). Then you can order the food to accompany it; scones and finger sandwiches created with love and an obvious attention to detail.
The tea is served in a very regal looking dining room with big, comfy chairs, lots of doilies on the table and an air of utter pretension!
The food was delicious - I couldn't eat the sandwiches and scones fast enough. Also, I was surprisingly full after our meal. And for just $24 a person, it's comparable for what you would spend on an average meal anyway. Plus, you get to enjoy that added sense of dignity when you walk out into Yorkville, knowing you've just eaten where the Spice Girls and Britney Spears once dined as well! -
Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
10/17/2008
Apparently the Windsor Arms was THE spot for high end hangouts in the 80s and then it shut down for at least a decade. Now, reopened, it's managed to regain some of its former luster, a lot though, is based on nostalgia. Hi tea is totally a white people thing, and as a whitey, I love it. Hi tea and guitar solos are two things that white people can't resist, and The Windsor Arms has a great service. It's not quite as modern as the Four Seasons, but it's not super traditional or group oriented like the King Eddy either. It's very quaint and cozy. Perfect for a cold afternoon.
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Review from Julianna B.
Toronto, ON
4/21/2009
Glittering chandeliers, posh building, and obsequious service - the stage is set for high tea. The tea itself was delicious, and the sugared biscuits lived up to their fame. On the con side, the rooms are crowded, and I remember worrying about people brushing things off our table! Some of the tea sandwiches were a bit ambitious for me, but if you like caviar, then go ahead. It was very pretty (the china and silver were beautiful) but too hectic for my tastes.
