New Hyatt Regency on King fits into a changed neighbourhood

Cutting the ribbon at the new Hyatt Regency Toronto on King are Pete Sears, senior vice president, operations, Global Hyatt, Jim Brownell, parliamentary assistant, Ontario Ministry of Tourism, and Sulynn Jew, general manager of the rebranded hotel.

By Colleen Isherwood
Editor

TORONTO—Sulynn Jew, the new general manager of Toronto’s second Hyatt hotel says “Social” is what the rejuvenated and rebranded hotel is all about.  The new Hyatt’s public spaces are designed to catch the eyes of passers by on the outside street and ‘invite’ them inside, according to the designers. The lobby design is open, with seating areas throughout.  Not surprisingly, the open-style restaurant is named the “King Street Social” and the lobby bar is called “Mix”.

“The location is ideal – it’s close to the entertainment and financial districts,” Jew told a packed hotel lobby audience at the official opening March 4. “It’s in a hip and exciting area of the city, and Hyatt Regency Toronto is thrilled to be part of the electricity. We have a sister property in Yorkville. Paul Verciglio [its general manager] paved the way for our hotel.  That hotel opened 10 years ago.  Together, we are excited to further Hyatt’s presence in Toronto.”

The former Holiday Inn on King went through two years of renovations overseen by Hirschberg Design Group before its debut as a Hyatt last month.  The hotel has long been strong on personal service that goes beyond expectations, and behind the scenes many of the same staff are still in place.  And it already had good architectural “bones,” with its interesting curved corners.

Now Hyatt has added some sophistication and polish. And the Hyatt brand seeks to attract a clientele quite different from the families that frequented the Holiday Inn on King.

“The HDG-designed hotel has actually become a physical expression of the Hyatt’s brand marketing strategy,” Hirschberg Design Group said in a release. “The sleek new venue has a three-pronged mandate: to offer a coolly corporate destination for the business traveller; create an urban oasis for tourists to the city; and develop the hotel’s reputation as a hip, cool addition to the entertainment district.”

Restaurateur Fred Luk, who owns The Red Tomato and Fred’s Not Here across the street, was on hand for the opening.  He noted that there’s a different kind of clientele coming through the neighbourhood these days – sports fans are no longer the prominent group.  He said that the brand change to Hyatt will fit in well with the new clientele.

Jim Brownell, parliamentary assistant to the Ontario Minister of Tourism said that with a restaurant and 394 guest rooms and suites, the Hyatt Regency on King provided a meaningful contribution to the local economy.  He called the two Toronto Hyatts “wonderful bookends” to what tourism is all about in Toronto.

The white bar

The new semi-circular lobby bar, called “Mix” is a “white bar” with all the clear spirits, including Bombay Sapphire gin and many types of vodka. 

“We have all of our own syrups,” said Jew.  “There are different tapanades and crustinis.  It’s just like a really nice living room area where people can meet and relax – be comfy in an upscale setting.”
 
The lobby’s unmistakable focal point is a floating fireplace surrounded by a double glass water wall that cascades from the raised ceiling. Custom chandeliers reflect off the white leather seating that wraps around the bed of black river rock, inviting conversation.

The hotel’s bar is constructed of dark brown granite and faced with Persian onyx. Next to the bar is the hotel’s suave new restaurant - King Street Social. Serving the needs of the conference centre, hotel guests and visitors to the area, the 170-seat restaurant, which serves hotel guests visitors and the hotel conference areas, is augmented by a theatrical open kitchen.

Buffet at the King Street Social

Jew said the King Street Social kitchen and bar has international or global cuisine with a Canadian flavour.
 
“The food is very fresh – you can see things being prepared.  It’s a show kitchen with a fresh buffet including fruit pastries.” The lunch and dinner menus are split between east and west – Asia and Europe.  Features include tarts and gelato, paella and something called the Socio Quattro.  “It’s about taking time to enjoy the dining experience and companions,” said Jew. 

Just beyond the kitchen, there’s a dramatic, red-draped entryway into a private screening room for Film Festival viewings and other events. In the nearby private dining rooms, red silk drapery columns extend from street level windows, drawing attention from the passing King Street crowd.

Guestrooms break hotel design rules

HDG’s involvement in the hotel’s transformation began with the re-creation of a single model guestroom into something that “looks larger than it is.” According to HDG, “All hotel design rules were broken in the process that aimed to maximize space but maintain functionality and style. Each guestroom now exudes sophistication and style. Use of space is precise and well appointed. The furnishings and decor are avant-garde and sexy with shades of grey, white and red accents.

Rack rates for the guest rooms range from $369 to $569.  Each room maximizes the natural light, and has millwork that suits the rooms’ curved walls.  There is a 42-inch flat screen television in every guest room, and the televisions are connected to a multimedia box so that guests can use their laptops and watch regular television at the same time.  iPod docking stations are also available.
 
“When designing any space, you have to take your client’s business objectives into account,” comments HDG designer George Foussias. “As we’ve become the only city in Canada to offer two Hyatt hotels, there was a lot at stake. The new Hyatt Regency Toronto on King is the epitome of urban chic, as appealing to its corporate clients as it is to the area’s hip clientele.”

The Hyatt Regency on King is the fifth full-service hotel Hyatt has opened in Canada, the 117th in North America and the 214th worldwide.