1 Hotel Toronto

1 Hotel is the softest-looking stay on this list. Plants, wood and natural textures shape the rooms and public spaces. The hotel says it uses local and reclaimed materials, including wood from Toronto trees. For a city break, that is a welcome change from shiny marble and dark corridors.

Rooms, facilities and the reason to book

Its Wellington Street location works well for King West restaurants and a slower walk through the western side of downtown. Start with 1 Kitchen and the hotel’s dining options if you want an easy first evening close to your room.

The main catch is the rooftop plunge pool. The hotel lists the season as May through September and restricts it to registered hotel guests and residents. Seating is first come, first served, with a 90-minute limit. Its pool page and FAQ describe that limit slightly differently, so confirm the day’s rule with staff.

The useful conclusion is simple: a room does not reserve you a lounger all afternoon. This is a place for a dip and a view, not the best choice for long swimming sessions. Read the current pool rules before booking around them.

Getting there: King and Bathurst are the nearby surface-transit corridors. If you want to step straight onto the subway several times a day, the University Avenue hotels are more convenient.

Our call: Choose 1 Hotel for its interiors and a King West weekend. Skip a pool-led winter booking here. Choose Shangri-La for year-round indoor swimming.

Compare the full booking total, not just the first nightly rate. Room category, cancellation rules, breakfast, parking and paid treatments can change the value of a stay. Ask the hotel directly about any access feature that is essential for you, including the route to the room and the exact bathroom layout.

For a simple plan around the stay, see our Toronto staycation itinerary and rainy-day ideas.

Questions before you book

Does 1 Hotel Toronto have a Michelin Key?

Yes. 1 Hotel Toronto holds One Michelin Key in the 2026 selection. The award recognises the hotel stay, not an automatic restaurant Star.

Where is 1 Hotel Toronto?

It is at 550 Wellington Street West in the King West area. King and Bathurst are useful nearby surface-transit corridors. It is not directly beside a subway station.

Is the rooftop pool open in winter?

No. The hotel lists its outdoor plunge-pool season as May through September. Choose an indoor-pool hotel if swimming is essential for a winter stay.

Who can use the pool?

The hotel says it is for registered hotel guests and residents. A restaurant reservation does not give an unregistered guest access.

Can you reserve a pool lounger all afternoon?

No. Seating is first come, first served, and the hotel publishes a 90-minute limit. The pool page and FAQ phrase that limit differently, so ask staff about the current rule for your visit.

Is 1 Hotel Toronto best for serious swimming?

No. Its pool is a plunge pool with seating limits, so the better use is a short dip and rooftop time. Shangri-La's 20-metre indoor pool is the stronger choice for swimming laps.

Hotel details and public reviews checked September 21, 2026. Our verdict is based on research, not a claim that we stayed at this hotel. Michelin’s official selection confirms the award.