Hotel X Toronto: an exceptional opportunity that could only have been built in Ontario

Designed to accommodate travelers attending conventions and meetings, Hotel X Toronto is situated squarely on the iconic Exhibition Place grounds, overlooking the Lake Ontario waterfront and perfectly located near the region’s most popular attractions. The hotel spans three distinct spaces and offers unprecedented amenities no other downtown hotel can offer.

Hotel X Toronto, so named because it sits on the grounds of the city’s historic Exhibition Place, is the latest offering by Henry Kallan, president and founder of the award-winning Library Hotel Collection.

It’s quite a departure. Unlike his other hotels – he owns four in New York and one in Budapest – it’s not located in the heart of the city and it’s not a boutique hotel. Hotel X has been specifically created as a lakefront urban resort.

“I don’t think there is anything like it anywhere in the world,” he says.

Set in six acres of parkland, the 750,000 square-foot, $360-million hotel offers 404 luxury rooms and suites with stunning city and lake views, seven bars and restaurants, including a three-level SkyBar with pool, flexible meeting spaces, a children’s play centre, a Guerlain spa, a movie theatre, a screening room, an art gallery, a museum and two libraries.

There’s also a 90,000 square foot athletic club with a 24-hour fitness centre, eight squash courts, four indoor tennis courts, a high intensity strength training strength zone, and a TopGolf Swing Suite with virtual games. Plus, there are over 35 leading-edge classes a week.

And, from the drought-resistant plants irrigated using harvested rainwater to the green roof to the DXV low-flow plumbing fixtures, Hotel X was built with sustainability in mind.

All of Kallan’s Library Hotel Collection properties pay tribute to the cities they call home, and Hotel X is no exception.

“Hotel X celebrates the nature-loving, eco-friendliness of Canadians, their passion for sports and fitness, their success in the film industry, and their warm embrace of global diversity and incredible fusion of cultures,” says Kallan.

In addition to the challenge of creating a large urban oasis that is uniquely Canadian, Kallan was also attracted by the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of an area that is set to undergo a major transformation in the next few years, one that will see tourism along Toronto’s lakefront explode.

“Hotel X is adjacent to Ontario Place, another iconic Toronto site, and there are plans for a significant redevelopment. The province is also looking at expanding the nearby convention centre.”

How hard was it for Kallan to get Hotel X designed, built and up and running?

“Toronto is a big, exciting, multicultural city with an immense talent pool. We used local architectural, engineering and construction companies. When it came to hiring the management team, we were able to draw on highly experienced people from within the local hotel scene. To operate our restaurants, bars, room service and event catering, we hired a seasoned Toronto-based entertainment and hospitality group that shares our dedication to flawless execution.”

Hotel X was also able to find its 400-plus staff – and growing – locally, and then trains them to Kallan’s award-winning standards.

“For over 10 years, our hotels have ranked in the top 10 in their respective cities on TripAdvisor. Hotel X is getting the same rave reviews.” Occupancy is also on track as word gets out about the hotel’s exceptional facilities and service.

What’s next for Kallan?

“Within the next three years I’m hoping to build another hotel on the site, similar in size to Hotel X Toronto.”