Union Hotel is mere metres from Canada’s busiest transit hub, Union Station. The Toronto hotel seems to be running a parallel life with the iconic building; both underwent drastic renovations in recent years, unveiling a new legacy for this corner of the downtown core.
Run by Silver Hotel Group, Union Hotel is courting a distinctly Torontonian vibe for its new beginnings. Gone is the old Strathcona Hotel, and in its place, a new community common welcomes both guests and visitors alike.
Union Hotel is a hub of design and hospitality
The lobby is layered in Canadian arts, and that’s not relegated to just the walls, either. It’s modern, it’s eclectic, but it’s not forced. Tempering the variety of textures, the lobby is a vision of harmonious colours and finishes. The rec-room feel embodies the spirit of the space, communal tables, comfy couches, cozy corners. It’s meant for more than just checking in. It’s meant for checking out: our city, our culture, our vibe.
Art is immersive here. Walls are saturated with work by Canadian artists: Amir Shingray, Laura Payne and Cyndie Belhumeur share a wall, while Emily May Rose makes her mark on murals here, as well as raccoon-themed ambassadors in each room.
Visual arts are only the beginning. The hotel has a partnership with the Giller Prize, inviting authors to share their work at special events. These events make a real impact, both for the author and the hotel. It’s one thing to hang a piece of curated art on a wall. It’s another to invite people to linger, listen and learn. Each guestroom features a prize-winning piece of literature, and a little library in the lobby offers further access.
Also located on the lobby floor is Humble Donkey. This day-to-night eatery and bar boasts early morning lattes and late-night treats, including ceremonial-grade matchas. The menu brings the best of Toronto bites, like peameal on a bun, Jamaican beef patties and chicken parmesan sandwiches. Coffee is curated by Sam James Coffee.
Rooms are built for city staycations
Guests staying at the hotel have a few room configurations to choose from. A larger-sized ‘Posh Suite’ extends the living space with a living area replete with a vinyl collection. Solo, twin, and double rooms are built for family and girls’ getaways. ‘Swanky King and Queen‘ rooms are just that.
The rooms are curated with everything you need to make the most of your stay. Desks bump out to add an extra surface. A hutch holds every coffee and tea whim while a big screen TV transforms your room into a mini theatre. The rooms are comfortable, beds are a dream.
Art is peppered throughout the rooms, as are the fabricated and practical 3D printed extras. Crafted by Cyrc, these details feature a custom channel, hints of the art deco monolith that inspired this hospitality space.
The hotel relaunched in February 2025. There are still some additional flourishes to finish, but in the meantime, Union Hotel is forging a new path. Artists’ workshops, like a collage class with Kat Honey, prove this is more than just a marketing plan.
Book your stay or learn more about Union Hotel‘s creative programs: unionhoteltoronto.com
Union Hotel at 60 York Street, Toronto, Ontario.
All images by Libby Roach.
Thank you, Union Hotel, for inviting us to stay!