Where Heritage Meets Luxury
A story written in bricks, told through generations
A story written in bricks, told through generations
Look, we're not gonna pretend every hotel's got a real story to tell. Most don't. But Emberthal Quintor? Well, we've been standing here since 1892, watching Toronto grow up around us.
The building itself started life as the residence of industrialist Thomas Emberthal - yeah, that's where the name comes from. Back then, this was the edge of the city, can you believe it? The Quintor part came later, when the Quintor family took over in 1923 and turned it into what folks called "the finest establishment north of New York."
We've seen wars, recessions, boom times, and everything in between. Through it all, these walls have stood strong. And honestly? That's pretty cool when you think about it.
Thomas Emberthal builds what he calls his "modest" 14-bedroom mansion. Modest, right? The guy had his own ballroom. Anyway, it quickly becomes the talk of Toronto's high society - everyone wanted an invite to the Emberthal parties.
Helena Quintor, a savvy businesswoman way ahead of her time, purchases the estate and transforms it into a boutique hotel. She kept the original architecture but added her own touch - that gorgeous art deco bar you'll see? That was all Helena.
After serving as a meeting place for war relief efforts, the hotel reopens with renewed purpose. The ballroom that once hosted jazz legends becomes a symbol of hope and celebration. People needed joy after those dark years, and we were happy to provide it.
We're officially recognized as a heritage building. This meant we couldn't just tear things down and "modernize" - and honestly, we're grateful for that. It forced us to think creatively about how to blend old and new.
Three years of careful, meticulous work. We brought in restoration experts, historians, and modern designers. The goal? Keep everything that made this place special while adding the comforts today's travelers expect. No small task, lemme tell you.
We're not stuck in the past, but we honor it every single day. Each guest who walks through our doors becomes part of this ongoing story. And that's something you just can't manufacture.
And we've got details for days. Seriously.
Every piece was carefully restored by hand. Those aren't reproductions - that's the real deal from 1892. You can see the craftsmanship that just doesn't exist anymore.
Imported Italian marble that's survived over a century of footsteps. We've got photos of it from 1895, and it looks... well, pretty much the same. That's quality right there.
Hand-crafted in England, shipped across the ocean in 1894. During the restoration, we found the original sketches tucked away in the attic. They're framed in the library now if you wanna see 'em.
Still works! It's in the lobby behind glass. Weighs about 2 tons and took six guys to move during renovation. We're not even sure how they got it in here originally.
Heritage doesn't mean stuck in time
High-speed wifi throughout, smart room controls, and USB-C charging ports - all seamlessly integrated into historic spaces without compromising the aesthetics.
What used to be the servants' quarters is now a state-of-the-art spa. The irony isn't lost on us, but the massages are incredible.
We've upgraded to energy-efficient systems while maintaining the building's integrity. Old doesn't have to mean wasteful.
Our chef brings modern culinary techniques to locally-sourced ingredients. The setting's historic, but the food's cutting-edge.
Buildings are great and all, but it's the people who make a hotel feel like... well, somewhere you'd actually wanna spend time. Our team's a mix of hospitality veterans and fresh faces, all with one thing in common - they actually give a damn.
Some of our staff have been here for decades. Marie at the front desk? She started in 1997 as a bellhop. Now she basically runs the place (don't tell management I said that). Then there's our head chef Marcus, who trained in France but came back to Canada because, in his words, "this is where the real food revolution's happening."
We've got over 80 people working here, from housekeeping to the spa, kitchen to concierge. And yeah, we're a bit protective of this old building. It's kinda grown on us over the years.
Get in TouchEvery guest adds to our story. Business traveler, honeymooner, weekend escape - doesn't matter. You'll be part of what makes this place tick.
Whether you're here for the history, the location, or just need a proper bed for the night, we'd love to have you. Fair warning though - people tend to come back. Something about the place just sticks with 'em.
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