On our search for some of the best places to travel with your health and fitness in mind, we went on location to the Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, part of Marriott Bonvoy to experience their Move Well program. This is a property that not only understands wellness but excels at providing a wellness experience for the guests, whether there for a conference, a short stopover, a business trip, a family vacation or anything in between.
The attention to wellness can be felt, not only in the specific details and touches that have been so carefully tailored for the guests but also in the overall vibe and atmosphere of the space.
The specific wellness aspects that Westin offers left the team feeling revitalized.
Location
It’s hard to imagine a more perfect location in Toronto. Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto is located on the Toronto Harbour. We watched the planes fly across the harbour to Billy Bishop Airport from our rooms, which also overlooked the miles of running options to explore along the Harbour. Westin offers Run Concierges to take you for a 2.5 km or 5 km run. These Run Concierges also offer expert information about the best run routes in the area.
During the summer, Westin also offers e-bike rentals. We decided that our next visit must be during the summer so that we can enjoy the sparkling waters of Lake Ontario as we cruise along the waterfront walkway in the heat of the day.
Fitness centre and pool
Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto is well-equipped for fitness, which of course we were excited about! With a heated indoor pool, a sauna and steam room, an outdoor tennis court and an indoor squash court as well as separate fitness spaces, we had no problem getting a sweat on.
On the way to the fitness centre, we passed the Wellness Studio. Enter into a well-designed space with a wall-length mirror and a nature mural. We were thrilled to find yoga mats, Lululemon blocks, towels and water bottles for guests. Even more exciting yet is the Lululemon Studio Mirror that guests can use to access guided yoga classes.
This dedicated space is perfect for rejuvenation and movement, and can also be the perfect place for anyone looking to host their own retreat within the city.
We walked through the indoor heated pool area to get to the fitness centre, the humid pool air a welcome feeling in the middle of February.
Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto is home to not one but two fitness centres, with the first one overlooking the pool area and the harbour, and the second one just down the hall.
With two Peloton bikes, weight machines, Maximum treadmills, and other equipment, the space is well-equipped to keep us on track while away from home. There are even complimentary earbuds available in the fitness centre.
Gear Lending Program
The next generation WestinWORKOUT® Gear Lending program allow you to borrow the equipment you need to optimize your stay without needing to pack anything.
For the first two kits of the re-energized gear lending program, Westin is offering products from high-performance wellness brand Hyperice and fitness accessories brand Bala. You can choose the Hyperice Recover & Recharge Kit, which will include massage and compression recovery products ideal for post-workout recovery or the Bala Sulpt & Flow Kit, which includes full-body fitness pieces such as bangle weights, resistance bands, balance blocks and more, perfect for an avid runner looking for recovery or cross-training tools or a yogi wanting to maintain their daily routine.
Accommodation
Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto is home to 977 rooms located in the north and south towers. Quite notably, each room is equipped with Westin’s famous Heavenly Beds. These beds are available for purchase, and it’s not hard to see why as they truly are as the name suggests – heavenly!
A special touch we enjoyed was the lavender sleep balm left on our bedside table.
Food
The impressive attention to wellness continues in the restaurants and menus found at the Westin. We enjoyed a quick bite, including cold-press juices, at the Grab and Go station located in the main lobby, but also appreciated the restaurants on site.
After a long day of travel, the Chartroom restaurant is exactly what we needed. Located in the main lobby with a comfortable, warm and vibrant atmosphere, the menu is geared towards eating well. The appealing variety of food focuses on feeling satisfied after a meal while not feeling weighed down, and we can easily say they hit the mark with that. The food is delicious, nutritious and sophisticated.
For breakfast, the Mizzen Restaurant offers top-notch service and a great variety of healthy and delicious options in a comfortable space. As an added bonus, the wonderful servers made sure our coffee cups were never empty.
If you want to enhance your visit even further, find 1890, Don Alfonso’s Michelin Star Mediterranean restaurant on the 38th floor. This modern, chef-driven restaurant has à la carte and set menus, cocktails and a wine list.
Special occasion? Looking to impress a client? Savoury is a “chef’s-table”-like offering with a curated menu. Grab nine of your friends, sample local Toronto flavours and fine wines, and enjoy this private space by reservation only.
Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto has done an impeccable job creating a space that feels both relaxing and exciting. The small and large details aimed at wellness make this a great hub for travellers visiting Toronto that are looking for location, fitness and relaxation.
Westin Harbour Castle
1 Harbour Square, Toronto, ON M5J 1A6
(416) 869-1600
Website
Instagram: @westinharbourcastle
