Star Escapes: Santa arrives early with the ultimate luxury holiday experience at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York hotel

<strong>By Suzanne Wintrob</strong> <p>Just because <A href=/tags/0/christmas><strong>Christmas</a></strong> is on the doorstep doesn’t mean panic must ensue! <p>If you’re looking for a sparkly holiday silver lining, downtown Toronto’s iconic <a href=https://www.fairmont.com/royal-york-toronto/>Fairmont Royal York</a> hotel has the glittery touch. As Santa finalizes his naughty-or-nice list and shines up his sleigh, the historic hotel has decked the halls with bows of holly and is serving up what it calls the Ultimate Royal Holiday Experience that’s guaranteed to put well-heeled guests at ease. <p>The exclusive two-night, $50,000 package – featuring accommodation in the brand new two-bedroom Royal York Suite plus a lengthy list of indulgences — is yet another impressive offering for the place that has hosted a bevy of regal VIPs including <a href=/tags/0/queen-elizabeth-ii><strong>the Queen</a></strong> and <strong><a href=/tags/0/prince-philip>Prince Philip</a></strong>, <a href=/tags/0/prince-charles><strong>Prince Charles</a></strong> and <a href=/tags/0/camilla-parker-bowles><strong>Duchess Camilla</a></strong>, <a href=/tags/0/prince-harry><strong>Prince Harry</a></strong> and <a href=/tags/0/meghan-markle><strong>Meghan</a></strong> (in her pre-duchess days) and Hollywood royalty such as <a href=/tags/0/julia-roberts><strong>Julia Roberts</a></strong>, <strong><a href=/tags/0/lady-gaga>Lady Gaga</a></strong> and <strong><a href=/tags/0/mahershala-ali>Mahershala Ali</a></strong> of <i>Moonlight</i> fame. <p>For the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding, the hotel created a special Royal Romance package complete with a royal wedding viewing party and traditional British breakfast. <p><strong>Scroll through the gallery (or click through, if you’re on desktop) to read more about the sneak peek <i>HELLO! Canada</i> received and what treats await you in this over-the-top holiday package!</strong> <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
<h2>STAY</h2> <p>The pampering starts right from the get-go with chauffeur service in a shiny BMW that will deliver you from the airport or your Toronto-area home to the hotel’s revolving door. <p>Once inside, the main lobby harkens back to its original 1920s Art Deco glory with geometric designs, a hand-painted ceiling inspired by Renaissance art and national motifs of the United Kingdom and France, a remodelling of the hotel’s famous clock (once the city’s most popular meeting place), and an alluring cocktail bar that sits right in the centre of the action. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
If the two-storey Christmas tree doesn't put you in the festive mood... <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
... perhaps the two-storey, life-sized colourful gingerbread house will! <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
Comprised of 4,500 gingerbread bricks, 225 kilograms of royal icing and 135 kilograms of candy, it took the executive chef and his staff more than 250 hours to make it. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
After checking in, whisk up to the 16th floor where your spectacular two-bedroom, 2,400-sq.-ft. Royal York Suite awaits. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
It’s like a home-away-from-home with spacious living and dining rooms (pictured), electric fireplace, galley kitchen, study area and panoramic views of the city. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
Naturally, it’s been all dolled up for the holidays with twinkling lights, candles, gold trimmings, ornaments and even a partridge in a pear tree! The suite is one of two legacy suites completed earlier this year as part of the hotel’s 90th anniversary transformation that also included new dining venues, renovated meeting and event spaces, 104 new Fairmont Gold Suites and the 18th floor Fairmont Gold lounge. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
Once settled in, unwind in your very own in-suite spa! The Royal York is the first and only hotel in North America to offer an exclusive in-shower full-body spa experience. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
Just pop a SkinJay capsule into the shower nozzle and inhale the all-natural essential oils of thyme, eucalyptus, peppermint, lime and lavender as they roll over your body and soothe your mind. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
Then wrap yourself in a plush white Fairmont robe that literally has your name on it. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
To calm the muscles, you’ll get two in-suite massages as well as two in-suite hair and makeup sessions, both courtesy of Blush Beauty, to perfectly prep you for your private photo shoot atop the hotel’s neon exterior sign. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
And later, after a hard day’s play, a special turndown service lulls with handmade gingerbread body scrub and bath bomb, a playful gingerbread construction brick S’mores kit and the hotel’s specialty spiked hot chocolate. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
<h2>TASTE</h2> <p>All that R&R can make tummies grumble so there’s no shortage of seasonal drinks and holiday fare to keep you satiated. <p>The Royal Queen Bee welcome package offers up a yummy mix of chocolate hand-painted trees, cranberry and white chocolate shortbread with honey icing, and hand-painted clementine elf truffles. There’s also a bottle of Dom Perignon 2008 champagne waiting for you to be shared in two crystal flutes, and the mini bar is well stocked with festive cocktails dreamed up by the hotel’s director of mixology. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
Snack like a monarch in the Library Bar, where afternoon tea includes the obligatory tiered-tower of festive sandwiches, classic scones and miniature pastries, complemented by a selection of the hotel’s own loose leaf teas. Or order Christmas in a glass with a Regent Punch, an aromatic mix of brandy, rum, pineapple juice, green tea, sparkling wine, cinnamon, star anise and nutmeg! <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
If people-watching is your thing, nestle into a plush armchair in the lobby’s glorious Clockwork bar and order the refreshing Crimson Tale, a festive blend of brandy, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, cinnamon and red sparkling wine. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
Or turn up the fun a few notches at kitschy red-and-green pop-up The Thirsty Elf (pictured). It’s billed as Toronto’s tiniest bar! Drinks are served in Santa and moose glasses and have monikers like Parched in a Pear Tree and Gin-Gle All the Way! <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
Dinner belongs at upscale Reign, where you’ll dine on carrot-tamarind soup and roast turkey with stuffing capped off with ice wine trifle and a brandy-rum concoction aptly named Reigndeer Nog. <p>On the odd chance you’re still hungry, you can head to the expansive Fairmont Gold lounge on for breakfast, evening canapés, desserts and a fully stocked bar. As you cast your eyes across the city, don’t miss the giant bee-like structure on the east wing’s rooftop that’s home to the hotel’s apiary, producing more than 200 kilograms of honey per year for your sweet tooth. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
<h2>EXPLORE</h2> <p>Once you venture outside, the Ultimate Royal Holiday Experience will introduce you to Toronto’s vibrant winter wonderland. <p>You’ll get front-of-the-line passes and skate rentals at Union Station’s outdoor rink and winter market across the street from the hotel plus premium passes to the Distillery District’s popular Christmas Market (pictured). <i><strong><a href=/tags/0/property-brothers>Property Brothers</a></i></strong> star <strong><a href=/tags/0/drew-scott>Drew Scott</a></strong> and his wife <strong><a href=/tags/0/linda-phan>Linda Phan</a></strong> were there for carolling earlier this month! <p>Photo: &copy; Instagram/@mrdrewscott
The package also includes an incredible “Private Santa Flight” by helicopter over Niagara Falls! <p>Photo: &copy; Gabriel Grams/Getty Images
Forgot to pack gifts? The hotel has you covered with $1,000 to spend on your loved ones – or yourself! – at the Toronto Eaton Centre shopping mall. To ensure the best shop-til-you-drop outing, you’ll get a wardrobe consultation from a professional stylist and an intro to some of the must-have Canadian brands. <p>Photo: &copy; Instagram/@pvttjebus
But don’t fret if you buy too much to fit in your suitcase because a vegan Matt & Nat suitcase awaits inside your suite’s closet and it’s yours to wheel home. <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
All this can be yours until Jan. 2, 2020. Now that’s a gift that keeps on giving! <p>Photo: &copy; Fairmont Royal York
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