Gladstone House

It’s a case of good things coming to those who wait. This gorgeous red brick Victorian hotel had its heyday during the era of the trans-Canada railway, and while it fell into disuse for a while, the rebirth of Queen Street West means this site is suddenly in great demand. Fortunately it fell into the hands of owners with a firm grasp on what this neighborhood’s about — the renovated Gladstone is an artists’ hotel par excellence.

That is to say, the Gladstone’s bohemian-baroque aesthetic is the antithesis of the luxury-minimalist boutiques that dominate in the city centers. Each room is different, every one decorated by a Canadian artist, each one bearing a unique title in addition to its number, just like an original artwork. Some are more or less rustic or retro, others more whimsical or modern, all visually thoughtful and, in terms of the other senses, quite comfortable enough.

The railway still runs nearby, and the hotel’s night life is typically rollicking into the wee hours — needless to say, it’s not the first choice for a Grand Hotel–esque “I want to be alone” moment. It is, however, among the first choices for an authentic slice of counterculture Toronto. Different strokes for different folks.