The InterContinental Toronto Centre positions itself as a downtown anchor for travelers who want to be within a short walk of the CN Tower, Scotiabank Arena, and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This review examines whether the hotel’s location and amenities deliver on that promise for business travelers, convention attendees, and tourists, drawing on verified guest feedback and official property data from IHG and independent booking platforms.

Last checked: 2026-06-12

Location: Downtown Toronto, steps from CN Tower, Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, Ripley’s Aquarium · Rating: 4-diamond hotel by IHG · Amenities: Indoor pool, fitness centre, restaurant, bar/lounge, room service, free Wi-Fi · Room standard: Flat-screen TV, mini-bar, safety deposit box, ironing facilities, tea/coffee maker

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-06-12.

Sources reviewed: official property website (IHG), Booking.com listing, TripAdvisor reviews, KAYAK hotel overview, Travel Weekly hotel profile, Destination Toronto tourism listing, Hotels.com property overview.

No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification.

InterContinental Toronto Centre at a glance

1 Location
  • 225 Front Street West, directly attached to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (IHG)
2 Rating
  • Four-diamond luxury property by IHG; 8.7/10 on Booking.com from 1,100+ reviews (Booking.com)
3 Amenities
  • Indoor saltwater pool, 8,000 sq ft spa, fitness centre, restaurant and bar, free Wi-Fi (IHG)
4 Room standard
  • Flat-screen TV, mini-bar, safety deposit box, ironing facilities, tea/coffee maker; renovated upper floors with walk-in showers (Travel Weekly)
Key facts: InterContinental Toronto Centre
CategoryDetails
Address225 Front Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 2X3
Floors / Rooms25 floors, 584 guest rooms including deluxe rooms and suites
Year built / Last renovation1984 / 2007 (upper floors 18–25 renovated with walk-in showers and updated furnishings)
Check-in / Check-out4:00 PM / 11:00 AM; minimum check-in age 19
ParkingValet parking on site, 55 CAD per night
Pet policyPets under 50 lbs welcome; 50 CAD one-time cleaning fee; service animals exempt
Meeting space15 meeting rooms, ~5,500 sq ft total, max single-room capacity 700
Distance to airport~30 km (18.64 mi) from Toronto Pearson International Airport

InterContinental Toronto Centre reviews: what guests consistently report

Across Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and Hotels.com, reviewers give the InterContinental Toronto Centre high marks for location and cleanliness. On Booking.com, the property holds an 8.7 out of 10 from more than 1,100 verified reviews, with sub-scores of 9.5 for location, 9.2 for cleanliness, and 9.2 for comfort (Booking.com). KAYAK reports an average guest score of 8.9 out of 10 (KAYAK).

What guests praise most

Multiple reviewers highlight the hotel’s proximity to Union Station and the CN Tower, often describing the location as “perfect” or “excellent” for accessing these landmarks on foot (IHG verified guest reviews). On TripAdvisor, guests frequently mention comfortable beds, good water pressure in walk-in showers, and views toward the lake or city (TripAdvisor). Hotels.com reviewers echo these sentiments, noting very clean rooms, friendly employees, and strong water pressure (Hotels.com).

Common criticisms in reviews

Some guests note that the hotel’s age shows in certain areas, particularly on lower floors that have not received the same renovation treatment as floors 18 through 25. Travel Weekly reports that renovations on the upper floors included replacing tubs with walk-in showers, new carpets, and updated furnishings (Travel Weekly). A few reviewers on TripAdvisor mention that the valet parking rate of 55 CAD per night adds a notable cost to the stay.

What this means: The InterContinental Toronto Centre earns strong marks for location and cleanliness, but guests booking standard rooms on lower floors may encounter older finishes. Requesting an upper-floor room during booking could improve the experience.

InterContinental Toronto Centre by IHG photos: what the property looks like

The hotel’s official site and third-party platforms show a contemporary high-rise building with a glass facade at the corner of Front Street West and Simcoe Street. Room photos on IHG’s site depict neutral-toned decor with floor-to-ceiling windows, flat-screen TVs, and work desks (IHG).

Room photo highlights

Standard rooms include a mini-bar, safety deposit box, ironing facilities, and tea/coffee maker. A YouTube room tour of Junior Suite 1537 shows contemporary decor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and views toward downtown Toronto (YouTube – Junior Suite 1537 review). One IHG guest review mentions an upgraded room on the 21st floor with a direct view of the CN Tower (IHG verified guest reviews).

Amenity and property photos

Property photos on KAYAK and IHG’s site show the indoor saltwater pool, the 8,000-square-foot spa, and the fitness centre. The hotel’s restaurant and bar appear in images as a modern space with dark wood accents and bar seating (KAYAK).

InterContinental Toronto Centre spa and wellness amenities

IHG describes the on-site spa as an 8,000-square-foot facility that includes an indoor saltwater pool and a solarium (IHG). The fitness centre is available to all guests, and KAYAK’s amenities section lists spa services such as foot massage among the offerings (KAYAK).

Spa services overview

The spa provides a range of treatments, though specific service menus and pricing are not detailed in the sources reviewed. The indoor saltwater pool is a distinguishing feature among downtown Toronto hotels, many of which offer only standard chlorine pools.

Wellness amenities

Beyond the spa and pool, the hotel offers a fitness centre with cardio and strength equipment. Free Wi-Fi is included for all guests, which KAYAK and IHG both confirm (IHG).

The trade-off: The spa and pool are well-regarded, but the hotel’s convention-scale size means these facilities can feel busy during peak event periods.

InterContinental Toronto Centre restaurants and dining options

The hotel lists one on-site restaurant along with a bar, daily housekeeping, and room service as core amenities (IHG). Magellan Luxury Hotels identifies the on-site dining venue as Azure Restaurant and Bar, describing it as suitable for power lunches with an extensive wine list (Magellan Luxury Hotels).

On-site dining options

Azure Restaurant and Bar serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Room service is available for guests who prefer to dine in their rooms. Travel Weekly notes that some rates include a Continental Plan, which may cover breakfast or light morning options (Travel Weekly).

Nearby restaurants

The hotel’s location on Front Street West places it within walking distance of numerous downtown Toronto restaurants. The area around Scotiabank Arena and the CN Tower includes casual and upscale dining options, though specific restaurant names are not listed in the hotel’s official materials.

Location and getting there

The InterContinental Toronto Centre sits at 225 Front Street West in the financial and entertainment district. Destination Toronto confirms the hotel is directly attached to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre via an interior sliding door connection off Front Street (Destination Toronto).

KAYAK’s location data places the hotel 0.5 miles from the center of Toronto, with the Metro Toronto Convention Centre as the closest major landmark (KAYAK). The hotel is approximately 30 kilometers (about 18.64 miles) from Toronto Pearson International Airport (IHG).

The catch: The hotel’s convention-center attachment means the lobby and public areas can feel crowded during major conferences. Guests seeking a quieter, boutique experience may prefer a smaller property.

Alternatives to the InterContinental Toronto Centre

Travel Weekly positions the InterContinental Toronto Centre as a leader among second-tier luxury hotels in Toronto, noting that while it is slightly below top-end competitors like the Ritz-Carlton, it offers fair rates, high standards, and a prime location for conferences and business travel (Travel Weekly). The Ritz-Carlton Toronto is located nearby on Wellington Street West, offering a higher price point and more exclusive atmosphere.

A TripAdvisor forum discussion about the best IHG hotel for a downtown Toronto stay states that the InterContinental is closer than other IHG options to most key tourist attractions on a typical visitor’s list, except the Royal Ontario Museum which is further north (TripAdvisor Forum – Toronto).

Pricing overview

Travel Weekly lists indicative standard room rates in the range of approximately USD 288 to USD 399 per night, with suites from around USD 371 to USD 417 (Travel Weekly). KAYAK’s rate examples show that classic rooms can sometimes be found around USD 123 per night before fees, while standard and executive rooms may be in the USD 214–226 range on certain dates (KAYAK). These rates fluctuate by date and demand.

Valet parking adds 55 CAD per night. The pet cleaning fee is 50 CAD per stay for pets under 50 pounds.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Exceptional location steps from CN Tower, Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and Union Station
  • Direct indoor connection to Metro Toronto Convention Centre
  • High guest ratings for cleanliness and comfort (9.2 on Booking.com)
  • Indoor saltwater pool and 8,000 sq ft spa
  • Free Wi-Fi included for all guests

Cons

  • Valet parking at 55 CAD per night adds significant cost
  • Lower-floor rooms may have older finishes; upper floors (18–25) are renovated
  • Convention-scale size means busy public areas during events
  • Only one on-site restaurant; limited dining variety within the hotel
  • Last major renovation was in 2007; some areas show age

Our pick: who the InterContinental Toronto Centre works best for

Our recommendation: The InterContinental Toronto Centre is best suited for business travelers attending conferences at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, convention attendees who value direct indoor access to the venue, and tourists who want to be within walking distance of the CN Tower, Scotiabank Arena, and Rogers Centre. The hotel’s location is its strongest asset, and guests who prioritize proximity to downtown attractions over boutique intimacy will find it a reliable choice.

For travelers seeking a quieter, more intimate experience, or those who prefer a hotel with multiple on-site dining options, the nearby Ritz-Carlton Toronto or smaller boutique properties may be better alternatives.

Additional sources

tripbytrip.org

Frequently asked questions

Is the InterContinental Toronto Centre close to the CN Tower?

Yes. The hotel is located steps from the CN Tower, with multiple guest reviews describing the proximity as a five-minute walk or less. IHG’s official site lists the CN Tower as a nearby attraction (IHG).

Does the InterContinental Toronto Centre have a pool?

Yes. The hotel has an indoor saltwater pool, which IHG describes as part of its 8,000-square-foot spa and wellness facility (IHG).

What dining options are available at the InterContinental Toronto Centre?

The hotel has one on-site restaurant, Azure Restaurant and Bar, along with a bar and room service. Some rates include a Continental Plan with breakfast options (Travel Weekly).

Is parking available at the InterContinental Toronto Centre?

Yes. Valet parking is available on site for 55 CAD per night. IHG confirms this rate on its official site (IHG).

What room amenities are included at the InterContinental Toronto Centre?

Standard rooms include a flat-screen TV, mini-bar, safety deposit box, ironing facilities, and tea/coffee maker. Upper-floor rooms (18–25) have been renovated with walk-in showers and updated furnishings (Travel Weekly).

Is the InterContinental Toronto Centre a four-diamond hotel?

Yes. IHG markets the property as a four-diamond luxury downtown Toronto hotel, and independent booking platforms like KAYAK describe it as a four-star, four-diamond property (KAYAK).

Does the InterContinental Toronto Centre have a gym or fitness centre?

Yes. The hotel has a fitness centre available to all guests, listed among core amenities by IHG and KAYAK (IHG).

The bottom line: Yes. The hotel has a fitness centre available to all guests, listed among core amenities by IHG and KAYAK (IHG).