Toronto is blessed with a number of beautiful historic hotels. One of the best is the King Edward Hotel, located at 37 King Street East, which will be celebrating its 110th anniversary next year. The King Edward Hotel is a great spot to visit for those looking for things to do in Toronto.
The King Edward Hotel opened in 1903 and has hosted numerous illustrious guests during its long and storied history. Some of the more famous guests have included Mark Twain, Elvis Presley, and Margaret Thatcher, among others. Three thousand screaming teenage fans greeted the Beatles when they stayed at the King Edward during the height of Beatlemania in 1964, forcing the band to lock themselves in their rooms! Also in 1964, Hollywood legends Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor caused a ‘moral panic’ among Torontonians when they stayed in a suite together while unmarried (in fact, Taylor was still married to Eddie Fisher at the time!)
Today, the King Edward Hotel is well worth a look for those interested in seeing some Toronto architecture. The King Edward Hotel was designed by famed Toronto architect EJ Lennox, who was also responsible for such Toronto architectural gems as Casa Loma and Old City Hall. The King Edward’s stately lobby is also worth seeing, as its lovely balconies and archways make one feel as though they are truly in a place that’s fit for a king! Finally, the Crystal Ballroom, on the 17th floor of the King Edward Hotel, is a beautiful and historic reminder of 1920s decadence. Though it has not been in use since the 1950s, the Crystal Ballroom is occasionally opened for public viewing, particularly during the Doors Open Toronto Festival, which usually occurs at the end of May.
If you’re wondering what to do in Toronto and are interested in architecture, history, and hotels, a visit to the King Edward Hotel should definitely be on your list!
To access the King Edward Hotel, take CitySightseeing Toronto’s hop on hop off Toronto city tour to stop #23.















