The Annex

OUR ARTICLE

We call a city “home” when we’ve become ingrained in the culture, the lifestyle, know the lingo, and have our favorite barista or bartender at a local spot. It’s not too often that we visit another place and truly feel “at home,” as the modern hotel generally disconnects us from the community.

That’s not the case at The Annex.

This Toronto hotel trims down the excess found at most hotels and integrates its guests into Toronto from the get-go.

The Annex forces guests to get out and become a Toronto local, and that’s an experience you’ll want to have.

At The Annex, there’s no front desk, no bellhop, no phones, and no parking. For that matter, if you need an extra towel or a Grown Alchemist toiletry for the room, you get it from the self-serve closet. You check into your room online and text staff when you’re in need; they’re even there to have a drink in the lobby with you as they share where and what to do in Toronto – like a local.

If you didn’t know you were at a hotel, you’d think you were in your home city, grabbing what you need from your own personal cabinets or just having a drink with a friend in the lobby who knows the best scoop when it comes to restaurants, bars, and activities.

The one thing that may not be the same at home is the style of The Annex. Their spaces are light and airy, filled with local ware, top-notch bedding, and art and music derived from local artists and musicians. The rooms are comfy with free Wi-Fi, but you won’t find flat-screen TVs or cable. Instead, each room is given a 13” iPad Pro with streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube.

There is also no gym on-site, so guests are given 24-hour access to a fitness facility five minutes away, where you can work out with those who live in Toronto.

Unlike your own home, The Annex does have a café that hooks up guests with Reunion Island Coffee and breakfast bites, and then turns into a wine and cocktail bar at night that serves shareable plates. And if you get hungrier for something more than a snack, there is the Annex Commons, a pizza and taco joint with a casual setting on-site.

The Annex isn’t your typical hotel but slimmed down to provide travelers with an opportunity to feel at home in Toronto without the distractions of things like flat-screen TVs or a front desk. The Annex forces guests to get out and become a Toronto local, and that’s an experience you’ll want to have.