What’s the deal?
Not everyone can live in Toronto’s coolest neighbourhood, but staying at Ode, the city’s only Black-owned hotel, is truly the next best thing. Started by a family who fell in love with Dundas West, the hotel is an authentic ode to the bustling neighbourhood, one that’s filled with so many personal touches.
Sporting an abstract mural, the exterior of the small building blends in with the graffiti-adorned street, while the gorgeous wood deck rooftop overlooking Dundas West resembles the residential outdoor spaces in the area, only much bigger. Here, Ode hosts community events that are free for hotel guests to attend, bringing tourists and locals together in true Toronto fashion.
The rooms
Each named for its own distinct colour palette, the unique rooms have the feel of a cool Toronto apartment. Works from various artists adorn the walls, from collages and hand-painted murals to pieces made with locally foraged ink.
The creative use of space blends comfort with intrigue, fitting in a flat-screen TV, Bluetooth speaker, Nespresso coffee maker and a couch or bench seat alongside statement pieces that look like they could be thrifted or custom-made.
My stay in the Red Room is bathed in natural light from large windows with automatic blinds that open up like the sun is rising. A whimsical canopy hangs over the Cali king bed, where Ode’s own custom eye masks are placed on the pillows.
What’s on the menu?
A kitchenette in each room, complete with an adorable Smeg mini fridge, a microwave and cutlery, allows for some eating in, but the location is the hotel’s big draw. You could easily spend an entire weekend eating and drinking your way around one of Toronto’s most concentrated areas for great food and drink.
Nearby, Gateau Ghost serves brunch classics with delicious Korean twists. For dinner, a reservation at Giulietta is a must. The top-notch Italian fare is familiar and surprising all at once, made with culinary prowess and precision at a chef’s counter right before your eyes.
Stop at Cry Baby Gallery on the way back to Ode for a hidden bar behind an art gallery that serves exceptional cocktails.
Rooms from around $250 per night, odetoronto.ca
