When Taylor Swift announced she’d be finishing her epic Eras Tour in Toronto, a lot of fans quickly added Ontario to their 2024 travel wish list.
Swift will play six shows at the Rogers Centre in November this year, and for those planning to come into town for the show there’s some pretty great news on how close you can stay to the show. Because in Toronto the closest hotel to Rogers Centre has rooms that are right inside the stadium.
As many Blue Jays fans know, the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel is part of the Rogers Centre, and has 68 rooms that look right down onto the baseball field.
The hotel is the only one in North America to be found in a major league sports and entertainment venue, and it’s a pretty sweet way to stay. All of the rooms have plush bedding, marble bathrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi, mini fridges, coffee makers, workspaces and 55” HD TVs with cable, satellite and movie channels for when you want to chill.
When I was in Toronto I stayed in one of these rooms and it felt so strange and fun to walk into your hotel room and see a major league baseball field outside your window.
I’ve written a full review of my Toronto baseball view room stay here, including tips on how sports fans can watch both the pre game warm up, and the game itself with the craziest hotdog I’ve ever seen in the Sportsgrill restaurant.
But for the fans hoping to see Taylor Swift in Toronto I have to answer a very important question…
Can you see a concert from the Rogers Centre Hotel rooms?
It was one of my first thoughts when I looked out at the stadium from my room. Why would I sit down there when I can have a party with my friends up here? We could make our own drinks and we’d have our own private bathroom rather than facing killer loo queues in the break. A great plan! Or not as it turns out.
Unfortunately, when it comes to Rogers Centre concerts those stadium view rooms are all blacked out so you can’t see anything. The heavy curtains they pull across are to provide privacy for the backstage area of the concerts and also to stop your hotel room lights interfering with the show.
The bad news – or possibly good news if you’re staying in the hotel and not loving the band that’s playing – is that those curtains are used for soundproofing too. So while you may hear some of the songs the sound isn’t going to be as clear as you’d like to really enjoy it.
It’s a shame as I can only imagine how much fun the Taylor Swift concert parties in those Rogers Centre view rooms would be if you could see and hear it all. But better to know the truth and hope one of those tickets finds its way into your hands if you didn’t manage to snap one up when they went on sale.
Best hotels under 10 minutes walk of Rogers Centre, Toronto
Even if you can’t see the show from your room the Toronto Marriott City Centre is without a doubt the closest hotel to Rogers Centre. But if you’ve missed the chance to sleep right there, don’t worry, there are some other great ways to stay that are all under a ten minute stroll away.
Bisha Hotel
5 minute walk
One of the coolest hotels in Canada, The Bisha sets the tone the moment you walk through the door with its black marble and velvet lobby.
Rock star Lenny Kravitz was among the designers that restaurateur and hotelier Charles Khabouth turned to when it was time to create the 96 ultra stylish rooms and suites, which have names like The Oscar, The Grace, and The Alexander.
The rooms all have custom designed beds, vibrant art, fun bar carts instead of mini bars and heated marble floors in the bathrooms. The Bisha is home to Michelin starred chef Akira Back’s first Canadian restaurant, while up on the 44th floor it’s casual beach house vibes and Mexican dishes with panoramic city views.
As well as being nice and close to the Rogers Centre, at the Bisha Hotel your five minute walk is straight down Blue Jays Way so there’s no way you’ll miss a turn on the way there or the way back after a great night out.
Delta Hotels by Marriott, Downtown
5 minute walk
There are three Delta Hotels by Marriott in Toronto so if you’d like to be within easy walking distance of the Rogers Centre make sure you book the Downtown Delta on Bremner Blvd. You’re unlikely to accidentally book the airport one, but if you get a room in the Delta Hotel in Mississauga it will be around half the price, but you’ll also be a five-hour walk (or more likely, a half hour drive) away from the concert.
The Downtown Delta Hotel has waterfront views, a heated indoor pool and hot tub, and the Char No.5 Whisky & Cocktail Lounge for those who love a premium whisky and craft cocktails.
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Rooms come with SMART TVs and coffee machines, complimentary WiFi and ergonomic ‘smart’ desks to make work more comfortable. Some suites come with full size kitchens for longer stays, while Soaker Corner Rooms like the one pictured below have an oversized bath with views of the Toronto skyline.
The Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown
5 minute walk
Right on the Toronto harbour front the Radisson Blu Toronto Downtownhas a range of rooms with sweeping Lake Ontario views, along with some city and pool view options as well.
In the warmer months you can look out at the view and up at the CN Tower from the Pool Lounge, and when it’s colder you can take in those waterfront views with breakfast or lunch in The View restaurant.
Rooms come with 43-inch flat screen TVs, coffee makers and mini fridges, and you can book adjoining rooms for getting ready for the concert parties.
Residence Inn by Marriott Toronto Downtown
5 minute walk
If you search for Residence Inn Toronto you’ll have not one but seven options come up, so this is another case of making sure you’ve got the right one if you want to be nice and close to the Rogers Centre.
The Residence Inn by Marriott Toronto Downtown is a mix of oversized studios and one and two bedroom suites. Every room from the smallest studio up has a kitchen complete with a full size fridge, microwave and dishwasher, along with living areas with flat screen TVs.
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The studios also have sofa beds so can sleep up to four, and a hot breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi are included with your stay. There’s also a gym along with an indoor pool and hot tub.
The SoHo Hotel & Residences
5 minute walk
This boutique hotel prides itself on having some of the biggest rooms and suites in Downtown Toronto, starting with the entry level Deluxe rooms at 400 sq. ft. and building up to the 4,000 sq ft Soho Presidential Penthouse complete with its own private elevator and outdoor terrace with a hot tub.
At the SoHo Hotel & Residences those comfy beds are made with Italian Frette linens and all of the rooms have dressing areas with Canadian maple millwork that lead into marble bathrooms with heated floors.
There’s a large and newly renovated fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment along with the option to book a session with their in house personal trainer Dalton Brown who has trained with Madonna, Pink, Queen Latifah and more. Or you can take a dip in the saltwater lap pool or just relax in the whirlpool if you’d like to take things easier.
InterContinental Toronto Centre
6 minute walk
The rooms may feel more suited to business travellers than Taylor Swift and sports fans but the InterContinental Toronto Centre has a few tricks up its sleeve.
The 8,000 square foot spa has a terrace that looks up at the CN Tower, along with a 48-foot indoor saltwater pool, a hot tub and a eucalyptus steam room. Get pampered in one of the 10 treatment rooms where the spa menu includes sea salt scrubs and warm bamboo massages, and bring a book to extend that relaxing time in the solarium lounge.
Keep an eye out for their Stay and Dine Concert Packages including $100 credit at Azure Restaurant where you can look up at the city lights through the floor to ceiling glass canopy while dining on modern Canadian cuisine.
The Clarence Park
6 minute walk
If you’re looking for a budget friendly hotel that’s nice and close to the Rogers Centre The Clarence Park may be the one for you.
Here you can find a mix of private rooms with double beds, and dormitory rooms with bunk beds, with the option of sharing in a male, female or mixed dorm room.
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There’s a recently renovated reception and guest lounge where you can hang out with other guests and watch TV or read a book, along with a full size kitchen where you can whip up something to eat. Breakfast is also included as is the free and fast Wi-Fi and access to the computers in their computer room.
The Ritz Carlton, Toronto
8 minute walk
For luxury travellers looking for the closest hotel to Rogers Centre with five stars, the Ritz Carlton Toronto is the answer.
Among the 263 luxury guest rooms there are 56 one-bedroom Corner Suites, plus a range of others suites right up to the Ritz Carlton Suite with a separate living room, dining room and office.
All of the rooms and suites have 42-inch LCD flat-screen HD TVs, deep soaker tubs and floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests have complimentary access to the indoor salt water pool, hot tub and sauna in the Ritz Carlton’s spa, and if you’re not already staying on the Club Lounge level you can add access for a daily cost to enjoy the complimentary breakfast, snacks, hors d’oeuvres and dedicated concierge.
Fairmont Royal York
10 minute walk
When I think of luxury hotels in Canada I immediately think of Fairmont, and I’m happy to say there’s one just ten minutes walk away from the Rogers Centre (okay okay, Google maps says it’s 11, but I did it in under ten in heels so I’m calling it).
While I was staying in my baseball view room I went to a very big and fun party at the Fairmont Royal York and so know how easy this walk can be, even when you’re all dressed up.
The Fairmont Royal York is a stunning landmark hotel that dates back to 1929 and after a major, multi year renovation that ended in 2019 it’s better than ever. The new look Fairmont Royal York includes the luxury boutique hotel within a hotel known as Fairmont Gold, where guests on the 12th through to 18th floors have their own lobby, lounge and dining area.
There’s a light and lovely indoor pool area where you can swim under the skylight, along with a separate children’s wading pool and a whirlpool. The fitness centre is decked out with TechnoGym equipment with personal LCD screens and there are saunas and steam rooms to unwind in.
Even if you’re not staying at the Fairmont Royal York you can get a taste of this grand dame at CLOCKWORK Champagne and Cocktails bar in the lobby where you can enjoy people watching over a glass of bubbles.
So there we have the best of the hotels closest to the Rogers Centre. If you’re new to Toronto travel and planning to come in for a concert or ball game, it’s also great to know that the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, aka Toronto Island Airport is just a five-minute drive away from the Rogers Centre.
You can check out cheap flights in and out of Toronto Island airport here. Keep in mind that even if the flight is a few dollars more you could still be ahead as I spent C$85 on a taxi from Pearson International to my Rogers Centre room at the Marriott.
However you get there, if you’re one of those lucky enough to have a Taylor Swift ticket for those final shows, have the most excellent of times. Somehow I have a feeling you will.
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