Windsor Arms Hotel

The location was amazing. We were overwhelmed by the beautiful atmosphere and the room was so attentive and beautiful. The staff was second to none. Clearly hired on their out going personalities and charm. 10 plus stars

Our recent experience with the Windsor Arms Hotel was extremely disappointing and frankly baffling—especially for a property that presents itself as a luxury, multi-star hotel. We booked a stay to celebrate a special occasion, had to change the date once (which they accommodated), and then faced an urgent family situation the morning of our rescheduled stay. Despite calling early, we waited hours for a response and were ultimately refused any reasonable option to move the reservation again. What makes this particularly frustrating is that there were clearly rooms of the same type available both on the date we were leaving and the date we were requesting—this was not about availability, but about rigid policy being enforced without any common sense or flexibility. What truly fell short was the complete disconnect between the hotel’s luxury positioning and the level of service we received. A multi-star hotel sets expectations of discretion, empathy, and a willingness to find solutions for guests—especially in unforeseen circumstances. Instead, management, including the VP of Operations (Michael F), responded in a way that felt defensive and dismissive, offering no meaningful compromise such as a credit or even a fee-based change. Rather than demonstrating the kind of thoughtful, guest-first approach one expects at this level, the experience felt transactional and inflexible. For a hotel that markets itself on exceptional service and long-term guest relationships, this was a surprising and disappointing failure, and it makes it very difficult to consider returning or recommending it to others.

High Tea there is terrible. Soggy food, not enough food, worst server ever, noisy, crowded, uncomfortable seating, and the insult of sending 4 emails without even an apology. 5 star? No. Not even 3.

DO NOT book a stay here. Classic bait and switch scam. This is a fraudulent business, they increase the room rate after confirming a lower price and refuse to refund you. I've already reported them to Consumer Protection Ontario. If you've been defrauded by them as well, reporting them here ontario.ca/page/filing-consumer-complaint.

Manny was so helpful - from check-in to helping with a coffee service in the lounge and at every turn, as were the rest of the staff. Overall, a very relaxing stay

The wedding that was being celebrated was quite exuberant; we could hear it all the way to our room (but not in our room);

One does not expect to require a ledger, a clerk, and an advance retainer merely to take tea. I attempted to reserve the Tea Room for a perfectly modest gathering of fifteen—hardly a society gala—only to be told that I must either pay for the entire group upfront or have each guest RSVP individually, with no guarantee that we would even be seated together. A group, it seems, is only a group when it comes to payment—not experience. Adding to the confusion, we were informed that fifteen guests was too small to warrant a private room and that we would therefore be seated in the main Tea Room. And yet, somehow, the same group is deemed large enough to require full prepayment and considerable administrative effort on the part of the guest arranging it. One struggles to reconcile the logic. I was also told to expect a follow-up phone call regarding the reservation. Several days passed. No call came. Eventually, I had to chase the matter myself, at which point it became clear that the reservation had either been forgotten or never properly communicated internally—hardly reassuring when one is being asked to remit payment in advance. For a hotel that prides itself on refinement, this is remarkably ungracious. True elegance begins with service, not invoices. Being asked to collect funds, manage RSVPs, assume all responsibility, and then presumably still be expected to tip for the privilege is not hospitality; it is unpaid administrative labour. If arranging tea is this needlessly difficult, one can only wonder what the rest of the service might be like. Toronto has many more accommodating—and frankly more affordable—places that understand good manners cost nothing. I hope the Windsor Arms revisits its policies around group reservations. Until then, I would suggest taking one’s teacups elsewhere.