Avg nightly rate €142 Occupancy 74 % Average review score 8.7 +0.2 New guides Weekly
Guides

1 Hotel Toronto Review: Sustainable Luxury in the Fashion District

When it opened in August 2021 at 550 Wellington Street West, 1 Hotel Toronto introduced a new brand of sustainability-first hospitality to the city’s King West neighborhood. This review examines the property’s history, verified green credentials, amenities, and neighborhood context — drawing on the hotel’s own certifications, third-party editorial assessments, and tourism authority data.

Last checked: 2026-08-14

Address: 550 Wellington Street W, Toronto, ON M5V · Rooms: 112 (21 suites) · Pool: Rooftop infinity pool · Pet policy: Pet-friendly sanctuary

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-08-14.

Sources reviewed: Official property website, Forbes Travel Guide, Destination Canada, Hotelier Magazine, Mohari Hospitality.

No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification.

Snapshot: 1 Hotel Toronto at a glance

1 Opening & location
  • Opened August 4, 2021, as the brand’s Canadian debut and sixth property (Mohari Hospitality)
2 Rooms & certification
3 Sustainability hardware
  • Intelligent energy systems save ~17% annual energy; over 167 tons of CO2 reduced since opening (Destination Canada)
4 Key amenities
  • Rooftop infinity pool, farm-to-table restaurant, spa, pet-friendly stays (1 Hotels)
DetailValue
Address550 Wellington Street W, Toronto, ON M5V
Rooms112 (21 suites)
PoolRooftop infinity pool
Pet policyPet-friendly sanctuary
Year opened2021

What is the history of 1 Hotel Toronto?

Opening date and location

1 Hotel Toronto officially opened on August 4, 2021, at 550 Wellington Street West in Toronto’s King West neighborhood. The launch was announced by Mohari Hospitality, the owner and investor behind the project. The property represented the brand’s Canadian debut and its sixth hotel globally.

Destination Canada later confirmed the hotel as the first Canadian 1 Hotel property. The opening campaign included planting 2,021 native trees across the Greater Toronto Area in partnership with Tree Canada, according to Mohari Hospitality.

Ownership and brand affiliation

The hotel is owned by Mohari Hospitality and operated under the 1 Hotels brand by SH Hotels & Resorts. The brand’s core positioning — nature-inspired, sustainability-focused, community-oriented — is a deliberate departure from conventional luxury hospitality, as noted by Forbes Travel Guide.

The bottom line: 1 Hotel Toronto entered the market as a purpose-built sustainable property, not a retrofit, with a verified launch date and a clear ownership structure. The tree-planting initiative was a tangible opening gesture, not just marketing copy.

Is 1 Hotel Toronto a luxury hotel?

Sustainable luxury positioning

The hotel describes itself as a sustainable luxury property. Forbes Travel Guide characterizes it as “nature-inspired, sustainability-focused and community-oriented while delivering luxury hospitality.” The hotel holds LEED Gold certification from 1 Hotels, a standard that requires measurable performance in energy efficiency, water conservation, and materials sourcing.

Operational sustainability features include in-room filtered water taps and reusable water vessels made from recycled wine bottles — replacing single-use plastic bottles — as reported by the hotel. An on-site organic composter reduces about 12,000 pounds of organic waste to under 1,000 pounds of compost per month, per the property’s website. Destination Canada reports that intelligent energy and building management systems save approximately 17% of annual energy consumption and have reduced over 167 tons of CO2 since opening.

Accolades and ratings

The hotel is recommended by Forbes Travel Guide, which serves as an independent editorial signal rather than a paid certification. The rooftop infinity pool and farm-to-table restaurant (1 Restaurant) are consistently cited as distinguishing features. Four food-and-beverage outlets operate on-site, all emphasizing locally sourced and farm-to-table ingredients, according to the hotel’s amenity listings.

The takeaway: The luxury label here is substantiated by third-party editorial endorsement and operational data — LEED Gold is independently verifiable, not a self-awarded badge. The property earns its luxury designation through combination of amenities and verifiable green systems, not just room price.

What neighborhood is 1 Hotel Toronto in?

Toronto Fashion District and King West Village

1 Hotel Toronto sits at the intersection of the Toronto Fashion District and King West Village, a neighborhood characterized by converted warehouse architecture, independent boutiques, and a dense concentration of restaurants and nightlife. Forbes Travel Guide lists the hotel’s address and neighborhood context, noting its position at 550 Wellington Street West.

The King West area contrasts with the more corporate, office-heavy core of the financial district. The hotel’s location offers walkable access to attractions including the Entertainment District, the waterfront, and major shopping corridors, as described by travel booking and destination partners.

The implication: Guests choosing this hotel are selecting into a specific urban context — a lively, design-forward neighborhood rather than a quiet or business-district setting. This matters for travelers deciding between King West and alternative Toronto neighborhoods.

What amenities does 1 Hotel Toronto offer?

Pool

The hotel features a rooftop infinity pool, one of the few in Toronto. It is accompanied by a rooftop bar, both confirmed by the hotel’s official services page. The pool area is open to hotel guests, with no public day-pass option confirmed in available sources.

Dining

Four food-and-beverage outlets operate on-site, anchored by 1 Restaurant, which emphasizes farm-to-table and locally sourced cuisine. A rooftop lounge and additional bar spaces complete the dining roster, per the hotel’s amenity listings. Casa Madera, a Mexican restaurant, opened in phase two (October 2021) according to Hotelier Magazine.

Spa

The property includes a spa, confirmed by the hotel’s amenities page. Specific treatment menus, pricing, and operating hours are not detailed in the available inputs.

Parking

Parking is available, as listed among the hotel’s services. Rates and valet availability are not specified in verified sources.

Pet policy

The hotel advertises pet-friendly stays. The hotel’s website describes the property as a pet-friendly sanctuary, though specific pet fees, weight limits, or breed restrictions are not confirmed in the available research materials.

The trade-off: The amenity stack is competitive with other Toronto luxury hotels — rooftop pool, spa, multiple dining outlets — but the property’s distinguishing edge lies in how those amenities are delivered (local sourcing, waste reduction, energy efficiency) rather than sheer quantity of offerings.

Timeline: 1 Hotel Toronto key dates

  • August 4, 2021: Official opening announced by Mohari Hospitality; 2,021 native trees planted across the GTA in partnership with Tree Canada.
  • July–October 2021: Phase one opens hotel, 1 Kitchen, Floor Lounge, rooftop pool, and Field House gym. Phase two (October) adds Casa Madera restaurant and rooftop lounge.
  • 2021 (post-opening): Destination Canada documents the hotel’s energy savings of ~17% and CO2 reduction of over 167 tons.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Verifiable LEED Gold certification with independently documented energy and CO2 savings
  • Rooftop infinity pool — rare among Toronto hotels
  • Pet-friendly policy with no breed or weight restrictions mentioned on the official site
  • King West location with walkable access to dining, shopping, and the waterfront

Cons

  • Small room count (112) means limited availability during peak periods
  • No independent review data on sleep quality, noise levels, or service consistency in available sources
  • Pricing data not independently verified — seasonal rates may vary significantly

Best for

  • Couples seeking a romantic sustainable escape: Rooftop pool, farm-to-table dining, and design-forward rooms suit a weekend getaway.
  • Business travelers wanting downtown convenience: Central King West location provides easy access to the Entertainment District and waterfront.
  • Pet owners looking for a pet-friendly luxury stay: The hotel’s pet policy is explicitly welcoming, a differentiator among Toronto luxury hotels.
  • Leisure travelers interested in the Fashion District: Walkable to boutiques, galleries, and the neighborhood’s restaurant scene.

Pricing context

Pricing information is not independently verified. Based on the property’s luxury positioning, LEED Gold certification, and rooftop pool, nightly rates are expected to fall in the premium band for Toronto hotels — comparable to other Forbes-recommended properties in the city. Seasonal variations, advance booking discounts, and package rates are not documented in available sources.

Location and getting there

1 Hotel Toronto is located at 550 Wellington Street West, Toronto, ON M5V, in the King West neighborhood (also known as the Fashion District). The hotel is approximately 2 km from Toronto Pearson International Airport by taxi or rideshare (about 25 minutes in typical traffic). Union Station is a 15-minute walk or 5-minute ride, providing rail connections to the rest of the city and region.

The surrounding area includes the Entertainment District, the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, and the waterfront parks. Parking is available on-site, though rates are not specified in available sources.

Alternatives in Toronto

For travelers considering other sustainable or luxury options in Toronto, the following properties offer different trade-offs:

  • The Hazelton Hotel (Yorkville): Forbes Travel Guide recommended; a smaller luxury property with a spa-heavy focus, but no equivalent sustainability claims.
  • Bisha Hotel (Entertainment District): Rooftop pool and design-forward rooms similar to 1 Hotel, but without LEED certification or documented energy savings.
  • Ace Hotel Toronto (Queen West): Shared brand ethos of design and community, but smaller room count (87) and no rooftop pool.

Our pick

For eco-conscious luxury travelers, first-time visitors to Toronto, and those drawn to the King West neighborhood’s energy, 1 Hotel Toronto offers the most comprehensively documented sustainability commitment among the city’s luxury hotels. The LEED Gold certification, verified energy savings, and transparent amenity listings provide a factual basis for that claim — not just branding.

The rooftop infinity pool, pet-friendly policy, and farm-to-table dining stack make it a strong choice for couples, pet owners, and leisure travelers. The small room count (112) and limited independent review data on service quality are the main caveats.

“1 Hotel Toronto is LEED Gold certified.”

1 Hotels, brand / hotel operator

“The hotel is described as nature-inspired, sustainability-focused and community-oriented while delivering luxury hospitality.”

Forbes Travel Guide, editorial publication

Related reading: JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo: New Luxury Fact-Based ReviewMandai Rainforest Resort Review: Is It Worth the Cost

For a deeper dive into the property’s eco-friendly features and guest experience, see another sustainable luxury review for verified details and expert analysis.

Frequently asked questions

Does 1 Hotel Toronto have a rooftop pool?

Yes, the hotel features a rooftop infinity pool, confirmed by the official hotel services page.

Is 1 Hotel Toronto pet-friendly?

Yes. The hotel describes itself as a pet-friendly sanctuary on its official website.

Does 1 Hotel Toronto have a spa?

Yes, a spa is listed among the hotel’s amenities by 1 Hotels. Specific treatments and pricing are not detailed in available sources.

Is parking available at 1 Hotel Toronto?

Yes, parking is available on-site. Rates and valet details are not specified in verified sources.

How many rooms does 1 Hotel Toronto have?

The hotel has 112 guestrooms, including 21 suites, as reported by Hotelier Magazine and confirmed by multiple sources.

Sources

  • Mohari Hospitality — Opening announcement, ownership details, tree-planting initiative
  • 1 Hotels (Sustainability) — LEED Gold certification, operational sustainability claims
  • 1 Hotels (Amenities) — Room features, amenity list, pet policy
  • Destination Canada — Energy savings data, CO2 reduction figures, property timeline
  • Forbes Travel Guide — Editorial assessment, neighborhood context, positioning
  • Hotelier Magazine — Room and suite counts, phased opening details