Chic, trendy and upscale

A truly sexy hotel is hard to come by. At the Pantages Hotel and Spa in Toronto, all you need to pack is your sexiest clothes and your mojo to experience the urban chic.

Pantages Hotel and SpaLocated in the heart of downtown Toronto, this chic, upscale hotel and spa is within walking distance of concert halls, theatres, restaurants and shopping. One step into the lobby and there's no mistaking the truly chic experience ahead. Chainmail curtains tease the hip mood of the Martini Bar just beyond reach. Then, of course, there's the uber-attentive service, the Serenity Suites, and the zen retreat of the Shizen spa...

Dark wood accents their zen styling

Chic zen stylingThe Pantages décor is a rich mixture of dark wood that surrounds an oasis of a bed draped in delicious Egyptian cotton linens. Prioritize your wants in room amenities - a kitchette (dishwasher, stove, granite countertops) or Jacuzzi, bedroom suites or studio style - functional-luxury or l'amour decadence. Extra nice amenities include internet access, iPod docking station, umbrella, yoga mat and robes available in your room (not to mention the great shower head).

Functional luxuryGG recommends the Jacuzzi option - just to ramp up the sexy. Note that room service is available for dinner and evening, but continental breakfast is served in the Martini Bar. You'll find a coffee maker in your room but if you want fresh, you'll have go next door to Fran's Restaurant. They're open 24 hours and the coffee is divine.

Shizen Spa

Exclusive to Skyline Resorts boutique ensemble of hotels (Pantages, Cosmopolitan and Horseshoe Valley Resort), the Shizen Spa will deliver a slice of tranquility.

Shizen spaOur Shizen Spa experience at the Pantages was a tranquil, relaxing experience. We arrived early and enjoyed the steamroom while we waited for our Ultimate Couples Escape. Our treatment began with an aromatic soak for two, chocolate covered strawberries and herbal tea. After the liquefying of our limbs, we enjoyed a 60 minute side-by-side massage. Ms. GG then enjoyed a Hydradermie facial to completely erase those stress lines she's been fighting recently. She was completely zenned out.

Plan to arrive early to take advantage of the steam-room, sauna or whirlpool tub areas to enhance the Shizen experience. But don't forget your swimsuit - these areas are co-ed. And for that Girlfriend getaway, check out the BFF Spa Escape at either Shizen location.   

Martini Bar

Martini BarAh, the Martini Bar ... After a day of shopping or a visit to a concert at Massey Hall, the modern décor and sultry lighting lures you into a Soho-style bar with intimate seating for small groups, tables near the fireplace, a glowing onyx bar, a lounge library hidden to the side and live jazz on selected nights. With more than 40 martini options, we lucked into the $5 martini's during Happy Hour late Friday afternoon. Sampling our way through a range of martini's (Pomegranite, get names) we can solemnly swear to their relaxing powers.

If you go, visit the Pantages Hotel and Spa online, visit their Facebook Page, or talk with them on Twitter. Also, see what other travelers have to say on TripAdvisor. Reservations and information: 866-852-1777

What to do within a 10 minute walk

After the TheatreIf you're looking to engage in the cultural scene in Toronto and take in one of the amazing entertainment options, 3 major theatre's are within a 5 minute walk.

• Massey Hall (with concerts of anyone who's ANYONE) is right across the street
• The Canon Theatre (formerly the Pantages Theatre with shows historically like Phantom of the Opera), is a 5 minute walk up Yonge St.
• The Elgin and Wintergarden Theatre (Cats, the Who's, Tommy) is about 8 minutes to King St.

Where to eat while touring downtown Toronto

Toronto's multicultural mix teases the palate with any style of food you desire. GoGirlfriends picks are:

• Paramount Mediterranean Restaurant - Yonge St. between Shuter St. and Dundas Square - excellent selection and value priced (our lunch was less than $35). The unique two-story effect offsets the lack of alcohol (it's not licensed).
• The Three Brewers -Try the flatbread pizza and the flight sampler of beer, also on Yonge between Shuter and Dundas Square.
• Adelaide East's Restaurant area with Terroni, Mercatto, Mirto Italian, Nami Japanese Seafood just a 10 minute walk to Adelaide.

Shopping in the Area

Pantages chicIf you're unfamiliar with the shopping opportunities in downtown Toronto, the Pantages Hotel and Spa is in the heart of shopping Nirvana. One block east of the Eatons Center, Yonge St. strip and underground Promenade, and smack in the middle of the Spadina Fashion District.

If a trip to Toronto's in your future, check out the Pantages and everything around it. We promise you'll be impressed.

We'd love to hear your experiences if you've stayed at the Pantages or have any other Toronto Hotels to recommend that take you out of the ordinary. Drop us a line on Facebook, Twitter or in the comments below.