April 2022 - Delsuites' Blog
Monthly Archives

April 2022

Announcements, Business Travel, Corporate Housing

DelSuites Returns to the Global Business Travel Association Conference

April 26, 2022
GBTA 2022

Business travel is picking up across the world, and DelSuites is stepping out to meet it at this spring’s Global Business Travel Association Conference.

We’re pleased to announce our first event of the year: exhibiting at the GBTA 2022 Conference on May 2 and 3, at downtown Toronto’s Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.

What is the GBTA?

The Global Business Travel Association is the business travel industry’s premier professional association. With operations on six continents and over 9,000 members, the GBTA lets us take the international perspective on business. With members from all corners of the business travel industry, GBTA Canada alone represents more than $23.5 billion in business travel.

The GBTA’s annual Toronto event is the leading business travel & meetings conference in Canada. With over 40 exhibitors, a full schedule of industry education sessions, networking opportunities, and sector-focused lunch sessions, it’s a 360-degree look at where business travel is now, and where it’s going.

Growing our industry savvy to help you

DelSuites has been a member of GBTA Canada for over 5 years. The connections we’ve fostered there are an essential part of meeting our guests needs. As GBTA members, we’re in touch with the cutting-edge research, partnerships, and programs that take your stay from good to incredible.

With this year’s theme of (Re)Connect, (Re)Imagine, and (Re)Create, GBTA 2022 is the place to rebuild the networks that sustain business travel—and look forward to what’s new. We’re looking forward to being a part of the conversation as business travel comes back to life.

Join us at GBTA 2022

Join us at Convention Hall 1, Booth 45 to meet our team and discover how DelSuites makes business travel feel just like home. We’ll be there to talk about how DelSuites fits into the new business travel landscape—and bring back what’s next to our guests.

Customer Service Experience, Downtown Toronto Condos, Toronto Condos

DelSuites Introduces 24/7 Guest Services

April 19, 2022
24/7 guest services photo from Pexels

Your life moves around the clock—and now DelSuites Guest Services does too.

We’re proud to announce that we’ve expanded our dedicated Guest Services offerings beyond standard business hours. As of this week, our Guest Services team is newly available 24/7, whatever your needs—and we’re excited to bring that higher level of service to you.

Built on our standard of service

The DelSuites experience is built on personalized, committed service: solving problems, sourcing that special something, and making sure your suite perfectly fits your lifestyle. We’re always looking to grow our standard of service and make your stay truly memorable.

Whether you’re traveling on business or for an important medical procedure—staying with us a month or half a year—our Guest Services team is dedicated to a stay tailored to fit you.

From pre-arrival grocery services to the right equipment for pets, families, and mobility-impaired guests, the DelSuites Guest Services team already has the tools to customize our spaces for your life. Now we can deploy those tools anytime during your stay, to make your DelSuites experience frictionless.

Book online anytime

Our round-the-clock Guest Services availability builds on the gains we’ve made with our expanded booking tools. Our secure online booking portal lets you see, virtually tour, and book our suites from the comfort of your desk—anytime, anywhere.

You can customize, adjust, and personalize what you need for your stay whenever you’d like through our online booking tools. On your arrival day, all you have to do is show up at the door.

Communicate your way

Everyone has their favourite way to get things done—and our Guest Services team is available not just when you need, but how. Our Guest Services team is available by phone, email, or specialized secure forms, letting you communicate your preferred way.

We’ve automated some of our most common guest needs to get things done trouble-free. Our online check-in procedure and extension form let you handle your booking at the touch of a button. And if anything in your suite needs a tune-up, our maintenance form lets you report it easily—and starts repairs moving while you live your busy life.

But if you’d rather speak with one of our team directly, Guest Services is ready with the personal touch. We’re always available by phone at 416-296-8838. Our highly trained team members are here to handle more complex situations, important questions, and recommendations for how to enjoy Toronto.

What you need, when you need it

Now that we’re fully into the era of international travel, remote work, and digital lifestyles, nobody’s lives stop at 5:00 p.m. If you find there’s something that would improve your stay—whether it’s a small question, or a big adjustment—there’s no longer any need to wait for a solution.

Connect with our Guest Services team right away, and we can solve any small problems immediately—or get a start on untangling more complex questions while you sleep. Our network of partners, experts, and vendors can work on solutions for you at every hour, whether it’s a repair, special delivery, or just something to make your stay that much easier. And we’re always here with a listening ear.

***

We’re looking forward to expanding the peerless service DelSuites is known for to all our guests—no matter what time it is. If you have a question about your suite—or a need we can satisfy—call or contact our Guest Services team. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Downtown Toronto Condos, Toronto Entertainment, toronto toursim, Vacation Travel

Take the Front Seat for Toronto Sports

April 12, 2022
Toronto sports photo by Tim Gouw from Pexels.

Play ball! Sports have come back to Toronto after two years of pandemic limits, and fans are itching to get into the seats. With most major Toronto sports venues just blocks from DelSuites locations, you’re in a winning spot to catch a game.

So if you’re a sports fan visiting Toronto, here are the best games you can catch this spring and summer: both major-league and underground.

Baseball: The Toronto Blue Jays

The Jays haven’t played at home since the COVID-19 pandemic started, so excitement for the 2022 season is high. With a homegrown lineup full of 2021 All-Stars—and a pitching staff that’s finally got itself right—a day at the ballpark is going to crackle this year.

The Rogers Centre is literal steps from Element and Icon—three minutes’ walk down the block!—and a short walk from 10 York and 300 Front Street West. Tickets can range from $20 a seat in the nosebleeds to significantly more at the luxurious, reservations-only TD Clubhouse behind home plate: complete with buffet, padded seats, and concierge service.

Toronto’s ballpark food can be much more interesting than the usual hot dogs and fries—although the traditional eats are all there. There’s lots of local beer and cider available, and you can bring your own snacks as long as they’re wrapped well.

Opening day is April 8th, and games stretch into October.

Basketball: The Toronto Raptors

In 2019 the Raptors took the NBA championship, and nobody in Toronto will ever let you forget it. It’s a great reason to check out Canada’s only NBA team: the vibe is fun, competitive, and fierce.

The Raptors play out of Scotiabank Arena, just around the corner from 10 York and a short walk from Qwest, Element, Icon, and 300 Front Street West. It’s also connected to Toronto’s underground PATH Network, so it’s easy to get to the arena and stay dry on a rainy day.

Raptors tickets are in demand, and even modest seats will put you back about $90 after fees, but you’re getting an experience, not just a game. There’s a huge variety of concessions at Scotiabank Arena: sandwiches, hot dogs, poutine, and drinks feature. But you can also get sushi, premium rum and vodka, and high-end restaurant dining while you watch the shot clock.

The regular season goes into April, and tickets are still available.

Hockey: The Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Marlies, and the Toronto Six

NHL tickets are a splurge for most people, but a night at the Scotiabank Arena watching the Leafs is well worth the price. And with the regular season running into April, there’s still time to catch pro league hockey.

But for hockey fans who need something a little more affordable—or like a different challenge—there’s the AHL Toronto Marlies. The Leafs’ AHL development team plays out of Exhibition Place’s Coca-Cola Coliseum, a 10-minute trip by car or transit from our Qwest and 10 York locations.

A night out at the Marlies is its own kind of excitement. Not all the passes connect, and not all the shots get blocked—which makes the game a different kind of exciting. The season also stretches from October to April, and you can snag tickets for as little as $25.

If you’re into women’s professional hockey, Toronto’s best-kept hockey secret is its Premier Hockey Federation Team. The two-year-old Toronto Six plays in at York Canlan Sports Arena, in the city’s northwest. Tickets top out at $30 a seat, and with a strong roster, it’s a guaranteed good time.

Soccer: Toronto FC

Toronto isn’t always known as a soccer city, but the fan base for Toronto FC—the city’s Major League Soccer team—are absolute diehards. Toronto FC’s the first—and only—Canadian MLS team, and won the MLS Cup in 2017.

Toronto FC home games are at BMO Field—in the same Exhibition Place complex as the Marlies. It’s a newer venue with a full accessibility policy and barrier-free seating available. Snacks and concessions cater to Toronto’s soccer-loving Italian and Portuguese communities, with panini and hot chicken next to more usual favourites.

Toronto FC plays February through October, making them a great outdoor choice for long summer nights. Tickets range from an easy $28 to premium seats at over $150 each.

Racing: The Honda Indy

If you’re into an entirely different kind of sports—motor sports—Toronto’s also home to a major IndyCar race.

Taking place over the weekend of July 15-17, the almost 40-year-old race is IndyCar’s second-longest street circuit. The track loops around the Exhibition Place complex, and is accessible (ironically!) by TTC and GO Transit.

Ticket prices and catering options are yet to be announced, but should be available by May.

***

Enjoy the thrill of being steps away from the beating heart of the city: on game day or every day. Call DelSuites at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com to find out how we can open Toronto up for you to discover.

Downtown Toronto, Toronto Condos

Returning to the Office Flexibly with Furnished Rentals

April 5, 2022
Returning to the office photo by Cadeau Maestro from Pexels

Spring is here, and Torontonians are returning to the office—at least for a few days a week. With Ontario’s COVID mandates loosening, companies that worked remotely for the past two years are calling their teams back into downtown offices.

It’s created a dilemma for the hundreds of Torontonians who traded a hectic life downtown for more space in smaller towns or suburbs—enough that some are seeking second homes downtown or signing year-long micro-condo leases to be close to work again.

But before you jump into a major financial commitment: a furnished condo rental can help you balance today’s work expectations and the long-term plans you’ve been making.

Here’s why long-term furnished rentals are the perfect solution for navigating the transition back to office work: stress-free, affordably, and in style.

Stay flexible in a changing work world

Mandates may be lifting, but public health officials have warned us that COVID isn’t over—and today’s reopening plans can change in a heartbeat.

It’s not just another COVID wave that could change things. While some companies may want teams back in the office, they’re facing real resistance: 25% of Canadians solved huge life problems with remote work, and aren’t ready to give it up.

So while returning to the office is the reality now, many companies are using this spring as a testing period for new work situations. Hybrid work, most analysts agree, is the future; it’s just a question of what that balance will look like—and no one has the answer yet.

While companies—and the job market—figure out the mix that works for everyone, it’s worthwhile to be flexible and think long-term. While it’s tempting to commit to a separate downtown lease or buy a second property, it might be premature. One job change, policy change, or COVID spike can see you saddled with an expensive second lease—or worse, having rented your own home to tenants for a long year.

A long-term furnished rental apartment is a chance to stay comfortable, but stay flexible. With locations in the heart of not just downtown’s business district, but the tech haven of Markham Centre and the up-and-coming Scarborough business district, we’re close to where you work.

With stays that start at 30 nights—and discounts for longer—we’re a more agile, responsive way to figure out how hybrid work actually fits in your life. Our flexible stays let you extend your stay as long as you need, or work out the right check-out date if your circumstances change. And if you find yourself needing space in a hurry, our online booking portal can have you walking through the door in as little as a few days.

Spend less on a second home

A second home in the city—whether you buy or rent it—comes with a second set of expenses. Even a few days a week living somewhere new means a lot of purchases: a new bed, furniture, kitchen supplies, towels, sheets, and appliances like coffee makers, lamps, and televisions.

With everything more expensive, backordered, and harder to find (thanks, supply chain!) the startup costs can get into five figures. And they’re not purchases it’s wise to make with cheap stopgaps: skimp on a good mattress, and you pay with your back.

That doesn’t even address the cost of a second internet hookup, utilities, and secondary home insurance—which is an absolute must.

A fully furnished long-term rental wipes out those expenses before you even start. Our all-inclusive rates cover must-have items as big as furniture, as everyday as kitchen supplies, and as small as toiletpaper and laundry detergent. Extras like biweekly cleaning, linen service, and a premium cable TV package mean you won’t just save money on setup—you’ll experience a little bit of luxury.

Most importantly, our fully furnished suites guarantee what your new space and surroundings are high-quality—from your couch to your frying pan. Even if you’re only there two or three nights a week, you’ll get to feel at home during every single one.

Get some space—and keep your quality of life

It’s tempting to go smaller in the city to afford a split lifestyle—after all, many of us are used to doing more with less or compromising to get the job done. But how we live has a real effect on us: our mindset, our mood, and our motivation. And living small can quickly get oppressive.

An affordable micro-condo can be what realtor Mila Sheina called, in the Toronto Star, “the size of an office pod, with a toilet.” It’s harder to entertain friends, harder to separate work and life on those days you’re stuck indoors, and harder to stretch out for your hobbies and interests.

DelSuites units make sure to be spacious: from comfortable one-bedroom units to grand, family-sized three-bedrooms that you can share or split with friends. However you use them, we make sure you’ve got the room to thrive—and the option to do so without real estate bidding wars or breaking the bank.

***

Whether you’re setting up for hybrid work, trying out a new job, or finding your way into Toronto, we can make returning to the office comfortable, flexible, and affordable. Call us at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com to find out how we can make your work and life really balance.