The Dark Side Of The Fairmont Royal York Hotel Is Revealed During 3rd Annual Earth Hour

Earth Hour Cocktails | Fairmont Royal York

Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel will turn off its lights and light up more than a thousand candles in support of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF), Earth Hour. Guests will have the opportunity to partake in this global initiative by participating in the hotel’s “green” inspired activities when the lights go out for 60 minutes beginning at 8:30 p.m on Saturday, March 27th, 2010.

The Fairmont Royal York’s neon rooftop sign will go dark, signaling the hotel’s “Green Team” to power down the exterior, awning and canopy lights in unison with millions of Earth Hour participants worldwide. Inside the hotel, the team of over 30 eco-cautious colleagues will light the lobby with candelabras and hundreds of tea lights to be placed throughout the hotel for Earth Hour.

On Saturday, March 27, The Fairmont Royal York’s Library Bar will welcome guests to a unique candlelight service and bring back the popular Earth Hour inspired drink menu featuring: the Polar Cap, a cool vodka drink in a highball glass; the Organic Globe, an icewine martini; and the Carbon Footprint, a mindful drink featuring local honey, apples and single malt in a rock glass.

The hotel’s health club invites guests to experience relaxation in a different light. Unwind in the hotel’s whirlpool or take a swim in the pool, illuminated by the glow of surrounding candles. The special candlelight swim is offered exclusively to hotel guests from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 27, 2010.

Guests are also encouraged to participate in the environmental activities by turning the lights out in their rooms by way of a book mark accompanying their key cards and at the evening “turn down.”

Earth Hour is a global event created by the WWF to help raise awareness and assemble millions of people to take action on climate change. In 2008, The Fairmont Royal York was the first hotel in Toronto to register its Earth Hour participation. The event will mark the unification of The Fairmont Royal York hotel with an expected 30 million people worldwide in over 4000 cities.

Tea & Garden Tours at Fairmont Royal York

Fairmont Royal York Herb Garden

One of Toronto’s most remote collections of herb and flower beds are ready to be viewed by afternoon teetotallers.

Afternoon tea at EPIC Restaurant can once again be followed by a complimentary tour (weather permitting) of the hotel’s rooftop “herban” oasis at 2 PM and 4 PM each Saturday and Sunday.  Tea & Rooftop Garden Tours are offered at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel beginning Saturday, May 23, 2009 until September 6, 2009.

The herb garden and its neighbouring bee hives, situated 200 feet above ground and 14 stories high is normally closed to the public. This growing season marks its third year of public access to the garden, since its inception in 1997.

With a magnificent view of the CN Tower and the lakefront, the garden is starkly beautiful in contrast to its neighbouring office towers. The herb garden is the only one of its kind in Toronto and serves as an extension of the hotel’s environmental program. This unique garden provides the herbs and honey needed to flavour the dishes served in the hotel’s EPIC Restaurant.

Before the 30-minute rooftop tour, guests can enjoy a pot of tea and a variety of sweet and savory treats.

The teas available at EPIC are produced by The Metropolitan Tea Company Ltd., which is North America’s first member of the Ethical Tea Sourcing Partnership.

Metropolitan visits growers regularly to ensure employee well-being and environmental standards, practices highly respected by Fairmont. Teas available include the Kenmare Ceylon, Maple and Egyptian Chamomile. The tea menu is priced at $27.00 (exclusive of tax and gratuities) and features toasted crumpets with Grand Marnier butter; traditional finger sandwiches, including scones with Devonshire cream and jam; and a selection of pastries and English tea cakes.

Four afternoon garden tours are available each weekend. The meeting point for the half-hour herb garden tour is inside EPIC Restaurant at 2 PM and 4 PM, following the 12:30 p.m. tea service. The complimentary rooftop tours are reached by elevator and by climbing four flights of stairs. Tea and complimentary garden tours may be reserved by contacting EPIC Restaurant at (416) 860-6949 or by email at festive@fairmont.com