According to Jimson Bienenstock, the hotel’s Director of Outlets and resident sommelier, the hotel sets the scene for those who want to date or have a first date, serious date, escalating date or forever dates. He suggests the cozy Library Bar on the lobby level of The Fairmont Royal York as the ideal location to launch a Valentines Day romance. In fact, he has seen it happen.

* LIBRARY BAR – for those who want to date
Some of Toronto’s best martinis are being served all month long. The luscious $14 Devil’s Affair martini, is made with Frangelico, Kahlua, Crème de Cacao and Absolut Vanilla. The drink is shaken and served as a prelude to a kiss of sweetness on the sugar rimmed martini glass.

* BENIHANA – make an exotic impression on the first date
The excitement and artistry of tableside teppan cooking brings dating alive. A Valentine’s Day dinner at Benihana Japanese Steakhouse is: a teppan dinner for two; featuring five Japanese appetizers; a main of Hibachi Beef and Lobster tail and is finished with an ice cream dessert. Valentines Day dinner in Benihana is $150, exclusive of taxes and gratuity and is available only on Tuesday February 14, 2012. Call 416-860-5002 or place your reservation with OpenTable.

* EPIC Restaurant – a lingering love affair of three courses to escalate the date
Love-inspired creations by Chef Timothy Palmer can be paired with fine wines for a Valentine’s Day dinner in EPIC. The fixe prix dinners are available throughout February 2012 and are priced at $48 per person, without wine (exclusive of taxes and gratuities). On Valentines Day, February 14th, seating is available beginning at 5:30 p.m.. The last seating takes place at 10:00 p.m. EPIC reservations may be placed online at Open Table or by calling 416-860-6949. General dining information is also available by email at festive@fairmont.com.

* ROYAL ROMANCE- guilt-free indulgence without calories for the forever date
The Fairmont Royal York offers the Royal Romance package, featuring a one-night stay, breakfast in bed for two, sparkling wine, chocolates and a copy of The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, a novel about the extraordinary love affair between Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadly.

Classy and luxurious, but more importantly, a value-added overnight experience curated by the hotel’s love professionals to impress, inspire and refresh, the Royal Romance package rates begin at $285 CAN for a Fairmont View room and $355 CAD for a Deluxe room. The package is available every night throughout the month of February 2012 and is exclusive of taxes, based on double occupancy.

For room reservations please contact 1-800-441-1414 or visit the Fairmont website. 

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Guests of The Fairmont Royal York’s Royal Mayan Civilization Package go back in time to 250 to 900 AD, where mysteries are explored and secrets are revealed about the ancient Maya civilization.

Available from November 19, 2011 to April 9, 2012, the package includes one night accommodation in a Fairmont guestroom, valet parking for one vehicle, admission for two adults and two children to the Maya Secrets of the Ancient World exhibit including access to the Royal Ontario Museum and an Ancient Maya Civilization souvenir guide book.

Rates start at $251 (CAD) and can be booked by calling 1-800-441-1414 or online at Fairmont Royal York website.

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A modern art collection from New York’s most revered museums, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) has come to Toronto’s AGO and The Fairmont Royal York has an overnight stay to encourage guests to experience the remarkable new exhibition: Abstract Expressionist New York: Masterpieces from the MOMA.

The hotel’s Modern Masterpieces Package begins at $219 per night and features a one night stay in a Fairmont room with two tickets to the exhibition.

The ultra modern city of Toronto has grown up around The Fairmont Royal York Hotel. This luxurious cultural landmark borders the Toronto Entertainment and Financial Districts and is just three short subway stops from the AGO. The hotel’s prime location, across the street from Union Station, allows for leisurely walks to exclusive boutiques, unique shopping finds, galleries, attractions and dining destinations.

Modern Masterpieces Package
Package rates start from $219 per night.

The package includes:

• One-night stay in a Fairmont Room
• 2 tickets to the exhibition (a la carte tickets are available)

Packages can be booked as of Friday, May 27, 2011 and rates are based on availability and based on double occupancy; gratuities and taxes are extra.

For reservations, or information call 1.800.441.1414 or visit the Fairmont Royal York Website.

Visit the AGO.net to view featured works and other multimedia content, and to download the free MOME AB EX NY iPad app.

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Random House Canada and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts bring new meaning to “booking” a Mother’s Day reservation with their Iconic Voices Mother’s Day Literary Tea event.

Canadian authors, Miriam Toews and Elizabeth Hay, hold familiar court in The Fairmont Royal York’s famed Imperial Room for an intimate and inspirational discussion over Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea on Sunday, May 8, 2011 at 12:00 p.m.

Moderating the conversation between the authors will be Kate Taylor, Globe & Mail arts columnist and bestselling author of the book A Man in Uniform.

Headlining the literary afternoon are authors Miriam Toews and Elizabeth Hay. Miriam Toews is best known for A Complicated Kindness and now her recent release of Irma Voth, a novel that has received critical acclaim for Toews’ ability to move back and forth from the humourous to the melancholic as she tells her stories of loss and longing. She is joined by Elizabeth Hay, Giller Prize-winning and bestselling author of Late Nights on Air. Her soon to be published novel, Alone in the Classroom, is her most tense, intricate, seductive novel yet.

The Iconic Voices Mother’s Day afternoon tea begins with a welcome glass of champagne, followed by traditional afternoon tea service and both authors reading from their new novels.

The afternoon, presented in partnership with Random House Canada, Globe & Mail’s Globe Recognition and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, will conclude with a thought provoking discussion and finally a book signing by the authors.

Each guest will receive signed copies of both books, as well as individual gift bags (valued at $130) containing a $50 BCBG Max Azria gift card, and beauty products from Yardley London, Bourjois Paris and Calvin Klein. Attendees also receive 20 percent off all tea purchases in The Fairmont Store. And, before the afternoon’s festivities come to an end, guests will have the chance to win a spectacular door prize: a $1,000 wardrobe from BCBG Max Azria and a $250 gift basket from Bourjois Paris.

Single tickets to the Iconic Voices Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea can be purchased for $75 per person, exclusive of HST, by calling 416-860-5050.

To begin or end the Mother’s Day chapter of the weekend The Fairmont Royal York also offers The Mother’s Day Royal Literary Package at $269CAD per night. The package includes:

* One night accommodation for two in a Fairmont Room
* Two tickets to the Iconic Voices Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea

Tickets include:

* One glass of welcome champagne upon arrival
* Afternoon delights include: assorted finger sandwiches and pastries, scones with clotted cream and assorted Fairmont Teas
* Gift bag including books from the authors (Alone in the Classroom by Elizabeth Hays and Irma Voth by Miriam Toews), along with a $50 BCBG Max Azria gift card, and beauty products from Yardley London, Bourjois Paris and Calvin Klein
* Entry ballot to win prizes during the event
* Opportunity to have book autographed by the authors

Room availability is over the dates of Friday, May 7th until Sunday, May 9th only. Guests should be at the hotel for the Afternoon Tea on Sunday, May 8th between 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm.

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Royal Tea, a time honoured tradition at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel has returned to The Library Bar after a brief two week hiatus. Now, weekend Afternoon Tea service also comes with a stay-over package that features tea service, one night in a deluxe room, valet parking and a luxury tea keepsake from now until April 25, 2011.

Over the years, the location for Afternoon Tea service has migrated throughout the hotel. From the former rooftop terrace, to The Ballroom, to The Imperial Gazebo, to EPIC and finally the warm and intimate setting of The Library Bar where even “spiked” tea is now an option.

Regardless of the location, tea has always been a constant lure for hotel guests and visitors. Recent additions to the tea menu includes five new teas created specifically for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts by The Metropolitan Tea Company:  Energy, High-Antioxidant, Equilibrium, Tranquility and Digestive teas.

Afternoon Tea is served on fine china along with sandwiches and pastries on Saturdays from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM. and Sundays from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM in The Library Bar.

Traditional Afternoon Tea is $35 per person and includes: a fine selection of premium Fairmont loose leafs teas, seasonal Berry Cocktail, traditional finger sandwiches (lobster, smoked salmon, cucumber, Manchego, brie), a selection of pastries (pastry swans, clafoutis, chocolate cakes, madelines) and house-baked Royal York cranberry scones with Devon cream and preserves.

A variation on the traditional is The Royal Tea Experience featuring the addition of smoked salmon and caviar canapés, paired with a glass of Moët et Chandon Brut champagne for $60.

The Fairmont Royal York offers an enhanced tea experience with its Royal Winter Warmth Package, which combines the creature comforts of tea and relaxation. At $ 259CAD per night the package includes:

* One night accommodation in a Fairmont Deluxe Room
* Valet parking for one vehicle
* Afternoon Tea for two in the Library Bar
* Fairmont tea keepsake

The Royal Winter Warmth package is available on Fridays and Saturdays until April 25, 2011.

For more information or to make reservations please visit the Fairmont Royal York Website, or call toll-free 1-866-540-4489.

Afternoon Tea in the Library Bar is not only an alternative to a lunch, but also a perfect escape from downtown shopping or a delightful way to start or end an afternoon at the theatre with friends.

Afternoon Tea is served on Saturdays and Sundays in the Library Bar, located next to the Imperial Foyer at The Fairmont Royal York. To reserve Afternoon Tea in advance, call the Library Bar at (416) 860-5050 or festive@fairmont.com.

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