Vibe: Toronto’s oldest continually operating hotel is a recently revamped hipster place full of authentic charm and art. A working, hand-operated elevator adds to the historic ambience.

Area: Busy, artsy, upgraded Queen Street West.

The DNA: Gladstone House is a boutique art hotel uniquely blending historical Victorian architecture with contemporary luxury. It is located in Toronto’s downtown art and design district. Local artists turned the guest rooms into works of art, ensuring no two rooms are the same. Highlights include Cecilia Berkovic’s room 305, Teen Queen, a homage to the cool chicks that rule the school; Simone Moir and Corwyn Lund’s ethereal The Parlour of Twilight; and Bob Blumer’s Surreal Gourmet, a den of food-inspired kitsch. A recent owner change saw a renovation and the addition of 16 new rooms.

Suite-Me-Up: There are no suites, but the King Corner rooms are the loftiest.

✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 55 rooms & suites (17-30m2) (180-325 sq ft)• hotel opened: 2008 (originally opened 1889) • bathroom amenities: Graydon• parking possible nearby (charged) • no pets allowed • 24-hour front desk