In a city of soaring glass towers and predictable lobbies, Toronto’s Ode hotel offers a refreshing change.
Tucked inside the Dundas West neighbourhood, this Black-owned family business is quite literally an “ode” to Toronto and its founding family, who came to Canada from Trinidad and Tobago.
It all started back in December of 2021 after co-founder Tiffany Ramsubick launched the hotel at 1417 Dundas St. W. with her mother and three siblings.
Although Ramsubick’s parents previously owned the building before it officially opened as Ode, transforming the space into a reflection of its vibrant surroundings has truly put the hotel on the map.
The exterior of Ode Toronto on Dundas Street West.
Ode Toronto
Since its opening, it has been named as one of Vogue’s favourite hotels in Toronto, along with recognition in the New York Times, despite the siblings’ original backgrounds in law, engineering, the medical field, and coding.
“My siblings and I saw an opportunity because of the neighbourhood that Ode is in. It’s really, really evolved since my parents bought the building, and we wanted to evolve the building along with the neighbourhood,” Ramsubick tells Toronto.com.
“When you come and stay at Ode, we really wanted you to get a feel for Toronto, which we think is one of the best cities in the world. That was our inspiration.”
Ode Toronto: ‘From the light fixtures to the knobs on the doors’
The Black and Yellow room at Ode Toronto.
Ode Hotel
While most chains offer sameness at their hotel locations, guests will find the exact opposite at Ode. Upon arrival, visitors are met with a huge mural that encapsulates the entire exterior of the property.
Inside, every one of its 10 rooms are all decorated differently, based on a colour. Each room has furniture made locally in Toronto, along with art created by artists in the city.
“From the light fixtures to the knobs on the door, everything is unique. The city is so diverse, and we wanted to reflect that diversity,” said Ramsubick.
“We wanted to have a place where everybody felt that they could be reflected. I think we have something for everyone because all our rooms are different.”
In the Gold room, overlooking Dundas Street West, guests will find paint to graphite artwork from Gillian Toliver. The Green room is jungle themed with a hand painted mural from Gabriella Lo. And the Grey room displays Jah Grey’s intimate portrait of two lovers.
Ode Toronto’s Grey room.
Ode Toronto
And even though picking a favourite suite at Ode feels like choosing a favourite child for Ramsubick, the Black and Yellow room is a summertime front-runner and the Gold room brings a welcoming warmth to winter. However, the Green room is the most requested at the hotel.
“It’s a real immersive experience when you come into the room, you really feel like you’re in an enchanted forest,” Ramsubick said.
“You have to see it to believe it but it’s a beautiful experience.”
The Green room at Ode Toronto.
Ode Toronto
Aside from the suites, the hotel also has a rooftop available to guests to stretch in the morning or enjoy a snack under the Toronto sun. And with more original art from local artists on the rooftop, it is also used an event space.
Ode Toronto: ‘Staying with family’
The family behind Ode Toronto.
Ode Toronto
Regardless of which room a guest decides to stay in, they can expect to be welcomed into the space like family.
“When you come through the doors, you’re greeted by my mom or you’re greeted by one of my siblings,” said Ramsubick.
“I think because of that focus on sameness that a lot of corporate chains have, that warmth and welcoming hospitality has been lost. So, just expect to really feel like you’re staying with family when you come to Ode.”
And while the Ramsubick family’s current focus remains providing a warm welcome on Dundas West, their vision for the brand is only getting bigger. Looking to the future, the family hopes to open a second spot.
“I really think the world is our oyster,” said Ramsubick. “We’ve created something that people seem to love, and we love doing it. So, we would love to expand to another location and just keep building our brand.”