TL;DR

Rockstar energy: BISHA brings theatrical flair to Toronto’s boutique hotel scene.
Design-forward interiors: Sleek glass meets red brick outside; marble, velvet and…drama inside.
Celebrity touch: Suites by Lenny Kravitz Design add bold flair and character.
Vibe: Stylish, indulgent, and unapologetically cool – made for late nights and soft landings.
Check prices here

The exterior is a mix of sleek glass and red brick facade. There’s a quality to the interiors, too, that few hotels manage to pull off.

BISHA is a design drama that wouldn’t look out of place on a stage. It is Toronto’s rock star hotel.

It’s not its most luxurious, though, and it really doesn’t want to be.

But with its marble bathrooms, black velvety sofas, and Frette linens, it’s a place Morrissey might stay in for some theatrical self-pity.

The upper echelon suites are designed by the design firm of the slightly more self-aware Lenny Kravitz.

We’re not sure if we need to expand on the rooms any more than that.

Just make sure you’ve packed your leather trousers and oversized scarf, and you’ll feel right at home.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 96
Design: Dark tones, geometric patterns, and a confident, masculine aesthetic.
Variety: From compact Kings to sprawling Kravitz-designed suites up to 2000 sq ft.
Amenities: All rooms feature marble bathrooms, Nespresso machines, and plush Frette linens.
See each room in detail here

Step into the rooms for one of the least offensive hotel carpeting jobs we’ve ever encountered.

Indeed, we have to admit that we almost like BISHA’s geometric curves, and the way they interact with the rest of the space’s sleek design.

That is mostly black and blue, a masculine take on design that lacks a bit of friendliness but definitely checks the box on “cool.”

There’s quite a selection in the rooms as well, and while we’re a bit sceptical of the human names, we like the variety.

It starts with a 400 square foot King Single, and the other options get bigger and bigger, up to 580 square feet with a full-on living space.

They’ve also got Double Queen options that will suit a group perfectly.

Then, you get to the Suites. They’re much in the same vein as the rooms, simply with more division between the spaces.

The two top dogs, both by Kravitz Design, have a bit more colour and a lot more prints.

They run up to 2000 square feet, with dining rooms, kitchenettes, and more.

Whatever you choose at BISHA, you’ll have a custom TV, marble bathroom, Nespresso machine, and super-plush linens and super-hip wall decor.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Dining variety: From rooftop Baja-style dining to a sleek Japanese-Korean fusion restaurant.
Rooftop highlight: KŌST serves all-day meals with sweeping city views and pool access.
Nightlife: Mister C’s Bar Room and the rooftop scene make BISHA ideal for evening drinks.
Facilities: Gym, café, meeting rooms, and a weather-dependent rooftop pool.

BISHA Hotel offers almost all the amenities you could think of, with a couple of restrictions.

KŌST, the rooftop restaurant, is open basically all day.

They call breakfast ‘brunch’, which we love, because we’re pretty sure that means the mango, clamato, and vodka cocktail is required.

The cuisine is basically just a collection of our favourite New World dishes, with a loosely interpreted ‘Baja’ theme that allows for a delightful number of tuna-based options.

If you’re more for the cosy spaces, check out Mister C’s Bar Room in the lobby. It’s not geared towards food, but the drinks flow easily, the black leather is super-soft, and there are snacks if needed.

For something sleek but quick, there’s a Parisian-style café offering pastries and espresso.

For something sleek and not quick, Akira Back is a stunning space well-suited for the eponymous chef’s famed melding of Japanese and Korean Cuisine.

It’s definitely more of a date night spot than a random stop-in, but if you’ve got anything to celebrate, this is a great option.

Beyond food, we’re looking at a well-equipped fitness centre, plenty of meeting space, and public restrooms (for anyone leaving luggage, this is such a good touch).

The rooftop swimming pool at BISHA is fantastic though opening hours are relatively short, and it’s weather-permitting.

How is the neighbourhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Central location: In Downtown Toronto, close to nightlife, shopping, and cultural landmarks.
Walkable area: Queen West, University Avenue, and King Street are all within 15 minutes.
Convenience: Easy tram access to the University, Little Italy, and Kensington Market.
Nearby dining: Surrounded by trendy hotels and top restaurants, including Distillery District favorites.

BISHA’s part of Downtown Toronto is one of the best for anyone hoping to avoid a lot of ride shares or taxis.

West Queen West’s nightlife and the tourism of Old Toronto and University Ave are all in easy walking distance.

You can reach the Royal Art Gallery of Ontario or Union Station in just 15 minutes.

The same goes for many of the venues along King Street, in either direction.

The University is a bit further than the rest, but quite easily accessible via the tram. Little Italy and Kensington Market are about the same.

BISHA sits among a handful of cool hotels, so you can easily check out the many top-notch lobby restaurants.

The biggest challenge will be the highly recommended dinner at the Distillery District. It’s a bit of a Toronto adventure, but worth it.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“Fantastic staff so very helpful and friendly. What an amazing hotel we just loved everything about it. It’s our new favourite in Toronto!…”

“Love the decor in the room. Love the bathroom. Love the rooftop restaurant. The kale salad was phenomenal. Staff could not be more pleasant. Love the gym! …..”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”The rooftop pool only accommodates 10 lounge chairs and you have to reserve them in advance. There is a good chance someone has beaten you to the reservation. And then the chaise lounges are removed at 530 pm to make room for outdoor dining….”

”There was no tea, only coffee by the coffee maker. Sometimes it’s nice to have a cup of tea in the evening….”

Read all the reviews right here