With its sleek and modern design, architecture fans will appreciate stepping into the Shangri-La Toronto.
The hotel features a dramatic glass facade and meticulously designed interiors that reflect the city’s dynamic urban landscape. Located between the financial and cultural districts, Shangri-La offers convenient access to both areas, plus impressive views of Toronto’s skyline, including a closer look at the CN Tower.
Opened in 2012, the hotel’s strategic location allows easy access to the city's vibrant neighbourhoods, arts venues and shopping districts, making it an ideal base for both leisure and business travellers.
The National checked in to the five-star hotel to see whether its architectural and experiential offerings make it a worthy splurge in Toronto’s bustling cityscape.
The welcome
The drive from Toronto Pearson Airport is smooth and it takes less than 30 minutes to reach the hotel. Upon arrival, I am warmly greeted by staff who take my bags and check me in quickly after I hand over my passport. The lobby is cosy with high floor-to-ceiling windows that bring in tons of natural light.
It also doubles as a bar and lounge with crystal chandeliers, contemporary artwork and couture gowns on display that line the area. The warm and inviting ambience is enhanced by comfortable seating and a homey fireplace.
The neighbourhood
Shangri-La is located in the financial district of downtown Toronto. Although surrounded by corporate headquarters, it also has close proximity to cultural attractions such as the Hockey Hall of Fame, Campbell House Museum, the Royal Alexandra Theatre and the Tiff Bell Lightbox, which hosts the Toronto International Film Festival.
An array of dining options are also available nearby, from high-end restaurants to chic cafes. The hotel is easily walkable and there are popular shopping destinations nearby. However, the real gem of the location is the amazing view of the CN Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world.
The room
The 202-room property resides within the first 17 floors of the 66-story landmark tower. The rooms and suites range from the 45-square-metre deluxe room to the 204-square-metre Shangri-La Suite on the 17th floor.
I’m in a deluxe one-bedroom suite on the 14th floor, which is a corner unit. The suite has warm earth tones and rich mahogany panelling that create a welcoming atmosphere, while large windows provide sweeping views of downtown Toronto.
The separate living room has a queen-size convertible sofa bed and a guest bathroom with a stand-alone shower. The master bedroom comes with a comfortable king-size bed with its own en-suite bathroom that boasts marble finishes, a walk-in shower and a deep-soaking bathtub. There’s even a TV in the mirror. Thanks to the corner floor-to-ceiling windows, there are also spectacular up-close views of the CN Tower and downtown.
Amenities include L’Occitane toiletries, luxury linens and a Nespresso coffee machine. The hotel even provides a complimentary bath soak to help create a spa-like experience.
The service
It feels like Canadian hospitality at its finest. The hotel has an international staff with many able to speak a second language. I particularly enjoyed a conversation with Alice, who works in housekeeping. She is originally from Hong Kong like my mother, and we have a conversation in Cantonese, during which she reassures me my language skills are up to par despite my doubts.
The quick but fun interaction puts a smile on my face. Other members are also very helpful, enthusiastically sharing their tips on what to see, where to eat and where to go.
The scene
Although the hotel lobby is quiet when I arrive for check-in, it transforms into a lively hub after work hours. Almost every seat in the lounge is occupied, creating a vibrant atmosphere as business people and friends gather. There's a pianist who enchants guests in the lobby with her live performance, also adding to the energetic vibe. It no longer feels like just a hotel, but rather like a sophisticated social scene.
There’s a 24-hour fitness centre with a yoga, Pilates and aerobic studio, as well as an indoor 20-metre lap pool – meaning that swimming is always an option no matter the season – with a skylight and cabanas. For those who might want to unwind, there’s the Miraj Hammam Spa on the fifth floor, which offers traditional Middle Eastern Hammam and Gommage treatments.
The food
Bosk, which serves Italian cuisine, is the only restaurant on site. Located on the lobby level of the hotel, it is a sleek-yet-welcoming space with warm wood accents and floor-to-ceiling windows.
During my visit, Bosk’s head chef Troy Cabarios had created a special four-course set menu showcasing seasonal ingredients and modern Canadian dishes with a global spin. Personal favourites included the beet salad with whipped gorgonzola and buttermilk dressing, chestnut ravioli, osso buco (Quebec milk-fed veal shank) and torta caprese (chocolate Amarena cherry cake).
Despite the lack of dining venues in the hotel, there is an extensive in-room food menu. One morning for breakfast, I give room service a try. I get the house-made granola (Dh44), a bakery basket (Dh49), which consists of banana bread, coffee cake and carrot bread and a latte with oat milk (Dh26). Although it takes a little longer to come to my room, the food is tasty and a good way to start the day.
Highs and lows
The hotel’s location in downtown Toronto is hard to beat. Top tourist attractions are within walking distance, including the CN Tower and Rogers Centre. It's also close to Yonge Street for entertainment and shopping options.
There’s not a lot to fault. However, if I had to pick out one thing, it would perhaps be that because the lobby is so popular, it can get full very quickly, especially after work hours which may not be ideal for those staying at the hotel.
The insider tip
It’s worth booking a corner room if there is availability. The views of the city are marvellous during the day and at night.
The bottom
Rates start at Dh1,245 for the deluxe room. Check-in is from 3pm and checkout is at noon.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future.
The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Fanney Khan
Producer: T-Series, Anil Kapoor Productions, ROMP, Prerna Arora
Director: Atul Manjrekar
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Rajkummar Rao, Pihu Sand
Rating: 2/5
How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
FIXTURES
Nov 04-05: v Western Australia XI, Perth
Nov 08-11: v Cricket Australia XI, Adelaide
Nov 15-18 v Cricket Australia XI, Townsville (d/n)
Nov 23-27: 1ST TEST v AUSTRALIA, Brisbane
Dec 02-06: 2ND TEST v AUSTRALIA, Adelaide (d/n)
Dec 09-10: v Cricket Australia XI, Perth
Dec 14-18: 3RD TEST v AUSTRALIA, Perth
Dec 26-30 4TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Melbourne
Jan 04-08: 5TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Sydney
Note: d/n = day/night
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
MATCH INFO
Scotland 59 (Tries: Hastings (2), G Horne (3), Turner, Seymour, Barclay, Kinghorn, McInally; Cons: Hastings 8)
Russia 0
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The specs: 2018 Kia Picanto
Price: From Dh39,500
Engine: 1.2L inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Four-speed auto
Power: 86hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 122Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0L / 100km
