6 New Venues in East Canada for Summer 2023 Meetings and Events

The first phase of Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto opened in June, unveiling a new gaming floor featuring 4,800 slot machines, 145 table games, a variety of dining options, and a 3,800-space parkade. The property's brand-new, 400-room hotel debuted Aug. 1. In the coming months, planners can expect the opening of a state-of-the-art, 5,000-person entertainment venue; additional dining options; and retail. Located just minutes from Toronto Pearson Airport, nearly half of the guest rooms boast impressive views of the legendary Woodbine Racetrack. The hotel will soon unveil a dedicated wellness space that will include a fitness center and a wet area featuring a heated indoor pool, hot tub, and steam room.

This summer, Marriott's Tribute brand opened HONEYROSE Hotel Montreal, its first property in the city. Located in the city's Quartier des Spectacles, the hotel takes guests back in time with its vintage, art deco-inspired design (Provencher Roy was tapped for architecture and design details). For groups and events, the hotel offers five meeting rooms totaling over 7,000 square feet, including a ballroom that can accommodate over 300 guests, with prime views of the Place des Festivals. There's also a "movement studio" offering fitness classes, a dry sauna, a spa, and an indoor pool on the hotel's 15th floor, overlooking Montreal's skyline. For dining, guests can look to COMMODORE (pictured), a French bistro-inspired restaurant.

In May, Toronto opened the doors to this blank canvas venue on Berkeley Street in the east end of downtown. The 3,200-square-foot Transmission Studios is fully accessible, with two garage door openings for easy access and the ability to host indoor-outdoor summer activations. The space can accommodate 150 guests seated or 175 standing. Expect natural light throughout, an in-house sound system, and five individual bathrooms. The studio also has a list of preferred vendors for catering, security, staging, and draping.

In May, Vogue Hotel Montreal Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton unveiled a major refresh of its common spaces. The 148-room, five-star property, located in the heart of the city's Golden Square Mile, was transformed by local firm Sid Lee Architecture, which took inspiration from hotel cultures of Asia and the Middle East. A complete redesign of the hotel's lobby, lounge, and restaurant areas includes soaring ceilings, a floor-to-ceiling glass facade, and a number of Turkish design elements that nod to the heritage of the hotel’s new owners. Hidden away from the lobby’s bustle is the Cabinet of Curiosities (pictured), a cozy library nook that offers guests a moment of serenity. Among its art collection is a series of handblown silica glass vases created by local maker Verre d’Onge. The property offers more than 6,500 square feet of meeting space that includes 11 meeting rooms and an outdoor garden terrace. Planners can host up to 350 guests.

HomeCourt, a new arts and culture space, opened its doors in March in the heart of downtown Toronto. The multifunctional venue, located near the iconic Ossington Strip, is ideal for discussions, workshops, photography and videography, events, pop-ups, and more. Amenities of the blank canvas space include a large courtyard, breakout meeting rooms, an open-concept kitchen, storage space, a customizable LED lighting system, a full in-house audio system, a pingpong table, and conference equipment. The space was developed and designed by the creative minds and tastemakers at Mint, a Toronto-based creative agency. The main space can accommodate 150 guests, the courtyard 100, and the lounge area 50.

The Royal Hotel, located in downtown Picton, completed years of restoration in 2022. The property dates back to 1879, when it was a popular stop along the Canadian railway system. It's now been restored by a local family and offers 33 guest rooms, including adjacent suites, plus a library, pool, and a private terrace reserved exclusively for overnight guests. When it comes to gathering space, The Royal Hotel offers a meeting room that seats 14 and is equipped with fully integrated AV capabilities. Private meals and semi-private meals can also be booked at the property's restaurants. Corporate groups often use the Dining Room (pictured) for meetings and events.