Rates: From $200
The Afar take
Most Toronto hotels place you in sleek high-rise towers in the city’s busiest districts. Ode Toronto takes a different approach. The 10-room low-rise blends into its Dundas West surroundings, in the neighborhood known as Little Portugal, long home to Azorean immigrants and now a lively mix of cultures reflected in its independent shops and restaurants. There’s no restaurant or retail on-site, an intentional choice meant to push guests into the neighborhood’s orbit, whether that means mingling with locals, bar hopping, perusing vintage shops, or dining at nearby favorites.
Tobago-born, Toronto-raised Erica Herbert created the family-run hotel in 2021 and operates it with her son and three daughters. She still greets guests herself at check-in, reinforcing the property’s guesthouse-like feel. The idea, she says, was always to create a hospitality experience that embeds people in Dundas West. “We built Ode on the belief that people come to Dundas West and Toronto for a local experience they couldn’t get anywhere else in the world,” she says. “That’s why almost every aspect of Ode is local, from the furniture and design of the rooms to the artists and partners we collaborate with.”
Ode Toronto family owners from left: Brittney Ramsubick, Erica Herbert, Nicholas Ramsubick, Chanelle Ramsubick, and Tiffany Ramsubick
Courtesy of Ode Toronto
For this native Torontonian, two nights at Ode offered me an opportunity I rarely get—to dive into a neighborhood that I might otherwise only drive through. The collegial tone of texts with the owners during my stay, and tip sheets in the room, feel curated and personal, as if I was staying at the apartment of in-the-know friends. As a Black woman staying at the city’s only Black-owned hotel, I loved that the property maintains a strong sense of cultural identity within its walls through small touches (a Toni Morrison novel replaces the typical hotel bible in each room) and bigger ones (Toronto artist Yung Yemi’s Afrofuturist murals animate the rooftop patio).
In fact, art is the through line of the entire property. A sensual black-and-white mural by Torontonian Lauren Pirie covers the building’s facade, setting the tone before guests even step inside. Interiors by Toronto designer Alisha Sturino of Studio Otty showcase locally made furniture, including pieces by Jacob Mailman, alongside artwork by area artists displayed in rooms and hallways.
Who’s Ode Toronto for?
Solo travelers and couples (no pets or children allowed) who want a room with personality. It also works well for business travelers who prefer a space that feels more like an apartment than a hotel. Groups of friends sometimes book the entire property for social getaways or bachelor parties. And with several notable vintage shops nearby, including VSP Consignment, thrifters will find plenty to browse.
Who Ode isn’t for
Travelers seeking traditional full-service amenities like a front desk, restaurant, gym, or concierge. The hotel is intentionally minimalist.
The location: Dundas West
Ode Toronto is surrounded by notable restaurants and vintage shopping.
Courtesy of Ode Toronto
Exploring is easy on foot, by rental bike, or via the streetcar. Downtown Toronto is about a 15-minute drive away, but the immediate neighborhood offers plenty to keep visitors busy.
Area favorites include speakeasy-style Crybaby Gallery, cocktail spot Rhapsody, and neighborhood restaurants like Sukhothai and Manita. Many shops open around noon on weekdays, leaving mornings free to explore the street art–filled neighborhood, either independently or with a guide. For a bit of pampering, nearby salons Nud and the Beauty Collective are easy options.
Guests arriving by car should plan to purchase a city street parking permit (about $18 for two nights) and check posted signs carefully to avoid getting a ticket.
The rooms at the Ode
All 10 guest rooms were individually designed and named after their color scheme.
Courtesy of Ode Toronto
There are 10 rooms at Ode, and no two are alike. During my stay I tried two. The Black and Yellow room (260 square feet) has bold black-and-white stripes framing the bed, accented by lemon-yellow furnishings and colorful African-inspired prints. A table and chaise create a comfortable spot for takeout, catching up on email, or reading. One caveat: The room’s large window overlooks the shared rooftop deck, which can bring guests closer than they might prefer to gatherings outside.
The Red Room (320 square feet) on the quieter side of the building away from traffic and the rooftop deck, feels slightly more subdued while still maintaining Ode’s graphic style. Filled with natural daylight, it’s a good choice for solo travelers or couples who value neighborhood views.
For this native Torontonian, two nights at Ode offered me an opportunity I rarely get—to dive into a neighborhood that I might otherwise only drive through.
Bathrooms throughout the building are tiled wet rooms with rainfall showers (plus handheld attachments) and refillable Malin+Goetz toiletries. Kitchenettes include ceramic dishes, glassware, silverware, a brightly colored SMEG mini-fridge and kettle, Nespresso coffee machine, and microwave. Rooms also come with a clothes steamer, Bluetooth speaker, smart TV, and a deck of “conversation cards” designed to spark discussion. Guest room water is supplied by Toronto-based Lark, in reusable glass bottles.
Pro tip: Both rooms I stayed in were on the top floor, and there’s no elevator, so guests traveling with heavy luggage or limited mobility may want to request a lower-level room.
A food and drink guide to Dundas West
Ode Toronto doesn’t have a restaurant, but that’s intentional—the owners steer guests toward neighborhood favorites through in-room tip sheets and texts.
I started the morning at Dad’s Breakfast & Coffee. The $9 “Dad in Plaid” sandwich has egg, sweet potato, smoked provolone, a sage and onion gremolata, and brown butter aioli. Its iced coffee slushy is a signature. For dinner, wander eclectic College Street West before settling in at Conejo Negro for hearty Caribbean Creole dishes, including curried lamb, grilled okra, and sticky banana rum cake.
For dessert, Courage Cookies serves a rich triple chocolate cookie, and each purchase helps support local community organizations. Death in Venice Gelato Co., run by self–described “mad scientist” and Chopped Canada 2016 winner Kaya Ogruce, offers gelato in flavors like ricotta rosemary lemon, smoked pecan and maple butter tart, and pistachio yogurt baklava. Sharing the space is Black-owned bakery Butter & Spice, known for a rotating menu of brownies that might include London Fog (Earl Grey white chocolate topped with whipped Earl Grey ganache) and pistachio-orange layered with marmalade and nuts.
Staff and service
Ode is deliberately low touch, but far from impersonal. There’s no lobby or front desk; instead, the owners greet guests on arrival and remain readily available by text or email. The experience feels closer to staying in the stylish city guesthouse of a friend who is away for the weekend.
Accessibility
The heritage building has no elevator or ramp access and includes multiple staircases. Guests with limited mobility can request a ground-floor room, and the owners may be able to rearrange furniture where possible. Call 647-932-8884 to discuss specific needs.
Afar was a guest of the Ode Toronto. Our coverage is independent; the hotel did not review or approve this story.
