In an effort to turn my frown upside down, and since we had already both booked time off work, my husband planned a surprise for me. And that Dear Reader is how I ended up at the Royal York Hotel.
Well last weekend turned out very differently than originally planned. I was supposed to be going to Ottawa to meet my friend Christine who was coming in from Calgary. Christine and I have been friends for nearly seventeen years - we met outside the kindergarten doors where our sons attended school together. Our friendship grew over playdates, mint tea and many a bottle of wine shared breaking bread together. It has been about ten years since she showed up at my door with her giant tupperware container full of flour and said goodbye. She moved home to Alberta but we always seem to pick up where we left off when we are able to meet up. I was so disappointed when she had to cancel her trip. In an effort to turn my frown upside down, and since we had already both booked time off work, my husband planned a surprise for me. And that Dear Reader is how I ended up at the Royal York Hotel. But believe it or not, it gets better! We headed downtown to the hotel for the 3pm check-in time. My husband had booked us into a king room for two days. But that was not to be. While enquiring about the upgrade special on the website he mentioned that we were celebrating our anniversary. The lovely lady futzed about on the computer for a few moments and then told us that she did not have a deluxe room available but instead....wait for it Dear Reader......she said these magical words...."What I have for you today is a one bedroom suite and on behalf of the Fairmont Royal York I would like to wish you and your wife a happy, happy anniversary." Happy Anniversary indeed! We were so surprised and thanked her very much! We headed up to the room in giddy anticipation.... We wandered around the suite with goofy grins on our faces. What a lovely winfall! With a quick pit stop back at the check in desk to once again say thank you, we were on our way out on the town. We went over to the Loose Moose for a light lunch and a few drinks and ended up going downstairs to the Antler Room to hear the Julian Taylor Band. Julian put on a great show, performing songs from The Tragically Hip, The Rolling Stones and even Simon and Garfunkel. Just a few short minutes later this bar was packed when the Blue Jays game let out. I was glad we were there early and had front and centre seats at the bar for the show. It was crazy crowded! When the show ended we went back to the hotel and settled in front of the tv and ordered room service. We were living large people! Granted, it was just a club sandwich but still...as you can see, "Hungry Horace" couldn't wait for me to take a picture before digging in. Feeling well sated, we called it a night. The next day we ordered a pot of coffee and banana bread from room service for breakfast. It was delivered and laid out with great flourish and lovely small talk. We set off for the St. Lawrence Market, one of our favourite places in the city. (Whenever I am looking for a special ingredient I head here because I know I will find it there. It was actually Christine who took me there for the first time) Of course while we were there, my lobster had to have his favourite, the peameal and egg on a kaiser. He can't go to the market and not have it. It's true. I am married to a hobbit, hairy feet and all... just like a hobbit, he had second breakfast. We wandered along Front Street for most of the morning taking in the sights. This is the Gooderham Building, (aka "the Flat Iron building" built 1891-1892). This is the mural on the back side of it..... We headed back to the hotel to watch the UEFA Champions League Final. Many moons ago, my husband played football (soccer) and we had invited an old teammate of his to watch the match in the suite. We ordered a few appetizers from room service to munch on during the game. I think I might be getting too used to this! While the boys were shouting at the tv, I mean watching the match, I read a copy of Bon Appetit and Martha Stewart Living and had a glass of wine. Luxury! When the match ended we invited Stevie to come back to the Antler Room with us to see the Julian Taylor Band. He really was that good that we went two days in a row! The bar was packed again because of the Jays fans, but lucky for us, our waitress remembered us from the night before and scored us a table right away. I love how raw live music can be and was so happy we had caught him one more time. I bought a copy of his cd at the end of his show and have since loaded in onto my ipod. We went for coffee after the show and then we wandered around the hotel. The hotel was completed in 1929 and has a lovely shabby chic feel to it. It has undergone extensive renovations and manages to retain its glamorous feel. Throughout the hotel, there is beautiful old architecture and antiques. The mezzanine is an art gallery of sorts with many pictures documenting the history and famous guests of the hotel throughout the years, including an autographed photograph of HRM Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. We were so spent we ended up in bed by 10:30 that night. More likely, it had something to do with the Australian Shiraz and the Heineken. Either way, the end of our escape was gaining on us Dear Reader. But we had one more morning. We thought about going out for breakfast but seriously, who can resist the novelty of room service? Not I..... Eggs Bennie for my fella and a waffle for me while reading the newspaper. Divine. There is something really very lovely about sharing breakfast together relaxed, mostly in silence, enjoying each other's company and this experience, this gift. 21 years later. Blessed am I. Feel better C. xxx
4 Comments
amy
5/30/2013 01:41:43 pm
What a wonderful read. Happy Anniversary to you love birds. Looks like you two had an amazing stay cation well deserved. I look up to you both, amazing example of true love and commitment pays off and marriage can work, too many people are not lucky enough to experience true love.
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Sharon
5/31/2013 01:05:59 pm
Thanks for the kind words Amy! We are truly blessed and know it. So glad I am your Auntie. xox
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Jamie
5/31/2013 12:36:22 pm
Wow that is awesome. Good for you guys...and I agree, nothing like room service. Now I want a stacation too. :(
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