John Issenman

Review of Radisson Admiral Hotel Toronto

I may have a slightly "rose-coloured" view of Radi...

I may have a slightly "rose-coloured" view of Radisson Hotels, but I know what I like.

In addition, I know what is, and is not acceptable, from properties that compete for my travel dollars.

Over the past 9 years, I have stayed in Hotels for more than 900 nights. Almost everyone of them has been a Radisson Property.

I'm not loyal because of the points, nor do I stay within the same group of companies, because they almost always upgrade my accommodations.

I stay with Radisson, because, in my personal experience, more than any of their competitors, I am treated like family that they missed seeing for too long.

Believe me when I write, that my travel experiences include 40+ countries, hundreds of cities, towns, as well as resorts and some tiny mountain villages, some not on most maps.

If there is a Radisson close enough by, I choose to stay there. To stay with my hotel family.

Earlier this month, I had a last minute chance (literally), to travel from Montreal toToronto, to spend an unexpected day with my son and Grandson.

I arrived at the Radisson Admiral Hotel Toronto Harbour at 22:00 hours. I didn't have time to buy a last minute gift for my Grandson when I left Montreal.

I wanted to find a stuffed animal to take to him the next morning, before stores opened.

The hotel Front Desk Staff, started to call every possible source that might have stuffed animals, hours after most stores had closed.

Istiana, the professional, helpful and very eager Front Dest "Angel", had just about ran out of ideas, and already called many stores, hotel gift shops and grocery, pharmacy and convenience stores.

She had one last idea, and told me not to loose hope. It was just before 11 pm. I went to my room to deposit my suitcase and change my shoes, .......... there was a chance I may have had to do some late night running.

By the time I returned to the lobby desk, Istiana had a competitor hotel gift shop on the line.

She was writing down a list of the stuffed animals they had in stock, and confirmed that I could still make it there to buy one, and asked them if they could please wait for me to arrive.

In addition, she had called a taxi that was pulling-up outside our hotel.

Less than 15 minutes later, I was sorting through a variety of stuffed animals, trying to determine which one wanted to come back to the hotel with me, and be hugged by my 2 year old Grandson early the next morning.

By the time I returned to my hotel, Istiana had departed. The small "thank you gift" I had picked-up for her would have to wait.

The next morning, a very happy and excited 2 year old was hugging his new racoon, because the The Staff of the Radisson Admiral Hotel Toronto Harbour, in particular, the extraordinary efforts of Istiana, made it possible for my Grandson to receive my gift.

Of course they would have done the same for any guest.

The thing is, when I stay there, I never feel like "just any guest".

Neither will you. Try it !!

John D. Issenman
President, GRUPO 1 International S. A.