Bisha Toronto Review: Get Your Free Stay With Marriott Bonvoy Points

THE GEN X WANDERER / Image courtesy of Bisha Hotel

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Bisha Toronto: A Surprise 26th Anniversary Stay I Didn’t Pay a Dime For

I absolutely and positively hate surprises and any type of surprises. It’s totally the anxiety talking and stuff like “hey Marina, we’re leaving in ten minutes” announcements from my husband actually sets me into a frenzy and a month of eye twitching. I like an itinerary, a confirmation number and at least three weeks of advance warning.

But that’s not what happened here. The last time he surprised me was for my 25th birthday at Rainforest Cafe and after that, he learned his lesson. But I think the older you get, the more lax you get, so this time I welcomed the surprise…. but only until 2 days before before I demanded him tell me the entire schedule. He’s normally just a person that wings everything and to much to MY surprise, he had 3 days all wrapped up into an itinerary.

• Thursday Afternoon ~ Check in at the Bisha Toronto
• Thursday Evening ~ Dinner at Jacob’s Steakhouse Toronto
• Friday Morning ~ Room service from KŌST (on the 44 floor of Bisha)
• Friday Afternoon ~ High Tea at the Windsor Arms Toronto
• Friday Afternoon ~ Casa Loma (We didn’t make it here, there simply wasn’t enough time)
• Friday Evening ~ Akira Back (Japaneses Restaurant)
• Friday Late Night ~ Valerie (Hotel X) (Didn’t make it here either cuz anything past 10:30 for me is a NO, but I appreciated his ambitious nature in trying to get me out)
• Saturday Morning ~ Breakfast at KŌST
• Saturday 12:00PM ~ Check out

So yes, he kept it under wraps until I said that I needed to plan some outfits… and even better, he booked the Bisha Toronto stay for free using our Marriott Bonvoy points. If you’re wondering whether Bisha Hotel Toronto is worth a visit, and whether you can get there without opening your wallet, keep reading.

Where is the Bisha Hotel Toronto?

Bisha Hotel Toronto sits at 56 Blue Jays Way, right in the middle of the Entertainment District. You’re steps from theatres, concert venues, restaurants and the Rogers Centre (Baseball / Concerts), so you can walk to plenty of downtown Toronto without hailing an Uber.

It’s also a tower, and a 44 level tall one. Ask for a higher floor if you like a view. We stayed on the 5th floor. And in case you missed it, we also ate at Akira Back Toronto, the restaurant is just right next door. And there’s also the lobby bar Mister C.

My logo X marks the spot for Bisha Hotel!

How My Husband Booked Bisha Toronto for Free With Bonvoy Points

Here’s the part my blog readers always ask about. Bisha Hotel Toronto is part of Marriott, which means you can book it for free with Marriott Bonvoy points. And that’s exactly what we did. If you want to know how to grab free stays like this be sure to read my post about it, and download my guide so you can get free travel. We have stayed in countless Marriott and partner properties from Toronto to Miami to Vegas to California for absolutely free. It’s a simple method and I show you how.

Bisha’s History

After Sunray Group acquired the property, it became BISHA, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Toronto. It’s Canada’s first hotel under Marriott’s Luxury Collection banner, which is a fancy way of saying they picked it because it has personality.

Here’s what that means if you’re a points person:

• Earn Bonvoy points: Stays at Bisha Toronto earn Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible rates.
• Redeem Bonvoy points: You can book award nights through the Marriott Bonvoy site or app, which is how we got our free stay.
• Use elite status perks: If you have Bonvoy elite status, things like room upgrades may come into play. Ask nicely at check in.
• Book direct: Reserving through Marriott Bonvoy gives you the best shot at your points and perks being honoured.

Again, check out my post on how to score free hotel stays with Marriott Bonvoy, including how to earn points, when to redeem and how to stretch them. If you’ve been sitting on a pile of Bonvoy points wondering what to do with them, a night at Bisha Toronto is a very good answer.

Who Designed Bisha Toronto?

As an artist and a designer, I love good design, so I went digging once I knew where we were headed. Three names come up again and again.

Alessandro Munge of Studio Munge led the interior design. He’s behind the lobby, the common spaces, the amenities and most of the guest suites, Mister C (lobby bar), Akira Back (Japanese Restaurant next door), KŌST (44th floor restaurant) and they’re sultry, layered and a little bit rock and roll. Maximalist is the word people use. Nobody at Bisha Toronto was afraid of texture, colour or a dramatic light fixture, and I respect that.

Rudy Wallman of Wallman Architects handled the architecture of the tower and its exterior. He’s the reason this big, glossy building looks like it belongs in the skyline.

Lenny Kravitz designed an entire floor. Yes, that Lenny Kravitz. And it’s funny because his song, “Fields of Joy”, was our first dance at our wedding.

Through Kravitz Design Inc., he did the whole 7th floor of exclusive guestrooms and suites, with a personal, tactile, feels like home style that leans into rock royalty. If you love music and design, put the 7th floor of Bisha Hotel Toronto on your wish list.

The Vibe at Bisha Toronto: Sultry, Dark and Very Grown Up

Here’s the thing about Bisha Hotel. It’s most definitely NOT your typical Sheraton or Delta. It’s a boutique hotel. It doesn’t try to please anyone. The mood is dim and dramatic, with dark cool tones, warm lighting and design touches that make you feel like you’ve stepped into some designer’s house.

Staff were polished, warm and friendly. We also had a lengthy conversation with the front desk receptionist who was so down to earth it was like talking to a friend. Something you wouldn’t expect from a high end establishment like this!

Where We Ate at Bisha Hotel Toronto

One of the best perks of staying at Bisha Toronto is that you don’t have to leave the building to eat very well. We dined at two restaurants on site. And also at a Jacob’s Steakhouse about a 20 min walk away.

Our second night, we dined next door at Akira Back. I wrote a full review, wagyu tacos, binchotan ribeye and a handwritten mocktail recipe included.

We also dined at KŌST twice, once using their room service and once at the actual restaurant for breakfast.

Why Bisha Toronto Works for an Anniversary

We’ve stayed in plenty of hotels that were perfectly nice, but I couldn’t tell you a thing about them a week later because they all blended together. Bisha Hotel Toronto is so unique in terms of quality and design. It made our anniversary feel like an event.

Here’s what we loved:

• Atmosphere: Definitely moody, romantic, stylish and unapologetic about it.
• Location: The Entertainment District puts everything within reach. Check out my Toronto guide for all things Toronto.
• Dining on Site: Two excellent restaurants (Akira Back + KŌST) means less planning and more relaxing.
• Design: Studio Munge, Wallman and Kravitz gave this place real character.
• Price: Free, thanks to Marriott Bonvoy points. Hard to beat.

Who Should Stay at Bisha Hotel Toronto?

Bisha Toronto is a great fit for couples, girls’ trips, birthdays, milestone celebrations and anyone heading to a show or game nearby. If you like design and don’t mind a darker, more dramatic vibe, you’ll feel right at home. It’s also great for travel bloggers like me, since every corner looks like a backdrop.

Who might want to think twice? If you prefer bright, airy, minimalist spaces, the maximalist mood at Bisha Toronto may feel like a lot. And if you’re travelling with small kids, check the room options first.

Tips for Booking Bisha Toronto With Bonvoy Points

• Check award availability early. Points rooms can disappear around busy weekends and event nights, so book as soon as your dates are set.
• Compare cash and points. Sometimes paying cash and earning Bonvoy points is the better deal. Do the math before you redeem.
• Book direct through Marriott Bonvoy to keep your points and elite perks safe.
• Mention your occasion. It costs nothing, and we got a lovely response.
• Reserve your restaurants early. Both Akira Back Toronto and KŌST are popular.
• Check the Toronto event calendar. The Entertainment District gets busy, so know if there’s a game or concert on.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bisha Toronto

Where is Bisha Hotel Toronto located?
56 Blue Jays Way, in the Entertainment District of downtown Toronto.

Is Bisha Toronto part of Marriott?
Yes. It’s BISHA, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Toronto, and it’s part of the Marriott Bonvoy program.

Can you book Bisha Toronto with Marriott Bonvoy points?
Yes. We booked our stay for free using Bonvoy points.

Who designed Bisha Toronto?
Alessandro Munge of Studio Munge led the interiors, Rudy Wallman of Wallman Architects designed the tower, and Lenny Kravitz designed the 7th floor.

Final Thoughts

Twenty six years in, my husband managed to surprise me, and he did it with a free night at one of the most stylish hotels in Toronto. I’m still not a surprise person. But I’ll take a Bisha Toronto anniversary, a Bonvoy points booking and two great dinners, and I’ll forgive the secrecy. This time.

If you want to learn how to get your own free hotel stays, don’t forget to check out my Bonvoy guide. And grab my travel PDF below before you plan your next trip.