Hotel Review: Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel – Canada’s First Marriott Still Worth It in 2026?
Sometimes the best Ontario hotel experiences aren’t downtown — they’re right by the runway.
The Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel, located just minutes from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), isn’t just another Toronto airport hotel. It was the first Marriott to open in Canada back in 1986 — and at the time, it was the tallest building in the area because of airport height restrictions.
Now celebrating its 40th anniversary and undergoing major renovations (which began in November 2025 and are expected to wrap up by summer 2026), we stayed for one night to see if this hotel near Pearson Airport still delivers from a teen perspective.
And this review also kicks off something new for This Teen Travelz.
Welcome to my Hometown Ontario Series — where I revisit and explore hotels across the province that helped shape my love for travel. Some of these are legacy properties. Some are newly renovated. But all of them represent the kind of Ontario hotel experiences that matter — whether you’re flying in, flying out, or just staying local.
Starting with Canada’s very first Marriott hotel just feels right.
Let’s get into it.
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Arrival & First Impressions at the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel
You can tell immediately this hotel is built for airport travelers.
The complimentary airport shuttle was constantly moving guests to and from Toronto Pearson. The shuttle schedule was posted clearly in multiple areas throughout the lobby — which matters if you’re catching an early morning flight.
If you’re searching for the best hotel near YYZ, that kind of organization reduces stress instantly.
Walk into the lobby, turn the corner, and you’ll see something you don’t usually find — a full airport departures board.
That’s when it clicks. This isn’t just a hotel near Pearson Airport. It embraces it.
Check-in was smooth and calm. Emy greeted me by name (which was honestly such a cool moment) and made everything quick and easy. During our stay, the entire property felt calm. No chaos. No rushed energy. Just smooth airport flow.
After parking underground, I saw something that genuinely shocked me.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many luggage carts in one place. It sounds small — but when you’re traveling, those details matter.
This hotel doesn’t feel like a place to survive a travel day.
It feels like a place to recover from one.
Renovated Room Tour – Not Your Typical Airport Stay
We stayed on the 8th floor in a recently renovated room with two double beds.
And this is where this Airport Marriott Toronto review gets interesting.
The room felt fresh and modern — laminate flooring instead of carpet, bright lighting, and thoughtful design details that make it feel less like a dated airport hotel and more like a refreshed full-service property.
My mom immediately appreciated the hooks by the door. Small detail. Big practicality.
We were also provided robes and slippers — which elevated the experience.
The room had:
- A comfortable armchair with side table
- A solid desk area with safe
- Excellent layered lighting
- A large window with runway views
The bathroom featured a stand-up shower with excellent pressure and temperature control. Instead of a traditional iron and board, there was a clothing steamer — not something I usually highlight, but it’s becoming more common in renovated Marriotts.
The team at the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel also allowed me to tour one of the older, non-renovated rooms so I could see the transformation.
And for anyone worried about noise?
I didn’t hear a single plane overnight. The only reminder I was near the airport was seeing aircraft take off from my window — which was actually pretty cool.
From a teen perspective, the room works. It was warm, comfortable, spacious, and unique.
Wi-Fi & Gaming Setup
Wi-Fi connected easily across all my devices — laptop, phone, iPad, and Nintendo Switch.
Speeds came in at:
15.1 Mbps download
15.9 Mbps upload
That currently ranks #31 on my Hotel Wi-Fi Speed Leaderboard.
Not elite-tier — but completely usable.
Gaming setup was simple thanks to the HDMI port located directly under the TV, alongside an outlet, USB, and USB-C port.
My only design complaint? One outlet at the desk isn’t enough.
Teens travel with devices. Families travel with devices. We need more charging flexibility.
As always — bring a power strip.
Pool Vibes – Unexpected Highlight
The pool area here surprised me.
It’s located in a glass-covered atrium with floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass roof overlooking an outdoor garden space. Even with snow outside during our February stay, the area felt bright and relaxing.
The octagon-shaped pool is a solid size, and there’s a large whirlpool as well.
Right beside the pool is a games room with foosball and PlayStation 4 setups. The games room is also currently being updated with new murals, systems, and seating — part of the ongoing renovations.
The gym was strong for an airport property. Weight racks, kettlebells, a rower, multigym, and cardio machines facing the pool area.
For a Toronto airport hotel, this setup exceeded expectations.
Food & M Club Experience
If you don’t want to leave the hotel, Wayside Social offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and grab-and-go options. Room service was available from 6am to midnight during our stay.
Within a five-minute walk, you’ve got:
We ended up at Chuck’s due to a 45-minute wait at The Keg — so reservations are smart if you’re planning dinner.
If you’re driving, two of my personal favorites nearby are Zets and Zorro’s Steakhouse — both longtime local staples.
M Club Lounge
Because my dad is a Marriott Bonvoy Elite member, we had access to the M Club.
And this was one of the strongest parts of the stay.
Evening hors d’oeuvres included small plates, cheeses, desserts, and some of the best cookies I’ve had at any hotel lounge.
Breakfast was genuinely one of the best I’ve experienced at a full-scale Marriott lounge — eggs made to order, fresh fruit, pastries, French toast, plus access to the full restaurant buffet.
Easily one of the top M Club experiences I’ve had.
Things to Do Nearby
Sometimes the best thing to do at an airport hotel is nothing.
But if you want options:
Fantasy Fair inside Woodbine Mall (Ontario’s largest indoor amusement park)
Woodbine Racetrack
AviaSim flight simulator experience
The International Centre (events and warehouse sales)
Still — remember this is an airport property.
And as airport hotels go, this is one of the smarter choices near Pearson Airport that I’ve stayed at.
Explore the Area (YYZ Travel Map)
To make planning easier, I’ve created a custom Google Map highlighting everything near the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel that actually matters from a teen perspective.
The map includes the airport terminals, walkable restaurants, nearby entertainment like Fantasy Fair and Woodbine Racetrack, plus quick-drive options and key highway access points — so you can clearly see how everything connects around this hotel near Pearson Airport.
If you’re flying in, flying out, or just looking for a calm stay near YYZ, this interactive map helps you plan smarter.
👇 Scroll below to explore the map.
Final Thoughts – Teen Perspective
The Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel surprised me.
Yes, it’s historic.
Yes, it’s close to YYZ.
Yes, it’s a strong option if you’re flying in or out.
But what stands out most is how balanced it feels.
This hotel is best for travelers flying through Toronto Pearson who want reliability without chaos. It also works surprisingly well as a low-key staycation option.
The standout strength? The overall experience. Renovated rooms. A unique atrium pool. A genuinely excellent M Club. Calm energy throughout the stay.
The honest drawback? Wi-Fi speeds aren’t leaderboard fast. They work — but they’re not elite-tier.
Still, this hotel does something airport properties don’t always do well.
It helps you recover from a travel day — not just survive one.
And for that reason…
This hotel is officially This Teen Travelz Approved. ✅
Staff Shoutout
Huge thank you to Jonathan, Emy, Samina, Kenisha, the amazing M Club attendants, and the entire team. You can feel the pride in this property — especially as it celebrates 40 years and continues evolving.
— Mateo
This Teen Travelz
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