The Old Mill Toronto Hotel offers a stay that connects guests to more than two centuries of history along the Humber River. This guide draws on the property’s own timeline, verified historical records, and independent guest reviews to help you understand its origins, current ownership, and what to expect from a visit. The Old Mill Tea Garden opened on August 4, 1914, the same day World War I began for Canada, and claims the title of Toronto’s oldest restaurant in continuous operation at the same location (Old Mill Toronto – Timeline).

Last checked: 2026-06-16

Property Type: Boutique hotel with event venue, spa, and restaurant · Established: 1914 · Location: The Kingsway, Toronto, Ontario · Rooms: 57 · Dining: Fine dining restaurant and afternoon tea service · Spa: Full-service spa on-site

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-06-16.

Sources reviewed: official property website, Wikipedia, TripAdvisor reviews, Hotels.com listing, Expedia listing, Trip.com listing, Reservations.com reviews, social media profiles, YouTube review.

No on-site visit was conducted, no staff interviews were undertaken, and no independent price verification was performed.

Quick facts about the Old Mill Toronto Hotel

1 Year established
  • 1914 – over a century of hospitality (Old Mill Toronto – Timeline)
2 Room count
3 Neighbourhood
  • The Kingsway, Toronto – scenic Humber Valley setting (Old Mill Toronto Hotel – Official site)
4 Transport connectivity
  • Adjacent to Old Mill Subway Station on Line 2, approximately 0.27 km away (Trip.com)
Editor’s note: The 57-room boutique hotel opened in 2001 after extensive restoration of the original mill site. Its restaurant, however, has been serving guests since 1914 — a century-long continuity rare in Toronto.

Who owns the Old Mill Toronto?

The Old Mill Toronto complex is operated by the family behind the original Tea Garden venture, though specific ownership details are not widely published in public records. The property’s management team oversees the hotel, the restaurant, 16 ballrooms, a spa, and event spaces across approximately 800,000 square feet of hospitality space. The venue itself notes its evolution from a grist mill to a modern hotel on its official timeline (Old Mill Toronto – Timeline).

Charles Khabouth, a prominent Toronto hospitality entrepreneur known for nightclubs and hotels including the Bisha Hotel Toronto, has been associated with the city’s luxury hospitality scene, but the Old Mill Toronto does not appear in public records as part of his portfolio. The Bisha Hotel Toronto, located downtown, is a separate property entirely.

The trade-off here is that clear ownership information is not front-facing — the venue presents itself as a heritage institution rather than a branded chain. For searchers wanting to know who holds the deed, a direct inquiry to the hotel’s management is the most reliable route.

What is the Old Mill Toronto about?

The Old Mill Toronto is a boutique hotel, event venue, restaurant, and spa complex situated in the Kingsway neighbourhood of Toronto, along the Humber River. The property markets itself as a historic boutique hotel with 57 rooms and suites in varying styles, emphasizing what it calls a “unique, charming feel” (Old Mill Toronto Hotel – Official site). On TripAdvisor it is described as a European boutique-style hotel showcasing Old World charm from the early 1900s (TripAdvisor).

What dining and afternoon tea options are available?

The hotel’s on-site dining includes a main Dining Room, Bar Amaro, and an afternoon tea service that the venue promotes regularly. The restaurant, which opened in 1914, is central to the property’s identity — it claims to be Toronto’s oldest restaurant in continuous operation at the same location (Old Mill Toronto – Timeline). Hotels.com guest reviews consistently praise the restaurant, describing the food as “highly regarded” and the service as friendly (Hotels.com).

Afternoon tea is served in the hotel’s garden-facing rooms or the Dining Room, typically by reservation. Reviewers on Reservations.com describe the upgraded restaurant interiors as “beautiful” and “worth every penny” (Reservations.com). Spa services are offered on-site through The Spa at the Old Mill, which the hotel promotes via its Instagram account alongside afternoon tea and the Bar Amaro concept (Old Mill Toronto Hotel – Instagram).

What to watch: The afternoon tea service is popular and often fully booked on weekends. Advance reservations are recommended, especially during the spring and summer garden season.

The implication: the Old Mill Toronto functions less like a standard hotel and more like a multi-venue hospitality destination where dining and events drive a significant portion of the traffic.

What is the Old Mill Toronto hotel history?

The history of the Old Mill site reaches back to 1793, when Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe ordered the construction of the King’s Mill on the west bank of the Humber River. That sawmill, Toronto’s first industrial building, supplied lumber for ships and government buildings (Old Mill Toronto – Timeline).

Before European settlement, the Humber Valley had been inhabited by Huron (Wyandot) peoples for centuries, and the area formed part of the Toronto Carrying Place, an Indigenous trading route. The French explorer Étienne Brûlé is recorded as the first European to travel through the valley in 1615.

In the early 19th century, Thomas Fisher revitalized the King’s Mill into a profitable business, adding Millwood House, a grist mill, a store, worker cottages, and roads to transport flour. In 1835 William Gamble purchased the mill from Fisher, renamed it Milton Mill, and expanded operations by adding a distillery and a hotel. That original mill building was destroyed by fire in 1849 and rebuilt using local stone and lumber (Old Mill Toronto – Timeline).

“On August 4, 1914, the Old Mill Tea Garden opened adjacent to the ruins of the historic mill—the same day that World War I began for Canada—launching what the venue calls Toronto’s oldest restaurant in continuous operation at the same location.”

– Old Mill Toronto – Timeline

By 1915 the Tea Garden had evolved into a community hub with a boathouse, canoe livery, tennis courts, a lawn bowling green, and a three-hole golf course along the Humber. The property weathered Hurricane Hazel in October 1954, a destructive storm that caused widespread flooding in Toronto, but continued operating. The City of Toronto designated the Old Mill a Heritage Property in 1983 (Old Mill Toronto – Timeline). The current hotel opened in 2001 after extensive restoration and reconstruction of the original grist mill.

Bottom line: The pattern: the Old Mill site has been rebuilt or adapted multiple times across more than two centuries — from industrial mill to tea garden to heritage hotel — each phase retaining physical links to earlier eras through preserved stonework and historical design cues.

Where do most celebrities stay in Toronto?

Celebrities visiting Toronto for concerts, film festivals, or events tend to book downtown luxury hotels. The Bisha Hotel Toronto, a 96-room boutique property near the Entertainment District, has hosted numerous high-profile guests including Taylor Swift during her 2024 tour stops. The Ritz-Carlton, the Four Seasons, and the Shangri-La Toronto are also frequent choices for performers and film industry visitors.

The Old Mill Toronto, by contrast, attracts a quieter celebrity profile — typically those seeking privacy and a less central location. Wedding parties, event hosts, and couples looking for a romantic getaway form the hotel’s core guest base, as indicated by the hotel’s marketing focus on weddings and events (Old Mill Toronto Hotel – Official site).

What hotel is Taylor Swift staying at in Toronto?

Public reports during Taylor Swift’s Toronto tour dates in 2024 placed her at Bisha Hotel Toronto, a property owned by Charles Khabouth. That hotel sits at 80 Blue Jays Way in the downtown core. The Old Mill Toronto is not typically associated with major touring musicians — its location in the Kingsway, roughly 10 km from the downtown concert venues, makes it less convenient for that purpose.

The bottom line: if you are hoping for celebrity sightings, the Old Mill Toronto is not the go-to spot. If you want a quiet, historic setting away from the downtown bustle, that is precisely its advantage.

Property snapshot

Attribute Detail
Property type Boutique hotel with event venue, spa, and restaurant
Established 1914
Location The Kingsway, Toronto, Ontario
Rooms 57
Dining Fine dining restaurant and afternoon tea service
Spa Full-service spa on-site

Pros and cons of staying at the Old Mill Toronto

Pros

  • Heritage atmosphere: The property’s 1914 origins and restored mill architecture create a character uncommon in Toronto’s hotel market. TripAdvisor reviewers consistently highlight the Old World charm (TripAdvisor).
  • Convenient transit access: Old Mill Subway Station is roughly 0.27 km from the hotel, providing direct access to Line 2 and downtown Toronto (Trip.com).
  • On-site amenities: The restaurant, spa, multiple ballrooms, and gardens mean guests can spend an entire visit without leaving the property.
  • Positive service reviews: Hotels.com and Expedia guests note friendly, helpful staff and spacious, comfortable rooms (Hotels.com; Expedia).

Cons

  • Distance from downtown attractions: The Kingsway location is roughly 10 km from the city center; guests need the subway or a taxi for most sightseeing.
  • Mixed reviews on maintenance: A YouTube review titled “Old Mill Inn Review Toronto’s Fallen Gem?!” raises concerns about maintenance and value, noting some divergence between heritage appeal and current condition perceptions (YouTube).
  • Event-driven atmosphere: With 16 ballrooms and frequent weddings, the property can feel busy during peak event seasons, potentially affecting quiet enjoyment.
  • Price point: Average room prices from approximately USD 333 (dynamic pricing) place it at a premium compared to some downtown business hotels (Trip.com).

Pricing band

The Old Mill Toronto positions itself in the upper-mid-range to luxury segment for boutique hotels in Toronto. Trip.com lists an average room price from about USD 333, though rates vary by season, room type, and advance booking (Trip.com). Packages that include afternoon tea, spa treatments, or event access may push the total higher. For the most accurate rates, booking directly through the hotel’s official site or a major aggregator is recommended.

Location and getting there

The Old Mill Toronto Hotel is located at 9 Old Mill Road in Toronto’s Kingsway neighbourhood, within Etobicoke. The property sits in the Humber Valley, a green corridor with parks, trails, and golf courses nearby.

  • By subway: Old Mill Station on Line 2 (Bloor–Danforth) is approximately 0.27 km on foot from the hotel entrance (Trip.com).
  • By air: The nearest airport is Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, roughly 10.29 km away. Toronto Pearson International Airport is approximately 20 km to the northwest.
  • By car: The hotel is accessible via the Gardiner Expressway and Highway 427. On-site parking is available.
  • GO Transit: Etobicoke North GO Station is about 10.57 km from the hotel (Trip.com).

Alternatives to consider

If the Old Mill Toronto does not fit your needs, several other Toronto hotels offer different trade-offs:

  • Bisha Hotel Toronto (downtown): A 96-room luxury boutique known for celebrity guests, rooftop pool, and central Entertainment District location. Higher price point and more contemporary design.
  • The Anndore House: A mid-century boutique property on Yonge Street with vintage decor and a lower average nightly rate. Closer to downtown attractions.
  • Gladstone House: A Victorian-era boutique hotel in West Queen West with an artsy vibe and on-site restaurant. Smaller room count, less event traffic.

The catch: no single property combines the Old Mill’s combination of riverside setting, 1914-era restaurant continuity, and heritage designation. The alternatives trade those features for downtown proximity or modern amenities.

Our pick recommendation

Our pick: For couples seeking a romantic getaway with a strong sense of place, the Old Mill Toronto offers a genuinely unique experience — a hotel where you can dine in a restaurant that opened before the First World War, walk along the Humber River trails, and sleep in a room within a restored historic mill. History enthusiasts and afternoon tea lovers will find the property particularly rewarding. Wedding planners should consider it for its 16 ballrooms and riverside garden setting.

However, if your priority is downtown nightlife, concert access (including celebrity-spotting), or modern minimalist design, the Old Mill Toronto may feel too quiet and too far removed. In that case, Bisha Hotel Toronto or one of the downtown luxury chains would better match your expectations.

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Frequently asked questions about the Old Mill Toronto

What is the Old Mill Toronto hotel restaurant?

The on-site restaurant is the Old Mill Dining Room, serving contemporary Canadian cuisine in a setting that dates to 1914. It claims to be Toronto’s oldest restaurant in continuous operation at the same location (Old Mill Toronto – Timeline). Bar Amaro is an additional on-site bar.

What is the Old Mill Toronto hotel menu?

The menu features Canadian fare with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. Specific dishes are seasonal; the hotel’s website lists current offerings. Afternoon tea includes finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and a selection of teas served in the Dining Room or garden.

What are the Old Mill Toronto prices?

Average room prices start from approximately USD 333 per night, based on Trip.com listings, though rates vary by season, room type, and advance booking. Afternoon tea packages and spa treatments add to the total (Trip.com).

What is the Old Mill Toronto wedding package?

The property markets itself as a premier wedding venue with 16 ballrooms, outdoor gardens, and a chapel-style event space. Specific packages are not published in generic sources; inquiries should be directed to the hotel’s events team.

Does Old Mill Toronto have a spa?

Yes. The Spa at the Old Mill offers a full range of treatments on-site. The spa is promoted through the hotel’s official Instagram account and website (Old Mill Toronto Hotel – Instagram).

Is Old Mill Toronto open for afternoon tea?

Yes, afternoon tea is served in the hotel’s Dining Room or garden areas. Advance reservations are recommended, especially during weekends and warmer months.

Sources cited

  1. Old Mill Toronto – Timeline – property’s official historical timeline
  2. Old Mill Toronto Hotel – Official site – current room, dining, and event information
  3. TripAdvisor – Old Mill Toronto Hotel – guest reviews and star ratings
  4. Hotels.com – Old Mill Toronto – guest review aggregation
  5. Expedia – Old Mill Toronto – feature listing and guest reviews
  6. Trip.com – Old Mill Toronto Hotel – pricing, star rating, and distance data
  7. Reservations.com – Old Mill Toronto – guest feedback on restaurant and interiors
  8. YouTube – Old Mill Inn Review – independent video review
  9. Old Mill Toronto Hotel – Instagram – on-site concept promotion