Sheraton Gateway Hotel YYZ review: different every time (but always pretty good)

ByScott Leazenby Last Updated

I’ve stayed at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel (the one connected to the Toronto Pearson International Airport) six times since 2001. The following is a full review of my most recent experience.

Spoiler alert: it’s a pretty good hotel that I just can’t quit.

Location

The Sheraton is connected to Terminal 3 at the Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). There’s no need to go outside to reach it. Just follow the signs from inside the baggage claim / arrivals level. Plan on a 10-minute walk from most locations in Terminal 3.

Exterior of the Sheraton gateway hotel at YYZ as seen from the terminal
As you can see, the Sheraton is the best “f*ck that – I refuse to go outside and into the cold” hotel option they have here at YYZ.
Signs pointing to the Sheraton hotel in the Toronto Pearson international airport
Thataway to the Gateway Sheraton Hotel at YYZ!
Main entrance to the Gateway Sheraton hotel YYZ from inside the airport
Found it. The “Scott” welcome mat is a nice touch IMHO.

The lobby (and checking in)

I know of no other airport hotel in the world that changes up their lobby as often as this one does. It seems to be different every time I visit. It’s always a nice experience though, and the front desk staff are always a cheery bunch. Most of the time at least.

Sheraton YYZ hotel main lobby
The main lobby. S’kinda nice, ain’t it?
Sheraton hotel Toronto Pearson airport lobby
Main lobby of the Sheraton hotel YYZ
Design in the corner of the YYZ Sheraton hotel
Sheraton YYZ reception desk
T’was a very low-key reception here at the reception desk (void of balloons, a marching band, and everything else essential a proper reception). But it looks nice – and the staff was super friendly.

On-Site restaurant

The “& More” restaurant (located in the lobby) offers breakfast, lunch and dinner for a not-so-reasonable price. I knew instantly that I wouldn’t be eating there as I looked at the menu on my way in. The food look great, but I wasn’t in the mood to spend the money.

“Hey honey, let’s head down to the & More!” (said nobody, in like, probably ever). It’s a good looking restaurant, but the name is a little clumsy (and the food is a little expensive).

Getting to my room

The elevators are located directly across from the check-in desk. You’re not going to have to drag your luggage very far.

Sheraton YYZ elevator
The elevator door hasn’t even close yet, and they’re already making me feel guilty for not hitting the bar before settling down for the night.

Although the walk to my room was less extravagant than it was at the CDG Airport Sheraton, the “Sheraton” vibe was largely the same.

Sheraton YYZ eighth floor guest room hallway
Those of you with one leg shorter than the other will appreciate the slight bend in the hallway leading to your room.
Scott walking to his room at the Sheraton YYZ
Mama always told me that my right leg being a quarter inch shorter than my left was a blessing in disguise. She was right again!
Sheraton YYZ room 892
Room 892 is mine for the night.

Room overview

Having experienced six different rooms at this hotel so far, I’m happy to report that they’re all pretty good (you can view all of the different room types here). Some are bigger than others, but they do a pretty good job of keeping everything clean and up to date.

Free bottle of water in my room at the Sheraton YYZ
Happiness is cracking open the door to your hotel room (after flying all day on airline with a cabin crew was too lazy to serve drinks even though I paid for a better seat which promised better service) and seeing bottled water ready and waiting.
Sheraton YYZ hotel room King size bed
The king-size bed was pretty nice too (but not as refreshing as the water).

The room that I had during this particular visit was the largest that I’ve ever had at this hotel. It was huge. I basically chose the cheapest room possible over on booking.com, so it was a nice surprise.

Scott standing in his room at the Sheraton YYZ Hotel
“What am I gonna do with all the space?!” This room was a nice change of pace from the tiny airline seat that I paid extra for because I thought there would be more room and a never ending flow of complementary water.
My huge hotel room at the Sheraton YYZ
I don’t think I’ve ever been in a hotel room with this much open space. The room I had at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport was a total letdown after this!
Sheraton YYZ huge room size
There’s, like, room to frolic in here.
Sheraton YYZ hotel room furniture and decor
This corner of the room was much more cozy IMHO. A nice place to relax once I was done frolicking.
Scott relaxing in his room at the Sheraton YYZ Hotel
Guess what I just did?
Sheraton YYZ room layout
This is easily the largest room I have ever had at this hotel. Kind of funny how it made this huge king bed seem small, eh?
Sheraton YYZ room overview
Inside my room at the Sheraton YYZ looking towards the entrance
Sheraton YYZ king bed size

I quite liked this room. Only the room that I had at the Sheraton Grand Dubai was better. The worst was the JFK Airport Sheraton (so far anyway).

Desk in my room at the Sheraton YYZ
My initial thoughts of this desk: “weird and impractical!”
Standing desk in my room at the Sheraton YYZ
My thoughts after realizing the height was adjustable with the press of a button: “weird and super duper practical!”
Keurig coffee machine in my room at the Sheraton YYZ
Complementary bottled water in my room at the Sheraton YYZ
Refrigerator in my room at the Sheraton YYZ
Just below the complementary bottled water was this huge refrigerator. Of all the times that I forget to bring a full gallon of milk with me.
Sheraton YYZ bedside table phone
Sheraton YYZ bedside table with alarm clock and lamp
Sheraton YYZ Power outlets and USB outlets in my room
USB-A, eh.

The view

Even if you don’t have any interest at all in airports and airplanes, I highly recommend getting a room with the view of the airport terminal. The rooms facing the airport have some of the best views of any airport hotel in the world in my opinion. There’s always something to see. 24 hours a day, 375 days a week.

Unfortunately for me, I chose a room without a view this time:

View from my room at the Sheraton YYZ
This is the view from my non-airport facing room. I did some research, and the hex code for the color temperature of that eerie green lighting appears to be #EEF38D. You’re welcome.
Night shot of a lineup of various aircraft parked at the gate in YYZ. Shot taken from Sheraton hotel room window in February 2001.
This, however, is the view that I had from an airport facing room waaay back in 2001. Most of these airlines don’t exist anymore, but the view (and the snow) certainly does.

The bathroom

The bathrooms of Sheraton hotels can be hit or miss in my opinion. The ones here at the Gateway YYZ have always been clean and modern. The only criticism I have about the one in this particular room was that the ceiling was really low. The design was nice, but I built a twinge of claustrophobia whenever walking into it.

Sheraton YYZ hotel room bathroom
What’s the word for “bathroom fetish”? I think I got that, because I can’t even put into words how satisfying this bathroom is. It looks good.
Sheraton YYZ bathroom shower and tub
The shower and tub. You have no idea how bad I want to high-five the designer of this bathroom. I say again: this looks GOOD.
Sheraton YYZ bathroom toilet and sink
Sheraton YYZ bathroom shower head

All of the soaps and lotions in the bathroom were from Gilchrist and Soames. A brand I’ve never heard of before, but I’m going on record as saying that it’s the best soap and lotion brand name I’ve ever heard of. I doubt it’ll ever be topped.

Sheraton YYZ Gilchrist and Soames bathroom amenities
Sheraton YYZ Gilchrist and Soames shower shampoo, conditioner, and body wash

Pros and cons

The YYZ Sheraton is by far the most convenient hotel for anyone needing a place to stay next to the Toronto Pearson Airport. Convenience comes at a cost though, so be prepared to pay more than you would for other hotels in the area.

Pros

  • The convenience of being connected directly to Terminal 3 cannot be understated. Especially in the dead of winter!
  • They do an excellent job of keeping this property clean and modern.
  • The views of the airport (from the rooms facing the terminal) are excellent.

Cons

  • This is a busy hotel connected to an airport which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s going to be a bit noisy.
  • Not only are the nightly rates expensive, food (both in the restaurant and room service is as well).

Scott has been traveling the world since 1997, and is the founder and author of SleepAndReview.com. He never had any aspirations of being a hotel reviewer, but one thing let to another, and...well...here we are.

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