We don’t often think of Mississauga as a travel hotspot, but when looking for a place to stay this long weekend for the historic Queen’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack, we found ourselves an unlikely treasure. Canada’s top racecourse, known as the “Airport Oval” is just 15 minutes from Hotel Novotel Mississauga Centre and we’ll tell you why this is an ideal place to stay.
Location is important when finding a hotel. Situated right off the 403, Novotel Mississauga is a breeze to get to and from. It is literally minutes from the 427 and Toronto Pearson International Airport, while just a bit more of a drive to the 401. Better yet, if you don’t want to bother with the travel downtown, the Hotel is literally across the road from tons of amazing shopping and dining at Square One. Everything you need is a dime’s throw away.
You’d be shocked how many Hotels around the Airport aren’t pet-friendly. There is where Novotel shows its true class and heart. Billy and I were welcomed with open arms. A beautiful Zen Garden called Kariya Gardens, is just a block away and even though pets aren’t permitted within that park, the perimeter has lots of greenery for a proper walk. Sure beats being centered among a bunch of commercial buildings and concrete, which is what you’d get around the Airport, right?
Novotel‘s rooms are spacious – we loved most the large bathroom equipped with amenities like a blow dryer and fair trade toiletries. More importantly, their cushy beds are of a five-star caliber. We’ve stayed at five-star hotels before and aren’t afraid to say our sleep was on-par with the beds in those establishments. Billy is the best at reviewing bed comfort and it was a sight seeing him tuck himself between the pillows and conked-out!
The room was well-cooled with some powerful Air Conditioning, much needed in the heatwave we experienced Canada Day long weekend. We were always comfortable and comfort comes first.
We need to stay connected with much of our presence being online and on Social Media. Our room had the perfect desk with plenty of outlets to stay charged to get our work done. The Wi-Fi, although sometimes finicky, for the most part was there for us. Above this, our cable came with a wide selection of channels to keep us entertained and informed.
That buffet though. One thing we look forward to at Novotel is the Breakfast Buffet in their TRIO Restaurant. A great value at $15.99 per person, you get your own pot of coffee, tea and/or juices. The offerings range from a variety of eggs, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, cold cuts, fruits and of course, their signature pastries and breads! You can even enjoy it on their patio.
Driving? Don’t stress about parking. Hotel Novotel Mississauga Centre gives you in-out privileges, at a super-reasonable $13/day rate. There were plenty of spots. Don’t drive? Don’t sweat it. You can Uber to Woodbine for less than $20 or just walk across the road to Square One and hop on a Missisauga Transit bus that can connect you downtown.
Our only regret? We wish we had more time to try out their 24-hour gym (there’s also a swimming pool!).
Learn more here.
Our Queen’s Plate experience here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
I live wholeheartedly for TIFF but before it all begins, I must take a moment to acknowledge and thank you generous Supporters who make it possible for me. We’re doing it bigger and better than ever this year and can’t wait to have you along on one of the most fun Digital Journeys in the City between Wednesday, September 3, 2014 and Sunday, September 14, 2014! We’ll be spotting Stars, interviewing a couple big names and reviewing (with the help of our amazing Contributors Justin Waldman, Jonathan Godfrey and David Baldwin) first all those Films which comprise the Awards Season Trail before everybody else! We know how much you love those Giveaways too. We just might have a trick or two up our sleeves for you Willionaire$!
This year, we’d like to thank:
HOTEL NOVOTEL TORONTO CENTRE
Now that I’m in the ‘burbs temporarily, a downtown presence means so much to me TIFF ’14 and this wonderful Hotel places me right where I need to be. I am so grateful for Hotel Novotel Toronto Centre for their generosity once again this year in providing accommodations for part of the Festival. After a long day at it, the first thing I need most comfort and a desk on which to update my Site. After enjoying my stay so much last year, Billy and I cannot wait to crash on that amazingly soft bed once again! I also am awful excited about that Breakfast Buffet at Cafe Nicole. Hello, Bread Bar! More here.
SAMSUNG CANADA
I’ll admit that I have never used a Tablet in my life so I look forward to trying one for the first time in style, the Galaxy Tab S from Samsung Canada. With its spacious screen, Super Amoled Display and Ultra Power Saving Mode, I’ll be counting on this Beauty to be my Communication Hub and perhaps even be blogging directly from it TIFF ’14!
For the first time also, I’ll be trying-out the Samsung Galaxy S5 as my main means of communication during the Festival. I look forward to Tweeting, Facebooking and Instagramming with all of you from that 5.1″ screen and up to 13 hours of battery life, about all my exciting Star Spottings and which Films you should be seeing! More here.
NIKON CANADA
For the first time TIFF ’14, I’ll be operating fully with an SLR Camera thanks to Nikon Canada and their amazing Nikon D3300 HDSLR! I’ll be shooting in 24.2 megapixels and am rather excited about that wireless adapter for easy of uploading. Just think all those amazing Selfies and Red Carpet Snaps I’ll be posting with this! Can’t wait to see who we’ll spot and snap! More here.
FORD CANADA
I am a strong Believer in driving Hybrid Vehicles, not only for obvious environmental benefits, but also their fuel efficiency. I am so pumped – pardon the pun – to drive the 2015 Ford Fusion ENERGI SE this TIFF as I cruise along the Highway with my SiriusXM! Those heated front seats surely will come in handy on those chilly TIFF nights and its compact size is perfect for those tight spots downtown. More here.
H&M CANADA
Anyone who peeks into my wardrobe would know it’s basically all H&M. I adore H&M Canada and will be wearing them till the day I die. Once again this, I’m so honoured to be sporting pieces from the Powerhouse Retailer’s Fall 2014 Men’s Collection. My look has always been casual, fun, colourful and no-fuss, making H&M my perfect Companion. More here.
CP24
Anyone who lives in Southern Ontario knows exactly what to tune into any which time of the day. For the sixth consecutive year, I’ve been asked to contribute to CP24‘s TIFF ’14 coverage. Tune-in at any point throughout the Festival to see me either in-studio or on-the-street, in addition to the many Snaps I’ll be taking! Also at points during the Festival, I’ll be on Sister Station, CTV NEWS too! More here.
IT LOUNGE 2014
One of the most coveted Celebrity Gift Lounges won’t be that far away for my Willionaire$ this year! We are partnering with our friends at NKPR to give you a chance to win an exclusive IT Lounge Prize Pack/VIP Experience! Always been curious what Celebs get access to in those ultra-exclusive Lounges when they visit for TIFF? You’ll soon find out! More here.
OUT THERE TIFF HOSPITALITY SUITE AND LOUNGE
We love Melissa DiMarco and once again this year we’re thrilled to give Readers a chance to enjoy her Oasis situated out of Intercontinental Hotel. Don’t be surprised if you see a Star or four milling about! A great opportunity to relax, grab a bite/drink and mingle with Industry types.
Stay tuned, we’ll certainly have some surprises here throughout TIFF ’14 and were happy to bring some of our Readers to Red Carpet Premieres up-close and personal with the likes of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson and Jake Gyllenhaal. Some even got to attend some glam Parties!
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Happy TIFF ’14, Willionaire$!
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
TIFF ’13 certainly was one of our most star-filled Festivals yet and we wouldn’t have made it through without the generosity of our Partners. A warm-hearted thank you goes to Hotel Novotel Toronto Centre, Honda Canada, Out There with Melissa DiMarco, Grosch Film Works Open House, eOne Live, Mongrel Media, Touchwood PR, Remstar Films, CP24, George Stroumboulopoulos’ Made in Canada Lounge, Olympus, Samsung Canada, Nella Bella and H&M Canada for their amazing generosity.
HOTEL NOVOTEL TORONTO CENTRE – with a classic European charm and situated right in the heart of Downtown Toronto (close to the action of the Film Festival!), I enjoyed my stay immensely in my Executive Suite. The Staff were amazingly-attentive and friendly and the biggest plus of all is that they are Dog-friendly, alleviating a lot of my stresses as it enabled me to check-in on Billy throughout the day. Billy and I already miss our spacious suite, extremely-cozy bed, large-screen Television at our desk. We hope certainly to visit again soon! And did I mention the amazing Breakfast Buffet? They understood fully my need for Caffeine, giving me my own Coffee Carafe! I soon discovered for myself why it is that Café Nicole is known for having the “best bread in the City” and once you see for yourself their Bread Counter, you too will know why!
HONDA CANADA – this was my first opportunity driving the 2013 Honda Accord Touring and it was amazing. I made full use of its Econ button and made it through the Festival on less than $30 in gas. Comfy leather seats, a USB port to charge my phone and listen to my MP3s through the superb sound system, plus lightning quick response places this Vehicle at the top of its class. The customizable temperature for Driver and Passenger also came in ultra-handy. And did I mention it’s quite a Looker too? Stunning.
OLYMPUS – although I struggled with the Selfies on this slippery and fast, state-of-the art Camera, several were happy to help me snap my Photos with the Stars. Of the Photos I did take on it, the resolution (16 MP) and clarity were astounding. It was remarkably quick to get the Shot under every varied degree of lighting in which it was tested. I am proud of the Photos the Olympus PEN E-PL5 took for me during TIFF ’13 and it is a great median for those of us who demand more than the quality of a Point-and-Shoot, yet are turned off from the lack of discreteness of a full-on SLR. Review some of my awesome Snaps here.
H&M CANADA – it definitely was chilly this TIFF on the whole, but I managed to be dressed for the weather in my Cardigans from H&M’s Fall 2013 Collection. I am proud to say that in one of my appearances on CP 24, super-popular Television Personality Stephen LeDrew took a moment to praise my style on- air and I definitely couldn’t have earned that without H&M!
MONGREL MEDIA – for the first time, my Readers were given a chance to get the VIP Experience including Passes to their Premieres and annual TIFF Party, thanks to one of Canada’s most important Film Distributors. John Curran‘s Tracks easily was one of my fave TIFF ’13 Films and I look forward to supporting some of their exciting new releases!
SPOKE AGENCY & eONE LIVE – having just launched in time for TIFF, eOne Live takes Film Fans on a digital experience behind the scenes at TIFF unlike any other. Where else can you snoop what Celebs took in their Tim Hortons’ Coffee? Thanks to eOne Live, Mr. Will Readers got into the Red Carpet Premiere of Enemy seeing Jake Gyllenhaal up-close and personal and also the well-received Documentary One Chance! We love eOne Films and are mega-excited about eOne Live!
TOUCHWOOD PR & REMSTAR FILMS – Mr. Will Readers went berserk for the chance to attend the Red Carpet Premiere of Don Jon with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Scarlett Johansson and we owe them a huge thanks for the opportunity! We are thrilled to partner and spread the word about their exciting slate of Films including TIFF-premiered Oscar Contender Dallas Buyers Club!
NELLA BELLA – my one trusty Sidekick this TIFF was my amazing and spacious Stockholm Bag by Nella Bella. The Canadian-made, Vegan-material Bag endured super-long days, gruelling wear-and-tear, plus torrential rainfall, protecting my all my important gear. It also saw its share of Stars along the way! Stockholm, you’ve been promoted to my permanent Bag of Choice!
OUT THERE WITH MELISSA DiMARCO – we were extremely well-cared for by the Team behind this wonderful Entertainment Staple (now seen on FOX in the U.S.!) during TIFF ’13, an Oasys amidst the chaos. Thank you Team Out There for your hospitality and thanks for giving Mr. Will Readers a chance to be on the inside at your amazing Hospitality Suite!
SAMSUNG CANADA – A big part of the Mr. Will TIFF Experience is the Social Media aspect and if you spotted me at some point during the Festival, I probably was buried in my Smartphone Instagramming and Tweeting away. I wouldn’t have been able to survive the long 20-hour days with any less a Smartphone than the Samsung Galaxy S4. When I didn’t have enough time to grab for my Camera, the S4 was there to get the Snap in amazing 13 MP-resolution! Its remarkable style, large touchscreen and super-fast processing speed make it the only possible go-to for days as draining as TIFF. It certainly has the goods to back-up its self-proclamation as a “Life Companion”!
GROLSCH FILM WORKS OPEN HOUSE – Although I’m not a huge Beer Drinker, there is only one thing and one thing only htat I wanted after standing on-foot for hours on-end in the sun… some ice-cold Grolsch Lager – the official Beer of TIFF. Thank you Grolsch Film Works Open House for the refreshment and some relaxation away from the bustle!
GEORGE STROUMBOULOPOULOS’ MADE IN CANADA LOUNGE – It’s always been a dream of ours to visit a TIFF Gifting Lounge and this year we went straight to the top, getting an exclusive invite into Canadian Icon George Stroumboulopoulos’ highly-coveted Made in Canada Lounge where we got to enjoy some of the amazing homegrown products which several A-Listers like Joseph Gordon-Levitt took home. We will never forget. Thank you Best PR Boutique for the hospitality.
CP24 – Last but not least, thank you to the Team at CP24 for having me again this year, providing me an Outlet to share my TIFF Excitement with all of Southern Ontario! I look forward to TIFF ’14 already!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all official Mr. Will Partners.
…until next TIFF!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Together over the years we’ve built a Brand which has become synonymous with Celebrity Culture, Entertainment and Toronto. We’re thrilled about all the possibilities which this year’s Toronto International Film Festival holds and with the enthusiasm of a Child, we count down the hours till it all kicks off.
Having already previewed a fair number of this year’s Marquee Films receiving their Premieres here including hotly-tipped Opening Night Gala The Fifth Estate, I can say this is definitely one of the strongest Festivals in recent years not only in terms of quality of Films, but also the Star Power. And you know how much we love those Stars!
Please join us here at Mr. Will Wong over the next two weeks as we preview and review some of the most buzzworthy Films to make a splash at TIFF ’13. In addition, you know you can count on us to spot both A-List and Up-and-Coming Talent in town in their most candid moments with Fans.
In addition to being present and visible here, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, I will be allover your Television Screens as I partner once again with CP24 as their TIFF Correspondent before upwards of three-million people in Ontario who watch the Channel on a weekly basis. Be sure to follow my every step online as you won’t want to miss a beat! My first appearance is scheduled for Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 12:15 PM EST, followed by various appearances throughout the Festival to be looped throughout the day. I will be capping it all off with an appearance on CP24 Breakfast Live on Saturday, September 14, 2013.
I would not be able to survive the grueling 18-20 hour days that come with TIFF without the generosity of our official Partners. With gratitude I thank our Friends who kindly have shown their support:
MONGREL MEDIA who for the first time are giving Mr. Will Wong Readers a chance not only to win Red Carpet Premiere Passes, but also access to their mega-exclusive TIFF Party. I look forward to partying with my lucky Readers! And just so you know, it’s still not too late to enter here. Mongrel Media‘s Line-up is fantastic this year, including Only Lovers Left Alive (Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston), The Past (Bérénice Bejo), Tracks (Mia Wasikowska, Adam Driver) and The Face of Love (Annette Bening, Ed Harris).
OLYMPUS who generously have provided me their state-of-the-art E-PL5 to photograph with this Festival. That tiltable Monitor excites me and I can’t wait to capture some unforgettable Selfies and candid moments with the Stars. Its Small Target AutoFocus and Fine Detail Processing will ensure that I get that Snap with great precision. Did I mention it also photographs in phenomenal 16 MP quality? More on the E-PL 5 here.
HOTEL NOVOTEL TORONTO CENTRE who amazingly are sponsoring my stay for the most hectic part of the Festival. I know extremely well the importance of a good night’s rest if even just a Power Nap to recharge just in time to capture more of the Celebrity madness. Located right at the heart of Downtown Toronto and only a short distance from some of the most glamorous Red Carpet Premieres in the City, I will make a point of making time for their Indoor Pool, Gym, Restaurant and free WiFi! Cannot wait to see the beautiful scenic view from my window, the Hotel overseeing the bright lights and heights of our fabulous City. If you’re looking for an affordable option with charm and convenience, there is no better value than Hotel Novotel. More here.
HONDA CANADA who as always are wonderfully supportive. This TIFF, I will be driving the gorgeous and amazing 2013 Honda Accord Sedan which not only boasts superb Fuel Efficiency but also exciting Performance, much needed as I’ll be zooming from venue to venue effortlessly. Its compact style is perfect from City Living (…and parking!). Learn more about the Accord here.
SAMSUNG CANADA who graciously are empowering me with a Samsung Galaxy S4 this TIFF! Its full HD 1080p Display gives me something to look forward to with great excitement as does its dual front (2 MP) and rear (13 MP) Cameras which give me no reason to not snap that perfect Selfie with a Celeb! Its spacious 5″ Display will equip me with the ability to properly type, text and navigate as I communicate with my Readers and Followers throughout the Festival! More importantly, its extended Battery Life of up to 17 hours Talk Time and 8 hours Internet Usage on the LTE Network will help me get through each long day where others before have failed me. More on the Samsung Galaxy S4 here.
H&M CANADA who have been amazing these past few TIFFs in fashioning me with some of their latest looks. The Mr. Will Look generally is low-fuss and more about comfort and practicality, especially with the unpredictable weather we get in September. I know I’ll be Camera-ready for TV and my moments with the Stars with my Pieces (especially excited about my Cardigans!) from the H&M Fall 2013 Men’s Collection. Nobody understands the synergy between Celebrity and affordable Fashion like H&M with several exciting Collaborations in recent memory with the likes of Beyoncé, David Beckham, Kylie Minogue, Madonna, Lana Del Rey, Joel Kinnaman and more!
NELLA BELLA who are so thoughtful to provide me with one of their signature Bags to use this Festival. How else would I survive the day without sophisticated, sturdy and stylish storage for all my gear? This Canadian Handbang Maker offers sleek looks and durability. Above all else, they are made with Vegan Materials! I look forward to my treasured Accessory this TIFF, the Stockholm Bag (see above). Check-out their entire Collection here.
OUT THERE WITH MELISSA DIMARCO who so kindly is giving my Readers a chance to visit her TIFF Interview Studio and Hospitality Suite at InterContinental Centre Hotel this year. We all know her on Television for her stunning beauty and big heart! I myself look forward to visiting her Oasis amidst all the bustle and am excited for my Readers to get to mingle with Industry and Media Types, not to mention some awesome Food and Drink. Learn more about the Contest here.
GROLSCH OPEN HOUSE PUBLIC FESTIVAL LOUNGE who are giving Festival Goers an opportunity for refreshment from Friday, September 6 – Monday, September 9, 2013 with amazing Eats, Art Installations, intimate Musical sets from DJs and emerging local Acts… and of course, Grolsch Premium Lager – the official Beer of TIFF. Do not forget to check it all out at the corner of Pearl x John! We’ll definitely see you there. More here.
Bookmark Mr. Will Wong in your Browser and remember to follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for frequent exciting updates this TIFF.
See Mr. Will‘s most Must-See TIFF ’13 Film List here.
See which Stars will be in the City for TIFF here.
Happy Movie-watching and Star-spotting, Wongsters!
(Photo credit: Hotel Novotel/Honda Canada/Samsung Canada/Melissa DiMarco/Olympus/Nella Bella/Grolsch Film Works/H&M Canada/Mongrel Media)
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