TIFF With Airbnb

One of the best things about booking an Airbnb is living like a local – which we happily did in Toronto as we swooped in for 2 days of festivities for the Toronto International Film Festival.

Technology is our friend: The Airbnb app is so easy to use we had our reservation confirmed on the fly (and ordered our Uber and checked in for our flight) How did we ever travel before this?

King Street West was closed to traffic so we strolled the TIFF strip on our way to the Spoke Club for dinner. Staying right downtown, everything was walkable – even in 3-inch gold heels!

For lunch on day 2, we just had to try Buca Yorkville – these deep fried olives stuffed with veal sausage went down well with a glass of Prosecco.

We loved how everyone got into the TIFF spirit – even the shops uptown in Yorkville were making popcorn (JCrew) giving out craft soda pop (Holt Renfrew) and fun T-shirts that said "Blah, Blah, Blah" (Diesel). My hubby even found a cool tux jacket from the JCrew Collection store to wear to tonight’s premier.

And voila, our Airbnb in a condo tower with views of the lake, and a hop skip and a jump to TIFF HQ, The LightBox on King West. It was so huge and well equipped we could have stayed a week.

Also a few blocks away was Her Majesty’s Pleasure, a pampering hotspot if there were was one. Lots of bubbles were being lifted by newly manicured hands – most in greys and deep reds, with a touch of TIFF-like sparkly.

Premier time! These impossible-to-get tickets to the North American premier of The Danish Girl starring Eddie Redmayne were a highlight of the weekend. If he doesn’t win the Best Actor Oscar I’ll eat my dress. My sequined dress.

After a very long and quiet sleep (ahh, Airbnb — no noisy hotel people slamming doors!) we called our Uber, checked out by text, and were off to the airport in 10 minutes flat. Thanks Airbnb – lets do it again soon! —Sarah Bancroft