TIFF 2014 Insider’s Guide: Where to Go All Out

TIFF 2014 Insider’s Guide: Where to Go All Out

Over-the-top services that help you do TIFF the way it was meant to be done

TIFF 2014: Where to Go All Out
The Four Seasons
where to live large

The Four Seasons
60 Yorkville Ave., 416-964-0411
The two-year-old hotel is the city’s swankiest spot for a luxury staycation, with iPads in every room, flat-screen TVs embedded in the bathroom mirrors and incredibly attentive staff—they’ve been known to make late-night lingerie runs for visiting starlets. It’s also a prime spot for celebrity gawkery: last year, we saw Paul Haggis partying with Norman Jewison at George Christy’s annual luncheon.

where to get a ride

Affinity Luxury Rental
1110 Dupont St., 416-724-0724
At TIFF, the stars roll up to premieres in sponsored Audi SUVs, but those wheels are strictly utilitarian. You can do better. Affinity Luxury Rental delivers eye-popping exotics like Ferraris, Lambos and BMWs to the airport or your hotel, and their fleet has earned repeat customers in Elton John and Justin Bieber. Plus, they’re one of the only outfits in town where you can rent a Skyfall-worthy Mercedes Benz S Class. From $200 a day.

where to get a driver

Bennington
905-670-5466
Bennington cars are favourites among TIFF-going celebs. The fleet includes the classic Town Car, but also Benzes, Jags and Wi-Fi enabled, 31-person mini-coaches. And if you book ahead, the cars can come equipped with your favourite ­reading ­material, a personalized boxed lunch and as much bubbly as you dare. Bennington does huge business during the festival, so book early. From $60 an hour.

where to detoxify

Belmonte Raw
1022 Queen St. E., 647-340-1218
Juice cleanses are the hottest trend among starlets looking to slim down before a big premiere: ­proponents include Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek and, naturally, Gwyneth Paltrow. At ­Belmonte Raw, cleanse evangelist Carol ­Belmonte uses organic produce and ­supplements to create a euphoria-inducing menu of raw juices, entrées and treats that will get you svelte and trim and glowing in no time. Whole meal plans can be delivered right to your door, including Total Reset, a $2,000, 30-day detox for the fanatically virtuous.

where to find a do-it-all

Absolutely Fab
197 Glengarry Ave., 416-666-9104
It may only last a week and a half, but for those hours, TIFF’s a full-time job. There are movies to watch, hotels to reserve, parties to attend and celebrities to gawk at. A personal concierge is invaluable. Absolutely Fab’s helpers will take care of all your mundane everyday tasks—cleaning your condo, feeding your goldfish—freeing you up for the important stuff. From $27.50 an hour.

where to get rubbed down

Wright Spa
416-859-4526
When your movie schedule is too packed for a spa visit, the facialists and RMTs at Wright Spa will come to you instead. This mobile service offers a chocolate-peppermint ­pedicure ($70), an orchid facial ($125), an indulgent four-hand ­massage ($225), plus hair and makeup. Unwind in familiar surroundings, or get an updo while going through the TIFF ­catalogue.

where to get gussied up

Rent Frock Repeat
35 Golden Ave., Ste. 102, 1-855-376-2548
The trouble with movie premieres is you can’t wear the same thing to more than one of them. Thankfully, Rent Frock Repeat loans out ­high-end dresses by the ­evening, eliminating the need for a frantic, Visa-busting last-minute Holt’s run. They offer a huge selection of gowns from the likes of Christian Siriano, Badgley Mischka and the buzzy Canadian designer Sarah Stevenson at 15 to 20 per cent of the retail price, and frequently outfit visiting celebs and local talent. The best part, though, is that they’ll come to your hotel room for private fittings, and the dresses can be returned by mail. From $50.

where to send your gown

Creeds
Creeds.com
This luxe laundry service offers free pickup and delivery, and staff who won’t rest until your wine-stained silk dress looks like it just came off the runway. A handbag-cleaning regimen restores last ­season’s it bag to perfection. And, ­specially for TIFF, they’ll be offering same-day service.

where to find a sitter

In a Pinch
416-785-3939, ext. 1
Faster than Mary Poppins can slide up a banister, Robyn Zeldin of In a Pinch will have a certified ECE sitter at your door. All of her staff get rave reviews from parents. They’re also available for short-term nanny placements and will even do some cleaning. From $18 an hour.

where to get styled

Zayna Mosam
416-907-8156
No one wants to be on the worst-dressed list. Zayna Mosam is a ­stylist and image consultant who will perform a body and lifestyle analysis before choosing a ­personalized selection of gowns and cocktail dresses. Mosam works ­frequently with time-strapped ­gala-goers, and male and female execs who want to polish their image—she’ll even make shopping trips to New York to hunt down the perfect pair of shoes. First styling session $250.

where to send your pooch

VIP Sitters
416-361-0000
If you’re saddled with screenings every day and parties every night, VIP Sitters will do absolutely everything for your pet, including walking, sitting (you know, if you need a night to yourself), grooming and whatever else your furry pal requires—and they’ll do it 24/7. From $30 an hour.