Toronto film fest turns tony hotel into celeb central
Last Updated: Thursday, September 7, 2006 | 10:11 PM ET
CBC Arts
Some of the biggest stars from Hollywood and film centres around the globe will stop off in Toronto during the annual film festival and one of the event's unofficial headquarters is a tony downtown hotel.
Located in the trendy Yorkville district and close to theatres screening festival films, the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is often a home base for actors, filmmakers and industry insiders during the 10-day event.
The ritzy hotel — which will host some 4,500 guests during the festival and has rooms rates up to $4,800 a night — is also a prime target for autograph seekers and star-gawkers, despite the fact that many celebrities now check in under an alias.
Liloo Alim, who has worked at Toronto's Four Seasons Hotel since 1978, has racked up many years of film festival experience.
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"During the festival, it's sheer organized chaos. It's crazy," longtime Four Seasons staffer Liloo Alim told CBC News.
Working at the hotel since 1978, Alim has had to deal with a wide range of celebrity requests, ranging from medical crises to special dietary requirements to providing expensive bottled water for a star's hair-washing regime.
Another frequent request involves Alim's ability to score hard-to-get film fest tickets.
Jeremy Irons, seen here at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2005, stands out as a favourite guest at the hotel.
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"You build this network over a period of years. It's knowing who to call and knowing who has access to certain tickets that may not be [readily] available," she explained.
Though she has assisted many festival guests during her years at the hotel, Alim did note her favourite.
"The one that really, really stands out in my mind is Jeremy Irons," she said.
"He's the nicest, most wonderful gentleman and he loves Toronto."
