The Toronto International Film Festival is in full swing, attracting A-list celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Jake Gyllenhaal. And with such a roster of in-demand stars comes a list of interesting requests that are being requested of Toronto's hotel concierges.
According to Tim Terceira, the general manager of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in downtown Toronto, accommodating celebrities is a full-time gig that sometimes comes with unusual requests.
"Some people require their bed be at a (certain) degree -- five degrees because it helps with their circulation and digestion," Terceira told CTV News Channel on Saturday.
Although Terceira couldn’t reveal the names of the guests staying at the Ritz, he says his hotel – which was recently ranked number one on the Travel + Leisure 2013 list for "Top Hotel Spas" – is "TIFFcentral."
"We’re in a super location. The red carpet and Roy Thomson Hall is literally across the street."
Terceira, who says TIFF kicks off the busiest time of the year for the hotel, has been prepping for the annual film festival with staff since the conclusion of last year's event.
"Our ladies and gentlemen at the hotel have been anxiously getting prepared. As the weeks get closer, we get primed for prime time," he said.
Other requests Terceira says he's been asked to carry out include providing a selection of beard trimmers for a guest who wanted their beard "trimmed perfectly," and making available special doggie tubs for guests who travel with their four-legged friends.
"The answer for us is always yes,” said Terceira when asked about his standard answer for when a celebrity makes a special request. "As long as your request is legal, ethical and moral, the answer is yes."
According to Terceira, the most outlandish request he's ever had to fulfill was when a guest insisted on bringing their own bed.
"We have incredibly comfortable Ritz-Carlton beds, but a guest has in the past brought their own bed."
TIFF runs until Sept. 15. For more information, visit the website: http://tiff.net/
