TIFF and the city – Living it up in Shangri-La Toronto

You know it's September in Toronto when the hashtag #TIFF starts appearing everywhere and the chatter turns to tickets and the Shangri-La Toronto is all booked up.

TIFF is more than just a film festival, it's a part of Toronto's urban experience. Waiting in lines, knowing the best place to grab a bite/coffee/beer after a show and getting into the most exclusive parties are all part of being at the centre of the Toronto-verse.

We had the opportunity to step up our TIFF game with a visit to Shangri-La Toronto's Private Residences, where Bask-It-Style previewed what would be in the TIFF swag bags this year. Shangri-La, a hotel and condo – a development that serves up some of Toronto's most exclusive real estate for both guests and residents is, of course, one of the best places to be for TIFF. It's at the centre of the city and will be home to several of the stars for the duration of the film fest.

Bask-It-Style Owner Jessica Glover brings a great twist to this year's swag bag. It's full of fantastic lifestyle accoutrements, and the Welcome to Toronto theme is impressive. Visiting stars staying at partnered hotels will receive gift bags with everything they need to tackle Toronto and keep on going as they schmooze and cruise their way through the city. Gift bags include locally designed and made jewellery from the Wishbone Collection at Studio 1098,which supports the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR); a delicious local brew that goes back to our roots with Old Tomorrow Canadian Pale Ale - with none other than The Father of Confederation, Sir John A. Macdonald, on the can; and haircare products exclusive to local salon Chatters. There will be chocolate, coffee and books – including a Travel Top Ten guide of Toronto from DK Publishing. Makeup by Neutrogena, clothing by Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, and more. The Starlight Children's Foundation is also a partner, bringing awareness to this Foundation that offers hope and help to children with serious illness, and their families.

We enjoyed the amazing view from the 53rd floor suite – an impressive 2,300-sq.-ft. Shangri-La Toronto Private Residences condo located at the corner of University and Adelaide. Of course, we'd have loved to stay, but the suite will be sold after TIFF is over – going for a cool $3.1 million.