As many families do, we’ve travelled to Toronto for a special event — to see one of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s regular film screenings accompanied by live score, specifically Star Wars. Since we’ve come from Ottawa, we’re making a family getaway weekend of it, including trying out Hotel X’s family-oriented urban resort concept.

Unfortunately, we’ve arrived too late on a Friday night to take advantage of the private film screening rooms, but as anyone with a young family knows all too well, mom and dad don’t get to skip Saturday morning wake-up call — three swimsuit-clad youngsters hover bedside at the crack of dawn.

So, despite November temperature hovering around zero, we’re off to the year-round, rooftop, heated pool. Fortunately for Dad, the water is plenty warm enough to counteract the cool autumn air, and the kids have a grand time frolicking, oblivious to the bonkers views afforded of Lake Ontario and the sprawling metropolis to the west. An adult can easily imagine more age-appropriate fun at the adjacent Falcon SkyBar later in the day.

Refreshed and wide wake, we head down to the second floor for breakfast at Maxx’s Kitchen, one of two on-site eateries (the second, the upscale Pétros82 Mediterranean restaurant and raw bar, overlooks Stanley Gardens). Our crew all partake of the delectable options from the all-you-can-eat brekkie buffet (you can also order à la carte) at Maxx’s — also open for lunch and dinner — while watching planes land and take off from the nearby island airfield.

As we head back to our room to prep for a day of offsite activities (see list below), Zev, unbeknownst to him, parrots the property’s aim for groups like ours: “This place is like a resort. You don’t ever have to leave.” Well played, Hotel X. Well played. And the kids haven’t even hit the highlight yet.

That comes the next morning as we head to the facility’s 90,000-square-foot 10XTO athletic centre, with amenities available to hotel guests. The centre, encased in floor-to-ceiling glass, boasts four indoor tennis courts, nine squash courts, state-of-the-art gym equipment and fitness classrooms. It also includes a youth lounge with pool table and arcade games, ping pong tables, half basketball court and the Topgolf Swing Suite, where up to eight people can virtually work on their golf game.

After an hour of teeing off, my trio run themselves ragged flitting from ping pong to basketball and back again. And again. And while we didn’t partake, there’s also a 3,000-square-foot play centre, with play area, toys, books and video game consoles for younger kids.

By the time we check out just before lunchtime on Sunday, Hotel X has delivered the family experience every parent ultimately wants: kids eager to rest weary heads, worn out from all the fun.

Family fun in Toronto