For nearly 40 years, the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa has been a cornerstone of the Markham community. Over the decades, the hotel has welcomed diplomats, sports teams, entertainers, and generations of families.
Located across from Markham City Hall, the hotel is the city’s largest, with 502 rooms, 45,000 square feet of event space, and the Mernov Medi Spa. It’s also the only Hilton full-suite property in Canada, with every room starting at a one-bedroom suite.
While the property is undergoing a major renovation, the heart of the hotel remains its talented hospitality staff. Leading the team is general manager Marcos Yu. Originally from Brazil, Yu moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, with his family when he was ten years old. Yu’s career began as a banquet server at the Westin Calgary. “I worked at that property for 14 years, across almost every department—from purchasing and accounting to housekeeping and the front desk,” Yu says.
His commitment and passion for hospitality earned him a promotion to leadership roles in housekeeping and the front office. In 2014, he was offered the opportunity to move to Toronto to open the flagship Delta Toronto property. After leading the teams at the Sheraton Centre and the Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport, Yu joined the Markham Suites as its General Manager. “No day is the same as the last one in hospitality,” Yu says. “Every day is a new challenge. You get to meet new people and work alongside amazing team members.”
With a steady mix of first-time and returning guests, consistency is key. The hotel’s dedicated team ensures every stay reflects Hilton’s signature hospitality. “Our success is built on Hilton’s culture. We have great leaders who believe in their team and give them the support and tools they need,” Yu says. “The team is empowered to go above and beyond to care of our guests.”
As the largest hotel in Markham, the property often hosts a mix of business guests, tourists, and visiting sports teams. High-energy kids and weary travellers can be a recipe for disaster, but Yu’s team finds ways to ensure every guest has a great experience.
On a recent weekend in April, the hotel hosted teams competing in the Ontario Women's Hockey Association (OWHA) Provincial Hockey Championships. Instead of policing hallway hockey games, Yu’s team found a creative way to channel their energy. “We have a couple of squash courts on the property that we convert to play areas,” Yu says. “That way, the kids can play, and our other guests get the rest they need.”
Markham Suite’s commitment to hospitality extends beyond the hotel. Yu says being part of Markham means showing up for the community. The hotel hosts events that celebrate Markham’s cultural diversity, including the Mayor’s Annual Business Address, the Markham Stouffville Hospital Festival of Lights & Fortune Gala, the Cathay Ball, and gatherings with the Hong Kong Canada Business Association.
“But our community involvement goes beyond events,” Yu says. “It’s woven into our daily operations—from sourcing locally and supporting small businesses to working with creatives who reflect the spirit of the city. As we renovate, we’re continuing to look for ways to bring the outside in and make the hotel a true gathering place for both guests and locals.”
