Hotels & Resorts
Big Developments In Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda's tourist trade is receiving a helping hand from China and Sandals among others. Tourism Minister Asot Michael told a Toronto gathering Friday that Antigua has signed an agreement with a Chinese firm for a US$2-billion resort development that will include five-star hotels, a golf course, conference centre and casino. As well, early next year will see work start on a 400-room Beaches resort on an island that's already home to a Sandals. Michael said that a new airport terminal will open in March and be the largest in the Eastern Caribbean and have VIP lounges and...
Skyline Acquires Bear Valley Mountain Resort
Canada's Skyline International Development Inc. has signed an agreement to purchase Bear Valley Mountain Resort in northern California. The agreement comes after several weeks of discussion with the current ownership and local community leaders that had formed the Bear Valley Mountain Cooperative and who were also in the process of purchasing the resort. Closing is subject to the US Forest Service issuance of a permit to operate the resort, expected in 30 to 60 days. Located in the Sierra mountain range between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, Bear Valley Mountain Resort is known as “a...
Courtyard by Marriott Opens at Winnipeg Airport
The Courtyard by Marriott Winnipeg Airport is now open for business. Located steps from the James Armstrong Richardson International Airport terminal, the new hotel features Canada’s first Courtyard Cynergy room design. The six-storey hotel has a penthouse fitness centre featuring the latest Precor equipment, complimentary use of one of the highest hotel Internet bandwidths in Manitoba, a Starbucks barista bar in the lobby and over 1,800 square feet of on-demand meeting space to accommodate functions of up to 150 people. Upon arrival, guests can store bags on the “Luggage...
Ramp Up The Relaxation With Red Lane Special
The Red Lane Spa at Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts is offering its largest spa credit yet with the new Red Lane Spa Bonanza Sale. Guests who book a minimum seven-night Luxury Included Vacation at any Sandals resort in a club level category room or higher or at a Beaches resort in a concierge level room or higher now through Aug. 30 will receive US$555 in spa credit for travel through Dec. 27, 2015. Guests who book a four to six-night stay at any Sandals resort or Beaches resort will receive up to US$300 in spa credit. Blackout dates and restrictions...
Making It New At Toronto’s Sheraton Centre
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. has unveiled details of its plans to embark on a $90 million renovation of the Sheraton Centre Toronto – a plan that will see a floor-to-ceiling transformation of the hotel's 1,371 guest rooms and suites. The revival of the Canadian flagship Sheraton property will begin in early November bringing a fresh look to guest rooms with rich colours, graphic patterns and clean lines inspired by Sheraton’s brand design, and a new energy efficient HVAC system. This comprehensive refurbishment is slated for completion in 2015. David Connor, area...
Get Smart
Forget the sun screen, magazines and guide books – new research released by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) shows that the “must-have” item for holiday travel is a smartphone, at least according to the majority of 10,000 travellers polled from across 13 countries worldwide. According to the research by IHG Rewards Club, nearly 40% of travellers agree that their smartphone is the most important item to take on holiday – and 67% agree that they will use it every single day. As a result, one in 10 travellers clock an impressive average of 70 hours online while on holiday –...
Aloft Recruits Robot
Aloft Hotels reports the appointment of A.L.O. as the hotel brand’s first Botlr (robotic butler). This charismatic cyber associate made his debut at Aloft Cupertino this week, making Aloft the first major hotel brand to hire a robot for both front and back of house duties. In this role, A.L.O. the Botlr will be on call as a robotic operative where it will be assisting Aloft staff in delivering amenities to guest rooms. Professionally “dressed” in a custom shrink-wrapped, vinyl collared uniform and name tag, A.L.O. will modestly accept tweets as tips as its wheels whizz from...
Call for Entries
The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) is now accepting entries for the 2014 Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence. The awards program recognizes those individuals, companies or properties that have demonstrated significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership and tireless commitment to our industry in the following divisions: The Humanitarian Award Given for individuals/programs that demonstrate to residents that the individual property is responsive to the local community. The Human Resources Award Given for programs/individuals that develop a climate conducive to new...