Hotels & Resorts
Mexico’s Velas Resorts targets Canada
Mexico’s Velas Resorts is on a mission. Three of the hotel company’s top executives were in Toronto Wednesday to meet with the Canadian travel trade and get the message out that Velas -- which has four resorts that include the Velas Vallarta, Casa Velas, the Grand Velas Riviera Maya and the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit -- wants more Canadian business. And Juan Vela Ruiz, vice-president and co-founder of Velas Resorts, also made it abundantly clear that the quartet of luxury, all-inclusive resorts offer Canadian vacationers something a little different in a Mexico holiday --...
Sunset to rebrand Jamaica Grande
The Sunset Resort Group is rebranding the Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios to the Jamaica Grande Resort. While remaining under current ownership, the decision allows the Jamaica Grande to reposition itself as a resort hotel that “encompasses the true soul of Jamaica-casual, fun and authentic.” Details about refurbishments and service upgrades will be announced in the coming...
Occidental now has dedicated wedding call centre
To better serve the valued bridal market, Occidental Hotels & Resorts has partnered with ASK ME, a company specialized in travel industry call centres to provide a private label call centre, allowing direct access to Occidental’s expert team of event co-ordinators. “We have always maintained a commitment to making the wedding planning process as seamless as possible for our guests,” said Richard Rodriguez, vice-president of sales & marketing, Occidental Hotels & Resorts. “With the introduction of the dedicated wedding call centre and our new relationship with ASK...
Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa to open April 17
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts’ newest property, the 289-room Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa, opens on April 17 in Lhasa, Tibet, the city encircled by Himalayan mountains, glaciers and desert-like landscapes, and set on a plateau soaring 3,650 metres above sea level. The Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa will be a luxurious home base for those wishing to explore dramatic scenery and some of the world’s most culturally significant Buddhist sites, including World Heritage Sites such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery and Norbulingka Palace. The hotel is located within walking...
Westin opens first Dominican Republic property
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has debuted its Westin brand in the Dominican Republic. Owned and developed by Grupo Puntacana, The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club boasts an ideal location within the exclusive Puntacana Resort & Club property. The newly constructed hotel offers 200 rooms and suites with ocean views, as well as direct beach access, two dining experiences and access to Puntacana Resort & Club’s world-class facilities. It is the newest resort to join the Westin brand’s rapidly expanding resorts portfolio, which now boasts more than 50 resorts...
Hilton debuts in Hubei Province, China
Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Worldwide reports the opening of the Hilton Wuhan Optics Valley, marking the first Hilton property in Hubei Province. The six-storey hotel features 520 contemporary guest rooms and suites with scenic views from private balconies, five diverse restaurants and bars, and more than 5,000 square metres of flexible meeting space. The Hilton Wuhan Optics Valley is operated by Hilton Worldwide and owned by Wuhan Eco City Biguiyuan Investment Co., Ltd. Located in Wuhan East Lake High Tech Development Zone, Hilton Wuhan Optics Valley is 10 km from the...
Paradisus Cancun hosts Romance Travel forum
Paradisus Cancun, one of Meliá Hotels International’s newest luxury all-inclusive properties, will host the 2014 Romance Travel Forum May 12-15. Organized by Specialty Travel Forums, a division of Travel Show Marketing Group, the event will focus on destination weddings, honeymoons and romantic getaways and offer opportunities for travel professionals to learn how they can grow their business within those niche categories. “Paradisus Cancun has had tremendous success with our destination weddings and honeymoons, we are thrilled to share our ‘best practices’ as this year’s...
Quebec’s Hôtel de Glace now open
The Quebec City-area Hôtel de Glace is again open. Built entirely from snow and ice, it welcomes guests and visitors of all ages from morning to night. The Hôtel de Glace is open to the public every day from 10 a.m. to midnight until March 23. As of 8 p.m., hotel rooms and suites are reserved for overnight guests only. This winter, visitors to the Hôtel de Glace can explore the new snowshoe trails and go snow tube sliding outdoors on the grand slide, treat themselves to maple products at the sugar shack or go inside for a cocktail served in a sparkling ice glass. They can also...