Hotels & Resorts
Sandals introduces free Wi-Fi, long-distance calls
Sandals Resorts has announced it will soon introduce free Wi-Fi and complimentary long-distance phone calls in Jamaica for select room categories in 2013. These special perks are provided specifically to guests staying in Concierge and Butler room categories, at any of the seven Sandals resorts in Jamaica. The initiative will be launched March 15. Along with the free Wi-Fi, guests in select room categories will be able to make free long-distance calls to Canada and the US (and to U.K. landlines only), as well as local calls to Jamaican landlines, beginning June 20. These phone calls will be...
Days Inn hits 100 in Canada
Realstar Hospitality has announced the signing of its 100th Days Inn hotel in Canada. Realstar Hospitality is strategically expanding the Days Inn brand, focusing its efforts in key markets across the country. The company announced new franchise agreements for its 98th hotel (Stephenville, Nfld.), 99th hotel (Stouffville, Ont.) and 100th hotel - a new-build in Calgary. "Today marks a special day for the Days Inn brand in Canada. We are delighted to share this great news - the addition of three new Days Inns - with our owners and managers from across the country. This milestone is a tribute to...
Lonely road warrior? Not so much
Today's business travellers are surprisingly social on the road, according to a recent survey by Four Points by Sheraton, Starwood Hotels' "best for business"brand. Aside from sleeping, for instance, survey respondents indicated that enjoying the hotel bar or restaurant with colleagues or business partners was their number one activity during free time, outpacing time spent in the gym, spa, shopping or catching up with local acquaintances. In addition, business travellers are good networkers, with nearly two-thirds of those surveyed reporting that that they have kept in contact with someone...
Canadians continue to go south for cheap air tickets
It's a trend that's gaining increasing momentum as Canadians continue to head south of the border in search of cheap air tickets. In its newly released 2013 Canadian Travel Intentions survey, the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) found that 18% of those surveyed had travelled to the US to buy cheaper airline tickets in 2012-- an increase of 3% over the previous year -- and 32% of those questioned indicated they would do it in 2013. An alarming 61% of respondents said they knew people who travelled to the US in 2012 to purchase cheaper airline tickets. HAC reports that the highest number of...
Second Ritz-Carlton for Hawaii in planning
Luxury hotel operator, Ritz-Carlton has made plans for its first Oahu property, to be located in Waikiki. The property will be Ritz-Carlton's second presence in Hawaii, after The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on Maui. Formerly 2121 Kuhio, the new Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach will begin construction this year, and the completion of the tower is scheduled for early 2016....
New’ Beaches Ocho Rios unveiled
After undergoing a US$30 million renovation, Beaches Ocho Rios Resort & Golf Club, formerly known as Beaches Boscobel, is set to debut its enhancements. The renovation not only unveils a new look for the resort with four distinct villages, but guests will also find additional restaurants such as a new BBQ Park and Dino's Pizzeria, an enhanced kids program, and a range of enticing amenities and activities to explore. The resort features improved facilities and over a dozen newly renovated room and suite categories. "With this face-lift, we will solidify Beaches Ocho Rios as Jamaica's premier...
Delta Air Lines, Starwood cross over
Delta Air Lines, Inc and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc unveiled a comprehensive new partnership that offers exclusive new benefits to Delta SkyMiles Medallion members and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) elite members. The program, called Crossover Rewards, begins March 1 and provides elite members of both loyalty programs reciprocal benefits. Crossover Rewards allows Delta and Starwood elites to share program benefits and earn more miles and Starpoints. SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum Medallion members will have access to added benefits including priority check-in, 4 p.m. late...
Westin looks for 200 in 2013
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc reports that its Westin brand expects to open its 200th hotel in 2013, driven by robust international demand and the success of the brand's distinct well-being positioning. Westin will open 11 new hotels this year, the vast majority outside the United States in fast-growing markets that include China, India, Singapore and Panama. Brian Povinelli, global brand leader for Westin Hotels & Resorts, commented that: "Westin is now experiencing the bulk of its growth in the world's fastest growing economies, where it has emerged as a developer darling right...