Hotels & Resorts
A summer of cautious optimism
Best Western hosted its 2012 Leisure Travel Summit in Toronto this week, an event that taps into the pulse of what's going on in the industry as it heads into the busy summer season. On hand for the 7th annual Summit, were moderator Bryson Forbes who mapped out the agenda for the event which saw panellists, Brenda Kyllo of CAA, Dorothy Dowling of Best Western and Tony Pollard of the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) provide a wide ranging discussion of such topics as the the outlook for leisure travel in 2012; the potential impact of rising gas prices; the role of loyalty programs in driving...
Make the call on Palace
Palace Resorts has signed a new, multi-year contract with Telemex that will allow it to provide its guests with complimentary unlimited phone calls to the U.S., Canada and Mexico. All guests, in any room category, will now be able to stay in touch with their families from the comfort and privacy of their guest room at no cost. Gibran Chapur, executive vice president of Palace Resorts, said that: "We want Palace Resorts' guests to enjoy top-of-the-line amenities as part of the brand's comprehensive all-inclusive offerings at each of our seven properties. We also know how important it is for...
Adams, Jansen get new posts with Coast
Judy Adams has been appointed regional general manager for Coast Hotels & Resorts, while Amie Jansen has joined the hotel company as its regional sales manager for Alberta and NWT. In her new capacity, Adams will be responsible for overseeing operations at the 220-room Coast Coal Harbour Hotel and 269-room Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites in Vancouver. She's a veteran hotelier bringing 25 years of hospitality management experience to Coast Hotels & Resorts having served as general manager of various Fairmont hotels in B.C. and New Brunswick as well as Silverbirch Hotels & Resorts in Vancouver and...
Okanagan mini-resort starts day tours
A Vista Villa, a private mini-resort in the heart of BC's Okanagan Valley, has recently introduced five-day packages that include day trips in the region. The resort, best known for reworking the B&B concept to include dinners (Breakfasts and Barbecues), will start operating the packages on the May long weekend. Day trips will include gourmet lunch stops, cider tastings, winery tours and farms visits, all using executive minibus, trains and boats. The five-night package includes daily breakfasts, dinner and wine, three day trips and Jacuzzi suite accommodations. It is available through to the...
Mon dieu! Paris’ clubs are most expensive
Club Sandwiches that is ... okay, this may not be a deal breaker for clients booking a trip with you, but consider how impressed they'll be when you can tell them where to find the city -- worldwide! -- that has the most expensive (or alternatively, least expensive) club sandwiches. In a day and age when special interest travel is growing, surely there must be some sort of Club Sandwich Club -- although so far no research on this market segment has been found in a Google search. Nonetheless, take a few minutes to check out Hotels.com's newly released Club Sandwich Index (CSI) which measures...
W to debut in Dubai
W Hotels Worldwide has signed an agreement with Al Sharq Investment LLC to debut a new W Hotel in Dubai on The Palm Jumeirah. Set to debut in 2016, W Dubai - The Palm will be located in the emirate's most prestigious residential, leisure and tourism hub and will offer views of the iconic island, Dubai Marina and the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf. "We are proud to partner with Al Sharq Investment as we open a new W Hotel in this iconic destination in Dubai,"said Roeland Vos, president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. "This signing marks an important milestone in...
Signature adds RIU Palace Peninsula to Cancun portfolio
Signature Vacations has introduced the newest addition to its luxurious RIU Palace resorts line-up - the RIU Palace Peninsula in Cancun, which opened on May 4. The five-star, all-inclusive beachfront property offers 562 well appointed Junior Suites and Suites, each featuring RIU's upscale amenities. The resort features five specialty restaurants, a main international buffet restaurant and seven different bars and lounges. Featured in the all-inclusive program are 24-hour room service, champagne breakfast, poolside waiter beverage service, in-room liquor dispenser, nightly turn down service,...
Royal Lahaina Resort opens Jazz Club Maui
The Royal Lahaina Resort on Maui is opening its new Jazz Club Maui at the property, starting May 26 with host band SLAM featuring David Choy and Kelly Covington. Guests will enjoy world-class entertainment, featuring Hawaii's most talented musicians playing smooth jazz, rhythm and blues, and dance music late into the evening each Saturday night. In making the announcement, Elizabeth Bell, director of marketing and business development, said, "The Jazz Club Maui at the Royal Lahaina Resort will combine great food and drinks, top-shelf music, and a sophisticated, yet, inviting, lounge...