Resorts
Weathering The Trends
When it comes to what's visually luring travellers into booking a particular hotel, it turns out the money shot isn’t just of the view, but also the loo. “Oddly enough, a bathroom photo [is important],” Bonnie Vesterfelt, Expedia’s Toronto area manager tells Canadian Travel Press' Ann Ruppenstein. “It does really help on an increase in Average Daily Rate, typically, if you have a really good solid bathroom photo, which are sometimes hard to get. Also, with an international traveller too, they love to see the size of the bathroom.” Vesterfelt, whose market management team...
Sandals Hosts Chairman’s Appreciation Luncheon
Gordon “Butch” Stewart, founder and chairman of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, along with Jamaica Prime Minster Andrew Holness, recently hosted the Chairman’s Appreciation Luncheon – dedicated to give the sincerest thanks to those who help move the brand forward every day – at Sandals Montego Bay, the flagship resort. Adam Stewart, deputy chairman, Sandals Resorts International, noted that the luncheon’s focus was to “tell the Sandals story.” He walked attendees through the resort company’s timeline from its humble beginnings with one resort near the airport in...
RIU Opens Third Los Cabos Resort
RIU Hotels & Resorts recently opened the Riu Palace Baja California, its third hotel in Los Cabos and its 20th in Mexico. The all-inclusive resort has 24-hour room service and is also the chain’s first adult-only hotel in Los Cabos. With the new hotel, RIU is taking another step in the innovative architecture of its hotels by changing the structure of the spaces, bars and restaurants. This lets views of the sea take centre stage. Palace Baja California, like the newly opened Riu Palace Costa Mujeres hotel, represents a 180-degree turnaround in the usual layout of RIU hotels....
Sandals Foundation, Great Shape! Inc. Celebrate
Currently in its 16th year, the 1000 Smiles Dental Project – a humanitarian partnership between the Sandals Foundation and Great Shape! Inc. – set record numbers in 2018, providing free dental care to more than 26,000 people in Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Grenada, at a program value of US$4.6 million. In addition, 2018 marked a number of firsts for 1000 Smiles Dental Project, including: Free dental clinics conducted on two islands simultaneously – Saint Lucia and Grenada; Expansion to a new island – Grenada; A wider reach of dental services – including providing free dentures to...
Hilton Opens New Dual-Branded Ottawa Property
Hilton has opened its newest hotel, the dual-branded Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Downtown and Homewood Suites by Hilton Ottawa Downtown, bringing a unique new addition to the downtown area. The dual-brand hotel adds even more versatile options for guests visiting Ottawa, which welcomed over 11 million visitors last year – an 8.8% increase over the previous year. “Ottawa’s diverse culture and rising tourism makes it the perfect location to expand our brand footprint in the Canadian market,” said Bill Duncan, global head, All Suites and Focused Service category, Hilton. “With...
More Ways to Chat With Four Seasons
With chat apps trending and conversational commerce on the rise, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has expanded its multi-channel Chat service with the recent addition of WhatsApp. Since its launch, Four Seasons Chat has exchanged more than 3.5 million messages, allowing guests to connect with real people on property in real time, for any need, creating more opportunities to personalize the travel experience. “The guest experience is our top priority, whether on property or when engaging with our brand digitally,” said Christian Clerc, president, Worldwide Hotel Operations, Four...
Celebrating the Crème de la Crème of Boutique Hotels
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has announced Canaves Oia Suites (pictured) in Santorini, Greece, as Hotel of the Year at the SLH Awards 2018. A blissful blend of island tradition and architectural inspiration, the hotel has been described as “very nearly perfect” and is one of 17 hotels in SLH’s 500+ strong portfolio of independently minded hotels that were honoured with top distinctions this year. The awards highlight excellence in everything from dreamy designs and breathtaking suites, embracing social media, the environment and the local community. Three new...
Rewards For Agents From RIU, Sunwing
RIU Hotels & Resorts and Sunwing got together to thank their top-performing agents this month with appreciation lunches in Quebec City and Kitchener, Ontario. Top producing agents were invited to enjoy a complimentary lunch, meet with RIU and Sunwing sales teams and learn about upcoming renovation and expansion plans for RIU Hotels & Resorts. At both events, director of business development for partner marketing, Hugo Aguilera, talked to attendees about the latest resorts that opened in Mexico; including Riu Palace Costa Mujeres and Riu Palace Baja California. He also...