Resorts
ASTA Applauds Hilton Initiative
The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has commended Hilton Worldwide for its recognition of the value travel agents add as an extension of its brand and business. On Feb. 16, Hilton launched a new campaign communicating that Hilton HHonors members can receive discounts on room rates not only when booking through its own channels, but also through preferred corporate travel partners and approved travel agents. The discount is available at more than 4,500 hotels around the world. “Representatives of ASTA and Hilton have recently held discussions on a variety of industry...
Transat Exclusive
Transat has added the new Ocean Casa del Mar resort, located in Cayo Santa Mari, to its line-up in Cuba. Located along a white sand beach, the all-inclusive, 800-room Ocean Casa del Mar is a 4.5-star resort – exclusive to Transat – featuring eight restaurants, including a selection of à la carte restaurants, nine bars, four pools (two for adults, one for children and one for babies), business centre and an array of recreational activities and water...
Meliá Set For Manhattan Opening
Meliá Hotels International will launch its first property in New York City in March. Located at 132 West 27th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue, INNSIDE New York NoMad is within easy access of the city’s iconic landmarks and attractions, including New York Highline, Times Square and Madison Square Gardens. The new hotel will boast 313 spacious guest rooms, with neutral contemporary interiors and accents of colour, along with oversized floor to ceiling windows. The hotel has eight suites, including three unique terrace suites, with views of New York’s skyline and the Empire...
Bold New Benefits
Choice Hotels International, Inc. has unveiled a series of “bold” changes to its guest rewards program, Choice Privileges. All of the changes have been developed to bring “greater and faster value” to the more than 25 million members of the program. Some of the new benefits include: Your Extras: Weekday travellers can earn a special reward right when they check in. For each qualifying stay that includes at least 1 week day night (any night Sun. through Thurs.), the member can earn a special reward of their choice. Canadian members have 2 options: 500 bonus points...
Sandals Sells Grand Pineapple Antigua
Sandals Resorts International (SRI) – the parent company of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts – has announced the sale of Grand Pineapple Antigua to Elite Island Resorts effective May 30, 2016. The 180-room resort, located at Long Bay, Antigua, will continue accepting bookings and will remain open as it seamlessly transitions to a new name and brand, Pineapple Beach Club, on June 1 under Elite Island Resorts’ ownership. According to the agreement with Elite Island Resorts, all resort staff members will remain in place under the new management...
Better Than Par
The Lake Placid region of New York has created a promotion to entice Canadians to cross the border through March: The “Better Than Par” promotion with ski & stay deals and discounts from local hotels and resorts -- with some of the rates starting at US$99 per person with lift tickets. Just a few hours from Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, Canadians don't have to venture far to stay on the slopes for less. A sampling of “Better Than Par” deals can be found below. Whiteface Lodge Resort & Spa: The All Suite Resort offers a Canadian Par Deal of 30% off through March....
Spreading The Love
Celebrities helped spread the love this Valentine's Day weekend in support of Dwyane Wade's Annual All-Star Bowling Classic in Toronto. The star-studded Saturday event benefited Game Changer, the collaborative integrated sports program to assist youth in under-served communities in South Florida and the Caribbean that was created by The Sandals Foundation and Wade's World Foundation. Wade told the gathering that he was grateful for “an opportunity to team up with Sandals,” which uses its Sandals Foundation – the non-profit arm of Sandals Resorts International – in different...
Canadians Love To Travel
In its latest Hotel Price Index (HPI), Hotels.com reports that while New York, Las Vegas and London remained the top 3 destinations for Canadians travelling outside the country in 2015, demand for European destinations increased and there was a “renewed passion” by Canadians to travel to “more exotic” destinations. Hotels.com's Taylor L. Cole, observed: “Canadians have an inherent sense of adventure and have always shown a great desire to experience new and different cultures.” Cole pointed out that: “We're seeing that interest continuing to increase as Canadians seek...