Iconic hotel now a Crowne Plaza

NIAGARA FALLS, ON—The historic Brock Plaza in Canada is joining the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts portfolio following an extensive renovation. The hotel is located directly across from Niagara Falls. It has both intimate options for smaller meeting groups and special occasions, and grand-scale meeting space accommodating up to 800 guests. Adjacent to the hotel is an additional 200,000 square feet of meeting space.

The 234-room hotel is owned and managed by Canadian Niagara Hotels Inc. under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group.

The new property is also connected to Casino Niagara.

Days Inn conversion in St. Catharines

ST. CATHARINES, ON—Days Inns - Canada has announced the opening of its newest hotel in St. Catharines, ON. Located in the heart of the Niagara Region, Days Inn - St. Catharines/Niagara offers 99 spacious guest rooms, an indoor pool, complimentary highspeed Internet access, on-site Perkins Restaurant and Wrigley’s Field Sports Bar & Grill.

“Our hotel is perfect for the traveller seeking great value, top-quality accommodations and exceptional service,” said hotel owner Chris Nitso.

Close to the QEW, the five-storey hotel is an easy drive to Niagara Falls and historic Niagara on the Lake.

First Knight’s Inn for New Brunswick

WOODSTOCK, NB—The first Knight’s Inn in New Brunswick (above) is located in the picturesque town of Woodstock in the Saint John River Valley. The former Stiles Motel underwent renovations in April in order to achieve Knights Inn Canada standards. The property features 30 guest rooms, free wireless Internet, free parking, and an on-site restaurant.

“We’re very excited to be joining the Knights Inn Brand,” stated CJ Padda of the of the hotel’s new management group. “With their help, we will be a premier choice for budgetconscious guests looking for quality accommodations and great service in the Woodstock area.”

Knights Inn is set to continue their expansion across Canada with an estimated six properties opening over the next 12 months, adding to its existing portfolio of 12 properties.

Radisson comes to Edmonton South

EDMONTON, AB—Carlson Hotels Worldwide has announced the opening of its newest Canadian hotel, the 235-room Radisson Hotel Edmonton South. This is the first Radisson hotel in the City of Edmonton and complements the coast-to-coast offering of upper-end Radisson hotels across Canada.

The Radisson Hotel Edmonton South, on Edmonton’s popular South Side, has a strong reputation in the meeting and convention circles as well as being perfectly situated for leisure travellers. The hotel is currently undergoing a $5.3 million renovation. Already finished is a complete refurbishing of all guest rooms. Refurbishing of banquet and meeting space, food and beverage outlets, public areas and the lobby are currently underway.

“This hotel is a wonderful property, from its jaw-dropping 4-story atrium to its beautifully decorated guest rooms,” says Sandy Russell, senior director, revenue generation, Carlson Hotels Worldwide. “Add to that the planned renovations and the fact that this hotel has outstanding convention  and meeting space and this first foray into Edmonton for Radisson is a welcome addition.”

HoJo for Gananoque to open June 1

GANANOQUE ON—Howard Johnson Inn Gananoque is the latest Ontario addition to the franchise.

Located in the heart of the Thousand Islands region on the bank of the St. Lawrence River, the new Howard Johnson Inn Gananoque features 60 guest rooms. The property offers guests a heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi hot tub, complimentary continental breakfast, free parking and full meeting facilities.

The Howard Johnson Gananoque is currently undergoing renovations to achieve Howard Johnson standards; renovations are set to be completed and the property is scheduled to open on June 1, 2008.

Howard Johnson expects to open at least six new properties over the next eight months.

New build HoJo in Sainte Adèle, QC

SAINTE ADELE, QC–Howard Johnson Manoirs De L’Aigle Resort Hotel in Sainte Adèle, Quebec will be the third property to join the system in the last three months as the brand continues their drive for new franchises.

The Howard Johnson Manoirs De L’Aigle Resort Hotel is being developed as a hotel condominium project and will feature 120 guest rooms, restaurant, lounge, meeting and banquet facilities, indoor pool and a spa. The project design will encompass a chateau feeling in a Laurentian setting, which will cater to both the leisure and corporate markets. The project developer is Guy Pare.

With construction slated to begin later this year, the facility has targetted an opening of Autumn 2009.

Super 8 hotel for suburban Montreal

MONTREAL, QC—A new hotel for suburban Montreal, Super 8 Hotel Lachenaie, opened for business on April 08, and the CEO of Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc.(PHSI), Glenn Squires, is enthusiastic about its potential.

Seasoned hotel professional Chad Theriault has assumed the position of general manager for the 81-room hotel and “we are confident he will put a decade of hospitality experience to good use into making this property beneficial for Lachenaie,” Squires said.

Super 8 Hotel Lachenaie has three meeting rooms. It boasts an indoor pool with the ever-popular waterslide, a hot tub and a fitness centre.