Okanagan welcomes The Outback resort & rental

VERNON, BC—Set to open in May 2008, The Outback is the Okanagan’s first and only waterfront vacation home resort rental community. Tucked on 60 acres of woodlands on the shores of Okanagan Lake, The Outback offers guests a vacation experience complete with a private beach and marina, pool, hot tubs, tennis courts and fitness centre.

The Outback has over 40 vacation properties ranging from two to three bedroom cottages, cabins and townhomes to spectacular, architecturally unique private Ridge Homes as large as 4,000 square feet with uninterrupted views of Okanagan Lake. Inspired by the surroundings, all of the properties feature accents of heavy timbers and local rockwork.

The Outback is located next to Ellison Provincial park, 35 minutes from Kelowna International Airport and 15 minute drive from Vernon.

The Outback is a project of Boutique Hotels & Resorts of British Columbia, which specializes in upscale hotels, lodges and resorts. Its properties include the new Cove Lakeside Resort in Westbank and The Oswego Hotel in Victoria, Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler and the upcoming Outback Resort in Vernon, Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet, L’Hermitage Hotel in Vancouver and The Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos.

Changing things up at Sydney Best Western

NORTH SYDNEY, NS—Just a few weeks on the job and Paul Sherman, general manager of the Best Western North Star, is already changing things up.

As the largest hotel in the Sydney area with 101 rooms, the Best Western receives a good portion of visitors headed for the Cabot Trail or Newfoundland and Labrador on the ferry.

The hotel is practically on the waterfront overlooking the ferry docks and the cold waters of the Cabot Strait.

A new restaurant, the Signature Fishery, is now open in the hotel. With 75 seats organized in the semi-circle shaped restaurant, every diner is treated to a picturesque backdrop.

“The whole restaurant has windows and a view of the ocean,” Sherman said.

Given is location on the water, the restaurant borrows the nautical theme with its colour scheme, light fixtures and decorating.

The previous on-site restaurant closed down in October to make way for the redesigned space. Sherman said the old restaurant started to feel its age and had gone downhill over the last few years.

“We were looking for a new philosophy,” he said. “We’re kind of shaking it up.”

When he talked with CLN in mid-March, Sherman had narrowed down his choice for executive chef to three candidates each with 15 to 20 years experience.

Once hired, Sherman said he would sit down with the head chef to finalize dishes for the restaurant’s primarily seafood-based menu.

Over the next year, Sherman predicts the hotel would receive the renovation treatment with new bathroom fixtures and an upgrade to the air conditioning system being among the changes.

Two Howard Johnson renos in Saskatchewan

OAKVILLE, ON – Two Saskatchewan hotels, the Howard Johnson Inn - Swift Current and the Howard Johnson Inn - Yorkton recently came under new ownership, and have big plans for improvement.

The 153-room Howard Johnson Yorkton will undergo a million dollar renovation project, starting this month with the target date of completion being March 2009. The restoration of the HJ Yorkton will include exterior remodelling as well as upgrades to guest rooms, on-site restaurant and indoor pool.

The Howard Johnson Swift Current opened in December of 2007 and has been under renovation ever since. Over the next three months, the indoor pool and waterslide, the exterior of the hotel and the 86 guest rooms will all be renovated, including new bedding, carpets, furniture and bathroom treatments, to give the hotel a more modern look.

…And a new “fresh approach” for Halifax

HALIFAX—Howard Johnson Canada is pleased to welcome the Howard Johnson Bluenose Inn Halifax to their growing family. The renovated property is located at 636 Bedford Highway, Halifax and appeals to both corporate and leisure travellers alike. The 52-room hotel also offers guests free parking, complimentary breakfast, waterfront view and full meeting facilities.

This will be the first Howard Johnson to open under the brand’s “fresh approach,” which focuses on a higher level of quality, consistency, service and support.

“We’re confident that we’ll be joining a great franchise,” said Sundeep Gupta, of the ownership group of the Howard Johnson Halifax. “By becoming part of a well-known brand like Howard Johnson we will be able to position ourselves more strategically in a very competitive market.”

Auberge du Draveur receives federal support

MANIWAKI, QC—Maniwaki’s Auberge du Draveur has been granted $200,000 in repayable funding from the federal Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities to carry out its expansion project.

The Auberge intends to enlarge its facilities to include 20 additional rooms, a 320-person conference hall, an exercise centre with sauna and adjoining massage rooms, and various other upgrades to its reception area, elevator, air conditioning room, and laundry facilities as well as new outdoor improvements including a park, pool and spa.

This project should create 10 fulltime jobs and consolidate the 44 jobs already in place.

Staybridge Suites open in Guelph, Oakville

GUELPH AND OAKVILLE-BURLINGTON, ON – Staybridge Suites, a leader in the rapidly growing extended- stay hotel market, announced the expansion of its Canadian portfolio with the opening of two new hotels, Staybridge Suites Guelph and Staybridge Suites Oakville-Burlington. With the addition of these hotels, there are now seven Staybridge Suites properties across Canada.

The 116-suite Staybridge Suites Guelph is located at 11 Corporate Court, within the Hanlon Business Park, Guelph’s emerging business district. The hotel offers discounted memberships at the nearby YMCA, spacious work desks in each room, complimentary guest laundry facilities, and an indoor putting green. The hotel even offers a grocery shopping service.

“We are in an ideal location to provide a home-away-from-home to people who are either doing business in the area, or are here to enjoy some of our regional attractions including St. Jacob’s Farmer’s Market, the University of Guelph and the Wings of Paradise Butterfly Conservatory,” said Gord Bossey, general manager.

The 105-suite Staybridge Suites Oakville-Burlington is located at 2511 Wyecroft Road, off the QEW Highway at Bronte Road in the heart of Bronte Village.

“This is an area of incredible growth,” said Marcelo Tomazo, general manager. “With major businesses close by, we’re able to cater to those who plan to stay for longer periods of time while travelling for business, as well as those visiting the area for its appealing tourist attractions,” added Tomazo.

Days Inn Tumbler Ridge

TUMBLER RIDGE, BC—The newest Days Inns - Canada location is Tumbler Ridge, BC in the northwest part of the province. It is a new construction hotel with 101 guest rooms, meeting facilities, a 24-hour business centre, and fitness facilities.

A variety of room types are available including suites with fireplace, Jacuzzi, kitchenette or microwave, as well as wheelchair accessible rooms. Bathrooms include the SolTerre shower experience featuring a Waterpik six-function showerhead and grapefruit essence SolTerre bathroom amenities.