Openings, Sales and Renovations for July 2009

Mississauga Radisson bedroom

Radisson Mississauga an eco-show-stopper

MISSISSAUGA, ON—Radisson Hotels & Resorts new $28 million, 100-room, all-suite hotel located on Derry Road East in Mississauga, Ontario, is both environmentally friendly and a show-stopper. The hotel was recently recognized with a Four Key rating by the Eco Rating program from the Hotel Association of Canada as a hotel that has taken significant steps to protect the environment.

When the owners developed the Radisson Plaza Mississauga Toronto Airport their goal was to create something that was showstopping. The result is a beautiful hotel chock full of extraordinary architectural touches such as:

o    40,000 square feet of exotic wood paneling throughout the hotel;
o    Over 1,000 cubic feet of solid wood detailed ornate furniture;
o    20,000 linear metres (65,500 linear feet) of gilded crown mouldings
o    3,000 square metres ( 33,000 square feet ) of fibreglass decorative gilded, mouldings, reliefs, crests, ceiling panels and coves for the Grand Victorian Ballroom, east and west foyers, lobby, bar and dining area, and sandstone replicas on relief for the swimming pool;
o    70,000 square feet of Italian marble and 6,000 square feet of waterjet floral patterns cut in marble to adorn the floor with medallions borders and main fields, plus 2,000 square feet honeycomb backed marble panels for columns and pilasters;
o    400 linear feet of decorative gilded metal railings for the Presidential Suite, Grand Victorian Ballroom west foyer and staircase;
o    3,000 square feet of oil canvas paintings and prints on canvas for 100,000 square feet of “Patty Madden designer” wall covering;
o    22,000 pounds of crystal chandeliers from Europe and Asia;
o    16 trees with 6,000 LED lights each line the parking area and roof garden;
o    60 linear metres of water features and fountains in sandstone replicated finish for exteriors and interiors;
o    Over 200 trees shrubs and plants for landscaping around the hotel and roof garden.

New Sheraton YYZ is coming this summer

WHITE PLAINS, NY—The Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre, a 249-room former Renaissance, owned and managed by Larco Hospitality Management Inc., will convert to a Sheraton on July 15.

The property – Larco’s second Sheraton branded hotel – will receive significant enhancements, including:

o    A revitalized lobby, featuring the Link@Sheraton experience with Microsoft, the brand’s signature communications hub where guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, desktop computers, television viewing, newspapers, magazines and café offerings including Starbucks.
 
o    A guest room refresh that includes the addition of 37” LCD flat panel televisions, oversized work desks, comfortable seating and Sheraton’s new Sweet Sleeper bedding, with new design elements including an all-white linen ensemble, pillows, duvet, sheets and bed skirt.

o    Sheraton Club Level accommodations and an exclusive Club Lounge will be a signature offering to the property, providing deluxe accommodations for business and leisure guests, as well as additional services and amenities.

o    A new health and fitness program, “Sheraton Fitness, Programmed by Core Performance,” will keep guests fit on the road. Through an exclusive partnership, Core Performance designed a holistic program exclusively for Sheraton guests, which is derived from the same training methodology used at Athletes’ Performance, the preferred and premier place for professional athletes to train.  The program helps travellers train and eat healthy, as well as refresh, recharge and refocus their minds and bodies. A glass-domed skylit indoor pool and whirlpool round out the recreational offerings. 

The hotel will also have substantial modern meeting facilities, including 17 meeting rooms across 26,000 sq. ft. of natural light-filled space.  The largest room, the Ambrosia Ballroom offers 7,140 sq. ft. for trade shows, meetings or catered events and weddings.

IHG opens Holiday Inns and Hotel Indigos

TORONTO—InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is opening three Holiday Inn Express hotels plus a second Hotel Indigo, and is planning another Hotel Indigo in Vancouver.
The Holiday Inn Express Newmarket is set to host a grand opening this month while the Holiday Inn Express Prince Albert and Regina South (both in Saskatchewan) are already open.

Continuing the boutique brand’s global rollout, Hotel Indigo announced the opening of the Hotel Indigo Toronto Airport and plans for its third Canadian property in Vancouver, British Columbia, which will open just in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics. 
Hotel Indigo Ottawa opened in February 2007 as the brand’s first property in Canada.

Howard Johnson Fredericton

Howard Johnson opens three Canadian hotels

OAKVILLE, ON—Howard Johnson Canada recently opened three new properties: the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel Fredericton, New Brunswick, the Howard Johnson Hotel Port Alberni, British Columbia and the Howard Johnson Inn Tillsonburg, Ontario.
 
The 112-room Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in Fredericton is located at 958 Prospect Street and features an indoor pool, sauna, seasonal outdoor pool, on-site restaurant, lounge and free high speed Internet access.

The Howard Johnson Tillsonburg features free high speed Internet, free Rise & Dine breakfast, meeting/banquet facilities, an on-site restaurant, ample outdoor parking and is  pet friendly. The property is located at 92 Simcoe St near Annadale Historical site, Lake Lisgar Waterpark, and Gopher Dunes.

The spacious 42-room Howard Johnson Hotel Port Alberni is located at 4850 Beaver Creek Road and is within walking distance to the local Marina.  The property features free high speed Internet, meeting/banquet facilities, is pet friendly and boasts an on-site restaurant, pub and liquor store.

There are currently 54 Howard Johnson locations open across Canada.

Moraine Lake Lodge opens for 97th season

LAKE LOUISE, AB—Moraine Lake Lodge opened for its 97th summer season on June 1. The luxurious resort is set snug in the famous Valley of the Ten Peaks in Banff National Park, approximately a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Calgary.

To kick off its 2009 season, the resort offered a stay of four nights for the price of three for stays between June 1 – 18 with rates starting at $275 per night. Standard lodge pricing resumed June 19 until the resort closes for the winter on October 3.

With the mountains and crystalline lake serving as the main attractions, each of the Lodge’s 33 newly renovated guestrooms provide fireplaces, down duvets, deep soaker tubs, private balconies and custom-made furniture. When designing the Lodge and cabins, world-famous architect, the late Arthur Erickson, ensured that no view went to waste, going as far as incorporating a glass ceiling into the Lodge’s gourmet dining room.

Moraine Lake Lodge is part of the Capilano Group of Companies (CGC), which is owned and operated by Nancy Stibbard, who has developed renowned properties including Capilano Suspension Bridge and Treetops Adventure in Vancouver and Cathedral Mountain Lodge near Lake Louise.

Bear Mountain’s new golf course

Despite recession, Bear Mountain debuts 37 holes of Nicklaus golf

VICTORIA, BC—The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa has opened its brand new Valley Course, the 18-hole, par-71 Nicklaus Design championship course, bringing the total number of Nicklaus-designed holes at the course to 37. At 6,807 yards, the Valley Course plays at a lower elevation than the 7,212-yard Mountain Course, also designed and inspired by Nicklaus.

The Valley Course alternates between 300 and 400 feet above sea level. Coupled with the uniquely challenging course terrain and the area’s natural beauty, Bear Mountain assures its stature among the most sought-after golf destinations in the Americas.

To celebrate the opening of the Valley Course, golfers can experience the new Nicklaus Design Valley Course at The Westin Bear Mountain with the Perfect Round Package and pay rates equal to their golf score for their second night. The Perfect Round Package is offered at $139 per person and includes a one night stay in a traditional guest room (based on double occupancy) and a round of golf per person. The required second night stay’s room rate matches the higher score from the players’ golf card as verified by the golf pro.

Sparkling Hill decor uses Swarovski crystal

VERNON, BC—Sparkling Hill Resort and Wellness Hotel situated high on a pinnacle above Okanagan Lake, had a triple play of announcements in June. The $100 million wellness resort has launched its new brand, tag line and website, as well as announcing the project is right on schedule with an opening of March, 2010.

Where other developers are cancelling projects or scaling back on details, the team behind Sparkling Hill Resort is confidently moving forward with construction continuing at an accelerated pace with two shifts working on the hotel development six days a week.

The vision for this architecturally stunning resort has not wavered on design or the quality of craftsmanship. Concrete pouring is nearing completion, enabling the exterior design to take shape. Framing is well under-way with windows to be placed in the near future to seal the weather out so the Swarovski Crystal design elements can take shape in the guest rooms, restaurants, meeting rooms and wellness areas of the resort.

Sparkling Hill Resort will be the first hotel in North America to incorporate Swarovski Crystal elements into every aspect of its design. With the construction of the resort on schedule, the marketing and branding have become the priority.

As part of the branding process, a new logo, tagline and website were created.

Andy Altmayer, head of innovation for Swarovski Crystal designed the logo to reflect the beauty and serenity of the landscape. The golden burnt orange of the sloping peak above the resort name perfectly matches the sun-dried grass slopes surrounding the resort. The wispy yet elegant lettering and rich tones are clear and to the point.  At the heart of the resort is wellness and the tag line, Whole Body Wellness, is more than a motto, it is a philosophy. Guests will be encouraged to explore all means to a better level of health from walking in the fresh air on the acres of private trails to dining on organic choices in the restaurants.