AINSWORTH, BC-The 5,600 square foot, historic Silver Ledge hotel, in the BC Kootenay town of Ainsworth, was levelled by fire June 3. The Silver Ledge contained an irreplaceable collection of Ainsworth historical items, original dressers, wash stands, armoires, bar chairs, coal stoves, a beautiful wooden bar and original liquor cases. Cathy Brewer, co-owner of the hotel estimates that the items were worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Brewer's estranged husband, Randolph Paul Hanoski, is facing a charge of arson in connection with the blaze.
Vancouver to get $450 million casino-hotel
VANCOUVER-Las Vegas-based Paragon Development has hired IBI/HB Architects and the Rockwell Group to help design its $450 million casino complex, which will be attached to BC Place stadium.
The project is to include 620 rooms in two hotels, five restaurants and more than 100,000 square feet of gaming space, according to a Paragon statement.
This is a second Vancouver casino for the company, which purchased the downtown Edgewater Casino in September 2006. The company may close Edgewater once the new project opens in 2013. Paragon also owns the River Cree Resort casino outside of Edmonton, Alberta and Eagle River Casino in Alberta.
Choice breaks ground on first Suburbans
SILVER SPRING, MD-Choice Hotels International, Inc. broke ground this week on the company's first Suburban Extended Stay Hotel properties for Canada in Estevan, Saskatchewan and Thompson, Manitoba. Both hotels are designed to accommodate the large number of travellers in the two Canadian cities, especially those staying for longer periods of time in the cities' growing industrial fields.
The hotel in Thompson, MB, owned and operated by Accommodations North, Ltd., will contain 70 rooms on Moak Crescent.
Angelo Paletta of Accommodations North says, "The services and amenities of the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brand are directed specifically to our target consumers, including relocating employees, construction companies, and the trade and service industries in Manitoba."
The 89-room hotel located at Rooney and Kensington St. in Estevan, SK is owned and operated by Estevan Hospitality Endeavors LP/ Bridge Road Developments Ltd./Encore Hospitality Incorporated.
"The Estevan market is tuned to an extended stay hotel, and in turn, this Choice brand caters specifically to the unique Estevan area needs, with amenities specially designed to provide longer term lodging for a large number of the people traveling to the area" said David Landzaat, CEO of Encore Hospitality Inc.
Both Suburban Extended Stay properties, franchised by Choice Hotels International, are expected to open in early 2011.
Senses restaurant brand now in Canmore
CANMORE, AB & TORONTO, ON-Metropolitan Hotels has brought their critically acclaimed Senses restaurant brand to Canmore, AB with the opening of Habitat Restaurant at the Grande Rockies Resort last month.
Habitat Restaurant, Grande Rockies Resort
The sophisticated, yet approachable décor includes dark millwork, and rich gold and cream textiles complete the modern intimate feel.
Interior designer Paul Waddell defines the space as an escape that showcases rich, natural tones, which complement the Canadian Rockies backdrop. The colourful light fixtures also act like pieces of modern art.
"I have used finishes and millwork that will complement the mountains in full view for our guests," Waddell says. "Essentially the goal was to create a natural, understated setting that allows Chef Leung's strong flavours and bold cuisine to take centre stage."
Head chef Vincent Leung has developed a menu that includes strong Asian flavours from China, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. Presented in a contemporary style, ingredients also include fresh, local products from Canmore, Calgary and their surrounding areas.
He has melded the traditional Alberta flavours of beef tenderloin and rib eye steaks, with the international tastes of Peking style duck, sablefish with a herb mustard crust, along with wasabi mashed potatoes for sharing. The restaurant's blend of personal and sharing dishes is designed to create a memorable dining experience with friends and family.
Hilton Garden Inn to rise in Brampton, ON
BRAMPTON, ON-Hilton Garden Inn, the fastest growing brand within the Hilton portfolio, has announced the groundbreaking of its seven-storey full service 132-room Hilton Garden Inn Brampton, located at Hwy 407 and Airport Road adjacent to the Pearson Convention Centre. The hotel's restaurant, The Garden Grill, will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and will offer a full beverage service, including cocktails and a comprehensive drinks list. In the summer, guests can enjoy their drinks on the hotel's outdoor patio. Other on-site amenities will include a heated indoor swimming pool and a fully equipped, complimentary Fitness Centre.
The Hilton Garden Inn Brampton, owned by the JM Hospitality Group, will be operated by them under a license agreement with Hilton Worldwide.
Ribbon cutting marks Holiday Inn Barrie reno
BARRIE, ON-The Holiday Inn sign introduced in 2007 is making its way around the world. Last month, the Holiday Inn Barrie Hotel & Conference Centre announced this green beacon of hospitality will light the way for visitors to Barrie, in an official ribbon cutting ceremony June 16.
"We are proud to be a part of the nearly 3,200 hotels globally that have received millions of dollars in renovations to meet the brand standards set by Holiday Inn Brands, the Americas," said Donald Buckle, general manager for the Holiday Inn Barrie Hotel & Conference Centre.
The new signage is the final seal of approval which demonstrates that the hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn brand re-launch program established to create a more contemporary brand image, increase quality and drive consistency. Holiday Inn Barrie is excited to receive the new sign and to be a part of this distinguished group of hotels.
Private dining room, Holiday Inn, Barrie
Zorbing at Horseshoe's new Adventure Park
TORONTO, ON-Horseshoe Resort, located one hour north of Barrie, ON, opened its state-of-the-art Adventure Park, for family fun on July 1. With over 11 acres of activities, the park is offering zorbing. To picture zorbing, think of rolling down a hill in a hamster ball. This is the first zorbing installation in Ontario, and the only fully operational zorb park in Canada. Skyline Hotels and Resorts, Horseshoe's parent company, is investing $4.25 million in the resort this year and next.
Zorbing at Horseshoe Resort
Skyline is also opening a marina in Port McNicoll, located on the Georgian Bay, this summer and officially reopening the Port for the first time in 50 years. There will be world-class fishing, boating, snowmobiling and hiking.
Skyline anticipates that Port McNicoll, brought together with Horseshoe Resort, will become the largest full service, year round, master-planned recreational destination in Canada.
Courtyard unveils lobby design in Kingston
KINGSTON, ON-Courtyard by Marriott has rolled out its new lobby and room design in Kingston, Ontario. This is the first Courtyard in the area featuring the "Refreshing Business" makeover.
"Guests want more control and choice with services and amenities that create a healthy balance between working and relaxing," said Janis Milham, vice president, global brand manager, Courtyard by Marriott.
The open, bright and contemporary new Courtyard hotel lobby welcomes guests with vivid contrasting colors, including blue, green, orange and red. The traditional front desk is replaced with separate welcome pedestals to create more personal and private interactions when guests check in. Flexible seating options range from a communal table in the middle of the action, to more private media booths with high-definition televisions, to a more intimate, semi-enclosed lounge area.
A signature element of the new lobby is the GoBoard, a 52-inch LCD touch screen packed with local information, maps, weather, and news, business and sports headlines.
The 128-room Courtyard Kingston Highway 401/Division Street opened in late May. The hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Easton's Group of Hotels of Markham, Ontario.
Le Georgesville update
QUEBEC, QC-Le Georgesville, a four-star hotel located in the Beauce region, is upgrading its facilities to the tune of $5 million between April 2009 and September 2010. Rooms, ballroom, main lobby and exterior will undergo a makeover to offer an exceptional quality of accomodations. InnVue's in-room entertainment solution will be part of those modifications.
The establishment includes 11 meeting rooms for all group sizes, which makes it a host of choice for all types of events.
"Offering a memorable stay to their customers thanks to a quality service and multiple commodities is essential for us'' stated Alain April, hotel manager of Le Georgesville.
April is also the director of Chateau Bonne Entente since 1995 and was recently recognized as a visionary at the 60th anniversary of the Quebec Region Hotel Association (AHQ) where he received the Hotelier of the Decade award.
Renos are essential in competitive Saskatoon
SASKATOON, SK-Murray Waters, GM of the Ramada Hotel & Golf Dome in Saskatoon recently completed a multimillion dollar renovation of his 144-room hotel.
But he says he's not the only one in Saskatoon who's upgrading. "The economy is strong and steady in Saskatoon-it's kind of an anomaly," he told CLN. "Everybody is upgrading. It's so competitive, and now everyone has to do their part."
The renovations have added a ‘wow' factor to the hotel, which was built in 1978. When guests get off the elevator, they are greeted by a striking red wall. The style of room has been completely updated, there are fridges and microwaves, and the wiring has been upgraded as well.
Waters has been pleased with the effect on occupancy-his hotel had occupancy figures in the 80s at a time when most of the city had numbers in the 70s.
"It really helps. We're inviting people who have stayed with us come back and see the new rooms."
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