Wilderness Resort with safari theme and more...

Wilderness Resort has a safari theme

CLAYOQUOT WILDERNESS, BC—Clayoquot Wilderness Resort’s Bedwell River Outpost on the west coast of Vancouver Island, is open May 15 through Oct. 2, 2008, with high season from June 28 through Aug 27. This “eco-safari-style, glamping” resort combines indulgent luxury and  remote untamed wilderness.
 
It is a tent encampment inspired by the 19th century Great Camps of  Africa. Instead of lions and elephants, visitors can photograph bears and whales; instead of lurching over dried out savannahs in safari wagons, guests can canoe, kayak and fish the quiet waters of Clayoquot Sound and explore pristine beaches, Jurassic-sized fern gardens and lush rainforests.
 
The resort is geared toward multi-generational family gatherings or  romantic getaways for active couples.
 
The UNESCO-designated Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve, is famous for its wildlife viewing.  Guided activities include fishing, river and ocean kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding, bear and whale watching, swimming with  the salmon, Wild Side First Nations Interpretive Trail, Hot Spring Cove day  trek, skeet-shooting, rock climbing, and fly-tying clinics.
 
Cost of seven-night Eco Adventure packages  start at $4,750 per person. Packages include return  floatplane fare from Vancouver, horse-drawn wagon shuttle to the Outpost,  accommodations, meals, alcohol, spa and guided activities.

Silvertip Resort village price tag is $1.5 billion

CANMORE, AB—Stone Creek Properties unveiled plans recently for the development of a destination resort village at Silvertip in Canmore, Alberta. At build-out, The Village at Silvertip is projected to draw approximately 200,000 visitors annually including seasonal residents, international travellers, as well as day visitors from Canmore, Calgary and nearby resorts such as Banff.
 
“There is no place quite like Silvertip and there may never be another,” said Guy Turcotte, chairman, president and CEO of Stone Creek Properties Inc. “We have one chance to get it right and are committed to becoming one of the world’s premier resorts… a place that Canmore, Alberta and Canada can be proud of,” he said.

Inspired by the traditional hill towns of Europe, The Village at Silvertip will include a collection of boutique lodges. a luxury hotel, a conference and learning centre, intimate, one-of-a-kind shops, galleries and restaurants, a destination spa and wellness centre, and equally important, access to more than 300 numerous wilderness adventures in the region.

Throughout the development of The Village at Silvertip, the resort will continue to attract golfers to its scenic mountain course, the first built expression of the vision, as well as to its dining and meeting facilities.

Construction is anticipated to begin late 2008/early 2009 with the first phase anticipated to open in 2012. 

Showpiece lobby at Comfort Inn Gander

GANDER, NL—The Comfort Inn Gander, which hosted the Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL)convention earlier this year, has undergone a renovation that includes a showpiece lobby.  The $350,000 renovation integrates glass block partitions in the lobby, and a granite countertop for the front desk. The renovations to the 63-room, two-storey building started on January 7. 

General manager Bruce Sparkes told CLN the room renovations included new carpet and vinyl drapes, plus new vanities for the sinks.  New carpet and vinyl were installed in the corridors, woodwork was added to the staircase, and the full-sized, soundproof gym was also redecorated.

Siblings Bruce and Stephen Sparkes and Judy Sparkes-Giannou own Comfort Inn Gander.  They also own the Comfort Inn Airport St. John’s and are partners in the Quality Inn, Edmundston, NB.  They own Maxxim Vacations as well. Bruce Sparkes is chair of HNL.

New logo, new hotel for Econo Lodge

TORONTO—Choice Hotels Canada has kick-started the spring season with a new logo for its Econo Lodge brand and the addition of a new Econo Lodge hotel to its system.
Over 45 Canadian Econo Lodge hotels will unveil the modern, more stylish logo throughout 2008. The new logo will be integrated immediately into exterior signage on new-build and recently converted properties. All Canadian and U.S. hotels should sport the new logo by the end of 2008.
 
The new logo features a more complex design with a white sparkle and medallion, and embodies the brand’s message of delivering contemporary amenities and friendly, affordable accommodations.
 
The 73-room Econo Lodge Inn & Suites in Cranbrook, BC was the first Econo Lodge brand hotel in Canada to unveil the new look.
 
Choice has also opened the new 46-room Econo Lodge Inn & Suites in Innisfail, Alberta, which is owned by Shazmin & Safina Ltd., and operated by Zul Waljee. Highlights of this new-build property include high-speed Internet access, free continental breakfast and cold weather vehicle hookups. The hotel is located near local attractions like the Wild Discovery Park, and minutes from local shopping and dining.

Airport check in while you check out

GOFFS, NS—Check-in while you check-out. That’s exactly the idea behind the recent announcement from the Quality Inn Halifax Airport hotel, which now offers its guests an airline check-in kiosk in the hotel’s lobby.

The new in-lobby kiosk will give guests a chance for advance check-in for six different airlines that serve the Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport including Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet and Northwest Airlines.

“Air travel can be stressful and I think that people will really appreciate our efforts in trying to make their lives just a little bit easier with this new kiosk,” says Shelly Dean, general manager of the 156-room hotel.
 
Edmonton Days Inn reno of the year

EDMONTON, AB—Days Inn - Edmonton Downtown has completed over $2 million in extensive facility and guestroom renovations. The one-year project included major exterior and interior modifications, as well as the move to be 100 per cent smoke-free. These renovations won the hotel the Days Inns - Canada ‘Renovation of the Year’ in January 2008. Freida Valji is the hotel’s general manager.

Guestroom upgrades include new windows, drapery, paint and tile along with duvets and sheets, modern furniture and carpeting. Guestrooms also feature the SolTerre shower experience, offering increased light and elbowroom through an innovative window pane shower curtain and curved shower rod.

Facility upgrades include a renovated lobby (shown above), a fitness centre and meeting room as well as new furniture and carpeting throughout the hotel. The hotel’s hallways have been brightened with new light fixtures, while the exterior has been refaced and new outdoor signage added.

Ho-Jo for Airdrie

OAKVILLE, ON—The new Howard Johnson Inn – Airdrie, AB will be the fourth property to join the system in the last four months and the second new-build project. This will also be the second Howard Johnson property for owner, Kirshan Mall.

The 156-room property will be located on Highway 2 and Yankee Valley Road, 15 minutes north of Calgary airport. The location will appeal to both business travellers and leisure travellers alike, with features such as meeting and banquet facilities as well as an indoor pool and waterslide.

Mall has enlisted the help of architect Lloyd R. McLean and Rob Lavigne of CutForth Technologists Limited for technical support on the project.  Construction should begin later this year, with at target opening date of summer 2009.

Sheraton updates 100 hotels

WHITE PLAINS, NY—One of the most recognized hotel brands in the world is getting a makeover.
 
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.’s largest and most global brand, has launched a comprehensive new design of its lobbies and guest rooms that will significantly enhance its portfolio of hotels and resorts. Sheraton and its owners are undertaking an aggressive multi-year strategy to improve the quality and consistency of the brand portfolio that includes $1.3 billion in renovations, $400 million in key brand initiatives and $2 billion in new hotel openings.
 
Sheraton will upgrade 100 hotels in the U.S. – nearly half its North American portfolio – renovate 50,000 guestrooms and re-design more than 100 new lobbies.
 
The plan is part of a global initiative to revitalize the Sheraton brand and differentiate the guest experience at each of its 406 hotels across 71 countries.