Openings, Sales & Renos ~ November 2011

Groundbreaking for Canada’s first Element

BURNABY, BC—Bosa Properties recently celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of Canada’s first Element Hotel, the trailblazer in eco-conscious hospitality from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Set to welcome guests in 2014, Element Vancouver Metrotown will be managed by Atlific Hotels. With 169 guest rooms and suites, the property will also offer a wealth of amenities to keep guests active, healthy and balanced when on the road, including complimentary wellness programs and healthy food options.

When it launched in 2008, Element made history by becoming the first major hotel brand to mandate that all its properties pursue LEED certification.

There are now nine Element hotels across North America.

The hotel will be a part of Sovereign, a master-planned project comprised of 90,000 square feet of prime retail space with 202 condominium residences and will stand tall at 500-feet, and will effectively be the highest high-rise above sea-level in the lower mainland.

Coast seeks another hotel for Kamloops

KAMLOOPS, BC—Coast Hotels and Resorts has decided not to renew its franchise agreement with the Coast Canadian Inn in Kamloops, according to a report in the Kamloops Daily News.

“It’s kind of a mutual agreement with the owners,” said Sherry Baumgardner, Coast director of marketing.  “We’ve looked at what our needs are in that market and we decided that the Coast Canadian Inn didn’t meet our needs any more.”

She added that Coast is talking to other hoteliers in the city in hopes of finding a new Coast franchisee.

Fly-In-Fly-Out Resort Launches in Comox

COMOX, BC—Comox Bay Marina and Residences will now be a fly-in-fly-out resort following a partnership between the marina and Harbour Air.

Harbour Air is now operating three round trip flights per day from Vancouver Harbour to Comox Bay Marina and Residences. Passengers can step off the airplane on the doorstep of the resort.

“This is a very unique perk for owners at Comox Bay Marina and Residences,” Michael Hawitt, president of Howard Land Group, said, “A scheduled air service to your front door on Vancouver Island makes owning here so much more convenient and cost effective.”

At less than $200 per round trip, the 45-minute flights from Vancouver Harbour are quickly gaining in popularity for residents in Comox Bay.

Fortis acquires its first Hilton property

Hilton Suites Winnipeg Airport

WINNIPEG—Fortis Properties Corporation has acquired its twenty-second hotel, the Hilton Suites Winnipeg Airport. The company purchased the hotel from WBP Wellington Trust.

The full-service hotel features 160 guest rooms comprised primarily of suite products and over 8,000 square feet of meeting space.

“This hotel is a leader in the Winnipeg airport market, offering guests an upper-tier hotel product,” said Nora Duke, president and chief executive officer, Fortis Properties Corporation. “The hotel strongly complements our existing portfolio and further enhances our position in the Winnipeg market.”

Fortis Properties will undertake $4.2 million in capital investments over the next two years to further enhance the facility and positively impact guest experience. Upgrades will be completed on guest rooms, food and beverage and meeting facilities and public areas.

This acquisition represents the company’s first Hilton product.

With the addition of the Hilton Suites Winnipeg Airport, Fortis Properties owns and operate 22 hotels, representing 4,300 rooms, in eight Canadian provinces. The company also has commercial real estate and non-regulated hydroelectric operations. Fortis Properties has a team of more than 2,400 employees.

Holiday Inn Red Deer in Hwy. 2 Gasoline Alley

RED DEER, AB—The new Holiday Inn Red Deer South, which opened on Oct. 3, offers a variety of amenities for business and leisure travellers. These include an on-site fitness centre, a pool and hot tub, an open concept ballroom and 6,996 square feet of meeting space.

The Holiday Inn Red Deer is located just outside the city limits on the Gasoline Alley-Hwy. 2. The hotel includes 114 bedrooms, 24 of which are suites featuring one bedroom and a separate living room. The hotel is minutes away from the Collicutt Recreational Centre, Edgar Industrial Park and the River Bend Golf Course.

Hotel Carlingview has a fresh, new look

King guestroom at Hotel Carlingview Toronto Airport

TORONTO—Hotel Carlingview Toronto Airport has unveiled a brand new redesign. Managed by Atlific Hotels, the hotel introduces a whole new dimension of comfort to its 112 guest rooms, a fresh new look to its public spaces and meeting room and a brand new name to better reflect the amenities on offer at this convenient airport property.

The renovation began with a different look and new comforts for the hotel’s 112 guest rooms. Upgraded mattresses and bedding, new and comfortable sofas and ergonomically designed desk chairs all harmonized by a great new color scheme and a state of the art LG flat screen television, provide guests with everything needed to relax.

Complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle, a light continental breakfast, business center and free high-speed wireless throughout the hotel make getting to the airport effortless.

Hotel Carlingview Toronto Airport also includes an on-site Greek restaurant, access to an indoor pool with whirlpool and fitness center at their sister hotel, 20 steps from the front door. The hotel’s refreshed meeting space, which is flooded with natural light, can accommodate up to 40 people, making it the perfect location for board meetings, seminars or private events.

See the difference a $40 million reno makes

The Link at Le Centre Sheraton Montreal

MONTREAL—From the rooftop Club Lounge to the lower level meeting space, Le Centre Sheraton Montreal recently announced the near completion of an all encompassing $40 million renovation.

All meeting space, guest rooms, restaurants and public spaces of this flagship property have been refurbished with immaculate attention to detail and guest comfort. As part of the multi-million make-over, the hotel will feature all the Sheraton brand’s signature offerings including the Sweet Sleeper Bed, Club Lounge, Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft and Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance.

The multi-million renovation of the Le Centre Sheraton Montreal comes on the heels of the completion of the Sheraton brand’s recent $6 billion global revitalization effort.

Starwood has spent the last few years renovating and rebuilding one of the hotel industry’s most iconic brands and Sheraton now stands stronger than ever with the strongest portfolio in its history.

The brand is gaining market share, RevPAR continues to rise, guest satisfaction scores are the highest in the brand’s history and likelihood to return, likelihood to recommend and meeting planner and associate engagement scores are also at all-time highs—signalling that guests are taking notice and rediscovering the new Sheraton.

Ramada Crystal Palace rated one of the best

Pool at Ramada Crystal Palace in Dieppe, NB

DIEPPE, NB—The Ramada Plaza Crystal Palace Hotel  at 499 Paul St, Dieppe, NB, recently announced that it has been awarded “The Best of 2011” award by Ramada Worldwide, placing the hotel among the very best that the brand has to offer in its nearly 900 hotel portfolio.

The hotel became eligible for the award after distinguishing itself as a leader amongst the brand, setting itself apart through outstanding performance in areas such as customer service, revenue generation and overall quality.

The Ramada Plaza Crystal Palace Hotel is a 115 room hotel offering a large convention centre, restaurant, lounge, pool, fitness center and boasting amazing customer service. Rooms feature flat-screen televisions, pillow top mattresses, fluffy duvets and special amenities.

“This is a great honour for our hotel and a direct result of the hard work of our wonderful staff,” said Rolande Thibodeau, the hotel’s general manager.

Trump Toronto opening slated for early 2012

TORONTO—Brookfield Multiplex Construction Canada Limited (Brookfield Multiplex) will manage the final phase of construction of Canada’s first Trump International Hotel & Tower property, scheduled to open in Toronto early 2012.

The company officially took over construction in September, aiming to work around the clock to finish the 60-storey, 900-foot tower that will hold the title of Canada’s tallest residential building.

Brookfield Multiplex has built over 300 high rise towers internationally in such cosmopolitan cites as Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, London and Dubai.

Upon its completion, the first Trump-branded property to be situated in Canada will feature 118 luxury residences and 261 hotel guest rooms and suites.

A limited selection of suites remain available for sale and are currently priced from $967,000 for hotel condominiums and $2.3-million for residential suites (all figures in Canadian dollars).

The hotel will occupy the lower portion on the building, on levels 11-30. Deluxe studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites, ranging from approximately 578 to over 2,000 sq. ft., will offer guests the largest accommodations in the city. The top floor of the hotel will offer five exclusive suites with additional services and amenities.