Bear Estate expands Collingwood venue

COLLINGWOOD, ON—For many years, Cranberry Resort and Conference Centre used the old Bear Estate as its venue for wedding and other celebrations.  The setting included a 1200 sq. ft. lake cabin that could seat 72 guests banquet style, and an 1,800 sq. ft. tent that could accommodate 180 people during warmer weather.  The Bear Estate’s biggest asset was its location right on Georgian Bay, with 16 willow trees contributing to the romantic setting.

Earlier this year, the old Bear Estate was torn down to make way for a new facility with triple the floor space, a 90-foot-long wall of windows facing the water, and an on-site kitchen.  The new Bear Estate can accommodate up to 270 banquet style and 300 classroom style.  Two retractable walls mean the main conference area can be broken down into three separate rooms for breakout sessions.  There’s a foyer “crush” area suitable for cocktails or a buffet, and a two-sided bar that opens into both the crush area and one section of the main conference room.  And, importantly, it is no longer just a seasonal operation.

“The view with the willow trees makes the Bear Estate a popular place to celebrate weddings, anniversaries and even a few celebrations of life,” says Marti Williams, director of sales for Cranberry Resort.  “People in the area like outdoor activities, so it all ties in.”
The facility is also suitable for conferences, team building and retreats. “So often the whole point is to have people leave the city. They can do their meetings up here with the whole ambiance of wide open spaces,” Williams adds.  “We tell them, ‘you have to step out of the office to step out of the box,’ and let your mind roam free in the open space.”

Team building activities can include an Amazing Race, Mini-Olympics or a Low Ropes Course.  One activity in the low ropes course is called “whale watch”.  Team members line up on a teeter-totter and have the challenge of keeping it level as members get off one by one – a challenge that involves both teamwork and communication.

The varied backgrounds of the kitchen team mean guests can choose from a wide range of menu items.  Memories restaurant in the Cranberry hotel serves a French fusion menu, but the team has also catered buffets, cocktail receptions and even a Mardi Gras themed dinner.

“We can do many things with smaller groups,” Williams says. “We’ve done Marina Sunset Cruises and interactive cooking with the chef.”

Williams is planning a shoulder-season special in November, which includes a single occupancy room, all meals and coffee breaks, meeting space, and access to the pool and exercise room for $159.
 
Railway history stays as motel comes down

PORT PERRY, ON—Plans call for the Port Perry Railroadhouse Motor Hotel to be torn down to make way for a new Shopper’s Drug Mart, but councillors have agreed that the town’s rich railway history must somehow be showcased if a new store is built at the intersection of Hwy. 7A and Water Street. A 15,736 sq. ft. Shoppers Drug Mart store is proposed for the site.

Brand new Best West hotel for Dartmouth

DARTMOUTH, NS—Best Western Dartmouth Hotel and Suites, located at 15 Spectacle Lake Drive in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is now open for business. Owned by Advanced Hospitality, this brand-new hotel offers 125 guest rooms including 84 suites.

Hotel amenities include a fitness center, indoor swimming pool and whirlpool. Guests will enjoy the hotel’s on-site full-service restaurant, Trends Café and Wine Bar. Each room is equipped with a refrigerator, 32-inch flat screen television and complimentary high-speed Internet access. For the business traveller, the hotel offers a business center and 1,125 square feet of meeting space to accommodate up to 90 people.
  
The Best Western Dartmouth Hotel & Suites is Dartmouth’s newest property. The hotel is located right in the heart of Burnside Industrial Park with easy access to Nova Scotia’s newest shopping destination, Dartmouth Crossing.

Four Points opens in Levis, QC near ferry

LEVIS, QC—The newly constructed Four Points by Sheraton Levis Convention Centre offers 150 spacious rooms, complimentary high-speed Internet, and 15,000 square feet of premium conference space, including 15 state-of-the-art meeting rooms. Conveniently located just five minutes from the Levis ferry facing Old Quebec, the new hotel is connected via an enclosed walkway to the neighbouring Levis Convention Centre. Nearby attractions include Old Quebec, Levis historical sites, the Parc Aquarium of Quebec and numerous restaurants and shopping centers.

Ramada Edmonton reno Stage 1 complete

EDMONTON, AB—The Ramada Conference Centre Edmonton, the city’s largest hotel and conference facility, has completed the first stage of its $8-million renovation. The facelift of the 428-guestroom hotel started in April this year. The renovations include a major refreshing of the décor in the guest rooms, lobby and conference facilities.
 
The majority of the guest rooms incorporate warm colours, including golds, blues and beiges, accompanied by maple wood accents. The refreshed rooms also include new artwork, lighting, large desks with comfortable ergonomic chairs, luxurious bedding and granite countertops as well as new furniture and 37-inch flat screen TVs in some rooms, with more to follow.

The lobby received new carpeting and a welcoming front desk. The main ballroom, which offers 10,000 square feet of pillar-free convention space, also received a new look with fresh paint, a new dance floor and new carpeting.  The hotel restaurant has also changed.  Julie’s Bistro is now a botaniCa Restaurant with new decor, a new menu featuring local flavours, and artwork by local artist Catherine Abel.