Hotel Industry News | Canada's Travel Industry

By Bob Mowat

December 2, 2016

Sandals Hosts Prince Harry

Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort recently welcomed Prince Harry of Wales, who spent two days in Saint Lucia, the third stop on a tour of seven Caribbean nations with strong historic links to the monarchy. The prince arrived at the resort on Nov. 24, to a royal welcome from Sandals general manager, Winston Anderson and his team of resort executives. Anderson said: “Upon his return to the resort, the prince and a select group of 13 others took advantage of the culinary expertise of Sandals’ chefs in an intimate setting in the Langara Room. Rave reviews from the...

By Bob Mowat

December 2, 2016

Taj, Shangri-La Form Alliance

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Mumbai-based Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces have formed a strategic alliance to broaden their reach and offer more unique experiences to guests across Asia and the world. The alliance will officially launch in March 2017 with the introduction of the “Warmer Welcomes” program, which integrates Taj InnerCircle and Shangri-La’s Golden Circle guest loyalty programs, thereby provide members reciprocal and seamless benefits. As well, the “Warmer Welcomes” program will offer Shangri-La and Taj’s 6 million loyalty program...

By Bob Mowat

December 1, 2016

No Reservations About New RIU Policy

RIU Hotels & Resorts has eliminated the need for guests to make reservations at its a la carte restaurants at properties in the Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America, a policy the company dubs, “No Reservations, No Limitations!” The news was revealed “in Canada first” at the chain's annual Sunwing Group co-sponsored Christmas luncheon for top producers in Toronto yesterday. “This is such a great market for us,” said RIU director of business development & partner marketing Hugo Aguilera of the choice to make the announcement here. Aguilera, and colleague Sergi...

By Bob Mowat

December 1, 2016

Travel Is The Secret To True Happiness

No matter what kind of holiday people take, it's a universal truth that travel makes everyone happy. And now, Booking.com has commissioned new research that reveals that travel gives people such an emotional boost, that they consider planning and going away on holiday more vital for our happiness than other big life occasions – such as a person's wedding day (49%); going on a date with a partner (51%); landing a new job (50%); getting engaged (45%); and even having a baby (29%). Furthermore, 77% say they book a holiday just when they’re in need of a happiness boost. The new...

By TravelPress Staff

November 30, 2016

InterContinental Gets Festive

With only a month left until Christmas, “12 Days of Christmas Cocktails” is being offered at all InterContinental Hotels in Canada. InterContinental Toronto Centre, InterContinental Toronto Yorkville and InterContinental Montreal are spreading holiday joy during December with 12 festive cocktails infused with the flavours of the season. Festive herbs and spices such as cinnamon, rosemary and thyme to the tastes of cranberries, lemons and apples are paired with specially selected rums, gins, liqueurs, vodkas and other spirits to warm guests on a cold winter’s night. The festive...

By TravelPress Staff

November 29, 2016

Secrets Debuts Cap Cana Resort & Spa

AMResorts continues to expand its Secrets Resorts & Spas brand with the opening of Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa. The 457-room, adults-only resort, located within the exclusive gated community of Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, marks a new destination for the AMResorts Collection and the 15th property in the Secrets Resorts & Spas portfolio. In addition to offering guests its signature Unlimited-Luxury concept, where everything is included, adults can expect elegant accommodations, including bungalow-style and swim out suites, romantic inclusions such as Make a...

By TravelPress Staff

November 28, 2016

Hilton’s Curio Collection Set For Costa Rica

Hilton is expanding its portfolio into Costa Rica with the signing of the Botánika Osa Peninsula to Curio - A Collection by Hilton. The resort, slated to open in 2018, will be on the Osa Peninsula, an unspoiled tropical rainforest that is home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity. The property will be nearby the Golfo Dulce, where one of the world’s few tropical fjords is located and migrating humpback whales can be seen seasonally. With the new eco-friendly Botánika resort, guests will be able to fully immerse themselves in one of the most remote locations in Costa Rica while...

By TravelPress Staff

November 24, 2016

Sercotel in Cuba

Spanish hotel firm Sercotel hotels is hoping its hotels become a familiar sight in Cuba. The company, in business for 22 years and which has some 185 properties in total, has opened a four-star all-inclusive resort in Cuba's Cayo Guillermo and a five-star all-inclusive is planned for Cayo Santa Maria. That property is slated to open in September 2017. Sercotel Club Cayo Guillermo is promoted as a family retreat that has 324 guest units, with those units having the likes of individually controlled air conditioning, a terrace or balcony, phone, international cable TV, safe deposit...

By Bob Mowat

November 22, 2016

Win Your Way Away

WestJet Vacations and AMResorts have teamed to invite travel agents to enter the “Win your way away” contest, which offers a chance to win a seven-night Unlimited-Luxury vacation package, including airfare, to Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun, Mexico. Jane Clementino, director of agency sales for WestJet, said: “This contest highlights the fantastic AMResorts properties we offer, and the Indulgence Package, which is exclusive to WestJet Vacations guests. We are proud to collaborate with AMResorts and as always, want to thank our travel agent partners for their...

By TravelPress Staff

November 21, 2016

Andaz Brings A Taste of Ottawa to Toronto

Led by General Manager Matt Graham and Executive Chef Stephen La Salle, the new Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market brought a taste of Ottawa to Toronto last night (Nov. 17) during an industry event at The Spoke Club. Guests were treated to special fare, including elk, and cocktails, as well as a live art installation, as hotel officials promoted the newly opened Ottawa boutique hotel. Marking the brand’s official entry into Canada, the 200-room Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market opened in August. Amenities include a restaurant and bar, rooftop lounge and meeting space. GM Graham told...