Hotel Industry News | Canada's Travel Industry

By Bob Mowat

October 6, 2016

Fairmont Ready To Take On The World

These are exciting times for Fairmont Hotels International. Its recent acquisition by Accor Hotels – a deal that includes the Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotels brands – takes Fairmont into new territory and, according to Kevin Frid, chief operating officer North & Central America for Accor, allows it to compete on the world stage. Frid was in Toronto last night (Oct. 5, 2016) to welcome a group of travel trade types along with representatives from a number of Fairmont's properties across Canada for an update on the hotel group. He pointed out that Accor is the largest...

By TravelPress Staff

September 29, 2016

Best Western Introduces New ‘White Label’ Franchise

Best Western Hotels & Resorts has introduced SureStay Hotels – “a revolutionary new 'white label' franchise model in the hotel industry.” SureStay will operate as a separate subsidiary while plugging hotel owners into the company’s infrastructure and distribution channels. With three distinctive brands – SureStay Hotel (Premium Economy), SureStay Plus Hotel (Lower Midscale) and SureStay Signature Collection (Midscale Soft Brand) – Best Western aims to provide options in the marketplace for franchisees who are disillusioned by one-sided contracts that do not...

By TravelPress Staff

September 28, 2016

Meliá Hits The Road

It was all about Meliá Hotels International last night (Sept. 27) as a group of the Spanish hotel chain's international team continued a five-city cross-Canada road show with a stop in Toronto, hosting travel agents with a cocktail reception, trade show and dinner at the Park Hyatt Hotel. Ten hotels from Mexico and the Caribbean were represented at the show, which makes a stop in Calgary tonight. The ever-growing Meliá name, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, has a portfolio of 400 hotels in 40 countries. Brands include Gran Meliá, Me by Meliá, Paradisus...

By TravelPress Staff

September 28, 2016

ACV Expands Exclusive Sun Options

Air Canada Vacations (ACV) has added three new exclusive properties to its Sun product in Huatulco, Mexico and Liberia, Costa Rica. The first, Isla Natura Beach in Huatulco is a 4.5 star beachfront resort set on two private beaches. The hotel includes 120 rooms – all with partial ocean views – as well as a dedicated kids club, waterpark and kids’ pool making it an ideal resort for families and groups. The resort also offers free weddings which can be held on-site or at a private beach club located 15 minutes away. Yoga, spinning and a Temazcal steam room are also included, as...

By TravelPress Staff

September 27, 2016

Starwood Debuts in Buffalo

Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., has opened The Westin Buffalo in partnership with the hotel’s owner and operator, Delaware North. Located in the heart of downtown Buffalo, the newly built Westin hotel is the brand’s first in the city and is poised to introduce a new level of wellness to travellers in the destination. “With the revival of downtown Buffalo and new energy in the city, we are thrilled to introduce a unique wellness proposition for business and leisure travellers, as only Westin can,” said Bob Jacobs,...

By TravelPress Staff

September 26, 2016

Karisma Debuts Mexico’s First Overwater Bungalows

Karisma Hotels & Resorts has unveiled Mexico’s first Palafitos – Overwater Bungalows at the adults-only El Dorado Maroma, a Beachfront Resort, by Karisma. Surrounded by the waters of Riviera Maya’s Maroma Beach, the first phase of 30 elegant suites offer ocean views, glass-bottom floors, direct ladder access to the ocean, outdoor “Aguas del Amor” showers, private infinity pools, indoor Jacuzzis and oversized decks with lounge chairs. “These are the first and only over-the-water offerings in all of Mexico, eliciting a one-of-a-kind experience for travellers seeking...

By TravelPress Staff

September 23, 2016

Lost and Found

We've all been there. It’s a race against the clock. Checkout time is 11 a.m. and you haven’t even brushed your teeth or packed your bag. It’s no wonder nearly half of Canadians admit to having left something behind in a hotel room. A recent Choice Hotels Canada survey reveals that men are more likely to forget their belongings than women and if you add children to the mix 50% of parents have done it. It’s the little, yet most important items we most commonly forget – toothbrushes, phone chargers and sunglasses. Choice Hotels Canada found that 43% of Canadian travellers...

By TravelPress Staff

September 21, 2016

Sandals Takes Home the Hardware

It was another big year for Sandals at the World Travel Awards. Sandals Resorts International (SRI) was honoured with 15 awards at the 23rd annual World Travel Awards 2016 Caribbean & North America Gala Ceremony held Sept. 17 at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in Jamaica. The Luxury Included resort company received the notable recognition of the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand for the 23rd consecutive year. The Sandals Foundation was also recognized when it received the special honour of “Outstanding Contribution to Corporate Social Responsibility Projects” for its commitment to...

By Bob Mowat

September 20, 2016

Sandals Adds More In Jamaica

Sandals Resorts is adding 12 more over-the-water bungalows at the Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, Jamaica due to their popularity with guests. The new Over-the-Water Private Island Butler Honeymoon Bungalow room categories are now available for sale, for arrivals beginning Feb. 1, 2017. The over-the-water bungalows will feature glass vision floor panels and lit water to ensure guests can enjoy underwater views at any time. Couples can also admire the beauty of the ocean from their private outdoor Tranquility Soaking Tub or on their over-water hammocks. Every bungalow...

By Bob Mowat

September 20, 2016

Japan Hotel Giant Buys Coast Hotels

APA Hotel Group, the largest hotel network in Japan, has recently acquired Coast Hotels of Vancouver – thereby kicking off its expansion into the North America market, reports Ted Davis in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. The purchase agreement with Okabe Ltd., the holding company of Coast, has been valued at $210 million. The business deal marks a new era of expansion into North America for APA Hotel Group, said Toshio Motoya, founder of the group, during a press conference in Vancouver announcing the acquisition of Coast by APA. APA has 373 properties in...