Hotels
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...
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...
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...
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...
Hotel William Gray Opens in Old Montreal
Montreal's newest luxury boutique hotel – the Hotel William Gray – is doing what the city does best, mixing up old and modern. A glass tower sits atop two 18th-century buildings, which house 27 rooms and suites with high-end amenities inside. Other unique features include a branch of a local coffee shop, an upmarket grill, a rooftop terrace and bar, and a full service spa with outdoor pool and fitness centre (spa set to open this fall). A special “Grand Opening” offer at the hotel includes full breakfast for two, guaranteed room upgrade, two cocktails and 2 p.m....
Grand Velas Set to Host Wellness Week
The Riviera Nayarit's Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has introduced its first annual multi-generational Wellness Week, which will feature top chefs, vegan menus, culinary workshops, fitness activities and spa offerings Oct. 24-30. Prominent Mexican vegan chef Miguel Bautista and award-winning vegan author Ellen Kanner will lead cooking and juicing classes, vegan tastings and a workshop on plant-based food and sensuality. The AAA Five Diamond resort on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is offering a 30% savings on its duplex wellness suites that feature special insuite fitness amenities, a...
Four Seasons Hosts Guided Photography Adventure
A rare photography adventure in Mexico, led by US nationally published photographers, is now being offered by the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in the Riviera Nayarit region of Mexico. It is being led by professional photographers Robert Caplin and Peter Lockley, whose photos have appeared in the New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Times, ESPN the Magazine and more. Photographers of all skill levels are welcome, and are invited to participate in guided photography workshops, on-location shoots, one-on-one editing, critiques and instructor demonstrations, all set in...
Sheraton to Debut in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced plans to expand its Sheraton brand in Quebec with the signing of the Sheraton Saint-Hyacinthe Hotel (near Montreal). Owned by Beauward Shopping Centres LTD, the hotel will be connected to the new 230,000-sq.-ft. congress centre of Saint-Hyacinthe and Galeries Saint-Hyacinthe. The hotel is slated to open by the end of 2017. Sheraton Saint-Hyacinthe will feature 205 guest rooms, including 28 suites, spread over 16 floors. The hotel will offer a third-party restaurant, fitness centre and indoor pool, as well as the Sheraton...