Hotel Industry News | Canada's Travel Industry

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...

By TravelPress Staff

September 19, 2016

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....

By TravelPress Staff

September 19, 2016

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...

By TravelPress Staff

September 14, 2016

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...

By TravelPress Staff

September 14, 2016

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...

By TravelPress Staff

September 14, 2016

Holiday Inn Express Launches Fall Sleep Campaign

The InterContinental Hotels Group Canadian tech expert Amber Mac are on a mission to help guests get a better night's sleep. This fall, Holiday Inn Express guests are encouraged to sleep in with the launch of “Snoozapalooza,” a new promotion that extends both breakfast and check-out time until noon every weekend throughout the fall. For a limited time, Holiday Inn Express guests will also find a sleep book in their room (titled Bring Your Zzzz Game) which illustrates tips on how to get a good night's rest. Research continues to point to the importance of sleep quality on health,...

By TravelPress Staff

September 13, 2016

DoubleTree Opens in Arlington

DoubleTree by Hilton has unveiled its first property in the Dallas suburb of Arlington and its eighth throughout the Dallas metroplex. DoubleTree by Hilton Arlington DFW South opens just a few miles from the community’s Entertainment district following an extensive US$10 million renovation. The 237-room, five-storey property offers wide-ranging amenities and more than 6,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, all designed to serve the needs of leisure and business travellers. Formerly the Admiral Hotel, it is owned by Admiral Hotel Group LLC and managed by Hotel Equities. Guest...

By TravelPress Staff

September 13, 2016

Mangos Jamaica Has Late Summer Savings

Jamaica's newest boutique beach resort, Mangos Jamaica, is welcoming guests looking for a real taste of natural Jamaica, and through October offering 15% savings off all rates as well as free airport transfers for stays of three nights or more. Located on the northwest coast of Jamaica in the village of Coopers Pen, Trelawny, amenities at the adult-only, all-inclusive property include a free-form swimming pool with swim-up bar, water slide, two hot tubs, beach cabanas, free WiFi, tennis court, gym and four restaurants and four bars. Spa services are available at an additional...

By TravelPress Staff

September 12, 2016

Sandals Halcyon Opens New Room Categories

A recent renovation at Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort & Spa in Saint Lucia has seen the addition of newly built and spacious suites that are now open and ready for bookings. The newly renovated rooms are located in the Anse La Raye, Canaries and Gros-Islet buildings, with Oceanview Club Level rooms on the second levels framed by ocean views, while the Grande Luxe Club Level rooms on the first or second levels are framed with cascading flowering vines. The spacious quarters are appointed with modern hardwood and plush furnishings, art and accents. The bedroom features a king-sized...

By TravelPress Staff

September 9, 2016

Coast Hotels Purchased by APA Hotels of Japan

Coast Hotels of Vancouver has been acquired by the APA Hotel Group of Japan, the largest hotel network in the country. The deal was done with Okabe Ltd., the holding company of Coast, and has been valued at $210 million. Purchase of Coast by APA is regarded as the first steps of expansion into the North American market by the Japanese hotelier. APA has 373 properties in Japan, for a total of 67,000 rooms. The acquisition of Coast adds its 38 branded properties in western North America to the mix. In 2015, APA announced its first acquisition in North America, with the purchase of a...