Hotel Industry News | Canada's Travel Industry

By TravelPress Staff

December 15, 2015

Sandals Honoured at World Travel Awards

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) was honoured with prestigious recognition at the 22nd Annual World Travel Awards’ Grand Final Gala Ceremony held Dec. 12 at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in El Jadida, Morocco. The Luxury Included resort company collected four awards. “Sandals Resorts International is thrilled to continue its role as the world’s leading all-inclusive company,” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “These awards are a testament not only to our company’s ongoing legacy of innovation, but the memorable experience...

By Ann Ruppenstein

December 14, 2015

Taking Home The Hardware

Canadian agents and tour operators were among top performing international travel professionals honoured at the Karisma Hotels & Resorts 8th Annual Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant Awards Gala held at the El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya, Mexico on Friday (Dec. 11). The luxury hotel collection handed out awards in categories like Top Growth by region, Top Producers, Top Gourmet Inclusive Wedding Consultants, and Top Tour Operators in the U.S. and Canada. Canadian winners include: Kim Crosby, SunLovers Travel, Victoria, BC for Top Selling Home-Based Agent in Canada,...

By TravelPress Staff

December 11, 2015

Melia Celebrates Family Concierge With Play at Playdium

Where better to celebrate the introduction of its luxury Family Concierge at Paradisus Varadero next year than a family fun venue in Mississauga? Meliá Hotels International Cuba invited the trade to play at Playdium across from Square One shopping centre at an unusual event that combined reception and presentation with a chance for guests to test their skill at a host of arcade and simulator games. “I like to find things a little different,” explained Melia Hotels International Cuba's Brenda Bradley, shown here with Marti Aragones, sales and marketing director, Melia Hotels...

By TravelPress Staff

December 11, 2015

Canada’s Ice Hotel To Open Jan. 4

This year's version of the Hôtel de Glace de Québec (ice hotel), now in its 16th season, will open Jan. 4, 2016 featuring a “Rivers” theme, whether frozen solid or flowing underground, tropical or lyrical in nature. The theme is the inspiration behind the design for the Hôtel de Glace and its suites. Entirely redesigned this year, the only hotel of its kind in North America opens Jan. 4 to March 28, 2016. Following a record 15th anniversary in 2015, this year promises to be even better. “Things are looking good. Overnight stays are up, we have close to 20 confirmed...

By TravelPress Staff

December 10, 2015

$2.8 Billion Deal Sees Accor Acquire FRHI

In a $2.8 billion deal, French hospitality company Accor SA is acquiring the Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel luxury hotel brands. Europe’s biggest hotel operator will pay 46.7 million new shares and $840 million in cash for FRHI Holdings Ltd., Accor said in a statement yesterday. Accor’s buying the company from Qatar Investment Authority, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal’s Kingdom Holding Co. and Oxford Properties Group Inc. Accor chief executive officer Sebastien Bazin said that the deal “offers us robust and global leadership in luxury hotels, a key segment in terms of geographic...

By TravelPress Staff

December 9, 2015

Oasis Expands Presence in Canada

Oasis Hotels & Resorts, which has all-inclusive resorts in the Mexican Caribbean, has new partnerships with Air Canada Vacations and Transat Holidays. Through these new partners, inventory will be mostly sold in vacation packages, combining Oasis’ all-inclusive product offering with airlift options, both in charter and scheduled air. Oasis will also continue working with Sunwing Vacations. 2015 has been a year of evolution for Oasis Hotels & Resorts. With a new vision focused on product enhancement and service diversification, the brand has invested more than $100 million...

By TravelPress Staff

December 8, 2015

Park, Stay and Save With Sheraton Gateway

Pearson International's Sheraton Gateway Hotel is offering travellers a hassle free way to stay before taking off and enjoy savings on parking right at the airport. The hotel is offering guests who book before Dec. 15 special savings for the hotel’s holiday and vacation stopover package with parking right at the airport included for up to 14 days (valued at $340). Priced from $213 per night, the package offers savings of up to 25% when parking for up to eight days or from $229 per night when parking up to 15 days, representing savings of 48% if booked separately. And, for those...

By TravelPress Staff

December 8, 2015

Long-Forgotten Tunnel Ashford Castle’s New Wine Cellar

As part of its US$75-million restoration project, Ireland's Ashford Castle has unveiled a new wine cellar equipped for hosting wine tastings and private events. During the process of the restoration, Red Carnation Hotels (the hotel's parent company, which oversaw the renovation and reopening of Ashford Castle as its new flagship property) discovered an unused tunnel that was originally a limestone coal bunker and later an old servants' entrance and walkway underneath the castle. Ashford Castle has long been recognized for its outstanding wine list, with its original wine cellars...

By Bob Mowat

December 7, 2015

Start 2016 Off Right With Sunwing

Sunwing Vacations has launched a New Year's Resolution Sale that offers savings of up to 40% on the operator's beach getaways for a limited time. Now that's a resolution that's worth keeping. From Dec. 5 to Dec. 11, agents' customers can take advantage of discounted rates on vacations to the most popular destination hotspots in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America; with over 30 local gateways to choose from across Canada. For more information on Sunwing Vacations' New Year's Resolution Sale, agents should go to http://www.sunwing.ca...

By TravelPress Staff

December 3, 2015

Claremont Club & Spa Joins Fairmont Portfolio

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has welcomed San Francisco's Claremont Club & Spa as the newest addition to the company’s portfolio, joining the ranks of landmark Fairmont hotels including The Plaza in New York, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, and The Savoy in London. Built in 1915, and ideally nestled at the base of the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve, overlooking San Francisco Bay, the Claremont offers 276 restored guestrooms and suites, an impressive club and spa, and an unparalleled dining portfolio. Fairmont’s parent company, FRHI Hotels & Resorts, purchased the...