Hotels & Resorts
Rates rise as hotels avoid past mistakes
Average daily rates (ADR) continued to show gains in April 2012, as hotels turned in record or near-record growth margins over rates paid in 2011 according to newly released data from Pegasus Solutions. The data shows that North American corporate hotel rates set a new year-over-year growth record, increasing 9.3% over 2011, and beating a previous record of 7.1% set in February by over two percentage points. Pegasus found that global rates for hotels booked through the global distribution systems (GDS), representing mostly business travel transactions, grew 5.5%, the largest growth margin...
Marriott acquires Gaylord
Marriott International, Inc reports that it has entered into an agreement with Gaylord Entertainment Company to acquire the Gaylord brand and hotel management company for $210 million. The transaction is conditioned on Gaylord Entertainment's shareholders approving the company's conversion into a real estate investment trust. If approved, Gaylord will continue to own the existing Gaylord hotels and Marriott will assume management of these properties under long-term agreements. The transaction will add 4 hotels and approximately 7,800 rooms to Marriott's portfolio. Gaylord Hotels include: the...
Choice Privileges celebrates 15 million members
Choice Hotels' Choice Privileges rewards program, representing such Choice brands as Comfort Inn, Quality and Cambria Suites, recently celebrated a significant milestone as it welcomed its 15-millionth member. In recognition of hitting this mark, the Choice Privileges program awarded its lucky milestone member with 115,000 bonus rewards points in addition to sponsoring a $15,000 donation to Rebuilding Together, the Signature Cause Partner of Choice Hotels. For 20 years, Rebuilding Together has rehabilitated homes for the most vulnerable - low-income elderly, disabled veterans and families...
Get the picture at Grand Wailea Resort
The Grand Wailea Resort Maui is offering a hands-on photography program, which includes classroom instruction, followed by a photographic exploration of Maui. Led by award-winning photographer, Michael Gilbert, participants get to learn the process of producing photographic canvases and can then bring home a finished 40-cm. canvas. Classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Cost: $40 p.p. plus $25 for materials....
Win with Days Inns – Canada
Days Inns - Canada has launched a new Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/daysinncanada -- and a national contest that will award the grand prize winner a week-long trip for two to one of five major Canadian cities. Visitors who "like"the new Days Inn Canada Facebook page will have access to Canadian-specific travel tips, discounts, and contests like the current "I Love Canada"promotion created by Clearview Digital Marketing. In addition to the grand prize of a seven-night trip for two to either Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal or Halifax (including hotel, airfare and $500 in...
It’s dad’s choice at the Fairmont Royal York
Calling all fathers... The Fairmont Royal York hotel is teaching Dad a lesson this Father's Day - a lesson in beer, whiskey and food pairing that is. Dads who like to dine may choose from the EPIC Father's Day Brewmaster's Dinner, featuring a pre-fix menu with a selection of beers from the local Mill Street Brewery, or an afternoon of whiskey tasting paired to canapés in the York Station Bar, on June 17. EPIC Restaurant chef, Tim Palmer, will prepare parmesan crusted jumbo sea scallops; bacon wrapped Canadian prime beef tenderloin, and close dinner with traditional sticky toffee pudding...
Kingston tops the list for hotel rate cuts
The results of the May 2012 Hotwire Canadian Hotel Rate Report, featuring the top five cities in Canada where hotel rates have dropped the most, have been released with Kingston, Ont. topping the list for the second consecutive month with a 7% price drop. According to Hotwire.com, Winnipeg jumped from fifth on the list to second with a 4% price drop, followed by Banff, Edmonton and Toronto. Both Banff and Edmonton maintain their holds on the fourth and fifth ranked spots, however prices in Banff will likely rise as summer and peak season approach. Toronto rounds out the top five with a 1%...
Just the Two of Us’ at Half Moon
Jamaica luxury resort Half Moon offers Canadian couples planning an intimate destination wedding the "Just the Two of Us"package starting at $1,852. The package is for private weddings and vow renewals. A Half Moon wedding specialist will assist couples in selecting from more than 30 ceremony locations on the resort property - including Half Moon's Sunrise Beach Gazebo, the Sugar Mill restaurant and beachfront Oleander Terrace. Just the Two of Us includes accommodations in a Junior Suite for two nights, ceremony set-up, marriage officiant services, assistance with legal documents, license and...