VFM Leonardo displays hotel visuals to millions of online travel shoppers each month. Hotels are increasingly turning to online visual merchandising best practices and the VBrochure Online Merchandising System to tell their stories online, stand out, and capture more bookings.
Hyatt Regency Montreal opts for newest, most reliable technology"We wanted the most reliable door locking solution and the latest technology to maximize guest security," said Sergio Santori, Hyatt Regency Montreal's Director of Engineering. "The RFID keys work every time, and the Saflok Messenger system is like a GPS for keys. It literally turns our RT door locking system into a bi-directional communications network that provides real-time security benefits." Each door lock uses Messenger software via a wireless network to communicate its status to property security staff. By logging onto the security terminal, staff can track when each room has been accessed and by whom and if doors are ajar. The Messenger system also tracks keys, displaying where each has been used without interrogating individual door locks.
More than 75 new construction Microtel Inns & Suites® hotels are expected to open in Canada over the next 25 years as part of a master development agreement announced today by Wyndham Hotel Group (NYSE: WYN) and MasterBUILT Hotels Ltd.
SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce that Mr. Louis-Robert Handfield has recently been appointed Chairman of the Hotel Association of Québec (AHQ). Mr. Handfield has been with SilverBirch since 2006 when he joined the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure as the General Manager. He has been a member of the AHQ since 2006 and a board member since 2008. Mr. Handfield was awarded the General Manager of the year by Hotelier Magazine in 2006 and has an extensive background with over 10 years’ experience in South East Asia, from managing Raffles City Convention Center in Singapore to leading properties being listed on the Condé Nast top Hotels in the world.
The Canadian hotel development pipeline comprises 193 projects totaling 20,715 rooms, according to the March 2011 STR/McGraw Hill Construction Dodge Pipeline Report. This represents a 3.8-percent decrease in the number of rooms in the total active pipeline compared to March 2010.
From the Canadian Hotel Investment Conference (CHIC), Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced it will add two new hotels in Canada and open its 60th hotel in the market later this year. Starwood's future growth in Canada is being fueled by robust demand for its select service brands Aloft, Element and Four Points by Sheraton, which represent 70% of hotels in development across the country. Starwood also announced the debut of its eco-chic boutique Element brand in Canada with the opening of Element Vancouver Metrotown in 2014.
The Fairmont Royal York, Toronto, has appointed Andrew Den Oudsten as hotel manager. Den Oudsten brings over a decade’s worth of experience to his new role. A native of Australia, Mr. den Oudsten began his career as a hotelier in 1996 and has worked in various hotels throughout Australia and Asia. Prior to joining the The Fairmont Royal York, Toronto, Mr. den Oudsten worked at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, the InterContinental Pudong Shanghai and the InterContinental Singapore. A graduate of the University of Queensland, Mr. den Oudsten holds bachelor degrees in the fields of both Applied Science and Education.
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, will roll out the green carpet for the grand opening of the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre on April 6. The new hotel is Canada's largest Holiday Inn property with 513 rooms over 23 floors and features 9,000 square feet of modern, multi-functional event space. The grand opening marks the completion of the hotel's $20 million renovation project.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the premier business travel organization in Canada, concluded its record-breaking 7th Annual Conference in Toronto today. The conference was held March 28-29, 2011, and included more than 300 corporate travel professionals from across Canada and around the world.
Beginning his career in Vancouver, Chef Bell worked with a number of distinguished restaurateurs, including Le Crocodile’s Michel Jacob and Lumiere’s Rob Feenie. From there, he headed east to take key positions at Toronto’s Accolade and Senses restaurants then to Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery in Niagara. Moving to Calgary, Chef Bell opened Murrieta’s Grill and was recognized as Best Overall and Rising Star by Where Magazine. Bell returned to his Okanagan roots in 2007 to become co-owner and corporate chef in the Kelowna lakeside favorite, Cabana Bar and Grille, where he retains his co-owner status. Following a detailed induction within the hotel kitchens of Rosewood celebrated properties, The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel and Rosewood Sand Hill, Chef Bell intends to draw on Rosewood’s guiding principle “A Sense of Place” when crafting menus for each distinct avenue of the hotel’s dining program. “We will anchor the cuisine at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia to Canada’s west coast, by incorporating local flavours and produce, while ensuring the exemplary standards which Rosewood’s guests have come to expect,” concluded Chef Bell.
On Monday, March 7th the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) celebrated its seventh annual afternoon of industry achievements at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, with its Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence Program.
Born in Ithaca NY, Robert's professional career encompasses over 28 years with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts where he has led the teams at 13 of the company's most acclaimed and award winning properties. From the shores of Hawaii to the 'urban mecca' of New York and London; Robert's experiences are endless. Most recently, Robert's post was in California where he oversaw Four Seasons in Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Jackson Hole and San Diego as well as the opening of Bora Bora
Canadian hoteliers had some modest success pushing rate last year—but they could still stand to be even more aggressive. Delivering the kickoff address of the Hotel Association of Canada’s Annual Conference at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel Monday morning, STR chairman and co-founder Randy Smith said average daily rate in Canada rose 2% to CAD$129 (US$132.59) in 2010. U.S. ADR growth was essentially flat last year.
Groupe Germain Co-President Mme. Christiane Germain announces the appointment of Lionel Houliat as Hôtel Le Germain Calgary General Manager, effective immediately.
Sanford gained a passion for the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts brand during his tenure at The Mansion on Peachtree in Atlanta, Georgia. Rising to the position of Director of Rooms at this acclaimed property, Sanford was the perfect choice to lead the team at Rosewood Hotel Georgia, which opens in Vancouver on May 7th, 2011.
Craig Reaume lands as the new General Manager at The Fairmont Vancouver Airport and proudly returns to British Columbia. Transferring from Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York as the former Hotel Manager, Craig touches down at the only airport hotel to be recognized on Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 100 Gold List. He replaces General Manager Dan McGowan who now oversees The Fairmont Palliser in Calgary. With over 20 years of hotel experience with Canada’s leading brands, Craig’s experiences read like a hotel handbook after graduating from the University of Guelph with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce. He started in the trenches in Guest Services at Canada’s largest hotel, the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto, and proved himself in learning the ropes in progressive positions from Reservations Human Resources to Front Desk Manager.
"We are delighted to be able to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to Canada. Toronto is a key gateway city for our customers and this hotel complements the portfolio of Ritz-Carlton properties around the globe beautifully," said Herve Humler, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. "Toronto is a cosmopolitan city with true international appeal, attracting visitors from all over the world, whether they are visiting for business or pleasure. The opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto helps to put this vibrant destination on the map for discerning luxury travellers."
Destination Halifax has launched a new Halifax, Nova Scotia mobile website just in time for the 2011 Halifax Canada Games to ensure that the more than 10,000 visitors to the Halifax region will have easy access to information through their Smartphone's.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that Sheraton Hotels will expand its portfolio in Canada with plans to open a third Sheraton hotel in the Montreal area. Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel is scheduled to open in April 2011 and features 476 spacious guest rooms, 19,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting facilities, and an inviting atmosphere designed to help travelers make connections into and out of the city. Sheraton Montreal Airport will join Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel and Sheraton Laval Hotel in welcoming domestic and international travelers to vibrant Montreal.
Ignite Magazine has just made matching up events with venues so much easier for its readers by becoming the Canadian media partner and Canadian portal for Cvent. Event planners can simply go to Ignitemag.ca for direct access to the Cvent Supplier Network (CSN), a free sourcing tool that takes care of the matchmaking between their event and meeting needs, with a robust selection of suitable properties.