Innsights
Sukhdev Toor, Manga Hotels, and a family vision for the future
FEATURE PROFILE: Feature from the FALL 2024 ISSUE of STAY Magazine
News
$6M reno for Hotel Zed Victoria completed
Hotel Zed Victoria, the flagship property of the nine-property B.C. hospitality chain, has completed a $6 million renovation to celebrate the hotel’s 10th anniversary, reports Business Examiner.
“We’ve taken Hotel Zed’s retro experience to the next level with this renovation,” says Mandy Farmer, the third-generation CEO. “I scoured thrift stores and worked with sellers nationwide to curate an authentic 1970s feel throughout the entire property.”
Guests will now find a 1970s-inspired aesthetic that includes shag carpets and lava lamps. Gone are the bright bubble gum colours and 1960s Palm Springs vibes that previously defined the property. Hotel Zed has made sure that their property is unordinary by installing a vintage Chevy Greenbrier on their lobby roof this summer.
Farmer was personally involved in the new design of Hotel Zed Victoria and the remodelling of each of the hotel’s hangout spaces and rooms. She reportedly spent months sourcing the art and treasures that bring life to the place.
The new lobby at Hotel Zed
The centrepiece of the new Hotel Zed Victoria is the retro-chic lobby and a “That 70s Basement” lounge area featuring vintage décor with a bar and pool tables. The radical 1980s are also represented for the first time by a new limited number of rooms that channel “Miami Vice” vibes with colourful photogenic items, such as vibrant pink and turquoise neon lights, disco balls and murals reminiscent of the iconic T.V. series.
“When we first launched Hotel Zed a decade ago, we wanted to rebel against the ordinary hotel experience,” adds Farmer, who created the brand as an experiential cousin to her other hotel chain, Accent Inns, a family business she took over in 2008. “This Hotel Zed renovation doubles down on that vision and creates a unique, unforgettable stay for visitors to Victoria.”
Accent Inns, Hotel Zed and ROAR comprise the B.C. hospitality chain that includes eight pet-friendly hotels and one restaurant across three brands in Victoria, Richmond, Burnaby, Kelowna, Kamloops and Tofino.
