OPENINGS, SALES AND RENOS Feb. 11, 2020

Travelodge openings in Edson and McBride

CALGARY — Travelodge Canada is pleased to announce the recent opening of two new locations within western Canada. The two properties will further enhance the roster of more than 100 Travelodge by Wyndham and Thriftlodge branded hotels across Canada.

Hotel openings include Travelodge by Wyndham Edson, Alta., (shown above) on November 28^th, 2019; and Travelodge by Wyndham McBride, B.C., on December 4^th 2019. Both hotels are non-smoking, pet friendly properties, with hot tub facilities onsite. Guests will receive further value with complimentary parking, free WiFi and free breakfast offerings including pancakes, cereal, muffins, coffee and more.

“All of us at Travelodge are thrilled to provide our guests with further opportunities to Go and Discover by launching two new locations with close proximity to the expansive Jasper National Park,” said Trevor Hagel, executive vice-president, operations, Travelodge Canada. “Both of these hotels in Edson and McBride, will provide our guests with friendly service and value they can rely on from Travelodge.”

The past year was especially beneficial to the brand, as Travelodge was honoured at the Wyndham Worldwide Convention in Las Vegas. The Travelodge by Wyndham Strathmore location was awarded with the “Hotel of the Year Award” alongside five other Canadian locations which were recognized as “The Best of the Brand”. Travelodge Canada opened a total of eight new locations across the country in 2019 with an additional two more set to open in the first quarter of 2020.

CBRE sells Toronto Don Valley for $102 million

TORONTO — CBRE Hotels Group and Land Services Group was retained by Allied Hotel Properties Inc. to broadly market 175 Wynford Drive, Toronto, also known as the Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites, to the hotel investment and developer communities. With the site’s location as a gateway to Eglinton Avenue from the Don Valley Parkway and approved redevelopment zoning by-law allowing for two residential towers comprised of just over 585,000 sq. ft., the potential exists to create a landmark development. Freed Development and Fengate Asset Management purchased the site for $102 million.

This 5.42 acre site is currently occupied by a profitable hotel operation that benefits from exceptionally strong lodging fundamentals. The hotel has 354 rooms, the DV | bar bistro (110 seats), 11,439 square feet of function space, plus indoor and outdoor recreational facilities.

The approved zoning by-law for the site’s redevelopment provides a significant investment opportunity, particularly as changes to the LPAT and longer approval timelines makes acquiring a site with approved rezoning of this scale and location both rare and exciting. The approved residential development consists of two towers, 39 and 32 storeys high, with 755 units. Other non-residential space includes 22,508 square feet, including a proposed hotel lobby, restaurant and daycare facility.

The property has a superb location, close to the Crosstown LRT that will further enhance accessibility across Toronto, as well as near several commercial and retail amenities such as the Aga Khan Museum, Ismaili Centre, CF Shops at Don Mills and the Ontario Science Centre.

The area should see increased nearby development and growth, further supported by strong surrounding demographics, both in terms of population growth and labour force trends.

Hotel Arts Poolside Patio now year-round

CALGARY — With the addition of an inflatable roofing structure, Hotel Arts Poolside Patio can be enjoyed in comfort even while Calgary suffers harsh winter temperatures. When Calgary dips into sub-zero temperatures, the Poolside Patio at Hotel Arts is maintained at a wonderfully humid +24°C. It’s the perfect escape during Calgary’s chilliest months.

Last year, Hotel Arts announced plans to convert their seasonal outdoor pool to a year-round experience. Hotel Arts kicked off the two-stage process working initially with Calgary-based VisionScapes on building a new pool and heated pool deck ready for Summer 2019. This fall, Hotel Arts held their breath for two months while Dynamic Air Shelters built an inflatable shelter to bring the year-round vision to life.

The addition of an inflatable roofing structure allows the Poolside Patio to be enjoyed in comfort even while Calgary suffers harsh winter temperatures. It’s the perfect escape during Calgary’s chilliest months. Depending on where the light hits, the look and feel of Poolside transforms right before the guest's eyes. Guests can indulge on award-winning menus from Yellow Door Bistro and Raw Bar, and happy hour is served daily from 4 to 6 p.m.

Hotel de Glace celebrates 20 years

QUEBEC CITY, Que. — Guests can experience Fire and Ice in Québec City this Winter. The city's iconicHôtel de Glace celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and is marking the milestone with a “20 Years of Magic” theme for the season. The only hotel of its kind in North America, the must-see venue composed entirely of ice and snow has attracted nearly two million visitors from around the world and hosted almost 70,000 overnight stays in its grand surroundings over the last two decades.

This year, the frozen masterpiece will provide chills and thrills for visitors with a variety of celebratory activities and special events scheduled in honour of the 20th anniversary. Until the end of March, visitors can embark on guided tours of 20 artist-designed suites adorned with spectacular sculptures, sip cocktails in the stylish Bar de Glace and marvel at the icy architecture of the magnificent ice chapel.

New hotel next to Vancouver General

VANCOUVER — A 437-room hotel project on 888 W Broadway next to Vancouver General Hospital received unanimous approval by Vancouver Council late last month.

This commercial project, designed by local architect Arno Matis, is a next-generation development that seeks to leverage upon its strategic location along the Broadway Transit Corridor adjacent the Vancouver General Hospital to offer a critically needed expansion of hotel / retail programming to the area.

The hotel will have 437 rooms (272 short-term and 165 long-term stay) with commercial use at grade and a bar/restaurant/hotel lobby on second floor. The project has a floor space ratio (FSR) of 8.96. Massing is deliberately low, as the team worked with an aerodrome consultant to accommodate the hospital helicopter path.

The project’s design features extensive rooftop gardens that include ‘wellness paths’ for healing guests. In addition to incorporating wellness elements, the project is proposed as LEED Gold, and is exploring the incorporation of hybrid-mass timber elements.

Quality Inn Centre-Ville opens in Montreal

MONTREAL, Que. – Travellers to Montreal have a new, trusted place to stay with the opening of Quality Inn Centre-Ville. Located in the city’s urban heritage district, just minutes from the Old Port, the historic building dates back to 1875. Prior to opening, the hotel underwent two years of extensive renovations that not only restored the original façade, but also customized the interior with a chic and contemporary design.

“We are delighted to announce the opening of Quality Inn Centre-Ville,” says Brian Leon, president of Choice Hotels Canada. “The property offers a modern take on a piece of the city’s architectural history and I have no doubt it will be embraced by locals and travellers, alike.”

Prior to renovations, the building operated as Hotel A L’Europeenne for over 20 years. The neighbouring building was purchased in 2016 and the two were merged to create the new Quality Inn. Amenities within the property include a state-of-the-art fitness centre, business centre and seating lounge for guest to unwind. Complimentary Wi-Fi and a hot breakfast buffet are also available to guests.

The 59 guest rooms were designed with comfort and convenience in mind and come equipped with refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, coffee makers, hair dryers, and fresh linens with soft or firm pillows.

Conveniently located in downtown Montreal, the property is within walking distance of many area attractions including the trendy Quartier Latin, which is a popular destination for theatres, cafés, and shopping, the bustling Quartier Des Spectacles and the lively Gay Village. Station Berri-UQÀM metro station is also nearby.

The worlds largest Fairfield by Marriott

MAKKAH, Saudi Arabia — While Canadian hoteliers are looking at the scaled-back Fairfield by Marriott prototype with just 79 rooms, Fairfields aren't necessarily small. The world's largest Fairfield by Marriott hotel, planned for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, has 2,600 rooms. The hotel is slated to open in 2023.