OPENINGS, SALES & RENOS Aug. 13, 2019

SAGE Holdings purchases two Quebec hotels

TORONTO — The Gouverneur Place Dupuis Hotel in Montreal was sold to a Toronto-based management firm in the hospitality sector. The amount of the transaction remains confidential, but would be much higher than the property value of the hotel, which is $22.3 million. SAGE Holdings, headed by businessman Gaurav Gupta, acquired the hotel on Saint-Hubert Street, which is part of the Hôtels Gouverneur franchise. No job loss is expected due to the acquisition.

The hotel is the second one that SAGE Holdings has bought in Quebec, the first being the Hôtel Plaza Valleyfield on Avenue du Centenaire in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. Gupta noted that his company intends to buy more hotels in Quebec. The Toronto investor has mentioned that he plans to renovate the Gouverneur Hotel and affiliate it to another hotel banner in 2020.

Corporate Stays acquires 20 units at The Underwood

CALGARY —Corporate Stays is pleased to announce the opening of its newest Signature Collection building, The Underwood, in Calgary. Corporate Stays has acquired 20 units In this newly constructed apartment building, which are fully furnished by Casa Suarez, and available for rent immediately.

The Underwood Tower preserves and incorporates the Underwood building – a red brick structure built in 1905 by Thomas Underwood – into its design in an effort to retain and celebrate the area’s history. The building is located in the heart of Calgary’s Beltline, close to many parks, restaurants, shops, and bars and will feature a food market on the main floor in a few months. The market will incorporate unique food purveyors, independent producers, and local merchants highlighting the best of Calgary.

Following Corporate Stays value proposition to provide a home-like experience, guests will have access to the building amenities such as a rooftop lounge, yoga studio, barbecue area and a world-class fully-equipped gym with breathtaking views of the city.

“Despite the still uncertain economic landscape in Alberta we have decided to continue to invest in Western Canada. One of Corporate Stays values is to be fearless and Calgary represents a great opportunity to increase our inventory at the moment,” said Frederic Aouad, chief sales officer at Corporate Stays.

Founded in 2008, Corporate Stays focuses on launching apartments in prime locations so that guests can have the best experience when staying with them. The apartments are furnished exclusively with Casa Suarez furniture and guests can rely on the Corporate Stays team throughout their stay, with the complimentary concierge service only a quick phone call away.

Fairfield Inn and Suites now open in Edmonton

EDMONTON — The 135-room Fairfield by Marriott Edmonton International Airport, Alberta opened on August 9, with inviting, modern décor that provides guests with a feeling of warmth and calm while travelling. Located at 4545 Airport Perimeter Road, the hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by K5 Investment Group Inc. and managed by Hotel Equities.

The new décor package is warm, timeless, forward-thinking, and inviting with simple nods back to the brand’s heritage. Specific elements meant to evoke feelings from the Fairfield Farm include a farmhouse table in the lobby for gathering and connecting, photography from the Fairfield Farm serving as artwork in the lobby and guest rooms, natural materials and unique textures featured throughout, and a history wall in every property showcasing the brand’s roots.

Designed with the modern traveller’s needs to stay productive on the road in mind, the new guestroom design is impactful, unique and addresses the functional needs of the Fairfield guest for an effortless experience. Each room features a modern lounge chair, serving as both functional and comfortable to either work or relax in. The artwork in the room takes center stage with the window treatment acting as a focal point, displaying photography taken at the Fairfield Farm. The material is sheer and allows light to pass through the photography, warming up the room and creating a comfortable environment. The hotel features soundproof rooms with state-of-the-art temperature control systems.

Additional hotel amenities include an indoor saltwater pool with a whirlpool spa, a well-equipped fitness center, a lobby lounge, a 24-hour shuttle, valet laundry service, complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as fax and copy services, and offers 1,200 square feet of meeting space to accommodate functions of up to 50 people. A complimentary hot breakfast featuring oatmeal, scrambled eggs, sausage, create-your-own waffle station and other healthy items, such as fruit, yogurt, and whole grain cereals and breads is available to help get you on your way!

Hostellerie Baie Bleue gets federal funding

CARLETON-SUR-MER, Que. — Hostellerie Baie Bleue, a three-star hotel in Carleton-sur-Mer, Que., in the Avignon regional county municipality, received a $300,000 repayable contribution from Canada Economic Development (CED) for Quebec Regions for its expansion and the enhancement of its tourism offerings.

“Tourism is one of the fastest-growing industries across the globe, as well as a phenomenal driver of economic growth for Canada,” says Navdeep Bains, minister responsible for CED. “CED’s financial support will help Hostellerie Baie Bleue develop and further showcase the attractions of Carleton-sur-Mer and the Avignon regional county municipality, attracting even more visitors to the region. Through this support, the Government of Canada is reaffirming its commitment to promote Quebec’s tourism regions, which has a positive impact on the local economy.”

The expansion included the renovation of the Motel Fani, which Hostellerie Baie Bleue recently acquired. The Government of Canada’s funding allowed the company to add 19 new units to the old motel (15 rooms, four lofts with kitchenettes and a six-room cottage), as well as new furniture and equipment for the expansion.

“We’re grateful to CED and the Government of Canada for supporting our expansion project,” says Stéphane Boudreau, president and CEO of Hostellerie Baie Bleue. “Gaspésie welcomes many tourists and most of Carleton-sur-Mer’s accommodation establishments cannot keep up with the demand. With our development plan, we’ll be able to improve tourist retention — we can provide them with more complete accommodations that are better aligned with the requirements of today’s travellers. The Government of Canada’s support will allow us to secure our position in the Gaspé tourism industry and continue to help boost the region’s economy.”

InterContinental Toronto Presidential Suite and Spa

TORONTO — InterContinental Toronto Centre unveiled its freshly renovated 2,200 sq. ft. Presidential Suite late last month. The famed $5,000 per night suite that over the years has hosted famous politicians, dignitaries and celebrities including Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, has been upgraded with sleek decor and modern technology.

Located on the 18th floor, the spacious suite includes a living and dining area with a built-in kitchenette, a master bedroom with a lavish bathroom and tub and a second bedroom with an en suite. It also delivers an astonishing south-east/west view of the downtown cityscape and waterfront thanks to its wrap around terrace.

The hotel has also revamped their spa, with an updated spa experience includes a newly renovated solarium and outdoor oasis equipped with day beds, a cabana, lounge chairs and a view of the CN Tower.

Guests of the spa are invited to enjoy the updated 48-foot indoor saline pool, salt hot tub, eucalyptus steam room and state-of-the-art fitness centre which includes two brand new Peloton bikes.

To top off the perfect refresh, Spa InterContinental has partnered with Moroccan Oil, an argan oil based hair and skincare line, as well as Luzern Labs to enhance their spa services. Their new Oxygen Facial infuses 98 per cent pure medical grade oxygen along with custom blended Luzern serums deep into guests’ skin to create a more contoured jaw-line and a natural glow.

Guests and locals alike can now escape to the cities hidden oasis and enjoy customized massages, body therapy, skin care and aesthetic services. They can finish their treatment with a relaxing lunch on the spa’s private patio and enjoy all things needed for the perfect self-care day.

New lodgings in Quebec

Le 2800 Hébergement Aventure, adventure accommodations, opened this past spring at the entrance to La Mauricie National Park. Eighteen eco-friendly cottages overlooking the Saint-Maurice River allow guests to combine comfort with exploring the great outdoors. Summer rental services are available for cycling, canoeing, and kayaking, while winter rentals are available for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The property’s café-bistro makes meals easy and features a beautiful outdoor patio.

The new Boutique Hotel Atikuss invites visitors to experience Innu Culture in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec. Boutique Hotel Atikuss is a successful blend of hospitality and creativity. The complex is located in the village of Uashat, near the town of Sept-Iles on Québec’s North Coast, and hosts an impressive First Nations Art Gallery, school, art studio and artist-in-residence program.

Atikuss features 10 rooms where guests can have a comfortable stay in a friendly environment, and learn about the richness of Innu culture from artists and artisans first-hand. The internationally-acclaimed, ancestral footwear brand Hopeboots are hand-made by local Indigenous women at Atikuss. Made of pelts and furs sourced from environmentally-responsible and traditional hunting practices, Hopeboots moccasins and boots have revived an ancestral art almost lost in the last generation.

Two new thermal spa experiences have also opened in Québec. Le Sainte-Hélène Inn & Nordic Spa (Centre-du-Québec region): Located on 19 lush hectares of land with its own little lake, Le Sainte-Hélène used to be a schoolhouse, but now the property is a charming 11-room inn and thermal spa.

Förena Spa (Montérégie region): Set at the foot of Mont Saint-Bruno, this innovative spa will open in the fall of 2019 and offer thermotherapy, massage, beauty and restorative treatments. Phase two will see a hotel and restaurant opening soon.