REOPENINGS, SALES & RENOS Sept. 22, 2020

SageBlan to make Vogue Montréal Canada’s first Curio

MONTREAL — SageBlan Investments, a Canadian private real estate investment and management company, is proud to officially announce the acquisition of the iconic Vogue Hôtel Montréal Downtown, in partnership with Holand Real Estate Group and Serruya Private Equity. Since it opened its doors in 1990, Vogue Hôtel has become emblematic of world class luxury within the city. SageBlan owns and operates 1000+ hotel rooms in Quebec and is expanding their portfolio and team within the province.

The ownership is also very excited to confirm that the hotel will soon join the Curio Collection by Hilton brand under the management of SageBlan Investments and will be the brand’s first property in Canada. The hotel will also undergo a significant renovation that will cover the hotel’s exterior facade, lobby, public areas and guestrooms in the next 12 to 24 months. Guests of the Vogue Hôtel Montréal Downtown will continue to enjoy supreme comfort and attentive service and will also tap into Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including an exclusive member discount, points towards free nights, free standard Wi-Fi and the Hilton Honors mobile app.

Vogue Hôtel Montréal Downtown is ideally located in the heart of the Golden Square Mile and proximate to key Montréal attractions. Elegantly appointed rooms and upscale amenities headline this prestigious accommodation experience, which makes it the ideal pied-à-terre for discerning travellers seeking a true 5-star experience.

Curio Collection by Hilton is a global upper upscale portfolio of more than 90 hotels and resorts handpicked for their unique character. Each hotel is part of the destination it calls home – embodying the distinct culture and spirit of the communities in which they reside. From urban landmark properties to grand beach resorts, these hotels are one-of-a-kind, with individuality as the only unifying factor.

Fairmont Royal York reopens CLOCKWORK and more

TORONTO — Fairmont Royal York is thrilled to welcome guests and the community back to Toronto’s landmark hotel the last week of August. While the hotel remained open throughout the pandemic (providing over 10,000 room nights to frontline workers), the hotel is delighted to reopen CLOCKWORK Champagne & Cocktails, CLOCKWORK Terrace, REIGN Restaurant + Bar + Bakery and the hotel’s exclusive lifestyle hotel floor Fairmont Gold, including the newly renovated Gold Lounge.

“The hotel’s top priority remains the safety, care and wellbeing of our Fairmont Royal York family. Welcoming, safeguarding and taking care of others for 91 years has been at the very heart of what we do” said Edwin Frizzell, regional vice-president and general manager. “Today, this means keeping our guests and employees safe by preventing the spread of COVID-19 – partnering with prominent health care professionals to implement new standards of safety, enhanced operational protocols, and procedures that are among the most stringent in the hospitality industry. With this, we are thrilled and more than ready to continue creating the essential Toronto experience at this iconic haven of hospitality.”

To celebrate its reopening, and the recent announcement of being named one of Canada’s 50 Best Bars, the hotel’s director of mixology, Rus Yessenov, is mixing up a new CLOCKWORK cocktail menu. Rest assured, the crowd favorite, Meet Me at the Clock, will remain on the menus for both CLOCKWORK and the Terrace. For those looking to take advantage of the rest of summer, Yessenov and the hotel’s executive chef, JW Foster, will be serving a memorable weekend brunch with frozen mimosas, shrimp ceviche and lobster rolls on the Terrace. In addition, REIGN will be offering Canadian farm-to-table dining experiences with dishes and cocktails using local ingredients and fresh herbs and produce from the hotel’s rooftop garden.

With the reopening of the hotel to the public, the hotel is also offering various stay packages such a Canadian Residents’ Rate, a Winnie-the-Pooh at the ROM experience, a Swim and Soar Family Adventure offer and even a special industry rate for those working in hospitality.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Brantford open for business

BRANTFORD — Earlier this month, Home2 Suites by Hilton Brantford, which temporarily closed operations on March 23, 2020, began welcoming guests back to the hotel.

In early March, over the course of a few short weeks, travel throughout the world reduced to a near halt. As owner and operator of two top hotels in Brantford (Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brantford and the new Home2 Suites by Hilton Brantford), Vrancor adjusted operations accordingly, which meant a reduction in hours, temporary leave for some team members and outright temporary closure to some facilities. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brantford has, and continues to remain, fully operational.

“What’s happening inside our hotels is changing,” said Gregory Ling, general manager. “In addition to existing social distancing practices that are carefully laid out in public areas and elevators, Hilton has developed a global program that has introduced a new standard of hotel cleanliness and disinfection to ensure guests enjoy a confident, clean and safe stay: Hilton CleanStay Experience with Lysol Protection.”

This industry-leading program impacts every aspect of the hotel experience and reinforces the commitment to the wellbeing of guests and team members. Heightened efforts build on already high standards of housekeeping and hygiene that use Lysol disinfectants to effectively clean guestrooms, fitness and business centres, lobbies and meeting spaces. Extra attention is given to high touch areas including light switches, door handles, TV remote controls, elevator buttons, and faucets. Guests will have access to disinfecting wipes and sanitizer at entrances and high traffic areas.

Technologies that provide contactless check-in and check-out with Hilton Digital Key were already in place prior to the virus outbreak. As guests approach their room, they’ll see that it has been sealed by housekeeping after deep cleaning and disinfection. They will experience a room disinfected just for them. The hotel will continue to serve complimentary daily Grab & Go Breakfast offerings to minimize contact. Plexiglass shields have been installed at the Front Desk to offer guests additional separation while still providing for interaction and a warm welcome.

“We will never lose sight of being a hospitality business where a connection with our guests is central to providing a great guest experience” said Ling. “As more guests prepare to resume travel, we’ll be ready to welcome them with new standards that support this unprecedented time in our history. The whole team is excited to resume operations”.