Hamilton

Hamilton Harbor

About an hour from Toronto and even closer to Niagara wine country and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Hamilton offers first-rate activities and amenities for groups. written by DON DOULOFF

fast facts
Recommended Website: tourismhamilton.com

Average Hotel Room Rate: $120 to $160.

Getting There: John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is serviced by WestJet, VIA Rail and bus lines: GO Transit, Greyhound and Coach Canada.

Convention Facilities: Hamilton Convention Centre features over 50,000 sq. ft. of space that can accommodate meetings, trade shows and banquets.

With over 100,000 sq. ft., Copps Coliseum can host trade shows, conventions and other events.

pillow talk
Hamilton Place features The Studio, holding 300 (cabaret), 400 (theatre) and 550 (standing).

Recently renovated, the 301-room Sheraton Hamilton features 14 meeting spaces and a 6,000-sq.-ft. ballroom. Provides indoor access to Hamilton Convention Centre.

The Crowne Plaza has undergone a makeover and offers 214 guestrooms and more than 19,000 sq. ft. of banquet and meeting space.

Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton offers quick access to John C. Munro airport, 136 guestrooms and up-to-date meeting spaces.

Opened in summer, 2011, 52-room Carmen’s C Hotel is Hamilton’s first European-style boutique hotel. An intimate ballroom hosts 125.

attractions + distractions
A 2,700-acre oasis close to downtown, the Royal Botanical Gardens boasts the world’s largest lilac collection; two acres of roses; a 30 km. trail system; and four nature sanctuaries.

The Art Gallery of Hamilton houses a permanent collection of over 9,500 works. Strong in European historical, Canadian historical, and contemporary art.

Hamilton’s Victorian era comes to life at Dundurn National Historic Site, a restored castle overlooking Lake Ontario. Costumed guides lead tours through more than 40 rooms over three floors.

a la carte
About 15 minutes west of downtown, in Dundas, Ont., Quatrefoil offers creative twists on French cuisine. Two private rooms seat 12 and 18. Main restaurant, seating 60, available for buyout.

Billed as ‘artisan bakery by day, pizzeria by night,’ Earth to Table Bread Bar’s menu ranges from creative appetizers to burgers and pizza.

Ideal for groups, Ancaster Mill overlooks a waterfall-fed creek and serves upscale cuisine anchored by seasonal ingredients, many provided by surrounding farms and artisans. Six rooms available for meetings and events.

programme ideas

Sample incentive-travel itinerary provided by Tourism Hamilton.

Day One
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Arrivals and shuttle transfer to Sheraton Hamilton Hotel.

11:00 a.m. to Noon. Guided tour of Hamilton Farmers Market.

12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lunch, La Cantina Ristorante Italiano.

2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Guided tour of Art Gallery of Hamilton.

4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Return to hotel. Time at leisure.

6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Cocktails/dinner, La Piazza Allegra restaurant.

Day Two
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Breakfast, at hotel.

9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Visit Whitehern Historical House and Garden. Morning tea and tour, led by costumed maid.

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch, Earth to Table Bread Bar.

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Explore Dundurn Castle.

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit Cathedral of Christ the King.

4:30 p.m. Return to hotel. Time at leisure.

6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dinner, Incognito restaurant.

8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Take in a performance at Theatre Aquarius.

Day Three
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Breakfast, at hotel.

9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Visit Ottawa Street North for some gallery hopping and window shopping. Guided tour reveals street’s history.

Noon to 2:00 p.m. Lunch, Cafe Limoncello.

2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Shop on trendy Locke Street, with stops at boutiques, artisan shops and bakeries.

4:30 p.m. Return to hotel. Time at leisure.

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Dinner, Courtyard Cafe.

8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Enjoy live music at West Town Bar and Grill or the Corktown Pub, in historic Corktown neighbourhood.

Day Four
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Breakfast, at hotel.

9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Explore Royal Botanical Gardens, followed by lunch at on-site RBG Garden’s Cafe.

2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tour some of the 100-plus area waterfalls.

4:30 p.m. Return to hotel. Time at leisure.

6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tour Ancaster Mill, followed by dinner.

Day Five
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Breakfast at hotel.

9:30 a.m. Transfer to airport and flights home.