expert opinion

Grand Palladium Completes $30M Reno of Riviera Nayarit Property

March 26, 2012 Palladium Hotels & Resorts has completed a $30-million renovation of the all-inclusive Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa, in Riviera Nayarit, on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. The renovation sought to capture the essence of authentic Mexican culture. With new bathrooms, contemporary furniture and new colour schemes, the resort’s 422 guestrooms, ranging from deluxe rooms to … Read More about Grand Palladium Completes $30M Reno of Riviera Nayarit Property

Refurbished Bloor Cinema Available for Daytime Meetings/Events

March 19, 2012 Toronto’s Bloor Cinema has reopened with a new interior, new name and a new meetings component to its business plan. Rechristened the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, the 700-seat facility is now the permanent home of the city’s premier documentary film festival featured in its name. On top of that, the cinema will, on a day-to-day basis, devote about 80 per cent of its programming to … Read More about Refurbished Bloor Cinema Available for Daytime Meetings/Events

Critic’s Notebook: Restaurant Views and Reviews

March 16, 2012 Estiatorio Volos was one of my fave new restaurants to have opened in Toronto in the last year. It’s in the space formerly occupied by seafood resto Mediterra. Andreas Antoniou took over Mediterra from his dad, Bob, and has made over the room in a tasteful, modern Greek mode. Don’t expect the traditional taverna style common to Toronto’s Danforth. And … Read More about Critic’s Notebook: Restaurant Views and Reviews

MPI, Shanghai MTA Sign Agreement to Deliver Training, Certification to Shanghai Planners

March 7, 2012 Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has signed a multi-year partnership with the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration to deliver training and certifications to meeting and event professionals in Shanghai. On Feb. 27, MPI president and CEO Bruce MacMillan signed a memorandum of understanding with Li Ben Cheng, director of SMTA, outlining the opportunity for greater … Read More about MPI, Shanghai MTA Sign Agreement to Deliver Training, Certification to Shanghai Planners

Starwood to Open 20 New Sheraton Hotels in 2012, Including Company’s Largest

February 23, 2012 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is slated to open 12 new Sheraton properties in China by year’s end, which would bring the brand’s total to nearly 80 properties in this market by 2015. Nearly 40 per cent of all future Starwood hotels opening in China will fly the Sheraton flag, building on the brand’s 30-year legacy in this fast-growing market. The development boom in … Read More about Starwood to Open 20 New Sheraton Hotels in 2012, Including Company’s Largest

Trending: Pop-Up Resort

February 23, 2012 A pop-up resort, Papaya Playa, a Design Hotels project, opened Dec. 6, in Tulum, Mexico, featuring 99 refurbished cabanas on a 2,90-sq.-ft. stretch of beach along the Caribbean Sea. Papaya Playa closes May 5, so catch it while you can. For bookings: designhotels.com … Read More about Trending: Pop-Up Resort

Vancouver Airport Outlines 10-Year Improvement Strategy, Increases Fees to Pay for Reno

February 16, 2012 Vancouver Airport Authority has announced a 10-year strategy outlining $1.8-billion in improvements to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). YVR has set its sights on being the gateway of choice for travellers and airlines, particularly for the fast-growing Asian market. To meet this objective, YVR will decrease connection times between international and domestic flights, … Read More about Vancouver Airport Outlines 10-Year Improvement Strategy, Increases Fees to Pay for Reno

NFL On Location Provides Groups Access to League Events

February 6, 2012 The National Football League’s NFL on Location provides corporate and incentive groups access, throughout the year, to league events, including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, draft and the International Series Game. For instance, at the recent Super Bowl, the organization featured gameday hospitality at the exclusive NFL On Location pregame and postgame parties.
Also available are … Read More about NFL On Location Provides Groups Access to League Events

Peabody Orlando Unveils Meeting Incentives for 2012

January 24, 2012 The Peabody Orlando has introduced meetings incentives, for 2012, that are available to planners now through March 31, 2012. Meeting planners may choose one of the following as part of any event held this year: Complimentary Internet connectivity in the group’s meeting space (up to 10 mbps); 3 per-cent rebate off actualized room revenue back to your master account; complimentary … Read More about Peabody Orlando Unveils Meeting Incentives for 2012

Hilton Opens Two Hotels at Frankfurt Airport

January 16, 2012 Hilton Worldwide has opened Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt Airport and Hilton Frankfurt Airport, both featuring skywalk access to Frankfurt Airport's Terminal 1. Hilton Garden Inn offers 334 guestrooms featuring complimentary wireless Internet, a king-size Garden Sleep System bed and a work area with ergonomic chairs. Also on-site are a 24-hour business centre and three meeting … Read More about Hilton Opens Two Hotels at Frankfurt Airport

Hotel Contracts Checklist

Negotiating hotel contracts for your group’s stay needn’t be a winner-take-all proposition. With the right game plan, you can ensure that both you and the property come out ahead. written by Monica Simmie When it comes to hotel contract negotiations, there are dozens of ways to maximize benefits, while minimizing your spend and without sacrificing the quality of your event or the hotel’s bottom … Read More about Hotel Contracts Checklist

Belfast

With years of political strife and civil unrest behind it and billions of dollars of investment, Northern Ireland’s capital exudes vitality and boasts award-winning hotels, unique historical venues and contemporary attractions. written by Donna Carter fast facts Recommended Websites: belfastconventionbureau.com; gotobelfast.com Average Hotel Room Rates: $64-$146 (three-star hotels); $81-$398 … Read More about Belfast

Hamilton

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, … Read More about Hamilton

Trump Toronto Will Feature 12,000 sq. ft. of Event Space

January 12, 2012 The 261-room Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto, opening Jan. 31, will feature 12,000 sq. ft. of event space, including two ballrooms. Connected by a grand staircase, the Grand Ballroom and foyer, at 5,448 sq. ft., and the Grand Salon and foyer, at 4,640 sq. ft., will be located on the 9th and 10th floors. The space’s 14-ft. ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows will … Read More about Trump Toronto Will Feature 12,000 sq. ft. of Event Space

Skyline Buys Cleveland Arcade and Attached Hyatt Regency

January 3, 2012 Toronto-based Skyline International Development Inc. has bought the hotel, restaurants and shops of the historic Cleveland Arcade, which also feature a 10-year-old, 293-room Hyatt Regency. Skyline acquired the property at auction for $7.7-million USD after previous owners invested $70-million USD in buying and restoring the Arcade, including converting office towers to the hotel, … Read More about Skyline Buys Cleveland Arcade and Attached Hyatt Regency

Best Hotel Service EVER!

January 3, 2012 As many of us have been in the biz for a long time, we’ve seen high and low levels of service in a variety of venues. We hold all those experiences with us, as we continue to plan our conferences and events. Recently, my husband and I were in Playa del Carmen Mexico, at the Royal Playa del Carmen, where we encountered the best service I believe I’ve ever had, either on vacation or … Read More about Best Hotel Service EVER!

Charlottetown

With a new conference facility expected in 2013, P.E.I.’s coastal capital offers groups the perfect blend of culture, charm and hospitality, delivered with urban flair. written by Don Douloff fast facts Recommended Websites: meetingsandconventionspei.com; tourismcharlottetown.ca Getting There: Air Canada Jazz offers direct flights to Charlottetown Airport, from Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa and … Read More about Charlottetown

Los Angeles

The heart of the U.S. movie and television industry, eternally sunny Tinseltown finds new and intriguing ways to entice groups, with elegant hotels, exciting restaurants and peerless entertainment options. written by Don Douloff fast facts Recommended Website: discoverlosangeles.com Average Hotel Room Rate: Downtown—$142 Getting There: There are numerous weekly flights from Toronto (40 … Read More about Los Angeles

Iberostar Cancun Re-opens After $100M Reno

December 2, 2011 The new Iberostar Cancun beachfront hotel re-opened today after an extensive $100-million renovation that transformed the resort into an all-inclusive property. Formerly the Hilton Cancun Hotel, the new Iberostar Cancun was acquired by Spanish hospitality hotelier Iberostar Hotels & Resorts earlier this year. The new five-star beachfront property features 426 ocean-view … Read More about Iberostar Cancun Re-opens After $100M Reno

Direct Route to Scotland from Toronto Announced

December 1, 2011 One of Canada’s largest tour operators will launch its first direct route to Scotland next summer. Sunwing will operate a twice-weekly seasonal service between Toronto and Glasglow, from June to September. The new service was announced by Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for culture and external affairs, when she was in Toronto this week. Andrew Dawson, from Sunwing Travel … Read More about Direct Route to Scotland from Toronto Announced

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