OPENINGS, SALES AND RENOS July 23, 2019

Comfort Inn Halifax sold by CBRE

CBRE was retained as exclusive advisor and agent to GPC Investment Limited in its sale of the 63-room Comfort Inn Halifax. The hotel has excellent visibility and access from Bedford Highway, and also enjoys unobstructed waterfront views from across this two-lane highway. The property had been recently renovated and was in extremely good condition, with 63 guest rooms, a breakfast room, meeting space and recreational amenities. It was being offered unencumbered by any management agreement upon a sale.

CBRE Hotels undertook a broad marketing campaign recognizing the attractive deal size for investors looking to enter or expand their portfolio within the highly sought after Nova Scotia market.

Dual brand Marriotts open in Dartmouth

Dartmouth, N.S. — The new 196-room dual-branded Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott hotel in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia is now open. Located at 35 Shubie Drive, the hotels are owned in a partnership between Southwest Properties, JLK Global Fund International (JLK) and New Castle Hotels & Resorts, and operated by New Castle Hotels & Resorts of Shelton, Connecticut. The property will celebrate a grand opening event on Thursday, August 1, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The hotel includes an indoor pool with 151-foot waterslide and jacuzzi, fitness center, an outdoor patio with fire pit, an electric car charging station and 2,237 square feet of meeting space accommodating up to 120 people.

Situated in Dartmouth Crossingwith numerous shopping, dining and entertainment options, the property offers guests convenient access to the new RBC Hockey Fourplex, Scotiabank Centre, Casino Nova Scotia and Burnside Business Park – home to 1,400 businesses employing more than 18,000 people.

“This development is a perfect storm of location, product and demand,” said Guido Kerpel, regional vice president for New Castle Hotels & Resorts. “Dartmouth Crossing is the business and leisure epicenter of greater Halifax and has tremendous demand for hotel rooms. At some point everyone in Nova Scotia has a reason to visit and we look forwarding to exceeding our guests’ expectations with these beautiful new hotels. Our staff of knowledgeable Maritime hoteliers will ensure that every experience is a memorable one.”

The Courtyard Halifax Dartmouth guest room offers hybrid zones for working, sleeping, relaxing and getting ready. The new room design is intuitive and thoughtful, offering flexible yet comfortable spaces that enable technology. Upon arrival, guests can store bags on the “Luggage Drop” and plug personal devices into the “Tech Drop” ledge for seamless technology integration. The Courtyard also offers the Refreshing Business lobby environment, where guests can enjoy an open and bright area outside of their rooms. Along with media pods, complimentary Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones, the redefined space is ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social gatherings. The lobby also features the newly designed Bistro, the epicenter of the lobby, which fosters social connections and collaboration with more flexible and informal seating options

The Residence Inn Halifax Dartmouth offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites. Designed for stays of five nights or more, each suite also has a fully equipped kitchen with a coffeemaker, microwave oven and residential-sized appliances. Guests looking for a revitalizing sleep experience will enjoy the hotel’s plush mattresses and crisp linens, while guests focused on being productive will value their suite’s large, well-lit work desk, ergonomic chair and complimentary high-speed Internet access.

Hotel Equities breaks ground on Fairfield Kitimat

ATLANTA — Hotel Equities and Horizon North Logistics Inc. (Horizon North) have broken ground on a fully-modular Fairfield by Marriott in Kitimat, B.C. The 120-room hotel is phase II of an entirely modular-built, mixed-use community development by owners, Horizon North. Hotel Equities has been selected as the managing partner to operate the new hotel. The anticipated opening date is the first quarter of 2020.

With valley views and a mountain backdrop, the Fairfield by Marriott Kitimat is situated along the city’s major entrance and in close proximity to industrial development in the Kitimat region. The approx. 55,000 square foot hotel will feature flexible meeting space, state-of-the-art fitness center, a lounge with food service, and spacious guestrooms and suites with separate spaces for work and rest.

“We are pleased to expand our management portfolio into the coastal community of Kitimat with our new partners, Horizon North,” said Joe Reardon, chief development officer for Hotel Equities. “Our engagement at inception will deliver a strong ROI to the owners, aiding them in all aspects of development, pre-opening and post-open operations.”

“Owners and developers choose modular construction for its advantages in productivity and efficiency, without compromising quality,” said Rod Graham, president and chief executive officer of Horizon North. “The speed of modular construction offers opportunity for owners to open the doors faster and begin generating a return on investment, a critical consideration in development. In addition, our hotels are structurally robust, with inherently quieter rooms as a result of the modular construction process, creating a better customer experience for the developer and the guests.”

Horizon North has significant and varied experience in hospitality development, including hotels in Revelstoke and Oliver, British Columbia, a hostel nearing completion in Jasper, Alberta, and a hotel currently being built in Prince George, British Columbia.

Holiday Inn Mississauga revamps and opens

TORONTO — NHL Hotels Principal has reopened the newly renovated, 143-room Holiday InnMississauga Toronto West. Located in the heart of Mississauga’s business district with easy access to highway 401, the hotel is close to many shopping centres and family attractions, making it an ideal location for guests travelling for business or leisure.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is the parent company of the Holiday Inn brand.

“With the current renovation, we know this hotel will serve the growing number of travellers visiting the Greater Toronto Area who are looking for a welcoming stay,” said Anand Hospattankar, general manager. “We’re so excited to offer the first Burger Theory Restaurant and Lounge in Ontario to our guests at this Holiday Inn property.”

Additional amenities at the Holiday Inn Mississauga Toronto West hotel include a large indoor swimming pool, a fully-equipped fitness center, and 2,778 square feet of meeting space with a capacity for 230 people, seamless wireless connectivity and high-tech AV gadgets.

The Holiday Inn Mississauga Toronto West will also feature Burger Theory, the brand’s full-service restaurant concept that offers a customizable menu with more than 4,000 potential burger combinations and a large selection of craft beers and cocktails, in a fun, inviting and lively atmosphere. Kids 12 and younger eat free when ordering from the kids’ menu in the hotel restaurant and accompanied by a dining adult.

Brampton dual brand Home2 Suites and Hilton Garden Inn

BRAMPTON, Ont. — JM Hospitality recently celebrated the grand opening of its latest 220 room dual branded Hilton Garden Inn and Home2 Suites by Hilton Toronto Brampton hotels, located in the heart of Brampton at Highway 410 and Steeles Avenue.

Corporate guests, the surrounding business community, Hilton executives and the City of the Brampton mingled at the June 26 opening event. a

Dignitaries Brampton mayor Patrick Brown, Adrian Kurre, global head for Home2 Suites by Hilton, and Tom Lorenzo, vice-president and managing director, Franchise Development at Hilton, kicked off the event with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Hosts of the evening Hanisha Sharma and Hasheel Lodhia of JM Hospitality, along with Bhulesh and Chuck Lodhia, shared their exciting journey on
the large scale development of the hotels, while recognizing their key partners who helped turned their vision of this project into a reality.

JM Hospitality’s littlest “seven year old CEO” also took questions about the project from the audience, while Mayor Patrick Brown spoke about the hotel and its significant contribution to the Brampton business community as he presented JM Hospitality with a congratulatory plaque.

Adrian Kurre shared Hilton’s growth plans in the extended stay brand Home2 Suites. Chris Nasetta, CEO of Hilton, provided a touching video message expressing his excitement about these hotel openings and the upcoming triple branded Hilton hotels in JM Hospitality’s pipeline. As the celebrations continued through the evening, the night wrapped up with desserts and hotel tours.

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fort Mac cuts the ribbon

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Marriott International’s TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fort McMurray hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 25. The new hotel located at 321 Sakitawaw Trail, which opened on April 8, operates as a Marriott franchise, owned by Mikisew Cree First Nation, Royop Hospitality Corporation and Calgary-based MasterBUILT Hotels, who also manage the hotel.

At the ceremony, the Autism Society of Wood Buffalo received a $5,000 cheque from Common Ground, a program designed by MasterBUILT Hotels to promote socially responsible practices across Canada, with a specific focus on the communities they build in.

The TownePlace Suites Fort McMurray is located eight minutes from downtown and 13 minutes from Fort McMurray International Airport. The new hotel offers guests convenient access to the Oil Sands Discovery Centre, Fort McMurray Heritage Village and MacDonald Island Park.

Ideal for travellers who need accommodations for longer stays, this new property offers studio and one-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, as well as separate living/working and sleeping areas. Guests can work and relax on their own terms in modern suites that feature full kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, adjustable work spaces with built-in shelves and lighting, a large flat screen television, as well as luxurious new bedding.

Most rooms also feature the Home Office Suite, designed to provide guests with plenty of storage and flexible space to spread out and make it their own.

The TownePlace Suites Fort McMurray also allows guests to maintain a healthy lifestyle with an array of food options. While on property guests can create their own complimentary hot breakfast every morning in the lobby area, and can fire up their stay by grilling up dinner on our outdoor Weber grills. The 24-hour In a Pinch market and On Us coffee service offer guests the chance to get their snack and caffeine on whenever they feel the need.