In this episode of Checking In, Rosanna Caira, editor and publisher of Hotelier magazine speaks with Andy Loges, Area General Manager, Canada East & Ohio, Hilton, about the Hilton Toronto’s recent renovation, the opening of its new restaurant called Frenchy, as well as challenges and opportunities of operating a hotel in the post-pandemic world. The post E47. Driving Success  appeared first on Hotelier Magazine ..read more

NEW YORK — Loews Hotels & Co has named Dan Flannery Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, he’ll be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to enhance operational efficiency, improve guest experiences and drive overall business growth. Flannery brings a background in operations, training, brand development, food-and-beverage concept ideation, financial management and team building to Loews Hotels & Co. Most recently, Flannery was the CEO of Cape Resorts. Prior to that role, he created and launched the EDITION luxury lifestyle brand with Ian Schrager. While at EDITION ..read more

CALGARY — Moxy Banff, developed in partnership with Drumheller, Alta.-based company, Canalta Hotels, has officially opened. “As an Albertan-owned company, we’re thrilled with the opportunity to partner with Moxy Hotels, an industry-leading brand that brings both bold design and energetic atmosphere to the naturally beautiful and vibrant community of Banff, Alta.,” says Brooke Christianson, VP, Canalta Hotels. This addition to Banff Avenue is the result of a significant renovation to Banff, Alta.’s first commercial motor hotel originally constructed in 1964. Moxy Banff pays homage to the histor ..read more

MCLEAN, Va. and TORONTO — Hilton is accelerating its development efforts in Canada. Following a year of rapid multi-brand, multi-destination growth with 10 new hotel openings, including the first Canopy by Hilton in Canada, Hilton ended 2023 with 180 open hotels in the country spanning more than 28,000 rooms across 11 brands. With nearly 20 deals signed in 2023, Hilton’s Canada pipeline consists of approximately 90 hotels and more than 11,000 rooms and will introduce Spark by Hilton and Motto by Hilton into Canada in 2024. Hilton will soon surpass 200 hotels in Canada, and plans to increase it ..read more

TORONTO — The hotel industry gathered last week at Toronto’s Westin Harbour Castle for the annual Canadian Hotel Investment Conference (CHIC). Carrie Russell, senior managing partner at HVS kicked things off with her session, Speed Data, which looked at hotel operational and financial performance across the country, highlighted which markets are strong and providing opportunity and how they differ from those markets failing to thrive, as well as which expense lines continue to compress profitability.  Other morning sessions included a panel of experts discussing the challenges involved in ..read more

TORONTO – Kostuch Media Ltd. (KML) has announced the winners of its Top 30-Under-30 awards program for 2024. The annual recognition program celebrates and salutes the foodservice-and-hospitality industry’s top young professionals ― both in front of the house and back of the house as well as in various segments of the industry ― in the process of fostering and inspiring tomorrow’s hospitality leaders. Being chosen as a Top-30-under-30 winner helps create a sense of pride and self-esteem for young professionals while, at the same time, highlights exemplary role models for those who choose to pur ..read more

TORONTO — Days Inns – Canada has welcomed fifth-generation hotelier Anike Bélanger and hotel manager Audrey Hatin as new owners of award-winning Days Inn – Berthierville, Quebec. Michel Bélanger has passed the leadership torch to these two women, who have played vital roles within the company for more than two decades. “Even though there are major obstacles and difficulties in transferring a business that could discourage many, I’m proud that Anike and Audrey were able to make this acquisition. I’m convinced they’ll take it to the next level,” he says. The new owners are committed to building ..read more

BETHESDA, Md. — Marriott International has appointed two new members to its Canadian senior leadership team. Susie Grynol will join as market vice-president, Eastern Canada. She most recently served as CEO at the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC). Keri Robinson will assume the position of area vice-president, U.S. Western Mountain Pacific and Western Canada, expanding her current responsibilities. Both positions will report to Paul Cahill, senior vice-president, Canada Operations. “We are thrilled to welcome Susie and Keri to our Canadian leadership team. As this region continues to grow, thei ..read more

TOWNSHIP OF MONO, Ont.  — Resorts of Ontario, in collaboration with industry leaders, has announced a significant initiative to support the next generation of hospitality professionals. The organization has committed a $3,000 bursary to bolster the Be Our Guest co-op program, emphasizing its dedication to fostering talent and addressing labour shortages within Ontario’s resort industry. In a speech delivered at a gathering of industry leaders during the 2024 Season Summit conference, Hani Roustom, CEO of Friday Harbour Resort and a Resorts of Ontario board member, expressed gratitude for ..read more

TORONTO — Choice Hotels Canada is celebrating the winners of its annual 2024 Guest Satisfaction Awards. The award tiers, Platinum and Gold, are determined largely by verified customer feedback through guest insight surveys and likelihood to recommend scores. Additional criteria includes quality assurance reviews and overall good standing in the Choice Hotels Canada system of more than 330 operating hotels from coast to coast. This year, there are nine Platinum Award winners and 22 Gold winners. Platinum winners are among the top three per cent of hotels and truly represent the best of the best ..read more