Friday, February 25, 2011

Always Unique, Always Memorable

There’s something about a site inspection of the Park Hyatt Toronto.

Over the years I’ve taken numerous clients to tour their facilities. The experience is anything but “cookie cutter”.

We’re talking about an industry where the product is differentiated more by service than anything else. After all, a bed is a bed is a bed, and a function room is no more than a big empty box. The Park Hyatt Toronto recognizes and capitalizes on its key selling points while addressing the client’s and the program’s unique requirements. At the same time they turn the site inspection itself into what you hope your meeting or function to be: a meaningful experience, to inspire and/or be remembered.

Just sayin’.

And the Winner is...


My (admittedly biased) pick for Best Scene in an Oscar-nominated film: the zero-gravity hotel in Inception.

Enjoy the Academy Awards this Sunday.




Wednesday, February 23, 2011

In the Vault

Really – you can have your meeting or event *inside* a real bank vault.

The repurposed space is a remnant of the building's former life as the head office of Canada's first bank. One King West - the hotel, which opened in 2006 - has retained its original circular door (four feet thick and weighing 40 tonnes) making The Vault a unique meeting venue and popular topic of conversation. One King West is currently using it as a temporary restaurant while renovations continue to its lobby – expanding Henri’s Bar, adding an internet lounge, and reconfiguring the area where the breakfast buffet is normally staged.

One of the hotel's other prime meeting spaces is the Banking Hall, with ornate two-storey high ceilings and purportedly the "longest bar in North America", modelled after the original tellers' counter.

One King West specializes in extended stays, offering both kitchen and laundry facilities in each of its modern suites, but is equally suited for shorter stays and medium-sized corporate meetings & events.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

A Refreshing Brand Standard

Free bottled water in Four Points by Sheraton guestrooms.

Oh - and free Internet, too.