Don't Stop The Dance!

The venerable King Eddy is again taking a new dance partner.

After seven years under Starwood stewardship as Le Meridien King Edward Hotel Toronto, the 109-year old “grande dame” will – on July 17th – take back her maiden name, and follow the lead of one of her owner-partners, Skyline Hotels & Resorts.

For guests and groups booked into the hotel it should be pretty much business as usual, and the current condominium development and renovation plans remain unchanged.

Whew! Yours truly has been patiently waiting for the reopening of the Crystal Ballroom every since I heard about The King Edward Hotel’s “secret” roof-top ballroom.

Skyline also manages Deerhurst and Horseshoe resorts, and the Cosmopolitan and Pantages boutique hotels

The End of An Era

It seems such a cliché to say “if these walls could talk”, but certainly The Sutton Place Hotel Toronto would have borne witness to some pretty juicy stories in its 45-year history.

It seems The Sutton Place name has always been linked with the famous as well as the infamous, starting with an unsuccessful mob hit just months after it opened in 1967. The incident literally put the hotel on the map – with newspaper articles describing the brand new property as “posh” and “swanky”. In the three years I worked there we were still the host hotel for the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, now known as simply as “TIFF”. I have my own personal “star stories” including a chance encounter with none other than Madonna!

Last week I attended a farewell function for the staff, past and present – in anticipation of the hotel’s closure on June 15th. It was a classy and surprisingly moving trip down memory lane which included messages from various celebrities who fondly remember The Sutton Place as their home away from home while in Toronto.

But it was the testimonials of the long-time employees that really choked me up. Many, many with over 25 years of service spoke with such deep pride about taking care of the thousands of guests who walked through those doors at 955 Bay Street.

That’s why they call it the hospitality industry.

Tragically Hip

Club-style line-up, complete with bouncer, outside The Drake Hotel



It's Saturday night, and the line-up up of expectant and slightly inebriated party-goers stretches down the block. I was there to attend a Prince tribute in the Drake's designated event space, the Underground, but the main floor Dining Room was standing/dancing/drinking-shots room only, and I imagine the Sky Yard (a second floor outdoor patio overlooking Queen Street) was equally packed, considering the fine weather.

May-be not what some of the hotel guests staying there expected.

The scene certainly lends validity to concerns of residents in Prince Edward County, where Drake owner Jeff Stober is opening a remodelled and renovated century old inn: The Drake Devonshire. 

Bottom line for someone in my position is to know my client's expectations, the demographics of the group, and the goals and objectives of their meeting - as well as the overall "culture" of a prospective hotel, beyond its guestroom amenties and meeting room specs.

Come Up To The Lab

The "Chocolate Lab" is a signature dessert station offered at the Trump Hotel Toronto, both in its 31st floor restaurant, Stock, and for private functions.

Elements can be customized, as they were last night for our ConferenceDirect Client Event, held in the private dining space overlooking Stock.

It's hard to believe the hotel has only been open 90 days!  We were warmly greeted by the General Manager, who shared with us his vision for the residential-style of service, differentiating Trump in a now-crowded luxury market.

This evening afforded my clients, and clients working with my other ConferenceDirect associates in Toronto, to mix an mingle, sample some of the Trump cuisine (including the Chocolate Lab treats!), and see the hotel meeting rooms and guestrooms for the first time.

ConferenceDirect's Executive Vice President and Chief Talent Officer, Brian Richey happened to be in town and joined us - thanking our customers for trusting us with their meeting planning needs ("Like the airlines, we know you have a choice") and acknowledging all of the ConferenceDirect associates for the work we do in providing a consistent level of service to our valued clients. 

Keeping Austin Weird

True to its civic slogan the city of Austin erected a statue of "outlaw country music" singer/songwriter (and notorious pot-smoker) Willie Nelson outside the hip W Hotel, Austin on April 20th.

Texas-born and 10-time Grammy winner Nelson has made Austin his home since 1971 and is credited with securing the city's reputation as the live music capital of the world. He appeared on the very first episode of Austin City Limits in 1974, which is broadcast from a studio now located adjacent to the W.

The April 20 date was apparently a complete coincidence, but then organizers took full advantage by scheduling the unveiling for 4:20 p.m.

Only in Austin.

Wikipedia weighs in on 420

Going Big in the Big Apple

Sometime between the time that the moratorium on skyscrapers was lifted - then re-imposed - "The Donald" managed to erect a 40+-story glass tower in the area of lower Manhattan South of Houston known as SoHo, thus affording guests of the Trump SoHo unobstructed views from their oversized suites with floor-to-ceiling windows.

The hotel offers 12,000 sq.ft. for meetings and events, and a Spa almost as large as all the function space put together. Their current "Spring into Value!" promotion for business booked *now* until the end of April, and travelling before the end of August, includes:

• 3% credit to Master on some charges
• 1/40 complimentary guestrooms
• 1/10 (!) upgrades to suite at group rate
• welcome amenity for all guests
• complimentary internet in all guestrooms
• 15% discount at The Spa
• $500 gift card for the planner

Please let me know if you'd like any additional information!

Springtime on the Roof

From the 18th floor of the Park Hyatt Toronto, General Manager (and Canadian Hotelier of the year in 2011) Paul Verciglio welcomed guests to his  elegant hotel with a reception featuring spring-inspired food stations and cut tulips everywhere. 

It was a beautiful, cloudless evening and the views of Bloor Street, the Royal Ontario Museum, and Queens Park - already quite green - were an inspiration.

Mr. Verciglio spoke eloquently about the changing supply of hotel rooms in Toronto, with the closure just this past weekend of its long-time neighbour and competitor across the street (and getting a nervous laugh about his staff sending over a cake to wish them well), and the Sutton Place - now officially closing its doors June 15th. He also acknowledged the recent and impending openings, and how they are driving his hotel to stay on top of its game.

Continuing what it does so well - great service and phenomenal food and beverage - will ensure Hyatt's place in the changing market...and the Roof!  With both Windows and Stop 33 gone, what other hotel function room in Toronto will afford such iconic views?