Le Germain No. 5

Le Germain Maple Leaf Square is the fifth property to join the stylish portfolio of Canadian-owned and-operated boutique hotels identified by the small “g” logo.

Ultra-modern rooms feature the chain’s signature see-through showers, exceptionally large work space, both black-out and white-out blinds, and, over the bed, large black and white photos depicting the biceps or torsos of anonymous Toronto athletes. The hotel’s proximity to both the Air Canada (attached by “pedway”) and Rogers Centres makes it a natural choice for sports fans. Indeed, a special relationship with Maple Leaf Entertainment affords guests with front-of-the-line ticket opportunities. The hotel also as an “in” with the insanely popular “Real Sports” bar; home of north America’s biggest indoor screen.

Guests enjoy complimentary breakfast in a spacious lounge open all day for their exclusive use. A Tapas menu is available in the lobby bar, and the restaurant e11even (as in the 11 points of a maple leaf; e11even also has a private dining room for groups.

Meeting rooms are modest in size (as befits a boutique hotel) and are cleverly branded with sports names: the Neutral Zone, the Penalty Box, etc.

Easing into the market, Le Germain Maple Leaf Square should be fully operational in January 2011.

Make it a Delta Double

Delta Hotels recently announced the opening of a "new" Delta hotel in our nation's capital, right across the street from the exisiting Delta Ottawa.

The Delta Ottawa City Centre was most recently operating as the Crowne Plaza Ottawa, but those of us of a certain age will remember it as the old Skyline hotel - with its rooftop rooms affording great views of the city.

The property boasts a 10,000 sq.ft. ballroom (26,000 sq.ft. of meeting space altogether) and 411 guestrooms. Great news for this venerable convention hotel: Delta has committed 25 million dollars to a renovation program starting in June of next year.

"Our rooms ain't got no windows"

Sick with a cold, I burned through two seasons of the HBO series TrueBlood and came across this:

 

Anticipation

The long-awaited Ritz Carlton Toronto is just weeks away from welcoming its first guests - but don't expect a soft opening; The Ritz Carlton brand standards demand that every little detail is in place before the doors officially open. 

This hotel will also be the brand's entry into the Canadian market and a "sense of place" has been incorporated into its design, from the maple leaves on the marble floors in the lobby, and maple keys woven into the carpet in the meeting space, to the Canadiana artwork featured on the guestroom floors.

The hotel's food & beverage outlets will include "Deq" with a generous outdoor patio - we know how Torontonians love their patios! - and TOCA (Toronto Ontario CAnada) under the auspices of Chef Tom Brodi, formerly of North 44. Pictured above, TOCA will provide all-day dining on two levels, including a raw bar, walk-in wine cellar, and - another first in Toronto: a cheese cave.

Guestrooms:  267, including 59 suites
Meeting Space: 20,000 sq.ft., including a 7400 sq.ft. ballroom
Spa: 23,000 sq.ft. (wow!) with 16 treatmrnet rooms
Located on Wellington, between Simcoe and John

It's Not Easy Being Green

During a recent site visit of Le Westin Montreal I learned that Starwood is phasing out its signature Heavenly showers in favour of a model which will conserve water, and therefore be more evironmentally-correct. In the meantime guests are urged to opt out of the second shower head.

Which begs the question:  If one indulges in the full Heavenly shower experience is he/she headed straight to H***?

Too Many Cooks - Not!

This week I enjoyed a spectacular dinner featuring the artistry of three Executive Chefs from three local Starwood hotels: Chef Duff Lampard, of the Westin Harbour Castle,  Daniel Schick, Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Manager at Le Royal Meridien King Edward Hotel, and the Executive Chef of the Sheraton Centre, Toronto, Michael Picken.

The dinner took place in the King Edward's intimate yet grand Sovereign Ballroom, and I use the word "artistry" wisely, I think; each of the four courses was sublime in both appearance and taste. From the Kaleidoscope of Ontario Beets with Cashew Cheese, to the White and Red Sangria Jelly with Granite - all were intensely flavourful and fun in their presentation.

Did I mention that there was an emphasis on fresh local or regional ingredients? And that each course was appropriately paired with an Ontario wine?

The way to a dancer's/donor's heart....

I recently blogged about Jade Lyn and her amazing cake creations. Jade is also a very talented dancer, and a student of mine.

This week we held our annual Benefit Dance on behalf of CAMH (the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) and Jade not only provided a gift certificate for customized "Cake Art" as a raffle prize, she made a CAMH cake which we sold for $2 a piece.

It was a huge hit with the dancers; we could/should have charged more!

For more information on the work CAMH does to "transform lives" go to: http://www.supportcamh.ca/

Hotel Georgia Born Again

The Hotel Georgia in Vancouver has undergone several incarnations in its 73-year history. When it re-opens again in March of 2011 the Rosewood Hotel Georgia will be a member of the same luxury hotel chain that manages the The Carlyle in New York and the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas.

For Vancouver, which is still bright and shiny from hosting the world at last winter's Olympics, this latest offering combines the newness of Fairmont's Pacific Rim with the "boutique-ness" of the Shangri-La, and history of the Hotel Vancouver with the location of the Four Seasons.

There's an *amazing* pre-opening offer for groups booked between now and March 2011 - and "consumed" before the end of September - including concessions such as 1/25 complimentary rooms and a 3% rebate off your Master Bill. Please contact me for details.

http://www.rosewoodhotelgeorgia.com/

New Kid On My Block

When I moved back to Toronto from living and working at the Meridien Hotel in Kuwait in the late 80's I landed a job in the sales office of the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel at Avenue Road and Bloor. Today, over (gulp!) 20 years and a few career twists later, I find myself living and working just around the corner from the site of the brand new Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences.

At 55 stories it will be the tallest building in Yorkville, and will likely become my neighourhood's most visible landmark.

Welcome, neighbour!

Spa, Glorious Spa

(October 2010 E-News)

Do you remember the movie “Oliver”? Based on the Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist there was a scene where the young starving orphan, Oliver, looks longingly through a window at “Food, Glorious Food”…

Close - but yet, so far.

That’s kind of how I feel during hotel site inspections when the sales manager insists on showing me their Spa. Sure, I want to know the number of treatment rooms, the overall square footage, and what amenities or signature treatments the spa has to offer, but it seems so cruel not to be able to lie back and relax and be guest of the spa, instead of just a voyeur.

SERENITY, NOW
Such was the case – big time – when I went to see the new Sparkling Hill Resort which promises to “introduce North Americans to new and unique treatments that will stimulate their wellbeing and go well beyond the norm of current industry offerings”. Located 20 minutes from Kelowna airport (complimentary shuttle service available) and 15 minutes from Vernon, British Columbia the resort incorporates a staggering 3.5 million Swarovski Crystal in its décor throughout the property. There’s over 10,000 square feet of meeting space, and 152 uniquely-designed guestrooms, but the true centerpiece of the resort is the 40,000 sq. ft. Kurspa which includes pools of different temperatures, a Fitness Studio, customized treatment rooms, seven very different sauna/steam rooms, and the ‘no talking allowed’ Serenity Room with a spectacular view of the north end of Lake Okanagan and Predator Ridge Golf Resort.
http://www.sparklinghill.com/

ASIAN SENSATIONIn contrast, Chi at in the Shangri-la hotel Vancover offers just six treatment rooms, and each is self–contained with its own fireplace, private bath, shower and relaxation lounge (there are no common areas) for complete privacy during your spa experience. “Chi” is the name of Shangri-la hotels’ signature spas – the one in Vancouver being the first in Canada; Toronto’s “Shang” is not scheduled to open until 2012. “Chi” is also the Chinese word usually translated as “life force”, the concept of which drives the spa’s approach to the treatments it offers. The hotel itself offers just 119 guestrooms, all with complimentary internet access, and meeting space options include a state of the art theatre with roomy leather chairs with tray-tables built into the armrests.
http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/vancouver/shangrila

DESERT FLOWER
I recently received an invitation from AZA Tours of Arizona to attend a special Destination Showcase for Canadian meeting planners. The purpose would be experience first-hand some of the activities they arrange for our conference clients such as Guided Hummer Tours of the Sonoran Desert, or Day Trips to the Red Rocks of Sedona. It caught my attention for a couple of reasons: I’ve been travelling to Arizona quite often lately for personal reasons, and it includes a great rate at the fabulous Fairmont Scottsdale Princess including 15% off services at Willow Stream Spa services. I remember conducting a site there few years ago and thinking it was the most beautiful spa I’d ever seen. Alas, I didn’t have a chance to indulge myself in any pampering then, and I won’t have the opportunity to take advantage of AZA’s offer now.
http://www.fairmont.com/scottsdale

As I said: Close – but yet, so far.

Asian Sensation

Sleek and shiny at the corner of West Georgia and Thurlow, the imposing tower of the Shangri-la hotel Vancouver is – like so many new-builds today – mostly residences. At its base, though, is the Hong Kong-based chain’s entry into the Canadian hotel market. (Toronto’s “Shang” isn't due to open until 2012.)

All 119 guestrooms enjoy the exact same décor and amenities, such as free internet - the only difference in room categories is the size. Meeting space includes a state-of-the-art theatre for up to 47 people. There’s a large, well-equipped fitness centre, and the signature Chi spa offers six self-contained “spa within a spa” treatment rooms, one for couples.

The Lower Level lobby – though a bit dark – is designed to welcome guests as they arrive by car or taxi. There’s a second lobby at ground level with high ceilings, lots of natural light, a helpful Concierge desk, and a Lobby Lounge. Guests also have their choice of “four distinct dining atmospheres” at MARKET.

Asian art and design features grace the rooms and public spaces throughout the hotel, which is located within walking distance of downtown Vancouver’s popular attractions and shopping, and is exactly nine minutes (I timed it) from the brand new Vancouver Convention Centre.

http://www.shangri-la.com/

Crystal New Persuasion

Sparkling Hill Resort, 20 minutes from Kelowna airport and 15 minutes from Vernon, opened its crystal-adorned doors in May of this year. The hotel offers 152 guestrooms (each with its own crystal “fireplace”), a 2700 sq.ft. ballroom replete with crystal chandeliers in the shape of maple leaves, and a truly magnificent 40,000 sq.ft. spa and wellness centre.

In fact, it’s the Kurspa, with its focus on health and healing rather than aesthetics and pampering that makes this property so unique; that and the 3.5 million Swarovski Crystals that are used in every aspect its design.

After an intake interview guests are given a personalized program of treatments and remedies to follow during their stay, or they can enjoy some of the free facilities such as Fitness Studio, indoor, outdoor, and “hot” pools, and no less than seven (7) different sauna/steam rooms with varying temperatures, including the -110 degree Celsius “igloo”.

The food is outstanding, and although not busy at lunch, we were told that reservations for dinner are highly recommended. The Chef shops locally and organically and changes the menu almost daily based on the availability of the freshest ingredients.

Another attractive feature of the spa is the ‘no talking allowed’ Serenity Room, overlooking the north end of Lake Okanagan and Predator Ridge Golf Resort.

Serenity now.

http://www.sparklinghill.com/

http://www.sparklinghill.com/

What's in a name? Part 2

I arrived at Hotel Diva without an appointment, explaining that I was interested in seeing the hotel because I write a blog of the same name, and that I occasionally have need for room blocks at hotels during city-wides head-quartered at the Moscone Convention Center. Graciously welcomed, I was shown the meeting space, a couple of guestrooms, and one of the artist-designed lounges available as common areas for hotel guests to – well – lounge in.

I was told that the owner, a woman, has a background in interior design and hand-picks all the furniture, fixtures, and fabrics personally. I also learned that Hotel Diva is one of four boutique hotels in the Personality Hotel collection, and that one of its sister properties was the very first boutique hotel in San Francisco. All four are located in the Union Square neighbourhood – a veritable shopping Nirvana.

The image above is actually printed on a window blind. Can you make out the word "Diva" on the tops of the stockings?

http://www.personalityhotels.com/

What’s in a name? Part 1

It sounds kind of complicated but it was really quite painless.

From the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport I took the free shuttle to the International Terminal. I stored my suitcase at Travel Agency Services and boarded BART (the train) to Powell Station, downtown San Francisco.

From there I walked down Market Street to what I thought was going to be "Epplett's bakery".

Either it was a typo on the map or I need new glasses!

Eating It Too

In the current issue of Meetings & Conventions magazine a Baltimore baker was featured. The "Vincent Van Gough of dough" was lauded for his creativity in being able to create customized cakes for any occasion - or any event theme or company logo for that matter.

Hey - I know someone like that! Jade Lyn here in Toronto makes *amazing* cakes that taste as great as they look. My current fave is the Louis Vuitton Purse Cake pictured above.

Let me know if you'd like to talk to Jade about a cake for your next meeting or event.

Shhhhhh....Bisha

Quietly ascending on the corner of Blue Jays Way and King (next to the SOHO Metropolitan Hotel and kitty-corner from the Hyatt), is private residences-slash-boutique hotel which will go by the name of "Bisha". Slated to be the first in an international chain of such properties, the Toronto version will consist of about 81 hotel guestrooms and 340 luxury condo units. On the ground floor there will be a 24 hour cafe and lobby bar, both with outdoor patios (of course!), and the 7000 sq.ft. restaurant and lounge area on the 41st floor will be open to the public and available for buy-outs.

Their decadant sales prospectus is aimed at condo buyers and has a sexy "Hide and Seek" theme. Certainly some of the hotel details are yet to be revealed: number of room categories and meeting space capacities - although meeting space *is* indicated on the floor plans.

Scheduled to start welcoming guests April 2014.
http://www.bisha.com/

Talking Pointes

Notes from a recent trip to ARIZONA where I had an opportunity to see the two Pointe Hilton resorts...

Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak
Comprised of three main buildings: the cinnamon-coloured Convention Centre, and two mustard-hued guestroom blocks housing a total of 430 one-room suites, the Point Hilton Squaw Peak completed over $20 million dollars in renovations last year resulting in improvements to the lobby, all guestrooms, all meeting space, the River Ranch (water park) and the truly fabulous Tocasierra Spa and Fitness Centre (where I took advantage of both a Zumba class and the $15 "margaritas and manicures" promotion.)

Also part of the multi-million dollar facelift: the newly-opened Rico's American Grill joins the ranch-themed Hole-in-the-Wall restaurant, poolside cantinas and in-room dining to give guests several food and beverage options on-site

The property's prime meeting space is conveniently concentrated in the Convention Centre, with two ballrooms on the main floor (9,760 and 8,318 sq.ft, respectively), and breakouts stacked on top, with outdoor terraces available for meals and/or breaks. Guest accommodations also include 133 one- and two-bedroom luxury Casitas.

Pointe Hilton Tapatio
Minutes away, built on the so-called cliffs at Tapatio (don't worry, the hotel offers shuttle service to guestrooms), is this sister property - and like all sisters, they share a similar DNA, but assert their own style, and spend their allowances differently.

Tapatio's $25 million "allowance" went towards exterior painting, a new lobby, improvements to all guestrooms and meeting space, remodelling of the on-site 18-hole golf course, and the creation of a brand new 12,200 sq.ft. ballroom (in addition to the existing 16,000 sq.ft. Grande Ballroom). Its two signature food & beverage outlets, Pointe N Tyme and Different Pointe of View, were also completely renovated - the latter still enjoying a spectacular view of the valley while offering fine dining in a relaxed, upscale setting.

http://www.pointehilton.com/

The Regina Monologues

I found the experience of flying into Regina fascinating. At first all you see is the seemingly endless prairies, dotted with bright yellow canola fields. Then you come upon something that looks exactly - and I mean *exactly* - like the city map provided by the Regina Regional Opportunities Commission (http://www.reginaroc.com/). You can take in the entire city below you at a single glance. At its heart is the 2300-acre Wascana Park (bigger than New York's Central Park and Vancouver's Stanley Park put together) with its imported greenery and man-made lakes. You can also make out the Delta Hotel, Regina's tallest building, and then cutting a straight-edge through the city right to the horizon, the trans-Canada highway.

Regina feels like the most Canadian city I've ever been to, after Ottawa. Yes, being greeted at the airport by two Mounties in their red serge jackets, balloon paints, tall boots and stetsons might have something to do with it. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police "Depot" is located here, where every Mountie in Canada trains for at least six months. This is also home to the Canadian Football League's most spirited fans; going to a Saskatchewan Roughrider game was a little like Halloween, Mardi Gras, and the Olympics all rolled into one afternoon!

During our visit we learned about an exciting downtown revitalization project centred on historic Victoria Square, and we sampled some of the city's culinary delights including the Copper Kettle's famous pizza, and food and brewskie pairings at Beer Brothers.

A few hotel highlights:

The Regina Inn Hotel & Conference Centre
Offering 235 spacious guestrooms (all with complimentary internet access and free local calls), this venerable downtown Regina hotel has been welcoming guests in 1967. Its 20,000 square feet of meeting space divides across three floors, with four ballrooms and eight meeting rooms. http://www.reginainn.com/

The Delta Regina
Already mentioned as the tallest building in the city, the Delta also has the largest ballroom (14,580 square feet) which has been recently renovated. (We loved the bold carpet choice!) With only 274 guestrooms they often partner with the neigbouring Wingate Hotel for overflow accommodation. The Delta is also attached by pedway to Casino Regina which has a tiered Show Room with stage that can be used for tradeshows or other functions. www.deltahotels.com/

Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza
Ideally located overlooking the soon-to-be-redeveloped Victoria Square, this historic hotel ws built in 1927. It boasts a (truly!) Royal Suite and old-fashioned working barber shop as well as 13 elegant function rooms Guestrooms offer complimentary internet and Radisson-standard Sleep Number beds. http://www.radisson.com/

Your comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome!

Julie

Julie Epplett, CMP
Global Account Manager
ConferenceDirect®

San Diego Dreamin'

This month's Enroute magazine celebrates San Diego, California (http://enroute.aircanada.com/en/issues/view/sun-and-games), in particular the many attractions of interest to the young - or the young of heart: Legoland, the famous San Diego Zoo, and the new Childrens Museum, just to name a few. It also mentions the venerable Hotel Del Coronado - which reminded me of my own visit to the "Del" just last year.

From the Archives (April 16, 2009):

HILTON SAN DIEGO BAYFRONT
This was our host hotel for ConferenceDirect's Annual Partner meeting – a brand new property (opened within the last year) towering 30-stories over the adjacent San Diego Convention Centre and San Diego Bay. The waterfront location is celebrated throughout the property with touches of blue in the décor, and the meeting space is organized on levels called “Indigo”, “Sapphire”. “Aqua”, and “Cobalt”. Guestrooms enjoy either bay or city views, Hilton’s Serenity Collection beds and linens, plasma televisions with HDTV, both wired and wireless internet service, and large work desk with ergonomic chair. Women travellers will appreciate the spacious vanity in the bathrooms with proper lighting. The gym is smallish, but the bayside boardwalk directly outside the hotel makes for an excellent walking or jogging path, and San Diego’s famed “idyllic climate” means that outdoor exercise is nearly almost an option.

FOUR SEASONS RESORT AVIARA
Located near Carlsbad, about a half hour up the coast from San Diego, this oasis of luxury overlooks 200 rolling acres – much of it a wetlands sanctuary for native birds and flowering plants – and the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. As a sanctuary for two-legged creatures it offers a disproportionately generous amount of eclectic function space, an Arnold Palmer golf course, choice of swimming pools (one “Quiet” and one for families), tennis courts, fitness facilities, and a sublime spa. Guestrooms all have private balconies or ground-floor terraces, again taking advantage of the Southern California climate. All the Four Seasons markers are in evidence, along with the promise of exceptional service.

HOTEL DEL CORONADO
Located across San Diego Bay in the seaside city of Coronado, the “Del”, was built in 1888 and is designated a National Historic Landmark. Its prestigious guestlist reads like a “Who’s Who” of politicians, diplomats, and visiting Royalty (was it here that Edward VIII met Coronado divorcee Wallis Simpson?). It was famously one of the locations used in the film “Some Like it Hot” with Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon and continues to welcome such high-profile celebrities as Brad Pitt and Madonna. A walk through the resort’s public areas brought us to the jaw-dropping Crown Room, whose Crown-shaped chandeliers (I discovered later) were designed by Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum.

* * *

P.S. At last week's IncentiveWorks I dropped by the San Diego booth and congratulated the Convention and Visitors Bureau representative for once again garnering ConferenceDirect's "CVB of the Year" award. They do an outstanding job partnering with us and ensuring our clients get the support they need to bring successful meetings to that beautiful city. Let me know if you need any information on the destination and/or its many hotel options.

Julie

Julie Epplett, CMP
Global Account Manager
ConferenceDirect®

Thompson T-Dot

There's been a great deal of press lately about the stylish new Thompson Toronto, including a small scandal surrounding celebrity chef Scott Content's Huffington Post blog being "condescending" towards Toronto's restaurant scene. Oh well.

I wrote about the Thompson in my January 28th, 2010 enewsletter: "Twenty-Ten - So Far, So Good?" (reprinted below)

How are those New Year’s Resolutions holding up? I’ve been on a bit of an “Out With The Old, In With The New” kick, but when it comes to hotels I embrace both the old, traditional “Grande Dames”, as well as the newest and most trendy offerings.

FAIRMONT CHATEAU MONTEBELLO
A visit to the “largest log cabin in the world” just before Christmas afforded the experience of seeing the venerable Fairmont Chateau Montebello decked out in her finest festive “bling”. There were lights, candles and garlands everywhere, and the huge Christmas tree in the lobby was dwarfed only by the four-sided stone fireplace which is both the heart, hearth, of this historic property. How historic? The Chateau land dates back to a 17th century siegneurial estate - something I vaguely remember learning about in Grade Five Social Studies – and its 65,000 acres houses not only the hotel, but a private nature reserve and a collection of five-star chalets. The resort itself offers a little over 200 guestrooms and a wide range of activities, including curling (a first for me!). Its new conference centre – with 5000 square feet of meeting space - blends seamlessly with the existing facilities. www.fairmont.com/montebello

THOMPSON TORONTO – OPENING SPRING 2010
A new luxury boutique hotel is coming to Toronto! The Thompson Toronto will open its doors at 550 Wellington St. West with 102 guestrooms, a 3000+ square foot ballroom, boardroom for 25 people, and a variety of dining and entertainment options: from upscale Italian and Sushi restaurants to a 24-hour diner and stylish lobby bar (can’t wait to see the hand-painted, three dimensional mural of Toronto's skyline!). The hotel’s 16th floor will feature a rooftop pool, cabanas, and year-round lounge with fireplace and bar. There are currently nine hotels in the prestigious Thompson collection, including the Roosevelt in Los Angeles and 60 Thompson in New York; this will be the group’s first location outside the U.S. http://www.thompsonhotels.com/

***Update: The Thompson Toronto started welcoming guests in June, and the much-anticipated Scarpetta is *almost* open (there was snag with the liquor licence last weekend)***

LOOK UP, WAY UP….
With the opening of the Buri Khalifa in Dubai earlier this month, Toronto’s own CN Tower was forced to relinquish its 31-year old claim to being the world’s tallest free-standing structure. Nevermind. The Tower still offers some unique event facilities, including 360 Restaurant (with its award-winning wine “cellar” – located at 351 meters/1151 ft.), the more casual and versatile Horizons on the Look Out Level – also with spectacular views - as well as meeting rooms and the 144-seat Maple Leaf Cinema at ground level. http://www.cntower.ca/

***Update: I actually visited the tower this week with a friend from out-of-town. What fun to play tourist and take pictures of ourselves on the glass floor! We saw Porter flights taking off from the newly expanded Island Airport, and the redesigned AGO looks pretty cool from that vantage point.***

Julie Epplett, CMP
Global Account Manager
ConferenceDirect®

Patio, Patio

"To patio" is practically a verb in Toronto during our all-too-brief summer, and despite the recent heat wave sidewalks, terraces, rooftops, and courtyards remain resolutely packed with Torontonians exercising their unalienable right to eat, drink, and be merry en plein air.

I asked a few discerning friends to join me on a tour of Yorkville hotel patios, starting with the historic Windsor Arms: Toronto's first boutique hotel whose discreet charms have been celebrated in a couple of Atom Egoyen's films (most recently Chloe). Two distinct patios wrap around the hotel along St. Thomas and Sultan Streets: one is an extension of their restaurant, twenty-two, and the other features comfortable rattan chairs and a front-row view of the hotel's arrivals and departures. I challenged our server/bartender to bring me a non-alcoholic "mocktail" and received a muddled-fruit concoction which was as refreshing as it was pretty. Along with drinks we ordered an Asian-inspired lobster salad, one of the many appetizers offered at half-price until 6:30 p.m. daily.

At the InterContinental Yorkville's SkyLounge we were a bit disappointed not to find seating on the designer sofas - some of which were marked as "reserved" for wedding parties arriving later. This is a funky and casual outdoor room situated in the hotel's sheltered inner courtyard. A deejay spun Latin club-style music, and our server was friendly and knowledgeable about the wine list - even offering small tasting portions to assist with the decision-making process. (Though we couldn't help noticing that the same glass of wine here was $3 more than at the Windsor Arms). We ordered from the extensive tapas menu: grilled asparagus and bruschetta. Yummy!

Our next stop was the venerable Roof Lounge on the 18th floor of the Park Hyatt - but alas, all the outdoor tables were taken - and inside, too, was pretty much filled to capacity. At The Hazelton Hotel we were turned away from the insanely-popular One which was fully reserved for tables of diners - no chance for a casual drink or appetizer here.

Would love to hear your experiences or recommendations. On my hit-list for later this summer are the patios at The Old Mill Inn and Spa and the always hip Drake Hotel. In the meantime, though, I’m off to Regina to experience what that city has to offer convention groups. Watch for that report soon.

Until next time!

Julie

Julie Epplett, CMP
Global Account Manager
ConferenceDirect®

Double Booked

(Previously shared as: Bad Meetings Happen May 2010)

Bad Meetings Happen

…just not at Hyatt. That’s the slogan of a campaign produced by Hyatt Hotels promoting their HyattMeetings.com website. This is just one example, which Hyatt screened for us at our Annual Partner Meeting in Atlanta, May 10-14. (I laugh out loud every time I watch it!)

While in Atlanta we stayed at the remarkable Atlanta Marriott Marquis (designed by renowned Atlanta architect John Portman) with its stunning atrium lobby, 160,000 square feet of meeting space, and over 1600 recently renovated guestrooms. The Marriott is connected to the Hilton Atlanta and is across the street from the Hyatt Regency Atlanta (also designed by Portman) – although a permanent pedway is planned to connect that hotel as well.

Over 600 hotel partners were in attendance, establishing or maintaining connections, and updating ConferenceDirect associates on new developments at their properties and advising us of limited time offers that may be of interest to our clients. Educational sessions included breakouts on advanced hotel negotiations, working with convention centres, and ConferenceDirect’s latest housing and registration solutions.

Sadly we were too busy with meetings and networking to enjoy Atlanta as a destination (sound familiar?) but one night Gaylord Hotels hosted a select group of ConferenceDirect associates for dinner on Turner Field – right ON the field! The dugout became a bar. We enjoyed appetizers of mini-burgers and salted pretzels, and were treated to a live performance of the Star Spangled Banner before taking our seats for a three-course meal.

Julie

Julie Epplett, CMP
Global Account Manager
ConferenceDirect®