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/