THE WINNERS’ CIRCLE update Oct. 27, 2020

Twenty-eight Super 8s win Travelers’ Choice awards

CALGARY — Super 8 by Wyndham is pleased to announce that 28 of its Canadian properties have been named recipients of the 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award (formerly known as the Certificate of Excellence award).

The properties that have been recognized have consistently received outstanding reviews and ratings from their guests throughout the year. This award recognition is based on millions of reviews and ratings that have been collected from travelers from all over the world.

The Travelers’ Choice Award has been handed out annually by TripAdvisor for 18 years and is acknowledged as the universal seal of approval from highly valued guests. Categories are broken up per region and include the very best in terms of customer satisfaction, service, and quality across a wide range of categories.

The hotels that were recognized include:

• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM WINNIPEG EAST MB
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM LAKE COUNTRY/WINFIELD AREA
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM 100 MILE HOUSE
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM MIDLAND
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM KENORA
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM WINDSOR NS
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM PORT ELGIN
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM OSOYOOS
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM BRANDON MB
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM PETERBOROUGH
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM SASKATOON NEAR SASKATOON AIRPORT
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM LACHENAIE/TERREBONNE
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM KAPUSKASING
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM PRINCE ALBERT
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM SHERWOOD PARK/EDMONTON AREA
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM TIMMINS ON
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM COCHRANE
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM HIGH RIVER AB
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM MONT LAURIER
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM FORT ST. JOHN BC
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM CANMORE
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM HIGH LEVEL AB
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM DAUPHIN
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM VERNON BC
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM AMHERST NS
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM GRIMSBY ONTARIO
• SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM CARAQUET

Travelodge Canada Travelers’ Choice winners

CALGARY — Travelodge Canada is thrilled to announce that four of its properties have been named recipients of the 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award (formerly known as the Certificate of Excellence award).

Properties have been recognized based on millions of reviews and ratings collected from travelers based around the world. In receiving this honour, the Travelodge Suites by Wyndham Saint John, Travelodge Suites by Wyndham New Glasgow, Travelodge by Wyndham Strathmore, and Travelodge by Wyndham Spruce Grove have consistently received outstanding ratings from their guests over the past year.

“We offer our congratulations to the four Travelodge Canada properties, and also to recipients across the entire Wyndham brand, for maintaining the highest level of service and their commitment to the guest experience” said Trevor Hagel, Executive Vice President, Operations, Travelodge Canada. “Receiving a Travelers’ Choice award is a notable accomplishment under any circumstance, but even more so during the current pandemic environment.”

The Travelers’ Choice Award has been handed out annually since 2002 and is accepted as a universal seal of approval from highly valued guests. Categories are broken up per region and include the very best in terms of customer satisfaction, service, and quality across a wide range of categories.

Choice Hotels Canada Spirit of Hospitality winner

TORONTO —Choice Hotels Canada recently announced the winner of its inaugural Mark Pearce Spirit of Hospitality Award, Tammy Cayen, assistant general manager at the Comfort Inn in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. This annual peer-nominated award honours the memory of Mark Pearce, senior vice-president, International Division, who worked for Choice Hotels International, and previously Choice Hotels Canada, for 26 years until his passing in 2019. He was deeply respected by his peers and is remembered as a warm and caring individual who truly embodied the spirit of hospitality.

“I am, quite simply, overwhelmed and tremendously honoured by this award,” said Tammy. “I would like to acknowledge and thank our amazing team at the hotel. Cultivating a hospitality-centric mindset is easier when surrounded by such committed and hard-working professionals.”

As one of the leaders on property, Tammy’s dedication to hospitality helps set the tone for the entire Comfort Inn team. A frequent winner of Choice’s Guest Satisfaction and APEX Awards, the property is known for its service excellence. Tammy has also been instrumental in organizing parties for families who are visiting loved ones in the nearby long-term care facility and enabling families to get together at the hotel – even decorating a meeting room for Christmas so a family could enjoy a holiday meal together.

“A passion for hospitality and genuine interest for every single person she meets are just two traits that Tammy so generously shares with everyone – both guests and members of the Comfort Inn team,” said Brian Leon, President, Choice Hotels Canada. “She embodies the qualities that Mark stood for, and we are proud and humbled that Tammy is such an exceptional ambassador the Comfort brand.”In total, there were 26 peer-nominated submissions for the award. Any owner, general manager or hotel-level associate was eligible for nomination. The selection committee consisted of Choice Hotels Canada’s senior leadership team, as well as representatives from former Canadian Hotel of the Year recipients

Coast celebrates 25 Travelers’ Choice Award winners

VANCOUVER — Coast Hotels is excited to announce that 25 of the 37 properties within its portfolio have been honoured with TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.

“Being selected as a Travelers’ Choice winner is a great recognition. It means that the property is fulfilling guest’s expectations, and that the management is responsive.” remarked Kelli Steer, Coast Hotels vice-president hotel operations. “Welcoming guests during COVID-19 has added to the operational requirements at hotels, so celebrating these wins is a little sweeter this year.”

In total, 25 properties within the Coast Hotels portfolio received TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards:

• Coast Abbotsford Hotel & Suites
• Coast Annabelle Hotel
• Coast Bastion Hotel
• Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre
• Coast Capri Hotel
• Coast Chilliwack Hotel by APA
• Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA
• Coast Discovery Inn
• Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel by APA
• Coast High Country Inn
• Coast Hillcrest Hotel
• Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre
• Coast Langley City Hotel & Conference Centre
• Coast Lethbridge Hotel & Conference Centre
• Coast Prince George Hotel by APA
• Coast Sundance Lodge
• Coast Swift Current Hotel
• Coast Tsawwassen Inn
• Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA
• Coast Oliver Hotel
• Campus Tower Suite Hotel (managed by Coast Hotels)
• The Benson, a Coast Hotel
• The Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel
• The West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel
• Waimea Plantation Cottages, a Coast Resort

“Whether we’re hosting a family on vacation or a guest travelling on business, our goal is to provide a good night’s sleep in a friendly and welcoming environment. We want to be a place where memories are made and guests feel at ease”, stated Coast Bastion Hotel general manager, Dave McQuinn. “We get a lot of satisfaction in knowing our guests leave happy – the TripAdvisor award is icing on the cake.”

Fairmont Château Whistler named best resort in Canada

BANFF, Alta. — Condé Nast Traveler has announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards with Fairmont Chateau Whistler being recognized as the “Best Resort in Canada”, and sister-properties Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge ranking within the Top 10 Resorts. More than 715,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted an incredible number of responses rating their travel experiences across the globe.

“The results of this year’s survey, conducted at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, are a testament to the lasting power of a meaningful travel experience,” said Jesse Ashlock, U.S. Editor of Condé Nast Traveler. “The winners represent the best of the best for our audience and offer plenty of trip-planning inspiration for all the adventures we can’t wait to have next.”

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. In addition to Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s first place finish, the 2020 results saw Fairmont Banff Springs #6, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise #7, and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge #8 Best Resorts in Canada. The full list of winners can be found here.

“These awards represent the best our industry has to offer and we are honoured our discerning guests have recognized us as leaders,” said Gregor Resch, Regional Vice President, Canada’s Western Mountain Region, and General Manager, Fairmont Banff Springs. “However, without the hard work, dedication, and genuine passion for hospitality our employees embody every day, these awards would not be possible.”The 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website at www.cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler US and UK print editions.

Destination Canada For Glowing Hearts brand honoured

Destination Canada’s For Glowing Hearts brand won several awards at the inaugural Idéa Competition, which brings together creative communications professions in Quebec. Destination Canada recently revamped its marketing campaign to the emotive tagline, For Glowing Hearts, words they believe “speak to the heart and passion of travel”. The Idéa Competition celebrates the diversified talent of professionals and brands, through six major disciplines: Advertising creation, Design, Media, Digital and technology, Craft / Production as well as Business results and strategy. Outlined below are the awards that our creative agency, Cossette, won on behalf of Destination Canada.

• Gold | For Glowing Hearts Brand Identity & Actualization
• Silver | Destination Canada’s New Logo
• Bronze | Destination Canada Custom Font

Destination Canada’s North Americana Podcast was also recognized with two awards at the Lowell Thomas Awards, one of the world’s most prestigious awards programs in travel journalism. North Americana won both Gold and Silver for the podcast category, beating out stiff competition in Condé Nast, Afar, Rick Steves, amongst others. Destination Canada’s episode spotlighting the Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes took home the Gold award, while their episode on the Viking Heart of American and Canadian New Icelanders was awarded second place.

Kostuch announces Hospitality Heroes

TORONTO — While typically Kostuch Media ends the year on a high note with special December Pinnacle Awards issues, celebrating some of the industry’s shining stars, this year, in light of a lingering pandemic, and government-mandated restrictions to hold large events, Foodservice and Hospitality and Hotelier are both proud to present a special issue and webcast celebrating several of the industry’s companies and individuals who went above and beyond during this time of crisis.

Find out how these individuals and companies managed to bring their “A” teams together to help the community during an unprecedented crisis. Our “Hospitality Heroes” will be recognized in this special issue by sharing their stories and highlighting the impact of their actions on the industry.

Then on Dec. 4, 2020 ─ on what would have been the date of Kostuch’s annual Pinnacle Awards celebration at the Fairmont Royal York ─ they will host a live webcast roundtable featuring all of their “Hospitality Heroes” to recognize and support their sterling and stellar Community Spirit.

Hotelier magazine Heroes include:

• Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
• Sandman Hotels
• Accent Inns
• The Hotel Association of Canada

Three Canadian islands win Condé Nast awards

Earlier this month, Condé Nast Traveler announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards with Canada securing three places within the islands category for North America (outside U.S.). Cape Breton received the top spot in the category, followed by  Vancouver  Island in second place and Prince Edward Island received fourth place. More than 715,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe. While our border remains restricted to international  visitors, this award reminds us of the amazing places right in our own backyard. Congratulations to the three Canadian winners!