All Entries in the "Canada" Category
Quebec City’s Luxury Ice Hotel
In January a handful of hotel guests outside of Québec City, Canada did the unthinkable: they climbed into sleeping bags for a long night’s sleep atop giant blocks of ice. It’s a ritual performed every year from January through March at the Hôtel de Glace of Québec.
The hotel is made up entirely of ice and compacted snow; construction typically begins in late November as long as the weather in the Northern Québec cooperates. The 2012 version boasts some brand-new features never before seen as well as what hotel officials describe as “amazing discoveries and lots of fun,” combining the art, culture, and history of the First Nations that once inhabited the area.
Groupon and Expedia Partner for Travel Deals
Over the last 10 years online travel sites offering discounted deals have seen great success. And about three years ago, the new Groupon concept of group coupon shopping deals also hit the Internet, also to explosive success. Now the two industries have come together in a recently announced joint venture between Groupon and Expedia. The two companies are partnering to launch a brand-new website geared at connecting travellers with deeply discounted deals all across the globe.
The new website will be offered in the U.S. and Canada to start, then later in other countries. Right away users will have access to deals from more than 135,000 hotels and resorts already working with Expedia. The service will work similar to Groupon in a model that presents users with new deals at regular intervals. Users can claim those deals, within a limited time frame, in order to receive a voucher to be used sometime in the future. Dates for booking the actual travel are flexible.
It remains to be seen exactly what the final product will look like, but Groupon and Expedia both expect the site to be very successful. With millions of regular users already between them, the two companies are holding out hope that their partnership is one that will set the course for the future of discounted travel online.
The Ritz-Carlton Toronto Makes Its Debut
Toronto’s latest and likely most expected hotel formally opened up its gates recently. Found in the middle of the downtown area and close to where the financial and performing arts districts meet, The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto provides a brand new degree of extravagant character for the skyline while featuring 267 guestrooms, including 56 suites, 2 Deluxe Suites and The Ritz-Carlton Suite which is an extra-spacious 2,400 square feet.
With unimpeded Northern or Southern facing views of the city or Lake Ontario, every guestroom or suite at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto delivers floor-to-ceiling glass windows with warmed perimeters, vibrant African Anigre wood and Portuguese Estremoz marble that enhances the natural, yet modern décor. Spacious lavatories feature warmed marble floors, twin vanities inlaid with 22” HD television screens, individual rain showers and soaker bathtubs with tub caddies.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa provides extra indulging with 16 therapy rooms, including 2 Couples Suites, personal Ladies’ and Gentleman’s wet lounges, sauna spots and dry relaxation areas. Unique solutions influenced by the beauty of Canada’s beautiful outdoors define the feeling such as the fragrant Cloud 9 Massage, which makes use of nearby local flower gardens and herbs such as Niagara lavender and Quebec sage.
LivingSocial Launches Deal Site for Travel: LivingSocial Escapes
LivingSocial, the famous deal site that offers discounts up to 70% off experiences in major U.S. cities is now getting into the travel business. LivingSocial now has handpicked and memorable travel packages at discount prices.
LivingSocial Escapes will deliver one-of-a-kind day trips, packaged ‘nearcations,’ quick escapes that don’t require air-travel, and weekend excursions they might not typically pursue. Upon launch last week LivingSocial Escapes had 8 different vacation packages available.
LivingSocial in October acquired local adventure company Urban Escapes. This move was the first step towards providing its LivingSocial subscribers a chance to experience travel adventures, produced by a team of on-the-ground experts.
“LivingSocial is not just about deals, it’s about creating experiences and memories at a value. People really cherish their vacations – whether it’s an overnight trip to a local Bed & Breakfast or a tropical beach getaway – traveling is special, and LivingSocial Escapes is the best place to find one-of-a-kind travel packages to places you love, have been dying to try, or ones that will surprise you,” said Tim O’Shaughnessy, CEO and Co-founder of LivingSocial Escapes.
Ultimate Luxury Hotel For Baseball Fans: Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel
The Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel is the world’s only 4 diamond hotel situated in a major league sports and entertainment location. The hotel is adjacent to the Metro Toronto Convention Center and CN Tower.
The hotel features 348 stylish guest rooms of which seventy rooms offer unique views of Rogers Center stadium where the Toronto Blue Jays play baseball. The field can be viewed from the comfort of the luxury guest rooms. Other rooms offer views of the beautiful Toronto City.
Toronto’s Trendy Thompson Hotel
Thompson Hotel in Toronto is located in the trendy area of Central King West. This area is known for its art and design, as well as the boutiques, galleries and restaurants. The luxurious 102 guest rooms are beautifully designed by Studio Gaia and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with extensive views of the city.
The luxury hotel includes a heated rooftop infinity pool, a private rooftop bar and event space with great views of Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario. The hotel also includes a theatre with 40 over sized seats and writing tables, ideal room for seminars and presentations.
Other hotel amenities include has 24-hour concierge and room service, daily delivery of domestic and international newspapers, and twice daily housekeeping service. The event room has the latest technology and business needs, yet is still stylish enough to arrange weddings and receptions.
