LUXGetaway » Canada

Quebec City’s Luxury Ice Hotel

Carmen — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:16:09 +0000

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.

The Hôtel de Glace of Québec is certainly not the only ice hotel in the world. The concept actually dates back to a 1990 art show in Sweden where an ice igloo, which was part of the show, was used as accommodations for some of the guests because of a lack of hotel space. From those humble beginnings more than 20 years ago, ice hotels have evolved to become elaborate works of art with themed rooms, ice sculptures, full ice bars, and incredible lighting.

Nightly rates start at $199.

Hôtel de Glace Québec
http://www.hoteldeglace-canada.com/
9530 Rue de la Faune Quebec
QC G1G 4G4, Canada

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Groupon and Expedia Partner for Travel Deals

Carmen — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 16:16:29 +0000

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.

Although the new site won’t be officially launched until the end of June, interested consumers can sign up now at the website.

LivingSocial Launches Deal Site for Travel: LivingSocial Escapes

The Ritz-Carlton Toronto Makes Its Debut

Carmen — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 07:50:40 +0000

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.

The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto provides an incomparable dinner encounter with signature restaurant, TOCA. TOCA’s Canadian food selection features organic, naturally-raised, environmentally friendly ingredients which is an expression of Chef Brodi’s eager dedication to utilizing nearby purveyors and manufacturers.

Toronto is a crucial Canadian metropolis and this hotel harmonizes with the collection of Ritz-Carlton properties that are found around the world. Toronto is a modern metropolis with genuine global attraction, enjoying plenty of attention and visitors from around the globe, whether visiting for pleasure or business. The opening up of The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto really helps to place this lively location into the spotlight for discerning luxury travelers.

Room rates at the Ritz Carlton Toronto start at just over $400 per night.

Ritz Carlton Toronto
181 Wellington Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3G7 Canada
416-585-2500

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LivingSocial Launches Deal Site for Travel: LivingSocial Escapes

Michael — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:05:13 +0000

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.

“We want to make it as easy for people to discover new things, so each travel experience offered through LivingSocial Escapes is authentic, accessible and requires minimal planning.”

The LivingSocial Escapes’ travel experts are on the ground in more than 100 markets across the U.S., Canada, UK and Ireland. These experts are working directly with business owners, and constantly researching the best in local attractions. As a result, the company is able to create memorable trip experiences in every location.

Once a LivingSocial Escapes package goes live, they are available for one week.

For more details and to visit escapes.livingsocial.com.

Ultimate Luxury Hotel For Baseball Fans: Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel

Carmen — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 05:27:45 +0000

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.

On-site is Arriba Restaurant, which serves Mediterranean cuisine foods. There are many restaurants near by the hotel to eat at including Pizza Rusica, Spot Coffee, Cora’s, Kit Kat Italian Bar & Grill and more.

Advanced facilities and expert meeting professionals are available for the guests who are traveling for business. There are 12 spacious meeting rooms at the Renaissance Toronto Downtown hotel. The largest meeting room is 3, 995 sq ft and has seats for 400 guests. All meeting rooms have wired or wireless Internet access.

This is a dream hotel for any baseball fan that doesn’t want to leave the comfort of their very own hotel room to watch the live game.

Renaissance® Toronto Downtown Hotel
One Blue Jays Way
Toronto, Ontario M5V 1J4 Canada
Phone: 1 416 341 7100

Toronto’s Trendy Thompson Hotel

Michael — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:28:13 +0000

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.

While at Thompson Toronto enjoy fine dining at the upscale Italian restaurant, Scarpetta.

Rates start at just over $200/night.

Thompson Hotel Toronto
www.thompsonhotels.com/
550 Wellington Street W
Toronto, Ontario M5V 2V4

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