26 June 2007
“It’s been a long time coming…but it will be worth the wait.” In August 2007, the completely renovated, redesigned and repositioned Best Western Hotel on Chocolate Lake will open adding a fresh hospitality approach to the metro Halifax market, Glenn Squires, President and CEO of Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. announced today.
With 133 rooms, the majority overlooking Chocolate Lake, and nine suites, a full-service, casual dining room, bar, expanded meetings rooms, a ballroom and lakeside patio-and complete with a resident Chocolate Labrador Retriever named Cocoa-” the new hotel is a compliment to the unique urban lake area of Chocolate Lake,” Mr. Squires said. Closed following extensive structural damage during Hurricane Juan, it has “taken time to find a comfortable niche” for this hotel primarily because of its prestige location. “We believe that not only our guests but the neighbours of the property will be proud of the result and appropriately, they will be the first to see it, during a Neighbourhood Open House in early July,” Mr. Squires said. The property is located at 20 St. Margaret’s Bay Road in Halifax.
Experienced hotelier, Joe McGuinness is General Manager of the Best Western Hotel on Chocolate Lake. “As we watch the property take shape we are increasingly convinced this hotel adds a new dimension to the hospitality landscape in this city,” he said. “We’ll offer a country escape in the heart of Halifax with full amenities and yet a more casual atmosphere. From the fireplace in the marble lobby to treats for family pets; from complimentary high speed internet and On-Command Movies to a pool and fitness area second to none, the Best Western Hotel on Chocolate Lake will be memorable.” It will open as a 100 percent smoke-free property.
Best Western International is THE WORLD’S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN(R), providing marketing, reservations and operational support to 4,200 independently owned and operated member hotels in 80 countries and territories worldwide. Information and reservations for the Best Western Hotel at Chocolate Lake are available on line at www.chocolatelakehotel.com and by calling 1-888-561-7666.
The hotel is owned by Aquilini Group Properties LP of Vancouver, British Columbia, managed by Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. and has been renovated by a number of local construction companies at a total cost of more than $10 million. Upon completion the staff complement will number 75 full-time and casual employees.
Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. is one of Canada’s leading, privately-owned hotel management companies with a portfolio of 37 hotels throughout Canada and the United States totaling more than 3,800 hotel rooms and suites. Pacrim Hospitality is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Intergy (a division of Pacrim) is a global, fully integrated e-commerce, central reservation company that specializes in the hospitality industry. This unique Pacrim enterprise further promotes Pacrim’s ability to gain a decisive competitive advantage and drive bottom line performance. In fact, Intergy clients average sales ranging from 3-10 additional occupancy points – one of the best rates in our industry – over their own marketing efforts. The result is innovative, integrated marketing and sales solutions that allow our clients to monitor, manage and improve return on investment.
To learn more about Intergy, their services and how Intergy can help your hotel. Visit them online; www.intergy.ca.