Le Germaine’s Dominion hotel in Old Quebec offers both quality business facilities as well as the charm of a prime tourist neighbourhood. (Photo courtesy of Hotel Le Germain Dominion)
Vacay.ca has teamed with Hotels.com to create a series of articles highlighting the best hotel travel experiences in Canada. We have spotlighted romantic hotels in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, as well as destinations for families, single travellers, and chocolate lovers. In this instalment of the series, Vacay.ca Deputy Editor Rod Charles looks at some of the best hotels in Canada for guests who travel for work but stay in places that make business travel fun.
Story by Vacay.ca Editor Rod Charles
The business traveller has come to expect certain amenities, from free WiFi to fitness rooms to proximity to airports and business centres. But some hotels truly go above and beyond. For this feature, we looked at some of the needs for corporate guests, focusing on some of the unique amenities different hotels have that cater to the demands of the business traveller.
Here are some of Vacay.ca’s top tips for the business traveller:
1. Look for the deals
There are several hotels offering great deals for the business traveller and too many to name here, but Le Germain Hotel Quebec is one example of a hotel that has done a wonderful job creating packages that fit hand-in-hand with the needs of the business traveller. Le Germain Hotel Quebec is the perfect place to have business meetings and events. The property’s Business Package for $235 includes one night in a superior room, meeting room use, morning and afternoon breaks, lunch and a welcome amenity. A deluxe continental breakfast is also included as is a gift for each business guest. The hotel also offers free continental breakfast and WiFi, 60 smoke-free guestrooms and bar/lounge, and a 24-hour fitness centre.
Le Germain Hotel Quebec
Address: 126 rue Saint-Pierre, Quebec City
Amenities: Restaurant and bar/lounge, spa, indoor pool, fitness centre
Phone: 866-299-2910
Rating: 4.9 / 5
2. Location, location, location
One thing that matters to the business traveller is location to the nearest airport or train station. These hotels give business travellers easy access to the places they need to be and proximity to the places they want to be for an easy journey home.
Fairmont Vancouver Airport In-Terminal Hotel
This hotel is an example of an outstanding property with a can’t-miss location. Situated directly above the US departures terminal, the hotel is only a two-minute stroll from the luggage carousels. Fairmont Vancouver Airport In-Terminal Hotel offers limo/town car service, 24-hour front desk and WiFi in the lobby, business people will feel at home in their office.
Fairmont Vancouver Airport In-Terminal Hotel
Address: 111 Grant McConachie Way, Richmond, BC
Amenities: Restaurant and bar/full-service spa, ski storage
Phone: 866-299-2910
Rating: 4.6 / 5
Le Germain Maple Leaf Square is in the heart of the action in Toronto and also across the street from the city’s main train station. (Photo courtesy of Le Germain Maple Leaf Square)
Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square
Ideal for conducting business and then for the times afterwards or on weekends when business hours are done, this Le Germain property is next to Toronto Union Station and is a six minute cab ride (give or take for traffic) away from Billy Bishop Airport. It’s also adjacent to the Air Canada Centre and Rogers Centre, outstanding downtown Toronto restaurants and attractions, such as the CN Tower and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square
Address: 75 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON
Amenities: Restaurant, Fitness center, Valet parking, 24-hour business center
Phone: 866-299-2910
Rating: 4.8 / 5
3. Anticipating business and technology needs
Business travelers rely on technology to keep them connected to loved ones at home and to colleagues in their office. Here are some of the hotels who have gone above and beyond with their technology and business offerings to guests.
OPUS Hotel Vancouver offers every guest the use of Samsung Smart phone for the duration of their stay so they can stay connected and not worry about roaming fees. They also have use of of a boardroom at the hotel to hold meetings, unlimited North American long distance calling from the hotel room and free colour printing of up to 100 sheets.
OPUS Hotel Vancouver
Address: 322 Davie St, Vancouver, BC
Amenities: 24-hour fitness center, Valet parking, 3 meeting rooms
Phone: 866-299-2910
Rating: 4.6 / 5
4. The City Slicker
Sometimes, the best way to do business and really motivate your team (or yourself) is to change the scenery completely and get back to nature. A retreat away from the city can be just what the doctor ordered.
Trout Point Lodge of Nova Scotia
Trout Point Lodge in Kemptville offers guests a place to unwind after business is done with its exclusive, adult-oriented hotel which has 13 beautifully appointed rooms. Bicycles are available to take a leisurely ride around the area. Staff here are widely praised for their exceptional customer service making each guest feel pampered.
Trout Point Lodge
Address: 189 Trout Point Road, Kemptville
Amenities: A garden, a library and 24 hour front desk and conference space
Phone: 866-299-2910
Rating: 4.8 / 5
West Coast Wilderness Lodge of British Columbia
If business takes you to the west coast, take advantage of the seaside. The West Coast Wilderness Lodge is one of the most easily accessible wilderness resorts in British Columbia and the perfect spot to appreciate all that the Sunshine Coast has to offer. The 26-room lodge in the fishing village of Edgmont offers spectacular views and the west coast laidback attitude that will help any business traveller unwind.
West Coast Wilderness Lodge
Address: 6649 Maple Road, Egmont
Amenities: Restaurant, spa services, a lobby fireplace and a terrace
Phone: 866-299-2910
Rating: 4.2 / 5
Ste. Anne’s Spa of Ontario
If it’s time for you and the rest of the colleagues to take a breather and perhaps even a bit of healing after meeting hectic business deadlines, the place to go is Ste. Anne’s Spa in Grafton. The hotel refers to its business conference rooms and meeting spaces as a healing environment. The spa ground’s relaxed corporate environment gives everyone in the company a place to discuss important goals, get motivated and build important business connections. Take in some of the spa’s services and treatments and everyone will relax and feel rejuvenated. What better way to inspire creativity than providing stimulation and blood flow throughout the body?
Ste. Anne’s Spa
Address: 1009 Massey Road, Grafton
Amenities: Full service spa, horse rentals, outdoor pool
Phone: 866-299-2910
Rating: 5 / 5
