Canada’s newest tourism experiences were introduced at the Canada Media Marketplace 2013, hosted by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) at The Waldorf Astoria New York.
Over 160 Canadian-based luxury hotel and resort operators were present as part of the nation’s Signature Experiences, including Fairmont Le Château Frontenac—one of five Fairmont properties located in the heart of Old Quebec.
Travel Agent had a chance to sit down with Le Château’s Public Relations Director, Genevieve Parent, to discuss the hotel’s future plans and new efforts to attract international tourists.
Le Château “will undergo a $66 million renovation project to celebrate its 120th anniversary,” said Parent. “Several areas of the hotel will be expanded and renovated, including revamping the 618 rooms.”
The main lobby will also be transformed along with the expansion of the Fairmont Gold Lounge. Fifteen more rooms are being added on a new floor of Fairmont Gold rooms.
The Château guestrooms and suites are complete with premium bedding, minibars, bathrobes, coffee and tea makers, cable televisions and access to high-speed Internet.
Guests are also accommodated in one of the Fairmont rooms with a full buffet breakfast for two at Le Café de la Terrasse restaurant, served between 7-10:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7-11 a.m. on weekends. Tea, coffee, an honor bar and complimentary cocktail canapés are served between 5-7 p.m.
Dinner for two is served at Le Champlain and a bottle of wine from the restaurant's selection. Hours of operation are Wednesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Le Champlain's menu offers À la Carte, guéridon service, Table d'Hôte and Menu Découverte (Discovery Menu) with main courses starting from $35 to $49 CAD.
The Cellier du Château (Château Cellar), a banquet room unveiled by the hotel in May 2012, is also available to guests for hosting special events including banquets, dinners, weddings, receptions and cocktails.
The cellar has over 2600 square feet (240 square meters) and can house up to 150 people in cocktail (standing) and just about 100 people in banquet (seated).
“The hotel will feature an additional full-service spa and health club with access to an indoor pool, spa tub, steam rooms and fitness center,” stated Parent. “There will also be an increase in meeting space and the installation of state-of-the-art technology.”
Le Château will not be closed during the renovation phase, and only the sections that are off limits to the public will be the sections undergoing renovation. "The hotel is expected to break ground on renovation projects in May 2013 and scheduled completion by mid-2014," said Parent.