The charming city of Victoria, BC has announced an array of news sure to intrigue groups and planners considering the destination.
For starters, the resplendent Oak Bay Beach Hotel reopens in the spring of next year as a shimmering five-star property. In addition to 100 guest rooms, there will be ample meeting areas, a wine cellar, theater, and adjoining dock bustling with waterborne activities. www.oakbaybeachotel.com
And at the renowned Fairmont Empress, a new ballroom opens (also in spring of 2012) providing nearly 4,000 square feet of meeting space in a former restaurant space. The new venue will have room for up to 250 guests and rounds out the property’s 23,000 square feet of space. www.fairmont.com/empress
Harbour Towers Hotel & Suites has also made some changes, investing about half-a-million dollars in improved bedding packages for all 196 guest rooms, upgrading their banquet facilities and launching a new ‘wine by the glass’ program. www.harbourtowers.com
Green-focused groups might be intrigued by the Oswego Hotel’s Eco-Green Meeting Package, an option for groups ranging from eight to 20 in size. The package includes an ‘Organic Advantage’ breakfast, nutritious rest break and a chef’s ‘local choice’ lunch. Free USBs help save paper, and 10 percent of your group’s F&B order will go towards the non-profit Land Conservancy of BC. www.oswegovictoria.com
Kudos are also due to the Victoria International Airport for being chosen as the eighth-most-loved airport in the world (in a poll by CNNGo), and to a pair of BC properties included in the first-ever ‘Fodor’s 100’ Hotel Awards; The Wickaninnish Inn was honored in the Casual Chic category, and the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort was hailed in the Local Flavor category.