Boutique hotel with Elan
Driving along 17th Avenue S.W. a pleasing bright red facade against white railings is a standout amid the rather drab apartment buildings to the north.
The structure was once one of the many apartment blocks along the avenue but has been totally refurbished into a classy, boutique hotel.
Hotel Elan is the result of the experience gained by the management and operations team of Nuvo Hotel Suites that opened in the Beltline district along 12th Avenue S.W.; an understanding of the needs of visitors and a lot of travel to learn what makes a great boutique property.
Sarah Webb is the general manager of Nuvo and as director of marketing for Hotel Elan was kept busy preparing for its opening last month, which is already receiving rave reviews from guests.
Webb is a seasoned traveller who lived in the U.K. while earning her MSC — Business and Enterprise at Oxford Brookes University. On her return to Calgary she worked in marketing at Community Natural Foods before joining Nuvo preparing for its opening in February 2009.
In spring 2010, the apartment block at 1122 16th Avenue S.W. was purchased, and with the help of Rick Balbi Architect it has been converted into 62 studio, one- and two-bedroom suites. It meant completely gutting the interior and rebuilding to allow for nine room-styles per floor, an inviting reception area, The Orchid breakfast room on the main floor and a fitness centre on the second.
The hotel fits the needs of business travellers as the suites feature the latest technology, complimentary long distance including the U.S. and 73 other countries, free Wi-Fi and portable video conferencing.
Seven of the suites have their own private gym; all have kitchen amenities, spa-inspired bathrooms, 15 mw Internet connections and flat screen TVs.
Hotel manager Lewis Shaw, who has 20 years experience in the Calgary hotel industry with properties that include Glenmore Inn and Village Park Inn, is particularly happy about the location of Hotel Elan. The 17th Avenue retail and entertainment district is a vibrant part of the city. Although guests are treated to a free, cooked breakfast, the hotel does not have a restaurant. “Why, when we have numerous restaurants, lounges and pubs so close,” says Shaw. There are also a multitude of boutique shops in walking distance.
Balconies facing onto the avenue offer superb views to the south over to Mount Royal district. Downtown is a short drive for guests who have their own vehicle that can be parked in one of the 42 underground parking stalls. The hotel also has a relationship with Car2Go, which ensures one of its Smart cars are always available.
Hotel Elan integrates luxury accommodations, meeting spaces and business technology in one offering, and it is the first hotel in Western Canada to be part of the Choice Hotel’s Ascend Hotel Collection, a network of boutique and unique hotels that offer guests an authentic, local experience. Members share a passion for delivering attentive service to guests seeking a more experiential, individualized travel experience that give them a sense of local flavour.
HSBC has announced it will dedicate $1 billion over the next 18 months specifically for Canadian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who do business internationally, or who have concrete plans to.
The funding is available to qualifying new and current HSBC customers with annual revenue of $3 million to $250 million interested in cross border or global expansion.
Linda Seymour, executive vice-president, Head of Commercial Banking, says, “Statistics show that Canadian companies who do business internationally tend to grow faster over the long term than those focused solely on domestic activity.”
Calgary businesses are expected to be front runners in this new offer — time to visit your banker.
I went to replenish my olive oil at Blue Door Oils & Vinegar in the shop off 85th Street S.W. and owner Bruce Gillis was pleased to tell me he opened a second location last week in the new farmer’s market at Symons Valley Ranch.