‘No-frills’ boutique-style Alt Hotel opens to public
Group Germain Hospitalité welcomed guests to its second Calgary property, the new Alt Hotel in East Village last week, an innovative “no-frills-chic” concept offering modern design and eco-friendly features at a low price.
Located at the corner of Confluence Way and 6th Avenue S.E., across the street from the popular Simmons Building, Alt Hotel is in the heart of the quickly expanding East Village, offering stunning views of the Bow River and access to the many amenities and attractive public spaces.
Just a quick walk into the downtown and an easy stroll to the Stampede grounds, it promises to be a favourite spot for the young, independent traveller who embraces the no-frills boutique style of hotel.
General manager of the new property is Lionel Houliat, adding the responsibility of running Alt Hotel to the elegant Hotel Le Germain, the 143-room boutique hotel that was the Canadianowned hospitality group’s first venture in Western Canada when it opened in 2010 across from the Calgary Tower.
His duties there also include management of the 100,000-square-foot adjoining office tower and the 40 private residences atop the two buildings.
Reservations are in the hands of regional director of sales Sandra Giorgetti, who, as well as the two Calgary properties, will also be responsible for new Alt Hotels planned for University District in Calgary as well as others in Saskatoon and Edmonton.
Added to the management team at Alt Hotel is director of operations Nadia Gravel, who joined Le Germain from Silvera for Seniors. Today there is a staff of 25, but Houliat expects that to ramp up after Q1.
The 10-storey building offers 152 pet-friendly guest rooms above a three-storey below grade parkade with space for 104 vehicle stalls.
The open lobby area on the ground floor entrance from Confluence Way leads into a restaurant/ bar serving breakfast and lunch, and will lead into a 50- to 60-seat restaurant for dinner that will open next springsummer.
A wide staircase leads up to the second-floor spacious foyer overlooking both the Bow and Elbow Rivers, RiverWalk and the St. Patrick’s Bridge over to the park, a pleasant meeting area tying into the 5,000 square feet of meeting rooms, all with natural light from large floor-to-ceiling windows.
Adjacent to the foyer is a very smart high-tech “Creative Lounge” with circular seating and counter-style standing facing a large screen and writeon walls. The second floor also houses services and the hotel’s kitchen, very convenient for the catering needs of the meeting spaces.
Each unit is fitted with superfast Wi-Fi, ergonomic workspace, a Keurig coffee maker, and geo-thermal heating and cooling.
“East Village is currently buzzing with activity and promises to quickly evolve into a neighbourhood full of vitality that visitors will want to spend time in,” says Christiane Germain, co-president of Group Germain Hospitalité. “Guests who have grown to love Hotel Le Germain Calgary will recognize some signature elements at its new sister property, as Alt Hotel will offer cutting-edge design, ultra-comfortable beds and a well-trained helpful staff.”
The new Alt Hotel is the ninth to be opened — the next will be in Saskatoon and in Calgary’s University District, followed by another in Edmonton’s Warehouse District.
Group Germain is a family-run business, founded in Quebec City in 1988, renowned for its exceptional approach to hospitality and the unique style that characterizes its hotels. The new property in Calgary represents a company investment of $34 million.
Notes: Bob MacDougall, former senior managing director at Cushman Wakefield, has joined CRESA as senior vice-president and associate broker, where he is focusing on suburban office leasing at the exclusive tenant representation real estate company.
MacDougall also continues as an active board chair of Discovery House, the organization providing integrated shelter and community services for abused women and children.