Fancy hotel rooms don’t necessarily equate with luxury. A new Vrbo/Harris poll of some 1,700 travellers from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia finds that travellers place greater value on the consistent delivery of the fundamentals. In an increasingly competitive market, mastering the basics can be more important to travellers than offering additional amenities or elaborate in-home experiences. The poll asked for travel opinions for people who have stayed in a vacation rental and found that 86% would pay more for a place to stay that had a higher-quality listing. Respondents made it overwhelmingly clear that quality is not Read more
best hotels in Toronto
TORONTO – Urban sophistication in the heart of downtown Toronto. And fully Canadian, to boot. The SoHo Hotel Toronto is an elegant but approachable place to stay in the city’s entertainment district; a hotel that feels very European but has rooms the size a North American visitor truly appreciates. Not only that, Ian Thorley, director of sales and marketing, told me it’s one of the few Canadian owned and managed hotels in Toronto. In these days of “elbows up” social posts, that’s definitely a plus. Rooms (there are 89 rooms and suites) feature blonde, Canadian maple and are decorated in shades Read more
A pair of luxury hotels in Toronto and New York City are the newest properties to receive the AAA Diamond Program’s highest designation. The Hazelton Hotel in Toronto and Waldorf Astoria in New York City have earned AAA Five Diamonds for their stunning surroundings, thoughtful amenities, and unparalleled service, the Canadian Automobile Association and the American Automobile Association announced. I haven’t been to the recently renovated Waldorf in Manhattan, but I’ve stayed at the Hazelton Hotel in Toronto’s trendy Yorkville district a couple of times, and dined there on several occasions. It’s an elegant property that definitely worthy of Five-Diamond Read more
Destination Canada has unveiled a new campaign, “Canada, naturally.” It’s a nice play on words that emphasizes this country’s truly spectacular natural landscapes. The first look of this long-term campaign came with the launch of the U.S. multi-channel marketing campaign that went live in market May 12. “Rooted in Destination Canada’s 2030 Strategy: A World of Opportunity, Canada, naturally. is a bold step toward strengthening Canada’s global position and generating $160B in annual tourism revenue by 2030,” Destination Canada officials said. “To achieve this goal and build long-lasting demand, Canada needs to be a destination that resonates deeply with target Read more
When to book your flights, the increasing power of sports tourism, the debut of the new MSC World America cruise ship, and great hotels in Toronto. Without further adieu, I bring you today’s Jim Byers Travel blog post. TRAVEL TIPS AND TRICKS FROM KAYAK Flight delays and cancellations can really kill the vacation vibe before your trip gets started. KAYAK, the world’s leading travel search engine, is urging Canadians to brace themselves for a possible increase in delays. KAYAK’s travel experts are helping Canadians save their summer with these tips and tricks for avoiding delays and cancellations, even before Read more










