Hotel Review by Hozpitality:- Hampton Inn Denville/Rockaway/Parsippany

We stopped by at Hampton Inn Denville/Rockaway/Parsippany on route to New York while driving from Toronto. We loved the 100% Hampton Inn Guarantee, we found at the reception 🙂

Location:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):- 8

Hampton Inn Denville is just off Interstate 80 in Denville, New Jersey, a good place to stop by when driving to NY. We could easily explore the Craigmeur Recreation Area or shop at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall which is around 3kms from the hotel. The Newark international airport is 35kms away and the excitement of downtown Manhattan is 50kms away.

Service/Staff:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):- 9

The check-in associate, Mr. Orson handled our checking very efficiently. He did his job at its best with a broad smile on his face. He changed our room from King bedroom to a room with 2 queen beds very quickly so that we could go and relax after a tiring journey. All the other staff we interacted with during our stay including the check-out associate and breakfast room attendant we very polite and did their job well.

Rooms:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):- 7

This spacious room we stayed in featured two comfortable double beds and an HDTV, work space, and free WiFi access. Additional amenities included a handy coffeemaker. The bathroom had basic amenities and fluffy and clean towels. We could also order any basic amenities we missed to carry with us. Some rooms also had a microwave and refrigerator to help you feel at home.

The only problem was that there were many small red ants in our room. This was certainly a surprise and we noticed it when they started climbing our kids milk bottle. We even carried some with us in our car on our way to Manhattan 🙂

F&B Facilities:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):-7

The Breakfast was served complimentary and has good variety right from Waffles maker where we could make our own waffles. Among the hot servings included Sausages, French toast and Omelettes. A wide variety of bakery items, Hot Oats along with cereals and raisins was also available for guests. We loved the offerings of Fresh fruits and Yoghurt along with regular Tea Coffee served to all the guests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The hotel also has a 24 hour Suite shop selling a variety of items like Chocolates, Milk, Water, Wafers, Cereal bars, Chips etc .

Spa/Pool:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):- 7

The hotel has a naturally lit, heated indoor pool with a fitness room.

Activities:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):- 7

The hotel has a boardroom and two conference rooms, totaling more than 1,000 sq. ft., for up to 80 people. Guests can connect with family, friends or co-workers using free high-speed internet access on laptop computer or the PC in the business center.

 

Reviewed by:-

Raj Bhatt- CEO Hozpitality Group, MENA and North America

Vandana Bhatt- Director Hozpitality Group, MENA and North America

Contact:- email@hozpitality.com

www.hozpitality.com, www.hozpitality.ca, www.hozpitalityplus.com

www.facebook.com/hozpitalitybuzz, www.facebook.com/hozpitality

www.facebook.com/hozpitalityca

 

Disclaimer:-

This review is done by us and these are based on our personal experience when we stayed at the resort.

Hozpitality Group cannot warrant ANY of the information on this site, and can make no guarantees as to its accuracy or as to the rationality of any of the opinions expressed. As a site of opinion certain users may feel offended by the material posted while we regret this, we take no responsibility whatsoever for this or any reaction to any material posted on this site.

▶ Watch Full Episode 6, Hozpitality Buzz Season 2 – YouTube

▶ Watch Full Episode 6, Hozpitality Buzz Season 2 – YouTube.

Watch Full Episode 6, Hozpitality Buzz Season 2, in association with Homes r Us Wardrobe by AARA Fashion DUBAI, Radio partners HUM FM UAE, Transport partners Aroma Rent A Car, Varli Magazine, The Pro Chef Middle East, Khaleej Times, COLORS TV MTV India, Kolors FZE, Riwaaz – The Trend, Elekta Gulf, Elekta Saudi Arabia

▶ Watch Full Episode 5, Hozpitality Buzz Season 2 – YouTube

▶ Watch Full Episode 5, Hozpitality Buzz Season 2 – YouTube.

Watch Full Episode 5, Hozpitality Buzz​ Season 2, in association with Homes r Us​ Wardrobe by AARA Fashion DUBAI​, Radio partners HUM FM UAE​, Transport partners Aroma Rent A Car​, Varli Magazine​, The Pro Chef Middle East​, Khaleej Times​, COLORS TV​ MTV India​, Kolors FZE​, Riwaaz – The Trend​, Elekta Gulf​, Elekta Saudi Arabia​

Hotel Review by Hozpitality:- Cranberry Golf Resort & Living Water Resort, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada

Last week found us in, Living Water Resort, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada; we were checking out another newly refurbished resort with an equally appealing name.

Location:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):- 8

Nestled close to the famous Blue Mountains, Living Water Resort is an all-year vacation paradise located in the serene lakefront town of Collingwood. The famous Blue Mountain village and Scenic caves are just 10 minutes’ drive from the resort while the local market and restaurants are very close to the resort. Living Water resort is a family friendly resort where you discover nature at its best with waterfront on one side and sought after Blue Mountains on the other side.

Service/Staff:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):-8

The reservation called us in advance to find out our arrival time, upon check-in we were welcomed by a very friendly Front Office Associate who took time to explain us everything about the resort and also the area around us, things that we could do while we stay at the resort. The Housekeeper was there in the morning to check if everything was ok in our room and if we need anything. The check-out also was very efficient. The GM, Don Buckle mentioned that he and his owners believe in “Lead from the heart” policy which was very well noticeable in all our interactions with the hotel team.

Rooms:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):-8

The 01 Bedroom suite offered to us was excellent with all amenities a family would need including a Fridge, Microwave, Oven, Gas Range, Washer, Dryer, Iron and Ironing board, all utensils, Flat screen TV’s and free unlimited Wi-Fi. The rooms are elegant yet cozy, offering a calming atmosphere perfect for family getaways.

F&B Facilities:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):-7

The Agua Tapas bar & Lounge serves exquisitely crafted tapas dishes. The other restaurants within 10 minutes reach located at the famous Cranberry Resort are Memories Restaurant and The Courtyard Bistro. We had our dinner at the Memories Restaurant and the service and food leaves you with amazing memories to cherish. The hotel also has 8 different sized facilities with over 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space in total.

Spa/Pool:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):-7

At Essence Spa, both men and women can enjoy a comprehensive array of revitalizing treatments.

The hotel also has a breathtaking indoor pool open year-round, along with a fully equipped fitness facility.  Our kids loved the closed water slide connected to the hotel pool while we loved the outdoor hot water Jacuzzi. Only if the temperature of the main pool could be controlled, it could have been much better.

Activities:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):-7

The hotel is next to a great waterfront outdoors and you can also play at the nearby 18-hole championship golf course, dine at premiere restaurants, engage in fun-filled family programs at the recreation centre, take boat trips from the marina, ride bikes along trails in the mountains, ski at Blue Mountain and partake in onsite spa indulgences. A wide range of indoor and outdoor activities are available for all to enjoy, from those designed for couples to those suitable for the whole family. Living Water Resort is a boater’s paradise. This full-service marina offers both seasonal slip rentals and transient dockage for you to enjoy the beautiful waters of Georgian Bay.

Within walking or driving distance is the recreation centre with daily activities, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, movies and seasonal equipment rentals. There’s always something exciting for the family to enjoy!

Reviewed by:-

Raj Bhatt- CEO Hozpitality Group, MENA and North America

Vandana Bhatt- Director Hozpitality Group, MENA and North America

Contact:- email@hozpitality.com

Disclaimer:-

This review is done by us and these are based on our personal experience when we stayed at the resort.

Hozpitality Group cannot warrant ANY of the information on this site, and can make no guarantees as to its accuracy or as to the rationality of any of the opinions expressed. As a site of opinion certain users may feel offended by the material posted while we regret this, we take no responsibility whatsoever for this or any reaction to any material posted on this site.

Hotel Review by Hozpitality:- Sheraton on the Falls, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Last week found us in, Sheraton on the Falls, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada; we were checking out another great hotel with a great location and view. We were not sure if we would really be enjoying our visit to Niagara Falls in January with 2 small kids and temperature outside in minus but our experience was a very good one. There is a lot to do in Niagara Falls even in winters. The morning coffee with breathtaking views of Niagara Falls, one of the seven wonders in the world, from our hotel room on the 12^th floor can never be forgotten. To add up to our experience were the views of fireworks from our hotel room that came alive on Niagara falls in the night.

Location:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):- 10

The first step to having a good vacation is choosing the right hotel wisely and with the Sheraton on the falls, you cannot go wrong. We reached the parking and were advised to check in before taking our car to the hotel parking (Self-Parking would cost CAD 20/- for 24 hours). The check-in was handled efficiently by the associate who explained us of the hotel and its facilities and the Guest Service Manager Mitchell Sager also dropped in to say hello to us. We were surprised to see that the hotel was full house which is not very common during this time of the year. 

Sheraton is a modern AAA/CAA 2015 rated 4 Diamond/5 Star hotel located directly across from the Falls in the heart of Niagara’s premier Falls view tourist district. Situated on the corner of Clifton Hill and Falls Avenue on the 20 acre Falls Avenue Resort, the Niagara Falls Sheraton is the cornerstone of the largest indoor waterpark, hotel and entertainment resort in North America.

Service/Staff:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):- 7

The hotel associates we interacted with right from the Valet to the Check-out were efficient and polite. We would have given a rating of 8 if the housekeeping staff would have not knocked our room at 9 am in the morning when we were sleeping after a late and tiring night.

Rooms:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):- 6

 

The room offered to us was a Superior Falls-view room with 2 queen beds, which was quite basic but large sized room. The room was clean and well appointed. We loved the heated bathroom floor and also a small TV in our bathroom. The Tea Coffee maker could make only 1 portion at one time. In a room with 2 queen beds, normally the hotel should provide a tea coffee maker which can make tea/coffee for at least 2 people at one time. The room temperature remained quite hot during the night and there was no possibility of reducing the room temperature even after the heating was turned off by us at all times. Our room also had a fridge which we could use.

The Sheraton on the Falls Hotel boasts 669 first class accommodations, varying from traditional guestrooms to beautiful Falls-view suites featuring our unique floor-to ceiling windows providing you with the best hotel view of Niagara Falls guaranteed.

 

F&B Facilities:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):-8

Since the hotel is a part of a large Falls-view complex, guests of the Sheraton Niagara Falls hotel have a variety of dining options to choose from if they do not want to go out in cold weather. The majority of restaurants near the hotel are connected through the Falls Avenue internal walkway. From scenic falls views, jungle safaris and dining with Hollywood’s finest, the Sheraton on the Falls Hotel offers endless dining options. The various options include, Windows by Jamie Kennedy, Hard Rock Cafe, Hard Rock Club, Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Fallsview Restaurant, The Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra, Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, Starbucks Cafe

The Sheraton on the Falls Hotel Conference Centre is the largest Conference facility in Niagara Falls. Offering the majestic Great Room, and over 35 additional meeting rooms, some featuring a spectacular view of Niagara Falls. The Sheraton Conference Center can host events for 13 to 3000 guests comfortably.

Spa/Pool:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):- 7

We did not use the indoor pool which looked quite small but The Sheraton on the Falls Hotel actually has two Falls view guest pools. An indoor Falls view pool which is open all year and a seasonal outdoor pool that overlooks the Falls (closed for winters).

Christienne is the only Spa in the World to feature treatment areas and a Relaxation Lounge directly overlooking the majesty of Niagara Falls and is the only Spa in Canada to offer a Hydrotherapy Infinity Tub.

Activities:-

Our ratings (Out of 10):- 9

Guests of the Sheraton on the Falls hotel are in the centre of Niagara’s premier tourist area. Located on the 20 acre Falls Avenue Resort, the Sheraton offers indoor connections to great restaurants, attractions and shopping including a mouth watering Hershey Chocolate Store.

There is an arcade for small kids within the complex, a 4D theatre and Clifton Hill is always bustling with great activities. Directly connected to the Sheraton on the Falls Hotel is the 3 acre Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, featuring enough water activities to keep the entire family entertained. Casino Niagara is “Just Plain More Fun” and gaming excitement is just steps from the Sheraton. Across the street from the Falls, the Sheraton hotel is surrounded by the beautiful Niagara Parks. Also located on the Falls Avenue Resort: Crowne Plaza, Skyline Inn, Hampton Inn at the Falls.

To sum it all, we loved our stay at the Sheraton on the Falls and would love to stay there again for our next visit to Niagara falls. It is certainly one hotel that provides clean and comfortable accommodation in a great location and the best value for money to its guests.

Reviewed by:-

Raj Bhatt- CEO Hozpitality Group, MENA and North America

Vandana Bhatt- Director Hozpitality Group, MENA and North America

Contact:- email@hozpitality.com

www.hozpitality.com, www.hozpitality.ca, www.hozpitalityplus.com

www.facebook.com/hozpitalitybuzz, www.facebook.com/hozpitality

www.facebook.com/hozpitalityca

 

Disclaimer:-

This review is done by us and these are based on our personal experience when we stayed at the resort.

Hozpitality Group cannot warrant ANY of the information on this site, and can make no guarantees as to its accuracy or as to the rationality of any of the opinions expressed. As a site of opinion certain users may feel offended by the material posted while we regret this, we take no responsibility whatsoever for this or any reaction to any material posted on this site.

Interview of GM, Donald Buckle, Cranberry Golf Resort & Living Water Resort, Collingwood, Ontario

Raj Bhatt, CEO, Hozpitality Group recently interviewed General Manager, Cranberry Golf Resort & Living Water Resort, Collingwood, Ontario, Donald Buckle, who spoke to us about his property and career in hospitality, the challenges he has faced, and his aspirations for the future.

Donald has been in the hospitality industry for over 30 years starting in a smaller hotel in London, Ontario. Don rose his ranks where he was able to progress in the hotel working as a waiter in the café, waiter in the French cuisine restaurant than transferred to the front desk and night audit. After a while he was promoted to assistant F&B manager and night manager. After a few years he relocated to Toronto working for the Bristol Place Hotel at the Toronto Airport for over 9 years. He was fortunate to also work for the first Doubletree Hotel in Canada which offered 433 guestrooms and 60,000 square feet of convention space. During his 9 year tenure he assisted with over $20 million in renovations and the transition from an independent hotel to a chain hotel.

In 2007 Don started at the Holiday Inn Barrie as General Manager. He was there for 6 months when the company transferred him to Oshawa than Mississauga and transferred back to Barrie on 2009 to oversee the re launch of the Holiday Inn and complete the companies renovation plan.

The opportunity came in March 2014 to join the Cranberry Golf Resort and Living Water Resort.

Hozpitality:- Tell us more about your property.

Don:– We have 2 properties; Cranberry Golf Resort and Living Water Resort & Residences. The Cranberry Golf Resort originally opened as a Holiday Inn. Mr. Law, owner purchased the property in 1993 and built the Cranberry Club addition. Phase 1 of the Living Water Resort & Residences first opened 6 years ago. The second phase officially launched in January. We are now starting the 3^rd phase. The two resorts offer an 18 hole golf course which we are currently building a 19^th hole, recreation centre with tennis courts, soccer, basketball, hiking trails and outdoor pool. We also have 4 restaurants; Station on the Green located at the golf course, Memories finer dining, Bistro and Agua Tapas Bar & lounge as well as a lounge with live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. We have a spa on site as well as a marina where you can rent ski jets and paddle boats. There is something for the entire family all year round. At Living Water we have one of the best views in Collingwood. Being the only waterfront property our roof top has a patio where you can watch the sunrise over the water or the sunset behind Blue Mountain. We also have the only waterfront banquet facility which can host 220 people. It’s a great venue for meetings and weddings with a waterfront area for the ceremony.

Phase 3 which is currently being built will host a 160 seat waterfront restaurant with a Chef’s table and an upper scale spa.

Hozpitality:- How are you different from others?

Don:- We are more than a hotel, being a resort we have so much more to offer our guests creating experiences and memories that matter.

Hozpitality:- Where do you see your property in the coming 3 years’ time?

Don:- Our property is currently expanding and will continue to expand as demand required.

Hozpitality:- Tell us about your contribution to your property

Don:- Being that I just started in March my first goal was to learn the business. A resort is unique from a hotel. In other properties everything we did was about the bottom line. A resort is different as we are trying to create experiences and memories where guests will continue to come back every year. It has been about rebuilding the management team and focusing on short term and long term goals. Implementing procedures to make us a stronger team.

Hozpitality:- According to you what are the main things that attract a guest to a property and what is it that you are doing to retain guest’s interest.

Don:- A hotel is a hotel, we all have beds, some have restaurants and lounges, pool and fitness room. What’s unique about a property are the people and the additional facilities that are offered. At Cranberry we promote a fun & caring environment for our staff and customers. We are a caring environment. We offer many unique items as mentioned earlier as well as Zumba classes, Yoga, Agua dance, Yuk Yuk’s dinner theatre etc. We are a one stop shop for fun.

Hozpitality:-What steps do you take to make the best of any opportunities that come your way?

Don:- If an opportunity arises I like to ensure that it is a win/win situation. It is about partnerships and ensuring that both parties are successful.

Hozpitality:- How do you take care of your team?

Don:- The one thing that attracted me to this property was the owner, Larry Law. When you work for one owner directly it is important to ensure that you both have the same goals and the same style. My interviews with Larry were intriguing. When Larry first started his business development in Collingwood it was about business. Developing more. Along his journey Larry found God and has a new approach, how to give back at the same time. Larry’s religious morals are brought into the company with the goal of creating a fun and caring environment. It was the first time in 30 years I was told to lead with my heart. This is not an easy task after so many years of top line and bottom line thinking forgetting the meat of the sandwich, the people. We hold team lunches, we ran an “amazing race” day, employee of the month programs, thanksgiving team dinner, BBQ’s, the employees are able to enjoy the facilities with free golf, use of the recreation centre and pools. We have also implemented a caring fund. If an employee finds themselves going through hard times, we have a fund that can assist them. We hold seminars with outside guests discussing wealth management, health and other topics. We have 2 local pastors that come in once a week where the staff can go visit for spiritual guidance. The company is also dedicated to the local community. We donate too many local organizations, habitat for humanity, hospital, cancer society, ALS, Georgian College etc. We also host an annual Christmas Dinner for those less fortunate.

Rapid Fire questions:-

Hozpitality:- If you could be successful in another profession, which would you choose?

Don:- A trade

Hozpitality:- Your wife cooked something for you on a special occasion but you do not like the dish at all, what would you do?

Don:- I better like it

Hozpitality:- How long can you (comfortably) go without checking your emails or texts? How do you feel about that?

Don:- While I am sleeping. Technology is over taking our lives. We are being trained to respond 24 hours per day.

Hozpitality:- Where & when do you get your BEST IDEAS?

Don:- Brainstorming with the team. While I am driving.

Hozpitality:-Have you ever dreamed about starting a new business?

Don:- Yes, home inspection

Interview of GM, Serge Dufresne, Les Suites Tremblant, Quebec, Canada

Hozpitality Interviewed Serge Dufresne, General Manager of Les Suites Tremblant, a group of 7 hotels which totals approximately 900 rooms and is managed by Intrawest in the world class, 4-season Tremblant Resort.

Between 1988 and 1991 Serge learned European and Caribbean Culinary Management & Training Roles and worked at Les Trois Tilleuls, in Quebec.  From 1991 to 1997 he worked in Quebec log homes and country estates, learning a new trade. He returned in the tourism domain as the Club House Manager for Mont-Tremblant Golf Club. From 1997 to 2002, he turned his passion into a concrete achievement opening his own catering company called Le Marmiton des toits rouges, creating a culinary experience for private parties in their own homes. From 2002, he held positions directly related to hospitality management in the Caribbean  as an F&B Director  and Sales and Catering director. He later returned in Quebec as a General Manager in a congress center at Best Western Drummondville Hotel Universel from 2007 to 2010. Back to Mont-Tremblant, he was named General Manager of Les Suites Tremblant in 2010 and holds this position since then.

Hozpitality:- Why should a visitor come to your hotels, what is special here?

Serge:- The pedestrian village is quite unique in its kind, offering over 75 shops and restaurants to choose from, steps away from your hotel! During winter time, our hotel is also ski-in, ski-out, very close from the lifts of a world renowned ski destination. In Summer time, Tremblant welcomes numerous events and music festival, high level sports events such as the Subaru IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant and the Subaru IRONMAN North American Championship. Tremblant is a four-season destination offering activities of all kinds of families, couples, friends, group and business travelers.

Hozpitality:- How are you different from others?

Serge:- Everything! Our staff, our offer as a complete destination, our direct flights from Toronto, our European feel, our accent, our smile. You have to come and visit us to fully understand the span of how Tremblant is one of its kind.

Hozpitality:- Tell us more about your F&B outlets?

Serge:- Our banner offers breakfast and some units are equipped with a full kitchen. If you don’t feel like cooking, the pedestrian village has anything your heart desires. A grocery store, grills, bistros, cafés, bars, sports bars, Mexican, Asian, Japanese, Mediterranean, French, Savoyard restaurants. It’s quite a challenge to try them all during only one stay….!

Hozpitality:- Where do you see your property in the coming 3 years time.

Serge:- We are willing to increase our presence and acquire new market segments while continuing to deliver a high quality experience to our guests.

Hozpitality:- Tell us about your contribution to your property?

Serge:- I was involved in the development of the different agreements to welcome Holiday Inn Express in Tremblant, and in the process of having the property and services respecting both Tremblant and IHG brands standards.

Hozpitality:- Did you win any awards, what are they for?

Serge:- Tremblant has won many awards, but was recently named no1 Ski Resort in Eastern North America by the readers of SKI Magazine, and is among the world’s best 25 ski towns according to National Geographic

Hozpitality:- Tell us something about career development, training and staff motivation in your Hotel.

Serge:- Both IHG and Tremblant have a rigourous standardized training program that our employee have to follow. We have a peer recognition program too, that allows colleagues to outline a specific peer action per season. Employees with the most peer recognitions will get rewarded and one person per department will win a grand prize at the end of the season.

Hozpitality:- What’s your most urgent priority for 2014?

Serge:- Finalize all the details and follow the renovations schedule closely to make sure that Holiday Inn Express Tremblant is ready to welcome its first guests as soon as possible.

Rapid Fire questions:-

 

Hozpitality:- What was your very first JOB?

Serge:- Dishwasher

Hozpitality:- Your wife makes the best food for you always. Once you do not like the food she cooked for you, what would you do?

Serge:- It does not happen as I am the one cooking!

Hozpitality:- What’s in your fridge, right this moment?

Serge:- Only Milk and cereal as I am travelling

Hozpitality:- What’s your definition of an ideal houseguest?

Serge:- Pleasant, jovial and mindful.

Hozpitality:- Hot tea or cold Coffee?

Serge:- Hot coffee, but it’s not part of the choices! If I have to choose then I would say hot tea!

Interview by Raj Bhatt, CEO- Hozpitality Group, MENA and North America.

email@hozpitality.com

www.hozpitality.com, www.hozpitality.ca, www.hozpitalityplus.com

www.facebook.com/hozpitalitybuzz, www.facebook.com/hozpitality ; www.facebook.com/hozpitalityca