Moira Fitzpatrick Adds Two Boutique Hotels in Calgary
It is my pleasure to introduce two new properties owned by the Hotel Arts Group – the Kensington Riverside Inn - Relais & Châteaux, ideal for leisure visitors, and the Hotel Arts, catering to corporate guests. Located in Calgary’s bustling downtown, Hotel Arts is a full-service boutique-style hotel that opened in July 2005. Two years later, the Group acquired the Kensington Riverside Inn, and began renovations. Both properties have garnered reputations for outstanding hospitality, luxury accommodations, spectacular events and service above and beyond.
KENSINGTON RIVERSIDE INN
(www.kensingtonriversideinn.com)
Overlooking the Bow River but close to the city’s downtown core, the Kensington Riverside Inn (KRI) combines a countryside setting with easy urban access – convenient for both tourists and business travelers seeking rest and relaxation after a busy day of sightseeing or meetings. Nestled in the heart of Kensington Village, steps away from boutiques, restaurants, and amenities, this 19-room/suite boutique hotel, formerly a charming bed & breakfast, features stylish, upscale contemporary design, one of Calgary’s finest gourmet restaurants, and a cozy fireside lounge with adjacent patio. KRI joins the prestigious and exclusive Relais & Châteaux Group as its first Calgary property and second Alberta property, joining the Post Hotel and Spa in Lake Louise. In addition to its Relais & Châteaux designation, the Inn has also garnered Canada Select 4-Star rating, World Luxury Hotel Awards – Canadian Category 2013, and TripAdvisor’s Award of Excellence 2013.
Dining
The Inn’s award-winning Chef’s Table is helmed by Executive Chef Duncan Ly who has won the honor of representing Calgary’s exciting dining scene at the Canadian Culinary Championships in February 2014. Chef’s Table specializes in modern French cuisine and has recently received the prestigious AAA 4-Diamond rating as well as Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for 2012 & 2013. Patrons can indulge in 5 or 7-course tasting menus, highlighting Chef Ly’s specialties and favorites, or order à la carte from an incredible selection that changes seasonally. The restaurant’s wine program, led by Maitre de Maison Guillaume Frélot, concentrates on smaller eclectic producers that pair brilliantly with the gourmet cuisine.
Fireside Lounge
A cozy fireside lounge warms guests in winter, and an adjacent patio cools and refreshes in summer – both are ideal for a relaxing drink and casual conversation at the end of the day. The 30-seat Fireside Lounge features leather chairs from Italy, a stunning wall of purple Bisazza glass tile, an alluring fireplace, and an array of contemporary paintings.
Rooms & Suites
All guest rooms recently received a complete makeover from the carpet to wall-coverings, bathrooms, fixtures, and furniture. Luxury Rooms come with soaker tub, 42” LCD TV, high speed wireless internet and iPod/iPhone docking station; Executive Rooms with fireplace and patio; Junior Suites with 3-piece bathroom, sitting room and view of downtown; and Luxury Suites with 4-piece bathroom, large workspace area, sitting area surrounding the fireplace, as well as a private south-facing balcony or patio, plus a queen sofa bed for extra visitors.
An Inn for All Seasons
Romantic getaway, family bonding or business stays – the Inn has something for everyone.
- Couples: Need a night away from the kids? Couples can enjoy a romantic evening with a special chef’s tasting menu and return back to their luxury suite for an RnR Wellness treatment, or a relaxing dip in the deep soaker tubs with a Skoah Spa treatment and a chilled bottle of bubbles. Breakfast in bed is included.
- Family: Specific rooms at the Inn are designed for large families, with two connecting rooms or a sofa bed, but privacy is still an option with separate entrances. At the Inn, children are welcome to dine at the Chef’s Table or simply order room service for the whole family and cozy up to the fireplace. The Inn provides wheelchair accessibility.
- Corporate: With more head offices than any other city in Canada, Calgary is the top business travel destination for corporate professionals – and the Inn is the premier downtown boutique hotel attracting the top influencers and CEO’s from across Canada and beyond. Only a short walk or drive to major offices in the downtown core, the Inn is accessible for business travelers to be close to the action while providing a homelike atmosphere for relaxing after a hard day’s work.
Amenities & Activities
In-room spa services are available, including massages, wraps, facials and pedicures, as well as complimentary access to Kensington Fitness Studio. Just steps away from the Inn, a network of popular running and biking trails follow the Bow River, allowing active guests to fulfill their fitness quotient and adventuresome guests to explore the region. The Inn maintains a fleet of cruiser bikes that are available to guests at no charge, and include helmets and bike locks so guests can head out and explore the city in safety. A map of bike friendly pathways is available in all guest rooms.
Exclusive Use
The entire Inn can be booked for corporate retreats, weddings, reunions, or celebrity or executive guests requiring true privacy; a full staff will cater to entire needs, the Inn becomes an inner-city, estate home.
Directions From Calgary International Airport
- Travel south on Deerfoot Trail;
- take exit 265 for Memorial Drive W and merge onto Memorial Drive NE;
- continue on Memorial Drive and take a slight right onto 10A Street NW;
- take a right onto 10A Street NW;
- The Kensington Riverside Inn will be on the left.
HOTEL ARTS
(www.hotelarts.ca)
Featuring chic, contemporary décor, the 185-room/suite Hotel Arts offers an extensive art collection, two trendy restaurants, fitness centre, in-room spa services, seasonal outdoor pool and poolside patio. The hotel caters to corporate guests, with extensive event, conference and meeting space and is located close to the city’s arts, entertainment and business districts, shopping, theatre, spas, dining, convention facilities, the Saddledome sports & event centre and the world-famous Calgary Stampede.
Rooms & Suites
The stylistic rooms and suites feature 42” LCD flat screen TVs, high speed Internet, iPod docking stations, cordless phones and work desks. Pool Suites overlook the South Beach-inspired pool and patio; Jacuzzi Suites include a 52-jet Jacuzzi, spa bath amenities and a chic, spacious sitting lounge; Luxury Suites offer a roomy lounge area, full-size wet bar and city view from balcony.
Dining
Chef Duncan Ly of the KRI also helms Raw Bar by Duncan Ly and Yellow Door Bistro, two of Calgary’s finest restaurants. In addition, the highly regarded Taste restaurant is located within the Hotel Arts Complex. Yellow Door, a 112- seat contemporary restaurant, features bistro-style dishes using classical components with a modern twist. Raw Bar by Duncan Ly celebrates Executive Chef Duncan Ly’s Vietnamese background with a new Vietmodern menu, and is also renowned for its expert mixologists, who have won a host of cocktail competitions, including the prestigious Calgary Summer Cocktail Challenge.
Conference & Meeting Space
The hotel features 11,000 sq ft of flexible event space, including 9500 sq ft Spectrum Ballroom that divides into different sections, plus breakout space, including two separate boardrooms and a dedicated, full-service Events Team. The hotel also has the capability of hosting private poolside events in summer. In addition, Hotel Arts provides off-premise catering services throughout Calgary.
Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a complimentary fitness centre, including Anytime Fitness and Hot Shot Spin & Yoga, featuring an array of drop-in classes for a fee. An outdoor pool and poolside patio are open seasonally. In-room spa services provided by RnR Wellness The first of its kind in Calgary, Hotel Arts partnered with NYC-based urban bike company Brooklyn Cruiser to introduce a new eco-friendly bike program for guests to explore the city in style.
Directions from Calgary International Airport
- Travel south on Deerfoot Trail;
- take exit 256 for Memorial Drive W;
- merge onto Memorial Dr NE;
- take the 4 Avenue South ramp to City Centre and merge onto 4 Avenue SE;
- turn left onto 1 Street SE then turn right onto 11 Avenue SE;
- take the 2nd left onto 1 Street SW and left onto 12 Avenue SW.
For reservations, to VIP your clients & add an amenity, please contact Moira Fitzpatrick at 1-604-602-1282, 1-866-322-7199 or mfcons@bismail.com
