North Bay's new waterfront hotel does not exactly face the water, will not have a rumoured Starbucks on site, and will test its hospitality chops by opening smack dab in the middle of shadfly season, but there is plenty of reason for optimism, says Homewood Suites general manager Carrie Delongchamp-Robinson.
"To my knowledge, the original plan was to face the lake, however, it would block out," other vantage points of Lake Nipissing, said Delongchamp, "so we had to turn it this way. We do have three rooms on every floor with direct access to a lake view, however, and almost every other room, you can see a large part of the lake. Even the rooms that don't [have a lake view] have a spectacular view of the Pro-Cathedral."
Several of the suites have a pristine view of the former Kenroc land, which sources say the casino developers see as the preferred location to build in North Bay.
The hotel's 100 suites are bolstered by several modern touches, including hot breakfast daily, an evening social Monday through Thursday, 24-hour coffee and tea service, Wi-Fi access, and digital key access through the Hilton app via smartphone, all complimentary.
There are licensed meeting facilities on site, a licensed lounge, and an outdoor patio with BBQ is being finished before opening. Homewood Suites also has a heated indoor pool and 24-hour fitness centre.
"One or two nights, or an extended stay, it's nice for families because you can save money because you can cook in your room. Some of our suites have two rooms, so if the kids have to go to bed, you don't have to shut out your lights," said Delongchamp. The extended stay model also provides savings for guests who are planning to stay for a longer period, something film crews, sports teams, business conferences, and snowmobilers can take advantage of.
Asked what makes the new waterfront hotel stand out, Delongchamp responded, "It's the level of service and the amenities. We do one-night, two-night stays, but we focus on the extended stays, so if you have a mining company or you are a doctor who is coming to town for a month, which we get all the time at the Hampton, they will be a little more comfortable here, it's more like home."
The former general manager of the North Bay Hampton Inn, also owned by the Vrancor Group, has moved over to the Homewood Suites after seven years, and confirmed that a Tim Hortons would be situated at the north end of the hotel's parking lot where drive-thru lanes are already in place.
Karen McQuade a hospitality representative from the Vrancor Group said Thursday that there are still plans for a full-service restaurant development, but could not say which one.
"What we believe is that tourism doesn't re-circle money in the community, it attracts new money into the community. It's one of those vitality industries that does, in fact, lift all boats," said McQuade Thursday at the hotel's pre-opening event.
"I do know that there is a coffee shop going in, unfortunately, I'm not sure about the restaurant part of it, I don't know what restaurant it is," said Delongchamp Thursday, "I wish I knew."
The suites boast an apartment-sized kitchen, complete with an induction stove, microwave, dishwasher, and in a rarity for these set-ups, a full-size refrigerator. There might not be The Keg in the parking lot of the hotel, but guests can certainly fit one in the spacious fridge.
