Post by Nick on Oct 20, 2005 13:40:06 GMT -5
Oct. 20/05 John Thomson Report:
Kelowna City Council has given the go ahead to the developers for a new twenty story hotel / vacation / conference centre for the property across the street from Prospera Place.
This is the spot where a developer from Saskatoon was planning a Sheraton Hotel. He brought in the pre-load and then, for whatever reason - although it is usually financing, walked away from the Canada Lands deal.
Since that time at least two more would be pretenders to the site came forward but those negotiations went nowhere.
My sources tell me that the flag will be the Westin Hotels owned by the Starwood Hotels Group. They own the brands Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis W Hotels and Four Points Sheraton.
Folks that travel to Phoenix every year from this valley will know Starwood Hotels as they own 'The Phoenician' in Scottsdale.
I have been writing about this hotel site for years, because it is so difficult to get any kind of information from Canada Lands - so you go elsewhere for information. You hear. You speculate.
My first confirmation of Westin came from a commercial builder, a friend in Vancouver who called me and said that property you keep asking about is definitely going to be a Westin Hotel. He had just had it confirmed to him from his contact in the Starwood Group. Then another source of mine also confirmed Westin through a friend that was involved in the decision making process.
The Starwood folks have been here and have been impressed with everything about the Okanagan Valley. They went back to their boardroom and decided they wanted to be a part of the Okanagan Valley’s future. To them it was all-positive.
The company already has a property in the Interior with the new Four Points Inn by Sheraton in Kamloops, on the new hotel row. Good-looking operation. This is also the home of Rick’s Grill.
It's a good decision by council. Starwoods ability to sell conventions will be of benefit to all.
Kelowna City Council has given the go ahead to the developers for a new twenty story hotel / vacation / conference centre for the property across the street from Prospera Place.
This is the spot where a developer from Saskatoon was planning a Sheraton Hotel. He brought in the pre-load and then, for whatever reason - although it is usually financing, walked away from the Canada Lands deal.
Since that time at least two more would be pretenders to the site came forward but those negotiations went nowhere.
My sources tell me that the flag will be the Westin Hotels owned by the Starwood Hotels Group. They own the brands Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis W Hotels and Four Points Sheraton.
Folks that travel to Phoenix every year from this valley will know Starwood Hotels as they own 'The Phoenician' in Scottsdale.
I have been writing about this hotel site for years, because it is so difficult to get any kind of information from Canada Lands - so you go elsewhere for information. You hear. You speculate.
My first confirmation of Westin came from a commercial builder, a friend in Vancouver who called me and said that property you keep asking about is definitely going to be a Westin Hotel. He had just had it confirmed to him from his contact in the Starwood Group. Then another source of mine also confirmed Westin through a friend that was involved in the decision making process.
The Starwood folks have been here and have been impressed with everything about the Okanagan Valley. They went back to their boardroom and decided they wanted to be a part of the Okanagan Valley’s future. To them it was all-positive.
The company already has a property in the Interior with the new Four Points Inn by Sheraton in Kamloops, on the new hotel row. Good-looking operation. This is also the home of Rick’s Grill.
It's a good decision by council. Starwoods ability to sell conventions will be of benefit to all.
