With travel costs fluctuating and consumers increasingly mindful of their budgets, maximizing travel rewards has never been more important.

BWH Hotels offers one of the most value-driven loyalty programs in the hospitality industry. Unlike competitors, Best Western Rewards® (BWR) and WorldHotels Rewards℠ (WHR) points never expire, allowing members to accumulate and redeem their points on their own terms, whether for a spontaneous getaway or a long-planned dream vacation.

The program provides unparalleled flexibility, with points redeemable across the entire BWH Hotels portfolio, which spans 18 brands and 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries—from classic roadside Best Western properties and historic BW Premier Collection's hidden gems to the luxurious offerings within the WorldHotels™ Collection. In addition to flexible redemptions, members receive exclusive rates, free nights, and one of the fastest paths to elite status in the industry.

BWH Hotels’ loyalty program has also seen substantial growth in recent years. In 2018, the program had 32 million members; today, membership has nearly doubled to 62 million, underscoring the value and appeal of a program that truly prioritizes its guests. One factor in this growth trajectory is BWR and WHR’s Status Match...No Catch® program, which allows travelers with elite status in any other hotel loyalty program to automatically receive elite status with BWR or WHR – free of charge.

Montreal, February 25, 2025 – Épik Collection Group is proud to announce the upcoming opening of its newest hotel this spring. Located at 225 Saint-Jacques Street, near the Notre-Dame Basilica at the crossroads of Old Montreal and the International District, SonoLux will be Quebec’s first immersive art hotel.

SonoLux introduces a groundbreaking concept where hospitality meets contemporary art. This one-of-a-kind destination offers guests a fully immersive artistic experience designed to inspire self-discovery and connection to the world. Featuring an experiential journey integrating visual projections and sound ambiances, from its common areas to its rooms and two dining spaces, SonoLux aims to redefine the classic hotel experience.

"With each of our projects, we dare to push the boundaries of traditional hospitality by introducing innovative concepts," says Daniel Gallant, Vice President of Épik Collection, the group behind Épik, Bonaparte, and Uville hotels, as well as Bonaparte restaurant and U67 café. "With SonoLux, we aspire to awaken the mind and invite people to travel—not just to Montreal, but within themselves."

Original Art Exhibitions

The hotel will host two annual art exhibitions, showcased in its common areas and hand-picked by guest artists and curators. The inaugural exhibition, Seeds of R/Evolution, will be curated by Cheryl Sim, Executive Director and Curator at the Phi Foundation for Contemporary Art.

A Unique Hospitality and Dining Experience

SonoLux will feature 36 rooms offering the highest level of comfort, along with two dining spaces where the decor and menus will align with the current exhibition. LUMI, the hotel's restaurant located on the ground floor, will be open to the public, offering a menu harmonized with the audiovisual artworks on display. Subterra, a hidden underground lounge, will feature a curated menu and cocktails in an audiophile environment where music, live performances, and visual projections will create an intimate experience.

Located within the historic National Trust building, a 1914 neoclassical architectural landmark, the project has been developed by Épik Collection in collaboration with Iceberg Consultants, designed by Geiger Huot architects and Zabb Design, and built by Melatti Construction.

SonoLux is set to open in late May/early June 2025. For more information, visit sonolux.ca.

(TORONTO: March 1, 2025) - At the Sheraton Gateway Hotel at Toronto International Airport, every stay is an experience. We're not your typical airport hotel - we go beyond convenience to create a memorable stay. Now, we're elevating the travel experience with an exclusive new offering that combines adventure and entertainment.

Our Plane Spotting Experience offers an exciting way to engage with one of the busiest airports in North America and immerse yourself in the dynamic world of aviation. Guests will be able to zoom in on planes using a high quality spotting scope with a phone attachment, capturing stunning images as they soar through the skies. A detailed spotting guide highlights runways, different planes and key airport operations, helping guests stay informed and engaged. To further enhance the experience, an aviation radio allows guests to tune into publicly available air traffic control frequencies, helping them align their scopes with real-time updates on arriving and departing flights.

The Plane Spotting Experience includes a stay in a spacious, contemporary junior suite with stylish décor, a comfortable sofa bed and thoughtful amenities designed for relaxation. Guests also enjoy access to the Sheraton Club, which includes a complimentary breakfast, evening hors d'oeuvres and a comfortable place to relax between spotting sessions. As an added treat, guests can enjoy 50% off Aviator's Afternoon Tea at & more, the Sheraton's signature dining space, which is the perfect way to unwind as afternoon air traffic slows.

"There's something truly mesmerizing about watching an airplane take flight, and we wanted to create an experience that brings guests closer to that wonder," said Jennifer Kazlauskis, director of sales and marketing for the Sheraton Gateway Hotel. "Whether it's capturing the perfect shot, listening to air traffic control or simply enjoying the rhythm of airport operations, our Plane Spotting Experience is designed to provide a unique and engaging way to connect with aviation."

Located within Toronto Pearson International Airport, Sheraton Gateway Toronto offers a unique advantage: prime runway views from select guest rooms, making it the ideal location for those looking to maximize their spotting time.

This exclusive experience is only available at the Sheraton Gateway Toronto and can be booked directly through the hotel's website. Whether you're visiting for a weekend getaway, a special occasion or just to check it off your aviation bucket list, this is an adventure not to be missed.

For reservations and more information, visit Plane Spotting Experience in Toronto, Ontario | Sheraton.

Toronto, ON – March 4, 2025 – The Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC) and the Greater Toronto Hotel Association (GTHA) are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership aimed at enhancing workforce development opportunities within the tourism and hospitality sector in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This collaboration will provide GTHA members with access to high-quality training and skills development initiatives to support the industry’s evolving needs.

Representing over 160 hotels and approximately 32,000 employees, the GTHA serves as the primary voice of Toronto’s hotel industry. Through this partnership, OTEC and GTHA will work together to deliver impactful training opportunities for GTHA members, including the announcement of an exclusive 25% discount on all OTEC self-paced, online training programs for GTHA members. Additionally, the two organizations will collaborate on innovative training activations, ensuring that members will have access to timely and relevant skills development opportunities.

OTEC’s award-winning training programs are designed to equip individuals with the critical competencies needed for success in the industry. GTHA members will benefit from specialized training in key areas such as Service Excellence, De-escalation, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, and more.

Sue Christensen, Senior Director & Co-Lead at OTEC commented “OTEC is thrilled to partner with GTHA in supporting the development of Toronto’s tourism and hospitality workforce. This collaboration will provide industry professionals with the tools they need to excel, ensuring the sector remains resilient and competitive. We look forward to working together to empower GTHA members with the skills that will drive success.”

“We are excited to join forces with OTEC to bring top-tier training opportunities to our members” notes Kelly Harris, Director of Marketing & Stakeholder Relations, GTHA. “OTEC is widely recognized for its excellence in training and workforce development in our sector, and this collaboration reinforces our commitment to equipping hospitality professionals with the resources they need to thrive in today’s dynamic industry.”

This formal partnership underscores OTEC and GTHA’s shared dedication to advancing workforce development in the hospitality and tourism sector. By collaborating, both organizations will ensure that industry professionals have the necessary skills and support to navigate an evolving market successfully.

Effective immediately, GTHA members can contact OTEC to start receiving their training offer: https://otec.org/contact-us/