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Courtyard Burlington, Ontario: Innovative design and flexible space

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In Canada Courtyard by Marriott Hotel has opened its doors in Burlington, Ontario and ready to serve you. Featuring an innovative lobby space as well as Courtyard’s latest contemporary room design, the new hotel provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience. Located at 1110 Burloak Drive, the 135-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Burlington Hotels Group Inc. and managed by Burloak Hospitality Management Ltd. Both of Burlington, Ontario.

Adjacent to the Burlington Convention Centre, the Courtyard Burlington is located 40 minutes from downtown Toronto and offers guests convenient access Canada’s Wonderland, Niagara Falls, Burlington Botanical Gardens and the scenic waterfalls of Hamilton. Rates begin at $169 per night.


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Courtyard constantly researches trends and evolves to meet the changing needs of its guests. The latest room design offers hybrid zones for working, sleeping, relaxing and getting ready. Indirect lighting and a neutral, tone-on-tone color palette makes for a soothing and calm environment.

“From day one, Courtyard has prided itself as a brand that listens to business travelers,” said Janis Milham, senior vice president and global brand leader, Classic Select Brands. “Today’s technology has changed how people travel. Our guests want a room that has purpose and flexibility that enables a seamless transition between relaxing and working. Courtyard is designed to offer them a relaxing and functional space to work the way they want to, when they want to.”

The new room design is intuitive and thoughtful, offering flexible yet comfortable spaces that enable technology. Upon arrival, guests can store bags on the “Luggage Drop” and plug personal devices into the “Tech Drop” ledge for seamless technology integration.

Signature furniture and architectural elements replace traditional art in the new guestroom. The “LoungeAround” sofa offers a pop of color and a comfortable area for relaxing or for working. The new design also features a light desk on wheels, allowing guests to work from anywhere in the room.

An upgraded, more spacious layout creates an enhanced bathroom experience. A “Shower Nook” housing shampoos and towels, makes amenities accessible without having to leave the shower.

The Courtyard Burlington features the brand’s latest lobby design, where guests can enjoy an open and modern environment outside of their rooms. The newly designed Bistro is the epicenter of the lobby, which fosters social connections and collaboration with more flexible and informal seating options. The Bistro offers guests a wide variety of “made to order” breakfast, lunch and dinner items, “grab and go” options, and also features an array of specialty cocktails, beer and wine for guests to unwind at the end of the day.

Frank Vismeg, Managing Director for Burlington Hotels Group and Burloak Hospitality Management Ltd., who is overseeing the hotel operations, has extensive international experience with Hilton Hotels, Sheraton and InterContinental Hotels Group, and a strong network of relationships with government, industry and service organizations. The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel will bring new jobs and guests to our city, which is good for our local economy and good for Burlington.”

The construction of the hotel was developed by TriAxis Construction Limited, a well-respected construction management firm with over 25 years of experience and expertise in the industry.

“As Development and Construction Manager for the hotel, our professional and committed team has ensured that every aspect of the hotel was built to the highest quality and with utmost attention to detail, to meet or exceed the highest standards set by Marriott,” said Domenic Fuda, President of TriAxis Construction Limited and an equity partner in Burlington Hotels Group Inc.

“With this exciting Courtyard by Marriott project, we will be offering one of the world’s leading hotel brands to the Burlington, Oakville and QEW corridor, consisting of upscale facilities, impeccable accommodations, excellent culinary experiences, and professional and friendly service with a European flair,” said Sandra Stewart-Fearnside, General Manager.

“We are very proud to be the first to bring the very successful Courtyard by Marriott brand to the Burlington/Oakville area and to finally meet the extraordinary demand for a first-rate hotel next to the Burlington Convention Centre,” said Jack Moreira, Owner of Burlington Convention Centre.

Throughout the hotel, guests can connect with ample electrical outlets. The business library features a separate computer stations dedicated solely to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.

Green has been Courtyard’s signature color since Marriott launched the brand 30 years ago. Now it is even greener with the introduction of a guest recycling program for the environment. Receptacles for paper, glass, plastic and metal are conveniently located by side exits.

The six-story hotel features a heated indoor saltwater pool, a fitness centre and guest laundry, and offers 1,800 square feet of meeting space to accommodate functions of up to 120 people. The hotel is adjacent by a heated and covered walkway to the Burlington Convention Centre that features an additional 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting space accommodating up to 1,200 guests.

www.marriott.com/yhmbu or Call: 1.888.236.2427

About Courtyard by Marriott

Courtyard by Marriott offers a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced.

Courtyard by Marriott offers a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced. Intuitive services and design accommodate guests’ needs for choice and control. With more than 1,100 locations in over 50 countries and territories, Courtyard is proud to participate in the company’s award-winning loyalty programs – Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The programs, operating under one set of unparalleled benefits, enable members to earn points toward free hotel stays, achieve Elite status faster than ever, and seamlessly book or redeem points for stays throughout our loyalty portfolio of 29 brands and more than 6,700 participating hotels in 129 countries & territories. To enroll for free or for more information about the programs, visit members.marriott.com. For more information or reservations, visit courtyard.marriott.com, become a fan on Facebook or folloourtyardHotels on Twitter and Instagram

In Paris another Courtyard by Marriott opened bringing new design to the French Capital.

Americans Gain Easier & Expanded Access to Premium Dutch Cheeses

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Cheese-loving turophiles and wine-loving oenophiles can rejoice amid the recent announcement that global dairy giant Dutch Royal FrieslandCampina N.V., among the largest dairy companies in the world, has acquired U.S. based importer and marketer Jana Foods. While this development is certainly a boon for both companies and represents forward momentum of FrieslandCampina’s reported investment growth strategy, Americans, themselves, will also realize a tasty gain. This as the deal allows FrieslandCampina to avail a greater breadth of its cheese products to consumers in the region.

American’s will realize great benefits from the deal, vis a vis enhanced access to FrieslandCampina’s portfolio of products that cover a wide range of specialty imported Dutch cheeses. This includes mild, aged and smoked Gouda, Edam, Maasdam, Emmental and Goat Cheese. Its array of offerings are available in a variety of formats from wheels, loaves and wedges to slices, snacks and shaved. Courtesy of Jana Foods, FrieslandCampina specialty cheeses can be found across the United States in the deli section of supermarkets, club stores and mass merchandisers.

Amid the excitement of the acquisition, FrieslandCampina also aptly announced the debut of its new product line Frico Cheese—a suite of four imported Dutch varieties. This includes a Gouda Snack in convenient 20 gram portions packed eight to a bag; a shaved Goat Cheese in a 5-ounce cup; a line of Cheese Slices in easy peel and re-seal packaging (also featured in display-ready cases for easy merchandising); a line of Cheese Loaves featuring Gouda, Maasdam, Emmental, and Goat Cheese for behind-the-counter slicing; and a line of Cracker Cuts featuring cracker-sized Gouda, Mediterranean Herb and Goat Cheese.

This Frico Cheese product launch could not be more well timed amid the holidays—a period when demand for cheese products soar.  But, holidays aside, this new line represents FrieslandCampina’s publicly-stated intentions “to meet the growing consumer demand in cheeses” as well as the “needs of today’s consumer with superior products that cheese enthusiasts have called for.”

These eagerly anticipated new introductions join the existing line of Frico products, both in their traditional wheel-and-ball formats. No newcomer, Frico is a global brand in its own right with a rich history dating back to 1898. It’s long been revered for its top-quality, mouthwatering cheeses in over 90 countries around the globe. The company imparts that its unique Dutch cheeses originate in the open landscapes of Holland, all naturally ripened and crafted by experienced cheese-makers to provide the most authentic natural flavors.

All told, this FrieslandCampina-Jana Foods acquisition and Frico product line rollout will indubitably make this gal’s holidays “grate.”

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As the Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee Kern is an internationally-regarded consumer product trends expert and hospitality industry voice of authority—a travel, dining, leisure and lifestyle expert who spotlights noteworthy marketplace innovations, change makers, movers and shakers. She reports on exemplary travel destinations and experiences, extraordinary events and newsworthy products and services across all categories. Reach her online at www.TheLuxeList.com, on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/LuxeListEditor, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList and on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/LuxeListReviews.


***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost or sponsored to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***

Photo Courtesy Royal FrieslandCampina

Garden Lites Celebrates Fresh Culinary Approach with Revamped Look and New Line

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Amid the imminent New Year as throngs will collectively commit to eating more nutritiously, whether as part of a weight-loss resolution endeavor or to enjoy a healthier lifestyle overall, one company—Garden Lites—has set its sights on helping folks achieve those goals—one tasty veggie at a time. This decidedly plant-forward firm is downright braggadocios about its brand purpose: “to make surprisingly delicious veggie-rich foods so people can incorporate more veggies into their diet.”

As a means toward this end, Garden Lites recently debuted its new breakfast category frittata line helping consumers easily add vegetables to their morning diet via low calorie, high protein, and highly flavorful prepared food options. The timely new line launch coincides with a brand refresh bolstering its unequivocal positioning on plant-based food preparation: overtly eschewing food science in favor of a culinary approach utilizing produce in its natural form to proffer “surprisingly delicious and nutritionally smart, vegetable-oriented foods.”

Sharon Palmer, an award-winning Registered Dietician Nutritionist and well-reputed expert on plant-powered food and nutrition, applauds Garden Lites’ focus on fitting vegetables into a range of products, highlighting that “the vegetables are identifiable and recognizable.”

“You can see carrots, broccoli and spinach, for example, in the products, and they fit into healthful categories of the diet,” Palmer said. “They provide ways to fit vegetables into all meal occasions, and they are vegetarian. [Garden Lites] have been open and honest from the beginning that their mission is to help people fit in more vegetables into their diets …”

Garden Lites’ vegetarian frittatas, available in Spinach Egg White and Veggie Bacon & Potato Frittata varieties (with the “bacon” made from Pinto Beans), are a noteworthy complement to the award-winning company’s other sweet and savory products, including their popular Superfood Veggie Cakes and Superfood Mac and Cheese. In fact, while the brand was already established in the breakfast space with items like veggie-packed muffins and waffle varieties, the frittata line launch is helping reinforce the company’s standing as an innovative leader in the frozen food category. Additionally to this newly introduced line being packed with non-altered veggies like spinach, red bell peppers and cauliflower, the frittatas are gluten, soy, peanut and tree nut free; non-GMO and kosher.

So certain are they of their vegetable-driven victuals resonating in today’s health-minded marketplace, Garden Lites’ new tag line “Veggies Made Great” is now prominently emblazoned in bright green on its product packaging. Plus, the new design also boldly highlights and asserts veggies as the No. 1 ingredient, furthering the company’s mandate of making scrumptious, veggie-laden frozen food something grocery consumers regularly seek out.

“This dynamic new Garden Lites packaging is a radical change sure to scream from the frozen food aisle as to why to purchase,” says Andy Reichgut, Garden Lites’ Executive Vice President.

Palmer also advocated Garden Lites brand refresh and approach to fitting into consumers’ daily lives, noting, “I like the clean packaging and that they focus on delicious, comfort food recipes, but in a more healthful version. So, basically, they are meeting consumers’ needs in a healthful way. They are good for the whole family, too. I appreciate that they use the slogan, ‘Veggies Made Great,’ which resonates with people. And it’s important to point out the prominence of ingredients and clean lists.”

Overall, the strong new branding undertaken by Garden Lites has given the company a fresher face and clear-cut mission, and the new frittata products—now available in Stop & Shop, Giant Landover, Publix and select Costco stores—are further energizing the lauded lineup.

When asked her opinion on what’s needed to help the food industry and consumer marketplace at large become more vegetable-centric, Palmer recommends creativity and transparency. “I think one strategy is to make food products that include a variety of whole plants, but in a global, interesting, delicious format,” she said. “Keep it real, where you can see all of those delicious plant foods right there in the open.” Recommendations that indubitably mesh with Garden Lites’ own efforts.

“Finding new ways to provide healthful whole plant foods in attractive formats will be successful,” Palmer added. “People want healthy, interesting, global, delicious, but they also want to be satisfied.”

Satisfied and satiated indeed.

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As the Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee Kern is an internationally-regarded consumer product trends expert and hospitality industry voice of authority—a travel, dining, leisure and lifestyle expert who spotlights noteworthy marketplace innovations, change makers, movers and shakers. She reports on exemplary travel destinations and experiences, extraordinary events and newsworthy products and services across all categories. Reach her online at www.TheLuxeList.com, on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/LuxeListEditor, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList and on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/LuxeListReviews.


***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or sponsored at no cost to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***

Photo Courtesy of Garden Lites

It’s official – Anguilla is Beyond Extraordinary!

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The Anguilla Team at the Beyond Extraordinary launch at The PUBLIC Hotel with Hon. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary and Mrs. Donna Banks, Chairperson, Anguilla Tourist Board

The Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) launched its Beyond Extraordinary destination campaign at a festive event in New York City on Tuesday, December 11th, at The PUBLIC, An Ian Schraeger Hotel.

A delegation comprised of the Hon. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, Mrs. Donna Banks, ATB Chairperson, and Mrs. Shellya Webster, Manager, Corporate Affairs at the ATB head office, briefed 100 leading travel industry partners, island stakeholders, and representatives from the trade and consumer on new developments on island, and new marketing initiatives being undertaken by the Tourist Board.

In his welcome remarks, The Hon. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism highlighted the two new luxury brands that now call Anguilla home — Relais & Chateaux and Belmond, joining the Four Seasons and Auberge Resorts Collection, and independent brands CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa and Zemi Beach House.

Mrs. Donna Banks, ATB Chairperson, gave a comprehensive update on Anguilla’s tourism product, from access and accommodations through experiences and activities. She then introduced the Beyond Extraordinary campaign, aimed at sharing all the extraordinary aspects of Anguilla with travellers and travel planners alike.

Beyond Anguilla’s renowned 33 public, pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters –Anguilla’s activities include festivals, music, an award winning dining scene, boating and sport events, off-shore cays, caves and so much more. The campaign aims to capture the diversity and richness of the Anguilla experience, and it will utilize stunning visuals to highlight the island and varied activities across digital advertising, search engine marketing, social media, online video, and many other tactics.

“Our Beyond Extraordinary campaign represents a greater investment by the Anguilla Tourist Board in the transformation of Anguilla’s marketing to embrace digital and mobile first strategies,” said ATB Chairperson Donna Banks. “We are positioning ourselves to compete in today’s tourism market, which increasingly depends on digital and mobile technology,” she continued.

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the Anguilla Tourist Board’s brand new web presence at IvisitAnguilla.com. In addition to gorgeous images of beautiful beaches and easier user navigation, the website provides many useful features for visitors to explore Anguilla including: an interactive map of the island that allows users to quickly find the best places to eat, sleep, relax, and celebrate; a custom itinerary builder where visitors can “favorite” any restaurant, hotel, or activity to organize a personal travel experience; Editor’s Picks with suggested itineraries for 3, 5 or 7 day trips geared toward different types of travelers; and so much more.

The evening concluded with a series of surprise drawings for hotel stays, restaurant specials and airline tickets courtesy of Anguilla’s leading properties — Malliouhana, Auberge Resorts Collection; Zemi Beach House Hotel & Spa; Frangipani Beach Resort; CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa; Carimar Beach Club; Shoal Bay Villas; Belmond Cap Juluca; Blanchard’s Restaurant and Beach Shack; Tasty’s; Mango’s; Good Korma; Veya; Dolce Vita; Seaborne Airlines and Tradewind Aviation.

For information on Anguilla, please visit the official website of the Anguilla Tourist Board: www.IvisitAnguilla.com; follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/AnguillaOfficial; Instagram: @Anguilla_Tourism; Twitter: @Anguilla_Trsm, Hashtag: #MyAnguilla.

MEDIA CONTACT: Shellya K. Webster, Manager, Corporate Affairs, Anguilla Tourist Board, The Valley, Anguilla, BWI, E: shellya.webster@atb.ai

Local partners and tourism industry players to assist hosting first ever international tournament in Seychelles

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As the Seychelles destination is in anticipation of the MCB Staysure Tour event to start in one week-time, local partners and service providers have rallied to ensure the event to be hosted on Praslin between December 14, 2018 and December 16, 2018 is a success.

Parallel to Constance Lemuria preparing to welcome the final of the golf tournament, the organising committee is working effortlessly to guarantee that the necessary means are put in place so that the tournament runs smoothly.

From the minute the guests set foot on Seychelles’ soil, the organising committee, with the help of its various partners, are in charge of ensuring that the guests’ stay in paradise goes without any hiccups.

Amongst the various local companies who have offered to provide their support are local destination management companies Creole Travel Services, Mason’s Travel and 7 Degrees South, CAT COCOS, Takamaka Rum, ISPC Seychelles and Heineken.

The 32 professional golfers together with Staysure Tour Officials, MCB partners and the international press will touch down in Seychelles on December 11, 2018, flying in on-board an Air Seychelles flight from Mauritius.

The national airline will have three twin otters lined up to facilitate the transportation of golfers and their spouses and other invited guests to the second biggest island of Seychelles – Praslin.

Creole Travel Services, Mason’s Travel and 7 Degrees South will be catering and making provision for the complimentary transportation of the participants between venues.

The Operations Manager at 7 Degrees South, Ms. Lindy Cadeau, said that such is in line with the company’s vision of involving new grounds.

“The resources have all been adequately allocated specifically for the event which will surely be an ideal opportunity to allow more exposure to the home of the mystical Coco De Mer fruit and Seychelles in general,” said Ms. Cadeau.

She noted that the number of golf enthusiasts’ eager to attend destination tours over the years have grown significantly.

Discussing Mason’s travel participation in providing support to the golf, Mr. Alvis, General Manager of the company talked about the importance of seizing such an opportunity for Seychelles.

“Being part of the MCB-Staysure Golf event is an opportunity for us to show our pride as a local business to support such events being hosted in our country. We believe that our contribution to this event will not only help our company to get new clients but also the country to get new business through the interest that would be generated in this event,” said Mr. Alvis.

Responsible for the transfer of the golf tournament partakers’ equipment and luggage and the Staysure delegation, CAT COCOS is making available a complimentary chartered boat to Praslin.

Speaking about the Creole Travel Services’ commitment to be part of the MCB-Staysure Golf Tournament, Mr. Eric Renard, General Manager at the company mentioned the meticulous organisation behind the project from the organisation’s part.

“It is our pleasure to provide our support to such an international event. We have an active delegated department assigned to the task, ensuring that everything that is required from us is ready when the time comes. Events such as these are ideal to attract a niche market to the Seychelles, and as a dynamic local DMC, it is our duty to encourage the further growth and evolution of the Seychelles as a tourism destination.”

IPSC Seychelles, Heineken and Takamaka Rum will ensure that food and beverage are made available to the different members of the delegation as the golf tournament rolls on.

Talking about the investment made for the event by ISPC, Mr. Alfred Alain Fourcroy, ISPC’s Chief Executive and Partner mentioned that the company is making provision to serve their best brands at the various events.  He further mentioned that ISPC would also be assisting in serving Champagne to arriving guests on board the aircraft.

“Our involvement in this event was a natural step for us. We have been actively supporting golf since 2013 via our competitions/events and more recently since 2016 being involved within the Seychelles Golf Federation. We believe this event is an amazing opportunity for Seychelles and we are delighted to be on board,” said Mr. Alfred Fourcroy.

As another regular sponsor of golf events on our shores, the Takamaka Rum local distiller company took the opportunity to add its brand to the list of partners to the event.

“Takamaka Rum is very proud to be one of the sponsors of the MCB Tour championship; we have supported golf in Seychelles for many years so it was an easy decision to make to be a part of the best golfing event ever to come to our shores. Best of luck to the all the Golfers,” said Takamaka Rum Managing Director Mr. Richard D’Offay as he spoke about their association to the prestigious MCB-Staysure Golf Tournament.

With the tourism industry being the driving pillar of the economy of Seychelles, each member of the team has a specific role to play in making the first golf tournament in the 115-island archipelago of the Indian Ocean a success.

Hosting such a high profile golfing event will secure higher visibility for Seychelles, potentially attracting more golf enthusiasts to the country – the perfect opportunity for one to relax and lay back while still doing what they love.

MEDIA CONTACT: info@seychelles.travel