Retro Suites Hotel

Ghost Walk at Retro Suites - June 25th

2010-06-10T16:14:00.006-05:00

For those that missed May's ghost walk through the streets of downtown Chatham, here's your next opportunity. Fans of the paranormal will soon be treated to stories of ghostly manifestations, as the Retro Suites Hotel presents Take a Walk on the Dark Side 3: The Ghost of David Frye. On June 25th, Participants will be taken on a new route in one of Chatham’s oldest neighbourhoods.

In addition to stories of murder and suicide, this year’s ghost walks will deal with family tragedy and the paranormal activity surrounding the Duchess of Wellington. “There’s no question this year’s highlight will be a visit inside Rick and Antja Bodneruk’s bed and breakfast,” said Ron Laroche, the Retro Suites Hotel’s Marketing Director. “The Duchess is said to be haunted by the spirit of a little boy, and the tour will touch on the circumstances surrounding his death.”

Historians Sheila Gibbs and Jim Gilbert will once again lead the tours, focusing on stories in the area of King, Cross, West and Wellington streets. The hour-long walking tours will start at 8 p.m., rain or shine, from the lobby of the Retro Suites Hotel, located at 2 King Street West. Admission is $10 per person and $5 for children 12 and under. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel at 1-866-617-3876. Ghost walks will also take place on July 30 and August 27.

Retro Suites Offering Packages to Opening Festival

2010-06-03T08:02:00.008-05:00

The Retro Suites Hotel is pleased to announce it is collaborating with the Chatham Capitol Theatre to offer Count Your Lucky Stars, a series of packages to be offered during the Capitol’s Opening Festival. In addition to a night’s accommodation at the Retro Suites and a $50 dinner voucher to the Chilled Cork Food Emporium and Wine Bar, hotel guests will also receive a pair of tickets to a performance by Bill Cosby, Josh Turner, André-Phillippe Gagnon, Colm Wilkinson or Tap Dogs.

The packages start at $240, with pricing based on the particular performance and hotel suite. “We are excited to be playing a role in showcasing world-class talent in Downtown Chatham,” said Ron Laroche, the Retro Suites’ Marketing Director. “We are confident that pairing high caliber talent with Ontario’s premier boutique hotel will entice audiences from far and wide.”

The list of packages and pricing are as follows:
Tap Dogs – August 3-7, 2010, 8 pm – starting at $240*
Josh Turner – September 18 & 19, 2010, 8 pm – starting at $287*
Bill Cosby – September 22, 2010, 6:30 pm & 9:30 pm – starting at $310*
André-Phillippe Gagnon – September 23, 2010, 8 pm – starting at $275*
Colm Wilkinson – September 24, 2010, 8 pm – starting at $266*
* Packages are subject to availability, based on double occupancy and taxes are extra.

In addition to the Opening Festival packages, the Retro Suites Hotel has several other offers, including the Picnic in the Vineyard and Rondeau Discovery packages. Reservations can be made by visiting retrosuites.com or by contacting the hotel at 1-866-617-3876.

2010-05-26T19:07:00.001-05:00

The Chilled Cork's twitter account has a new look. Check it out at http://ping.fm/a58Ja

Retro Suites Hotel Welcomes RetroFest 2010

2010-05-25T18:42:00.006-05:00

It was a fantastic long weekend in May for the Retro Suites Hotel and downtown Chatham, as RetroFest 2010 rolled into the Maple City. Thousands of car buffs descended on the Classic Car Capital of Canada with hundreds of cars lined up and down King Street West. Photographer Les McCracken snapped pics of some of the vehicles that were parked in front and at the rear of the hotel.

2010-05-06T16:58:00.001-05:00

Check out video from Doors Open 2009 at the Retro Suites. http://ping.fm/39beZ

2010-05-06T16:55:00.001-05:00

Doors Open Chatham-Kent on May 8th. Pay us a visit from 10 to 4. http://ping.fm/7mxo1

Retro Suites’ Ghost Walks to Reappear May 21

2010-05-05T10:59:00.003-05:00

Fans of the paranormal will soon be treated to stories of ghostly manifestations, as the Retro Suites Hotel presents Take a Walk on the Dark Side 3: The Ghost of David Frye. Beginning on May 21, in conjunction with RetroFest, participants will be taken on a new route in one of Chatham’s oldest neighbourhoods.

In addition to stories of murder and suicide, this year’s ghost walks will deal with family tragedy and the paranormal activity surrounding the Duchess of Wellington. “There’s no question this year’s highlight will be a visit inside Rick and Antja Bodneruk’s bed and breakfast,” said Ron Laroche, the Retro Suites Hotel’s Marketing Director. “The Duchess is said to be haunted by the spirit of a little boy, and the tour will touch on the circumstances surrounding his death.”

Historians Sheila Gibbs and Jim Gilbert will once again lead the tours, focusing on stories in the area of King, Cross, West and Wellington streets. “We never know what might happen on one of these walks and people should be prepared for anything,” stated Gibbs. “Over 250 people took part last year and some participants did indeed report experiencing something strange.”

The hour-long walking tours will start at 8 p.m., rain or shine, from the lobby of the Retro Suites Hotel, located at 2 King Street West. Admission is $10 per person and $5 for children 12 and under. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel at 1-866-617-3876. Ghost walks will also take place on June 25, July 30 and August 27.

2010-04-27T19:56:00.001-05:00

The official Retro Suites Hotel video is now online. Let us know what you think. http://ping.fm/GdPub

2010-04-24T18:01:00.001-05:00

Visit the Retro Suites at tomorrow's Bridal Confidential show in London. http://ping.fm/w7JSc

2010-04-22T17:04:00.001-05:00

Chilled Cork is on Twitter! Lunch, dinner specials and so much more. Follow the Retro Suites' street-level restaurant @chilledcork.

2010-04-21T09:42:00.001-05:00

One week til our Open House. Need info on a corporate or special event, see us then. RSVP by Apr 23. See the flyer at www.retrosuites.com

Mother's Day at the Chilled Cork

2010-04-20T19:05:00.003-05:00

On May 9th, why not treat mom to a delightful brunch at the Chilled Cork Food Emporium and Wine Bar, the Retro Suites Hotel’s street-level restaurant? From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the restaurant will be featuring table service and à la carte menu items. For reservations, call 519-354-7818.

Retro Suites Quenches Traveler’s Thirst

2010-04-12T16:40:00.010-05:00

We had a lot of excitement at the hotel last week. On Thursday night, the Retro Suites played host to Kevin Brauch, who was in town for the Parade of Chefs. The Thirsty Traveler was the special guest and emcee for the Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s 8th annual fundraiser. The Chilled Cork Food Emporium and Wine Bar’s chef extraordinaire, Michel Bonnot, also took part by handling the desserts for the evening. Organizers were hoping to raise $20,000 for a blood gas analyzer. Brauch, who’s also the floor reporter for Iron Chef America, is probably one of the most energetic people I’ve ever met. When asked to pose for a photo, Brauch insisted a few more wacky ones also be taken. Kevin, it was a pleasure to have you stay with us.

Friday brought along with it a whole different level of excitement. After over fourteen years in the making, Chatham’s Capitol Theatre reached a significant milestone by announcing the lineup for its opening week. General Manager, Dan Donaldson, made the details public in the Retro Suites’ banquet hall to a large crowd of theatre enthusiasts. Starting September 17th with the Grand Opening and the Mayor’s Gala, the rest of the week will also feature the likes of singer Colm Wilkinson, impressionist André Phillippe Gagnon, and legendary comedian Bill Cosby. As the anticipation of its opening continues to grow, the Retro Suites Hotel looks forward to working with the Capitol to promote a unique theatre/hotel experience to those visiting the area. In the coming weeks, look for special package deals for the weeklong celebration. In the meantime, you can find more information about the Capitol’s opening and performances at chathamcapitoltheatre.com

It’ll be interesting to see what this week brings.

Retro Suites Going Dark for Earth Hour 2010

2010-03-15T19:51:00.013-05:00

For the second consecutive year, the Retro Suites Hotel will participate in Earth Hour, a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) event focusing on the issue of climate change.

On Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 8:30 p.m., southwestern Ontario’s premier boutique hotel will take part in the global initiative by turning off all principal lighting and encouraging hotel guests to do the same in their suites.

“Earth Hour is an opportunity to demonstrate our continued commitment to reducing our impact on the environment,” said Ron Laroche, the hotel’s Marketing Director. “This event compliments our existing conservation efforts and illustrates how individual contributions can add up.”

In addition to powering down non-essential lighting, the Retro Suites and the Thames Art Gallery will host an open house with Jordan Broadworth, as the New York City artist wraps up his weeklong residency in the hotel’s storefront studio at 30½ Jahnke Street. The Chilled Cork Food Emporium and Wine Bar, the Retro Suites’ street level restaurant, will also offer a candlelit dining experience.

Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, when 2 million residents turned off their lights. Last year, the WWF estimated that over one billion people participated in 80 countries.

Retro Suites Hotel Rondeau Discovery Package

2010-02-24T20:00:00.013-05:00

The Retro Suites Hotel is eager to bring visitors out of their winter doldrums, as southwestern Ontario’s premier boutique hotel gears up to offer its Rondeau Discovery Package. Consisting of a night’s accommodation, entry into Rondeau Provincial Park, and a boxed lunch for two, the package will be available beginning March 20th, 2010, in conjunction with the park’s annual Wings of Spring event. The package will be available until October 31st, 2010 and is based on double occupancy, starting at $169, plus taxes.

Birding enthusiasts may also wish to take advantage of the Enhanced Rondeau Discovery Package from May 1st to May 24th, 2010. During that time, the package will also include a guided bird hike and a list of bird species found at the park. “We hope this package will entice out-of-town guests to visit one of Ontario’s oldest provincial parks and to enjoy a unique accommodations experience,” said Ron Laroche, Marketing Director for the Retro Suites Hotel.

Due to its unique peninsula, Rondeau Provincial Park is home to some of the best bird watching in Ontario “The experience of witnessing the migration of song birds is truly unbelievable,” stated Emily Slavik, Rondeau’s NHE Specialist. “Their numbers typically reach their peak in the month of May.”

Retro Suites Dream Wedding Giveaway

2010-02-13T13:00:00.010-05:00

The Retro Suites Hotel has once again partnered with Chatham's very best wedding professionals for the Dream Wedding Giveaway. We've taken care of everything from the venue, to the photography, to the flowers - $10,000 in prizes.

To enter, visit winaweddingchatham.com to download your passport. Visit the participating vendors or see them at the kickoff that's taking place on February 17th at the Retro Suites Hotel from 4 to 8pm. You also need to submit your completed passport at the event. After the kickoff, the giveaway committee will verify all completed passports. Ten semifinalists will be drawn and their names posted on the website the following day. The competition then heats up, as the semifinalists will be required to submit photos of themselves and essays explaining why they should win, by no later than February 25th, 2010. The contestants will have nearly a month to have family and friends vote for them on the website. The contest will close on March 24th at 4pm, and the couple with the most votes will be declared the winner of the Dream Wedding Giveaway.

Here's a list of the participating vendors.

Reception at the Retro Suites Hotel. Reception venue for up to 120 guests & overnight bridal suite.

Gown by Enchantment Bridal. $1000.00 towards a Maggi Sattero wedding gown.

Invitations by You’re Invited. $1000.00 custom invitation and stationary package.

Photography by John Lyons Weddings. Up to 10 hours of wedding day photography with digital negatives (jpg files) on DVD, along with online slideshow and online proofing.

Tuxedo’s by Bud Gowan Formal Wear. Groom’s tuxedo & $50.00 off each attendant’s tux.

Entertainment by Toast & Jam. A night of musical entertainment, courtesy of Toast & Jam. Live music, with a unique twist. Songs to keep everyone dancing and singing along all night. Value – $1,000.

Flowers by Purple Pansy. Floral package.

Decorating by To Suit Your Fancy. $1000.00 decor package.

Eve Chocolatier. $500.00 custom gift package.

Modern Trends Hair Studio and Day Spa. $500.00 spa and hair package.

A Lunch of Olympic Proportions: Silken Laumann Visits the Chilled Cork

2010-02-03T18:25:00.010-05:00

It’s not every day that a three-time Canadian Olympic medallist walks into your restaurant for lunch. But, that’s exactly what happened today, as Silken Laumann joined us for a midday meal at the Chilled Cork Food Emporium and Wine Bar, the Retro Suites’ street-level restaurant.

She worked up an appetite helping the GoodLife Kids Foundation deliver a $17,500 cheque to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent’s pilot program, Go Guys.

It’s certainly a little ironic that we’re just 9 days prior to the Vancouver Olympics and in walks a Canadian Olympian. Grated, the winter games are coming up and Laumann medalled in the ’84 (bronze), ’92 (bronze) and ’96 (silver) summer games for rowing, but it’s very unexpected nonetheless.

She was very approachable and kindly posed for a photo with our server, Deb Lacasse. And, if you were wondering what a Canadian Olympian has for lunch, Laumann ordered a caramelized pear salad.

Valentine's Weekend at the Retro Suites Hotel

2010-01-21T19:14:00.005-05:00

Treat your sweetheart to a night at the Retro Suites Hotel this coming Valentine’s weekend. Our Suite Dreams romance packages start at $179 and include a night’s accommodation, chocolate-dipped strawberries, long-stem rose, use of our Retro Suites bathrobes, continental breakfast for two the following morning and late check-out. A couple’s massage can also be arranged. For additional information, visit http://www.retrosuites.com/ or contact our reservations department at 1-866-617-3876.

While at the Retro Suites, why not dine at the Chilled Cork Food Emporium and Wine Bar? The hotel’s street-level restaurant will be featuring dinners for two at $79 per couple. You’ll have your choice of appetizer, soup or salad, entrée and dessert, along with coffee or tea. Book early, as seating is limited. The restaurant will also be open on Sunday, February 14th. Visit http://www.chilledcork.com/ for more information or call the restaurant directly at 519-354-7818.

Blackburn Radio Auction for United Way of Chatham-Kent A Huge Success

2009-12-25T09:42:00.004-05:00

The Retro Suites Hotel would like to congratulate Blackburn Radio on its success with the recent radio auction. Together, 94.3 CKSY, Country 92.9 and their listeners were able to raise nearly $14,000 for the United Way of Chatham-Kent. The Retro Suites was pleased to play host once again and we look forward to raising even more money next year.

Retro Suites Hotel Hosts Blackburn Radio Auction for United Way

2009-11-21T08:37:00.009-05:00

The holidays are quickly approaching and you know what that means – battling throngs of people inside shopping malls and at the checkout lines searching for those perfect gifts. Holiday shopping can be, if you’re not careful, a real blood sport. But, it doesn’t have to be. You can cross everyone off your holiday gift list by participating in this year’s Blackburn Radio United Way Radio Auction.

On December 8th, CKSY’s Jay Poole and Katy Uher, along with CFCO’s Dave Palmer and Cheryl Johnstone, will be broadcasting from the lobby of the Retro Suites Hotel beginning at 5:30 am. You’ll be able to phone in, email or bid online on over 80 lots. Some of those items include a body makeover from A New You valued at $2,500, a $1,000 shopping spree courtesy of Leon’s, and a $500 gift certificate for dance classes from All That Jazz. There are so many great holiday gift ideas and proceeds will benefit the United Way of Chatham-Kent’s 24 member agencies.

Avoid the shopping malls, the long store lineups and feel great about helping the United Way reach its $2,000,000 campaign goal. Tune in December 8th or, better yet, drop by the Retro Suites Hotel to have a look at the auction items and say hello to the on-air staff.

Corporate Cheers and a Happy New Year

2009-10-29T17:16:00.014-05:00

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and the Retro Suites Hotel is preparing for another festive December. We always look forward to the holidays, like most people. Our housekeeping staff does a wonderful job transforming our lobby into a winter wonderland. Chatham's Downtown BIA also teams up with merchants to offer some awesome savings on some truly unique gifts.

If your company has yet to make plans to celebrate this past year's achievements, why not consider southwestern Ontario's premier boutique hotel? We have two corporate cheer nights coming up which will promise to be memorable. Whether you’re a group of 5 or 50, enjoy a stylish company party with superb service and elegant surroundings that will have the office talking for years to come.

The holidays are also the time to visit family. Through the year, I know, for myself, that I find it very difficult to find time to see family and friends. It's mostly because I live three hours away from them. And I find there's always a lot of build up while my wife and I make our way down the 401, the 403, the QEW and finally the 406 to Niagara. It's a fantastic feeling to arrive at a family member's home and to see everyone there having a great time.

Of course, before you can close out the holidays, there's always the New Year's blowout - and the Retro Suites and the Chilled Cork are promising a huge party to ring in 2010. There's an upscale buffet planned and music provided by The Shake. Count down the final moments of 2009 with us - you won't be disappointed.

Ron

Hunter's Feast at Retro Suites Hotel

2009-09-23T18:36:00.010-05:00

Elk, bison and other game meats will be on the menu next month, as the Retro Suites Hotel hosts its first-ever Hunter’s Feast. The Chilled Cork Food Emporium and Wine Bar will prepare the October 17th buffet dinner.
A portion of the night’s proceeds will be donated to the Kent Cloverleaf Conservation Club. “The event is an excellent opportunity to sample non-traditional meats prepared using a variety of methods,” said Ron Laroche, the hotel’s Marketing Director. “It’s really a dinner for those that enjoy the spoils of the great hunt without having to chase their prey.”
Tickets are $40 per person and are available at the Retro Suites Hotel. The evening gets underway with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner. Additional information is available by calling the hotel at 1-866-617-3876.

What a party!

2009-09-19T11:18:00.007-05:00

Thank you to everyone that stopped by this week for the Chilled Cork’s 1st anniversary. We can’t believe it’s been one year already. Looking back, we had a great time with our street-level restaurant and we did a lot of interesting things. From our New Year’s Eve Party to Oscar Night to Tastefest, we truly had a fantastic time being a restaurant of choice for Chatham-Kent residents and guests of the Retro Suites Hotel. We also appreciate the many well wishes on our anniversary from our repeat customers. Below, are photos of owner Cheryl MacInerney and her Executive Chef Michel Bonnot cutting our anniversary cake. It will be interesting to see what year #2 will bring, but we will continue to strive to give our customers the best cuisine and service southwestern Ontario has to offer.

The Chilled Cork is Turning 1!

2009-09-02T08:41:00.005-05:00

The Chilled Cork Food Emporium and Wine Bar, the Retro Suites Hotel’s street-level restaurant, is preparing to mark its first year in operation with a week-long celebration. The downtown eatery will be offering its patrons free hors d’oeuvres from September 14th to the 18th, between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Birthday cake will also be served on September 15th, commemorating the establishment’s launch. The festivities are meant to thank customers for their loyal patronage.

The joint venture between Cheryl McInerney and Retro Suites owner, Rob Myers, continues to see growth, despite economic uncertainty. “We’re seeing repeat customers, along with people who are discovering us for the very first time,” said McInerney, former owner of Zeona’s Natural Food Emporium. “I think our appeal is due, in large part, to our commitment to customer service, our eclectic menu and unique décor.”

During the week, the restaurant will be unveiling a new menu with fresh dishes, in addition to some traditional favourites. Plans are also in the works to expand the wine list to include a series of vintage wines. The restaurant will continue to offer exciting, savoury daily specials.

Last Supernatural Stroll of the Summer

2009-08-12T21:35:00.005-05:00

The Retro Suites Hotel’s summer ghost walk series, Take a Walk on the Dark Side 2, will conclude later this month. The final paranormal tour of Chatham’s downtown streets is scheduled for Friday, August 21st.

Local historians Sheila Gibbs and Jim Gilbert have entertained approximately 150 people since May, with more than a dozen ghost stories about the Maple City. “It’s always fun to discuss what Chatham used to be like and the interesting people who lived here during that time,” said Gibbs, author of The Ghosts of Chatham-Kent. “It’s a different kind of history lesson too, something not often taught in a school setting.”

The walk on August 21st will be the last chance this summer to tour the historic Milner House at night, where ghost sightings are said to have occurred. It is also the final opportunity to receive complimentary tickets, as part of the hotel’s Ghost Walk package.

The walk will begin at 8 p.m., from the lobby of the Retro Suites Hotel, located at 2 King Street West. Tickets are $10 per person and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be reserved by contacting the hotel at 1-866-617-3876.

Exclusive August Offer, Book Online & Save 15%

2009-07-28T14:56:00.007-05:00

The Retro Suites Hotel is offering a special rate on our regularly priced suites in August, the perfect time to visit Chatham, Ontario. Based on availability, save 15% during the entire month. The offer applies to new bookings only and taxes are extra. For more information, contact our reservations department at 1-866-617-3876.

Savoury Apps in Downtown Chatham

2009-07-27T19:14:00.006-05:00

Downtown Chatham played host to a great event earlier this month – TasteFest. The Downtown Chatham BIA organized a two-day food festival, where area restaurants offered bite-sized offerings, shops had sidewalk sales and farmers brought down fruits and veggies fresh from nearby fields. The Retro Suites Hotel and the Chilled Cork participated with great foods for the passersby. We were also fortunate to have some very talented musicians to entertain the hungry crowd. The Southwest Blues Review, the Traces Steel Band and the Shake had the folks grooving to the music.

Calling All Chocoholics

2009-07-22T07:13:00.003-05:00

If you're ever in the area of Chatham, Ontario, staying at the Retro Suites Hotel or otherwise, you have to make a point of stopping in at Eve Chocolatier. Why? Well, who doesn't like or LOVE chocolate? More than that, there seems to be something for everyone - truffles, chocolates and other sweets. But there's also ice cream, specialty coffees and so much more. Most of the goodies are made on site with fresh ingredients, like lavender grown locally at Great Lakes Lavender. Pauline Goodal started her business back in 2003. She takes great pride in paying attention to detail and making sure her customers are well looked after. Why not see for yourself? Eve Chocolatier is located at 14 King Street West in downtown Chatham, a few doors down from our hotel. I guarantee your first visit won't be your last.

Suite Sensation Giveaway – A Sweet Success

2009-07-16T19:32:00.000-05:00

Back in February, the decision was made to convert our hospitality rooms into guest suites. Over the years, All Shook Up and Letz Make a Deal had played host to many parties and special events - even musician, Sam Roberts, signed some autographs while he was here. So, as you can imagine, there were a lot of fond memories created in these respective spaces. Still, with the increasing demand for our guest suites, it was necessary to redevelop the spaces. It was with great trepidation that we embarked on a three-month construction project. Carpet was removed, walls were moved, plumbing and electrical were installed, drywall was hung and painted, and new furnishings were added. The result - three new, unique guest suites.

The new suites created an interesting dilemma for us too. What to call them. The Retro Suites Hotel started in 2002 with three suites, and with every renovation phase, came the issue of finding names for these spaces. With the most recent phase, we wanted to let the community in on the fun. The Suite Sensation Giveaway ran for two weeks. We used YouTube, 94.3 CKSY and Country 92.9 to help spread the word. Katy Uher hosted virtual tours for all the suites which allowed people to see the spaces without leaving their computers. We had over 150 people enter the contest, some from as far away as Elmira, London and Toronto. With every person submitting a suggestion for each of the suites, the hotel's selection committee went through nearly 500 names.

Ultimately, Chardonnay, Midtown and Brownstone were the names that were chosen. Kerry Doran of Chatham came up with the wine-inspired name for Suite 230. Blenheim's Myra Taylor-Petit chose an urban reference for Suite 231, while Wanda Hartery, also from Chatham, used the brickwork in Suite 232 as inspiration. For their efforts, each woman won a free night's stay in the suite they helped name.

The contest was a fantastic way to start the next chapter for the Retro Suites Hotel. We are grateful that the community and our hotel guests have embraced what we have sought to do - create a truly unique guest experience.

A Night with Oscar, Part Deux & Earth Hour

2009-04-10T11:51:00.000-05:00

The Retro Suites Hotel had a couple of really cool events take place recently that I need to tell you about. A Night with Oscar was a tremendous success, and the group that attended had a blast. Of course, we were all there to watch the Oscars on the big screen and to support a great charity, the United Way of Chatham-Kent. Deryl Hall-Giera, David Drouillard and Karen Kirkwood-Whyte were extremely supportive when I came to them with this idea. In total, with some of the food sales from the Chilled Cork and the silent auction, we were able to raise about $1,000 -- a fabulous start for a first time event. Of course, we weren't able to pull off the evening without a super cast. Phil Beard provided the photography, Pauline from Eve Chocolatier created some wonderful chocolate statuettes, Jaime and Jessica from For the Bride transformed our lobby and banquet hall, and CKSY's Greg Hetherington and Katy Uher emceed the night's festivities. The comments I heard from the participants were extraordinary, so it seems we'll be doing the event again next year. Stay tuned.

Last month, the Retro Suites Hotel and the Chilled Cork took part in Earth Hour. The hotel and restaurant, along with thousands of businesses and millions of people, switched off the lights for 60 minutes to bring awareness to the issue of climate change. In addition to turning off most lights in the hotel's public areas, we asked our hotel guests to participate too. We provided them with complimentary flashlights, since we try to refrain from lighting candles in our hotel suites. We also encouraged our guests to dine by candlelight in the restaurant, where we had The Shake perform. Having the lights off and lighting the lobby and restaurant with candles provided a really different feel to the hotel -- cozier, romantic and even a hint of mystery. We were glad to take part. If you want to read about our participation, check it out in the Chatham Daily News or visit the Earth Hour website. Hopefully, our world leaders take a cue from those that participated and do something momumental with respect to global warming.

A Night with Oscar

2009-02-16T16:00:00.000-05:00

Join us this coming Sunday night for A Night with Oscar. The Retro Suites Hotel and the Chilled Cork Food Emporium and Wine Bar have put together a Hollywood-themed event with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the United Way of Chatham-Kent. The evening’s menu is a tribute to Oscar, with all items named after the 81st annual Academy Award nominees. You can choose from the à la carte menu or bring a friend and you can both dine for $81. The show will be broadcast live from the banquet hall, so you won’t have to miss a minute of the action. Don’t forget to have your photo taken by the paparazzi, as you arrive on the red carpet. Activities will include the Oscar pool, trivia, silent auction, and awards for the most glamourous gown and the most distinguished gentleman. Select suites, priced at $81, still remain. Check out the Oscar event for copies of the menu and Oscar pool. For reservations, call the Chilled Cork at 519.354.7818. A special thanks to Eve Chocolatier for the chocolate statuettes, to Enchanted Affairs for the décor and to Phil Beard for snapping the pics.

Hotel Amenities

2009-02-04T23:11:00.000-05:00

This week, it's all about hotel amenities. I know when I visit hotels (and I've been to a few), I look forward to the king-sized bed and the bedding. It's simple stuff, but they both dictate whether or not I'll have a great night sleep. I know others may prefer some finer details, like feather pillows, or chocolates on those pillows, or docking stations for MP3 players and IPods. What do you desire, in terms of extras, when you're choosing a hotel?

What's Your Favourite Hotel Experience? Present Company Excluded.

2009-02-04T23:08:00.000-05:00

When we take a vacation or head out on a business trip, one of the first things to consider is where to stay – and it’s probably the most important. A lot of factors go into that decision: price, quality, comfort amenities, etc. Some people may stick to a certain brand, like the Hilton, the Crowne Plaza or the Double Tree. Myself, when I travel, I usually seek a Marriott property. The rooms are clean and modern. But when there is no Marriott in sight, it is an excellent opportunity to try other accommodations. Like most, I traveled through much of Europe this way, and the hotels, bed and breakfasts, and inns were really memorable. I’m sure you have come across similar experiences during your travels, so what’s your greatest hotel experience and what made it stand out?