VICTORIA, BC / WHISTLER, BC (August 14, 2026) – Fairmont Empress and Fairmont Chateau Whistler invite guests to experience British Columbia from sea to summit with the launch of the Sea to Sky Experience, a curated luxury journey connecting the province's iconic coast and alpine landscapes. The debut comes as both landmark hotels earn top honours in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards, each recognized as the best in its respective category.

Fairmont Empress has been recognized as Canada’s #1 City Hotel and Fairmont Chateau Whistler has earned the title of Canada’s #1 Resort. The dual recognition places two of Fairmont’s Canadian properties at the forefront of world-class travel, celebrating their accommodations and service excellence in two of British Columbia’s most beautiful settings.

Set on Victoria’s iconic Inner Harbour, Fairmont Empress is a where storied heritage meets contemporary refinement. From its renowned Tea at the Empress, lush gardens, proximity to galleries and coastal adventures, the hotel offers an incomparable introduction to Vancouver Island. At the base of Blackcomb Mountain, Fairmont Chateau Whistler delivers a distinctive alpine escape with world-class adventure, wellness, dining, and year-round recreation.

The Sea to Sky Experience connects these two celebrated destinations in a single itinerary. Guests begin their journey in Victoria before boarding a Harbour Air flight, taking in sweeping views of the province’s coastline, islands, forests and mountain ranges en route to Green Lake in Whistler, via private charter or scheduled service from May to September. From there, Fairmont Chateau Whistler welcomes guests to a refined mountain retreat, with exceptional dining, restorative wellness and effortless access to the region’s celebrated outdoor pursuits.

Whether enjoyed as a celebratory escape, a bucket-list Canadian holiday or an elevated long-weekend adventure, the Sea to Sky Experience brings together:

• A stay at Fairmont Empress, Canada’s #1 City Hotel
• A stay at Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Canada’s #1 Resort
• A breathtaking Harbour Air flight between Victoria and Whistler
• Personalized itinerary planning and booking assistance through Entrée Canada
• Luxury ground transportation in an Escalade IQ as part of Fairmont Canada’s exclusive vehicle partnership with Cadillac
• Access to British Columbia’s coastal, culinary, cultural, wellness and outdoor experiences

For more information or to book the journey contact Entrée Canada, who is recognized by Travel + Leisure as an A-List Travel Advisor: https://entreedestinations.com/canada-trips/best-in-canada.

Reservations can also be made directly by visiting Fairmont Empress and Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

Richmond, B.C. (August 11, 2026) — With wildfire activity intensifying across British Columbia, WorkSafeBC is reminding employers to review their emergency evacuation plans and prepare for situations where workers may need to evacuate a workplace. When local emergencies occur, including wildfires, employers should be prepared to support the safe evacuation of workers.

“Employers should understand the risks that may impact their workplaces and ensure they have appropriate emergency procedures in place,” says Todd McDonald, Head of Prevention Services at WorkSafeBC. “Emergencies and disasters can happen any time and without warning. The more prepared you are for them, the better you’ll be able to respond.”

Preparing for an evacuation

• Identify when workers may need to evacuate. Consider wildfires and other emergencies that could affect the workplace, including risks specific to the location.
• Have clear evacuation routes. Identify primary and alternate routes to safely leave the worksite and make sure exits are clearly marked, well-lit and free of obstructions.
• Have a way to alert workers. Make sure workers know how they will be notified if they need to evacuate and what an evacuation alert or order means.
• Assign responsibilities. Make sure workers know who is coordinating the evacuation and who will help others get to safety.
• Plan for shutting down equipment and work processes. Identify what may need to be shut down, how it can be done safely, and who is responsible. Consider materials or processes that could become hazardous when exposed to fire. However, workers should not delay evacuation to shut down equipment or complete other tasks when there is an immediate threat to their safety.
• Plan for everyone. Consider the needs of workers, visitors and others who may need assistance during an evacuation, including people with disabilities and those who do not speak English.
• Keep workers informed and prepared. Review the plan with workers, provide training and hold evacuation drills at least once a year. Discuss emergency plans seasonally or when the potential for an emergency increases.

Protecting workers from wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke can affect workers even when a fire is not close to the workplace. Employers should monitor local air quality and adjust work as conditions change. This may include relocating or rescheduling work, reducing strenuous activity and taking steps to improve indoor air quality.

WorkSafeBC has resources to help employers prepare for wildfire season, including information on emergency planning and response, emergency evacuation planning and wildfire smoke.

Toronto, ON (August 7, 2026) –Choice Hotels Canada continues to expand its upscale Ascend Collection® portfolio with the addition of four distinctive hotels across the region: Grand Hotel & Conference Centre Calgary Airport in Calgary, Alberta; Frontenac Club in Kingston, Ontario; Atlantic Host Hotel in Bathurst, New Brunswick; and Amsterdam Inn & Suites in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Ascend Collection, the first and largest soft brand in the upscale segment globally features resorts, historic properties and boutique hotels that offer guests unique local experiences.

“The addition of these four hotels marks another important milestone in the growth of both our Ascend Collection and upscale portfolio across Canada,” says Brian Leon, CEO, Choice Hotels Canada. “We’re seeing strong momentum from independent hotels seeking the flexibility of a soft brand, backed by the reach and resources of a global hospitality company. Together, these properties expand our presence in key destinations, while offering guests more distinctive travel experiences.”

Grand Hotel & Conference Centre Calgary Airport – Calgary, Alberta

Just 15 minutes from Calgary International Airport and within easy reach of downtown Calgary, Grand Hotel & Conference Centre Calgary Airport offers convenient access to Stampede Park, the Calgary Zoo and the Calgary Tower. Designed for both business and leisure travellers, the hotel features 194 spacious guestrooms and suites, onsite dining at Everest Grill and the lobby lounge, a 24-hour fitness centre with steam rooms, and more than 7,500 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.

Frontenac Club – Kingston, Ontario

Housed in the former Bank of Montreal building in the heart of downtown Kingston, Frontenac Club combines more than 185 years of history with contemporary boutique luxury. Steps from the Kingston waterfront, City Hall and Queen's University, the meticulously restored property provides an ideal home base for exploring one of Ontario's oldest and most vibrant cities. Featuring 20 individually designed guestrooms with premium finishes, curated artwork and distinctive architectural details, the hotel offers an elevated boutique experience that celebrates its historic character while delivering modern comforts.

Atlantic Host Hotel – Bathurst, New Brunswick

Nestled along the Tetagouche River in northern New Brunswick, Atlantic Host Hotel offers travellers a welcoming destination, blending natural beauty with Maritime hospitality. Conveniently located near Bathurst Airport, coastal attractions, outdoor recreation and regional business centres, the full-service hotel provides easy access to the area's beaches, trails and year-round adventures. Its combination of modern amenities and authentic local character makes it a natural addition to the Ascend Collection, and features 96 comfortable guestrooms, onsite Atlantic Hotel Restaurant and Lounge, serving Canadian favourites in a laid-back atmosphere, indoor pool, fitness facilities, and versatile meeting and event space.

Amsterdam Inn & Suites – Fredericton, New Brunswick

Just outside downtown Fredericton, Amsterdam Inn & Suites offers guests easy access to many of the city's popular attractions, including the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Christ Church Cathedral, the University of New Brunswick and scenic Saint John River. Serving as an inviting gateway to New Brunswick's capital city for both business and leisure travellers, it delivers on the warm hospitality the region is known for. The hotel features 68 spacious guestrooms and suites, complimentary hot breakfast, 24-hour fitness centre, business amenities and pet-friendly accommodations. Having been in the Choice Hotels’ system since 2015 as a Quality Inn & Suites, its convenient location further strengthens Choice Hotels' growing upscale presence in the Atlantic.

These additions further bolster Choice Hotels Canada's growing upscale portfolio, providing travellers with more distinctive accommodations in destinations across Canada. The region has an additional seven Ascend Collection hotels in the pipeline, including a new build property scheduled to open in Grand Falls, NB next month.

These Ascend Collection hotels, as well as all properties in Canada participate in Choice Privileges®, which recently launched an all-new rewards experience enabling members to earn more rewards more frequently, achieve Elite status faster, and access exclusive benefits designed to help get the most from every stay. Members can earn and redeem points for reward nights at Ascend Collection hotels, as well as at more than 7,000 properties globally across a diverse portfolio of brands. For reservations or additional information, visit choicehotels.com.

Vancouver, BC (August 5, 2026) – At the heart of Fairmont Pacific Rim's enhanced wellbeing offering is the unveiling of the newly reimagined Fairmont Spa - a transformative renovation that establishes one of Vancouver's most comprehensive luxury wellness destinations.

Designed as a sanctuary where ritual meets recovery, the newly renovated spa has been thoughtfully reimagined alongside the Fairmont Pacific Rim Wellness Club x HOUSE Concepts on the hotel’s 5th floor, creating a seamless ecosystem dedicated to movement, restoration, nourishment, and longevity.

The revitalized Fairmont Spa now features 14 luxurious treatment rooms, including two innovative Dream Spa Specialty treatment tables, a Himalayan salt sauna, steam room, private women's lounge, co-ed relaxation lounge, and an expansive outdoor spa terrace complete with a mineral wellness jacuzzi, dry sauna, fire pits, and relaxation loungers. Together, these spaces create an immersive environment designed to restore both body and mind.

Far more than a traditional spa, the new Fairmont Spa represents a shift toward results-driven, performance-focused wellness. Rooted in a philosophy of intentional restoration, treatments are designed to deliver measurable outcomes through technical therapies. The spa’s elevated retail offering brings together a curated collection of high-performance skincare, luxury haircare, contemporary resort wear, and exclusive HOUSE i.D athleisure - reflecting a modern approach to wellness, beauty, and lifestyle.
Complementing the spa experience is the newly renovated Fairmont Pacific Rim Wellness Club x HOUSE Concepts, where guests can participate in daily LAB classes, private personal training sessions, and bespoke fitness programming led by HOUSE Concepts' elite trainers. Together, the spa and wellness club create a fluid journey that allows guests to move effortlessly between performance, recovery, and renewal.

Situated within the Fairmont Spa, Wish Dry Bar is Vancouver’s go-to luxury hair boutique, offering elevated blowouts, hair treatments, styling, and makeup services delivered by highly trained, detail-oriented stylists. Wish Dry Bar specializes in everyday glam, special-event styling, photoshoot-ready hair, and bridal beauty, creating a consistent, polished experience tailored to each guest. Open seven days a week, Wish also offers in-room styling services for hotel guests.
Anchored by the newly transformed Fairmont Spa, Fairmont Pacific Rim has redefined luxury wellbeing -not as a standalone amenity, but as a fully integrated guest experience. By seamlessly connecting movement, recovery, nourishment, and mindful restoration across every touchpoint, the hotel positions itself as a destination for modern luxury where wellness is thoughtfully embedded into every stay.

This latest evolution further reinforces Fairmont Pacific Rim's position as one of North America's leading luxury lifestyle hotels and establishes the property as a destination where modern wellbeing is not an addition to the guest experience - it is the experience itself.

To discover more and book a treatment, visit: https://www.fairmontpacificrim.com/fairmont-spa/