VICTORIA, BC (May 13, 2026) – Tea at the Empress is extending its hours and introducing a new lineup of cocktails, giving guests more ways to experience one of Victoria’s most iconic rituals. Visitors can now enjoy the Lobby Lounge Monday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with new signature spirits, including a mar-tea-ni.

The new teatime cocktail hour features the Sterling Martini, a mineral, direct cocktail made with Tito’s Vodka or Sheringham Seaside Gin, dry vermouth, blue cheese, olive brine, and umami bitters, served ice cold. For a playful pour, The Silk Glove is a velvety, perfumed blend of Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin, lychee almond, jasmine pearl tea, and whey, served clarified over a king cube. Guests can also enjoy classics, including sparkling Veuve Clicquot Champagne and the ever so popular signature Empress 75.

As Victoria attracts visitors from around the globe, including nearly a million cruise passengers each season, the extended service adds capacity for guests looking to experience Tea at the Empress in one of the hotel’s most recognizable spaces, overlooking the Inner Harbour. The evening hours create more opportunities for travellers and locals alike to settle in, enjoy the setting, and take part in a tradition that remains central to the Fairmont Empress experience.

“There was strong interest amongst visitors to enjoy Tea at the Empress later in the day and into the evening,” said Dan McGowan, General Manager, Fairmont Empress. “This extension reflects that demand and gives guests more flexibility to enjoy this iconic experience in a way that suits their visit, whether that means a traditional tea service or the accompaniment of a cocktail during golden hour in the Lobby Lounge.”

Tea at the Empress has been part of the hotel’s story for more than a century, welcoming royalty, dignitaries, celebrities, and generations of guests since 1908. Serving more than 500,000 cups of tea a year, the service has long been a multigenerational experience, with families, friends, and visitors of all ages gathering to share in tradition and celebrate meaningful milestones that create special memories for years to come. Set against the backdrop of Lobby Lounge, the Tea at the Empress continues to be one of the hotel’s defining experiences.

VICTORIA, BC, May 13, 2026 /CNW/ - Some hotels refresh their rooms. The Parkside Hotel & Spa refreshes its commitments. The latest suite renovation brings in locally crafted White Western Birch furnishings sourced from BC Pacific Coast mills, original artwork celebrating the region's natural beauty and creative spirit and living and dining pieces made right in Vancouver. Every partner was chosen because sustainability and craftsmanship are not afterthoughts here. They never have been. The result is the kind of stay that feels less like a hotel and more like the best version of coming home, where the kitchen is stocked, laundry is right in your suite, and someone genuinely glad to see you is waiting at the front desk.

That philosophy did not arrive with this renovation. It was present from the very first brick, shaped by a team of people who care deeply, in a city that celebrates such thoughtfulness. The details have always mattered at The Parkside Hotel & Spa. This refresh is simply the newest expression of a standard that has been here since day one.

SUITES DESIGNED FOR THE WAY PEOPLE ACTUALLY TRAVEL

The Parkside's 126 suites are not hotel rooms with a kitchenette tucked in the corner. They are thoughtfully conceived living spaces, built to serve families, business travellers, couples on an extended getaway, and multi-generational groups who want to spend time together and still have plenty of room to unwind.

One-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations offer generous living and dining areas, cozy fireplaces, spa-inspired bathrooms, private balconies with park or city views, and full kitchens or kitchenettes genuinely equipped for cooking. Every suite comes stocked with stainless steel cookware, a blender, a toaster, a complete cutlery set, and both a single-serve pod machine and a full drip coffee maker. The details most properties overlook are the ones The Parkside gets right every time.

In-suite washer-and-dryer combos mean a two-week trip packs like a long weekend. Reusable shopping bags invite guests to explore local markets and cook in a kitchen up to the task. Four-legged family members are welcome in our dedicated pet suites, complete with a cozy bed of their own. Please note that pet accommodations must be reserved and are subject to availability. For multi-generational groups, two-bedroom suites deliver the rare combination of shared living space and private retreat, backed by the warmth of a full-service hotel.

EVERY AMENITY, THOUGHTFULLY CONSIDERED

Beyond the suites, The Parkside offers amenities that complement every kind of stay, brought to life by a team that makes every interaction feel warm. Guests can recharge at the 25-metre indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness centre, or book a treatment at The Parkside Spa, including the signature Drift Float Sound Meditation experience. Tre Fantastico brings local flavours to the property. The rooftop garden with firepits invites evening gatherings, and The Parkside Theatre brings movie nights (or gaming) to life with a 132-inch screen and Dolby surround sound. Complimentary bikes and neighbourhood guides make it easy to explore Victoria like a local. On-site EV charging rounds out the sustainable journey.

Steps from the Inner Harbour and the Victoria Conference Centre, The Parkside sits at the heart of Downtown Victoria. The team is always just a conversation away and ready to help make the most of every moment.

A PROPERTY BUILT DIFFERENTLY

Long before sustainability became a hospitality buzzword, The Parkside was quietly doing the work. The property was designed and built with environmental stewardship at its core, making it one of the earliest examples in Canada of a hotel that treated its physical footprint as a responsibility rather than an afterthought. Today, The Parkside is Carbon Neutral, Biosphere-Certified, and the first urban hotel in the world to be a member of Beyond Green, a global community of bold leaders advancing sustainable travel, which is operated by Preferred Travel Group.

These credentials reflect how The Parkside has operated since day one and why guests return year after year, feeling that something here is genuinely different from other hotels.

MORE THAN A PLACE TO STAY

What The Parkside has built is difficult to replicate: a property designed from its foundation to serve people well, a team that takes genuine pride in hospitality, and values around sustainability and community that shape every decision.

Guests arrive expecting a hotel. They leave feeling like they have found their place in Victoria.

For reservations and information, visit www.parksidevictoria.com.

To explore current offers and packages, visit www.parksidevictoria.com/specials.

TORONTO, ON (May 12, 2026) – Motel 6 - Victoria Airport has been named Canadian Franchisee of the Year 2025 by G6 Hospitality, the highest honour bestowed on a Canadian franchisee within the brand. Patti Barker accepted the award on behalf of the hotel at the recent G6 Hospitality conference held in Cancun, Mexico.

The prestigious award recognizes the location that best exemplifies Motel 6’s principles of quality, value and consistency. Recipients are selected based on a comprehensive review of brand standards, guest satisfaction scores, operational performance and community engagement throughout the calendar year.

"With so many outstanding franchisees across Canada, this recognition is especially meaningful," said Irwin Prince, President and COO, Realstar Hospitality. "The team at Motel 6 in Victoria showed exceptional commitment to guest experience and operational excellence, and we are proud to celebrate their achievement."

Located at 2401 Mount Newton Cross Road in Saanichton, just minutes from Victoria International Airport and BC Ferries' Swartz Bay terminal, Motel 6 in Victoria has built a reputation for consistently strong guest reviews, exceptional cleanliness scores and a friendly, service-oriented team culture. Over the past year, the property has continued to invest in guest-facing improvements while maintaining the affordability and reliability that travellers expect from the Motel 6 brand.

"It is a tremendous honour to be recognized as the top franchisee in Canada," said Len Wansbrough, Owner, Motel 6 - Victoria Airport. "This award belongs to every member of our team. Their hard work, attention to detail and genuine care for our guests are what consistently set this property apart.”

Motel 6 - Victoria Airport offers easy access to downtown Victoria, Butchart Gardens, local wineries and a wide range of dining and shopping options. On-site amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, free parking, pet-friendly accommodations, and modern guest rooms designed with the budget-conscious traveller in mind. To learn more about Motel 6 or to book your stay, please visit www.motel6.com or download the My6 app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

Following the conclusion of the Canadian Hotel Investment Conference, top industry leaders returned to the Black & Blue Steakhouse for the 2026 ORHMA Canadian Hotel VIP Leadership Dinner. What began over a decade ago has evolved into a cornerstone annual tradition, uniting executives from across the country to strengthen the bonds of industry leadership at these annual events both in Toronto and Vancouver.

A Focus on the Future

Hosted by Jason Cheskes, President of Above The Line Solutions, the evening provided a unique venue for colleagues to refresh existing relationships and cultivate new connections. Opening the dinner, Cheskes addressed a timely theme: the critical importance of facilitating professional development and networking opportunities for the industry’s up-and-coming leaders. The sentiment resonated with attendees, many of whom noted the pivotal role such conferences and events played in their own career trajectories.

Emad Yacoub, President and CEO of Glowbal Restaurant Group, made a point of joining Jason to personally welcome the group to the restaurant and encouraged all to visit to the newly opened Toronto location of Riley’s Fish & Steak with his uniquely charming humorous approach.

Voices from the Industry

The value of the gathering was echoed by Mark Reeves, IHG Vice-President of Franchise Support, who noted:

Mark Reeves, IHG Vice-President of Franchise Support, shared “Thank you Jason for organizing such a great event…it was quite a reunion for all of us as the business of hospitality has us all working diligently in our own worlds and we rarely are able to network with colleagues and friends in the industry in this way.  It was a very worthwhile evening for us all and a reminder of how much we do collectively. I look forward to more of these opportunities and the upcoming Ontario Hospitality Conference.”

Guest included Accor, Marriott, Wyndham, Choice, Hotel Equities, Innvest, Hyatt, Sandman, Best Western, IHG, Westmont, Atlific, Coast, Realstar, Omni, LHM, Mariet, Listel, MasterBUILT, Diamond, Genesis, Bayview Hospitality, Synvest, Primevest, as well as ORHMA, HAC, GTHA, National Bank and CFO.

This year’s sponsors of the dinner included RHB, Rogers, Eden Textile, Serta Simmons, Gordon Williams Corp, Nerval, Western Financial and Foodbuy. Recognition of to Frank Yeo of Mercury publications for his ongoing support and arranging the event photographer also was included.

Looking ahead

Tony Elenis, President and CEO of ORHMA, shared that the 5^th Ontario Hospitality Conference with the OHI-We Are Hospitality Hall of Fame Awards will be taking place this year October 19-20.   For more information, please visit www.ontariohospitalityconference.com

The next Canadian Hotel VIP Leadership dinner will take place October 29^th following the Western Canadian Lodging Conference.

• Photos courtesy of Frank Yeo & Mercury Publications 
• (*All Photos can be viewed at https://phillipchin2018.pixieset.com/20260428orhmavipdinner/ or with the QR code below) 
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