Amex Blocks Space In Sheraton Toronto
<B> Amex Blocks Space In Sheraton Toronto</B>
By Carolyn Green
<I>Toronto</I> - Claiming to be the first in North America, Amex Canada and the Sheraton Center Toronto joined forces to offer upgraded accommodations, an exclusive lounge and other amenities geared to the business traveler and Amex corporate clients.
The special dual-branded concierge level--the American Express Club Floor-- is located on the 20th floor of the 1,377-room Sheraton Center in downtown Toronto. The new floor, which opened in early June, is offered at the hotel for the same price as Amex's negotiated standard-room rate and ranges between US$95 and US$104, depending on the season.
"We've had a tremendous response, not only from the agents booking and selling the product, but also from the clients who are pleased with all the unexpected, value-added benefits they've received at a very competitive rate," said Janice Rodricks, national manager of supplier relations for Amex Canada.
Cynthia Bond, a spokesperson for the Sheraton center, called the response during the first few months of operations "phenomenal." She said, "We've seen repeat customers already and we've had some people who usually stay with the competition stay with us, saying they'll come back."
Amex corporate clients can make their reservations through the company's agency network in Canada. However, Rodricks said, that as of Jan. 1, Amex travel agents globally will have access to the inventory on the floor through their CRSs.
Key features of the American Express Club Floor, which consists of 17 guest rooms, two suites and a lounge, include: private checkin and 4 p.m. late checkout at the on-floor concierge desk; a mini-business center in the lounge equipped with high-speed Internet access, a printer and copier; and an executive boardroom accommodating up to 12 people.
Upgraded in-room amenities include a bathrobe, special toiletries, an iron and ironing board, a coffee maker, two data ports and a "hot button" on the phone that provides 24-hour direct access to an American Express travel office.
While plans have not been confirmed, both Bond and Rodericks said that if demand continues at the current pace, a second floor of guest rooms could be added to the package.
Coinciding with the introduction of the American Express Club Floor, the Sheraton Center has recently re-opened its own Club Level. All 179 guest rooms on the top six floors of the hotel received total face-lifts with new furniture, carpeting and drapes. In addition to goose-down duvets, rooms have upgraded bathrobes, coffee makers featuring Starbucks coffee, irons and ironing boards, mineral water, toiletries, two-line speaker phones with built-in data ports, large two-surface work desks and Hewlett-Packard Office Jets, which are a combination printer, fax machine and copier. One of the two phone lines in each guest room is direct-dial to enable easier access to fax machines and online computers.
The hotel's 43rd floor, which formerly accommodated a restaurant and disco, has been transformed into an exclusive 250-seat lounge, a private boardroom and a function room that can be used for receptions or meals for Club Level guests.
Total investment to upgrade the Sheraton Club Level, add the Amex Club floor and refurbish the hotel's fitness center was approximately US$2.7 million.