Lake Louise, AB (April 8, 2026) – Post Hotel & Spa is pleased to announce the appointment of Chef Sebastian Brand as Chef De Cuisine, ushering in a new chapter for one of Canada’s most celebrated alpine culinary destinations.

Classically trained in Berlin, Germany, Chef Sebastian began his leadership journey at an early stage with a prominent role at the art’otel Berlin, followed by several successful years within the Park Plaza Hotel Group. His passion for excellence and innovation led him to spearhead the opening of the flagship NH Collection Dresden Altmarkt, establishing a reputation for elevating culinary standards in luxury hospitality.

Driven by a desire to expand his culinary perspective, he relocated to Canada, joining the Sawridge Inn in Jasper to immerse himself in regional Canadian cuisine and Indigenous culinary traditions. He continued refining his craft at the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff before leading the opening of the prestigious Elora Mill Hotel & Spa, further solidifying his expertise in launching and positioning luxury properties for success.

After seven impactful years back at the Rimrock Resort Hotel leading the Culinary team to multiple 5 diamond awards and placement on La Liste, he now embarks on an exciting new chapter at the Post Hotel & Spa, where he is committed to honoring and advancing its distinguished culinary legacy with creativity, authenticity, and refined execution.

At Post Hotel & Spa, Chef Brand will lead the culinary vision with a focus on honouring the hotel’s distinguished legacy while continuing to evolve its dining experience with authenticity, refinement, and a deep respect for place.

“Chef Sebastian Brand brings exceptional depth of experience, an international perspective, and a genuine passion for culinary excellence,” said Andre Giannandrea, General Manager of Post Hotel & Spa. “His thoughtful approach aligns seamlessly with the values of Post Hotel & Spa, and we are delighted to welcome him as we continue to build on the hotel’s distinguished culinary reputation.”

“At Post Hotel & Spa, cooking is an act of respect—for the land, the seasons, and the producers,” said Chef Brand. “My role as the chef is not to transform, but to reveal the quiet perfection of each ingredient with clarity and intention. We don’t chase perfection, we reveal it.”

Set in the heart of Lake Louise, Post Hotel & Spa is renowned for its refined hospitality, celebrated wine program, and longstanding commitment to culinary excellence. Chef Sebastian Brand’s arrival marks an exciting moment for the hotel as it continues to honour its storied past while shaping the future of dining at the property.

TORONTO, ON (April 7, 2026) – Days Inns - Canada proudly announces its 2025 Awards of Recognition winners, honouring hotels and teams that consistently provide exceptional guest experiences. These award recipients go above and beyond, creating welcoming spaces where every guest feels valued and leaves with lasting impressions.

“At the heart of every great guest stay are the people who make it happen,” said Irwin Prince, President & COO, Days Inns - Canada. “These award-winning hotels set themselves apart by creating welcoming, memorable moments for every guest. Their passion and attention to detail define what it means to provide true hospitality.”

Guest Choice Award Days Inn & Suites - Lindsay, ON

Housekeeping Team of the Year Days Inn - 100 Mile House, BC

Property of the Year (79 rooms or less) Days Inn & Suites - Lindsay, ON

Property of the Year (80 rooms or more) Days Inn & Suites - Sherwood Park, AB

New Property of the Year Days Inn & Suites - Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Best Renovation of the Year Days Inn & Suites - West Edmonton, AB

Count on Us Community Champion Days Inn & Suites - Niagara Falls Centre St. By the Falls, ON

General Manager of the Year Ellen Larmant, Days Inn - Orillia, ON

Our winners showcase the essence of Days Inn: excellent service, heartfelt dedication, and stays that guests recall long after they've returned home. Their commitment not only strengthens the guest relationship but also highlights why Days Inn continues to be a trusted choice for travellers across Canada.

“From a friendly smile at check-in to meticulous room care, these hotels consistently exceed expectations,” Prince added. “They ‘Seize the Days’ – and in doing so, remind us that hospitality is about more than rooms. It’s about interactions, connections, and care.”

At Days Inn, guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, on-site dining or complimentary breakfast, and family-friendly accommodations. For bookings or more information, visit daysinn.ca or call 1-800-DAYS-INN (1-800-329-7466). Wyndham Rewards members earn points for every qualified stay, redeemable for free nights at thousands of Wyndham hotels, vacation club resorts & vacation rentals worldwide. Members can also redeem points for flights, car rentals, gift cards, online merchandise, and more.

CALGARY – April 2, 2026 - Canadian-owned and operated hospitality brand Canalta Hotels (Canalta) is continuing its steady growth across Western Canada with the rebranding of two Alberta properties in Olds and Wainwright. Formerly operating as Ramada locations, both hotels have officially transitioned to the Canalta brand, bringing with them an elevated guest experience, enhanced amenities, and expanded loyalty benefits all while marking another milestone in the company’s growth.

Canalta has built a reputation for delivering reliable, quality accommodations tailored to the needs of travellers across Western Canada. The addition of Olds and Wainwright to the Canalta portfolio further strengthens the brand’s presence in key regional markets, offering guests a consistent and trusted experience.

Elevated Guest Experience Underway

As part of the transition to Canalta, both properties will undergo a series of enhancements, including new TVs, mattresses, infrared door locks, refreshed bedding, and signature Canalta in-room amenities. This summer, guests can also look forward to the addition of outdoor patio and BBQ spaces at each location, designed to create a more comfortable and social experience, particularly for extended-stay guests and groups.
Looking ahead, both hotels are slated for comprehensive renovations over the next two years. Planned upgrades will refresh and modernize public spaces and guest rooms, including new flooring, wall treatments, artwork, fixtures, and furnishings.

Says Brooke Christianson, Vice President, Canalta Hotels, “We’re very excited about what’s ahead for these properties. From immediate upgrades to long-term renovations, this rollout reflects our commitment to continually improving the guest experience in meaningful, tangible ways.”

The Canalta Brand Continues to Grow

Rooted in more than 50 years of family ownership, Canalta has grown from a single motor inn into a portfolio of more than 40 properties across Western Canada. Each expansion is focused on markets where the brand can deliver long-term value and genuine service.

Adds Christianson, “Being family owned shapes how we grow. It means we’re focused on long-term relationships with our guests, our teams, and the communities we operate in. Olds and Wainwright are natural additions to that vision.”

Conveniently located along key Alberta travel corridors, both properties are well-positioned to serve business travellers, work crews, families, and sports teams, now backed by the consistency and service standards of the Canalta brand.

Loyalty That Gives More Back

The rebrand also brings expanded access to Canalta Rewards, giving guests more opportunities to earn and redeem value across the brand’s growing network.

Canalta is advancing its Million Tree Project, an initiative to plant one tree for every room night stayed with a long-term goal of reaching one million trees. From April 1–30, guests can redeem points to plant trees at half the usual cost, with Canalta tripling its impact by planting three trees for every redemption.

To date, the Million Tree Project has led to the planting of more than 436,363 trees and $1.2 million invested in reforestation efforts across Alberta and Saskatchewan. Delivered in partnership with Wearth, the initiative reflects Canalta’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and meaningful community impact.

Property Details

The Canalta Hotel in Olds features 98 guest rooms, including 13 suites, along with amenities such as a complimentary breakfast room, conference space, indoor pool, hot tub, waterslide, steam room, fitness centre, and guest laundry.
The Canalta Hotel in Wainwright offers 83 guest rooms, including 26 suites, as well as a breakfast room, conference facilities, indoor pool, hot tub, waterslide, fitness centre, and guest laundry.

For more information on rewards or to book a stay, visit canaltahotels.com

Vancouver, BC — April 1, 2026 — Fairmont Pacific Rim announces the appointment of Chad Yamagata as its new executive pastry chef, bringing more than two decades of international experience leading pastry programs at some of the world’s most renowned luxury hotels. He will oversee all pastry operations across the hotel’s culinary venues, as well as lead the pastry program at the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Botanist.

Yamagata joins the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star property with a career spanning South Korea, Dubai, and Canada. Known for his refined and elegant approach to dessert, he has built a reputation for delivering elevated guest experiences while creating and mentoring pastry teams.

“We are thrilled to have Chad join our culinary team,” says Jens Moesker, regional vice president and general manager, Fairmont Pacific Rim. “He introduces a new level of artistry and global perspective to our dessert and pastry program, and we look forward to the creativity and leadership he will bring to Fairmont Pacific Rim.”

Most recently, Yamagata was the owner and pastry chef of SEE WHY Patisserie & Dessert Studio in Seoul, Korea, where he led a program of bespoke dessert collaborations with leading global luxury brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Van Cleef & Arpels, Balenciaga, Gucci, and Thom Browne.

His resume also includes the role of executive pastry chef at five-star hotels such as St. Regis Hong Kong and JW Marriott Dongdaemun in Seoul. He was also the corporate executive pastry chef of South Korean celebrity chef Edward Kwon’s restaurant group, EK Foods.

“I’m honoured to be returning home to Vancouver and joining the talented team at Fairmont Pacific Rim,” says Yamagata. “This is an incredible opportunity to lead the pastry program across such a dynamic property, including the Michelin Guide-recommended Botanist. I look forward to creating memorable dessert experiences for our guests.”

For more information, please visit botanistrestaurant.com