Best Western Plus Village Park Inn to transition to Coast Calgary University District Hotel by APA on July 01st, 2026

Vancouver, B.C. – June 16, 2026 – Coast Hotels Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of APA Hotel Canada, Inc. and one of North America’s fastest-growing hotel brands and among Canada’s largest, today announced it is in the process of acquiring the Best Western Plus Village Park Inn in Calgary, Alberta, subject to customary closing conditions. Upon closing, the property will be rebranded as Coast Calgary University District Hotel by APA, effective July 1, 2026.

Located in Calgary’s northwest near the University District, the 160-room full-service hotel offers convenient access to the University of Calgary and McMahon Stadium, and is well positioned for both business and leisure travel. The property features on-site dining, meeting and event space, and a range of amenities designed to support group, corporate, and transient guests. It is also within close proximity to key attractions, including the Calgary Zoo, TELUS Spark Science Centre, Canada Olympic Park, and the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.

“We are pleased to continue expanding our presence in Calgary with the acquisition of this well-established hotel. As our second owned property in the Calgary market, it complements our downtown location and strengthens our overall presence in the city,” said Takamasa Machiura, president and CEO of Coast Hotels Limited. “This hotel is located in a key area and aligns with our strategy of disciplined growth in important urban markets. We look forward to building on its strong foundation and welcoming guests to the Coast Hotels brand.”

The hotel will operate under the Coast Hotels brand and carry the “by APA” designation, reflecting its ownership by APA Group. Over time, the property is expected to incorporate select APA signature features, including 55-inch 4K HD televisions, TOTO® Washlets, and a range of in-room amenities aligned with APA’s Japanese hospitality approach.

This acquisition further strengthens Coast Hotels’ footprint in Alberta and underscores the company’s continued momentum in expanding its portfolio across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

Walking away from this year's CONNECT 2026: Marriott Select Brands Owner and Franchisee Conference, I wasn't left with a single slogan or headline message. Instead, my overarching impression was one of resilience; the resilience of the hospitality industry and the enduring strength of the Marriott brand.

Throughout the conference, Marriott leaders consistently reinforced their value proposition while acknowledging the economic and operational challenges hotel owners and operators continue to face. More than anything, the message seemed to be that Marriott is focused on standing alongside its owners and franchisees, working to help them navigate uncertainty and achieve stronger financial results.

The atmosphere felt noticeably different from recent years. There was a sense of cautious optimism throughout the event. Year to date performance has generally been better than many expected, and the industry has so far avoided the major disruptions that have impacted travel demand in previous years. Drive-to destinations remain healthy, and fuel prices have not yet significantly affected leisure travel patterns. The result was a conference environment that felt more relaxed and less reactive than in the past.

If I had to summarize the conference in just a few words, they would be: Marriott supports owners. That sentiment was reflected not only in the presentations but also in conversations happening in hallways, networking sessions, and owner meetings.

One topic dominated nearly every discussion: the ongoing pressure on operating margins and the challenge of generating top-line growth. Hotel owners continue to wrestle with rising labor costs, inflationary pressures, and changing guest expectations. Marriott appeared keenly aware of those concerns and dedicated considerable time to discussing ways to help owners improve profitability.

Artificial intelligence also emerged as a popular subject. While AI was not presented as a cure-all, it was clear Marriott views it as an increasingly important tool for marketing and operations. One practical takeaway was the importance of keeping website content fresh and up to date. As AI-powered search and content discovery evolve, stale content becomes less effective. For hotel operators, maintaining dynamic digital content may become just as important as traditional marketing efforts.

Several sessions focused on revenue generation, but one of the most valuable centered on maximizing ancillary revenue opportunities. The presentation offered practical strategies that operating teams can implement immediately to capture more spending from existing guests rather than relying solely on occupancy growth. In an environment where margins remain under pressure, those incremental revenue opportunities could make a meaningful difference.
In addition to the ancillary revenue presentation, Marriott teams discussed several hot topics addressing owner concerns. Most notably, they facilitated open conversations around the challenges and opportunities behind the “Power of M” conversions. They also presented new refinements to Marriott’s broad marketing campaigns focused on demographic buying trends. Finally, executives also covered a new initiative centered on refining the operating model and rationalizing the underlying costs in delivering guest experiences.

Beyond Marriott’s specific programs, the economic outlook sessions were thought provoking. The featured economist discussed the potential long-term impact of infrastructure damage across parts of the Middle East and how disruptions to oil production could eventually affect the global economy. This warning served as a stark reminder that broader geopolitical events can quickly influence operating costs and consumer behavior. Equally, the same economist noted the hospitality industry’s resilience and long term macro-economic strengths.

Perhaps the most important lesson for hotel owners who were unable to attend is that flexibility remains critical. Summer travel demand appears promising, but uncertainty still exists. The industry has not yet fully felt the potential ripple effects of international conflicts or energy market disruptions. Owners who maintain flexible operating structures and continue looking for ways to accomplish more with less will likely be best positioned to succeed.

I didn't leave the conference with a list of immediate changes to implement over the next 90 days. What I did leave with was reinforcement of a philosophy that has served our organization well: remain flexible, embrace innovation, stay focused on revenue opportunities and never stop looking for operational efficiencies.

In many ways, Marriott's message was simple: the challenges facing the industry are real, but so are the opportunities. And Marriott intends to help owners capitalize on them.

CALGARY, ALBERTA (June 1, 2026) – Choice Hotels Canada is pleased to announce that Park Inn by Radisson, Calgary Airport North, AB has been honoured with a 2026 International Best of Choice award for the Park Inn by Radisson brand by Choice Hotels International.

The Best of Choice awards are among Choice Hotels International’s most coveted accolades, with recipients selected for their demonstrated commitment to superior guest service and operational excellence. One hotel winner was selected from each Choice Hotels brand segment in the company’s domestic and international portfolio.

The Park Inn by Radisson, Calgary Airport North, AB also earned a Gold Guest Satisfaction Award this year, placing it among the top-performing hotels across the Choice Hotels Canada system. Gold winners represent the top 10% of hotels based on verified customer feedback, including guest insight surveys and Likelihood to Recommend scores.

“The Park Inn by Radisson, Calgary Airport North, AB continues to distinguish itself as a strong performer in the Canadian system,” says Brian Leon, CEO, Choice Hotels Canada. “These awards reflect the team’s consistency, professionalism and unwavering commitment to their guests.”

The Park Inn by Radisson, Calgary Airport North, AB has a team focused on operational excellence and guest satisfaction and has positioned itself as a leader within the brand. The team is known for delivering reliable, comfortable stays and thoughtful service that meets the needs of both business and leisure travellers. Designed to meet the needs of both short and long-term guests, the hotel also features fully equipped in-suite kitchens.

“It is an incredible honour to be receiving this award,” says Ajay Nehur, owner of the hotel. “We have an extremely dedicated team that goes above and beyond and truly brings their best every day. This recognition is a testament to their passion, commitment, and unwavering focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences. Each member of our team plays a vital role in creating the welcoming atmosphere and high standards we are proud to uphold.”

Ideally situated in Calgary, the hotel offers easy access to Calgary International Airport and key destinations including the TELUS Convention Centre, BMO Centre and the iconic Calgary Tower. It's close to the Calgary Stampede grounds, making it an ideal accommodation choice for guests visiting the city for conferences, major events and leisure travel. The property is also conveniently located adjacent to one of the region’s largest industrial hubs, which spans more than 11 million square feet. In addition, the hotel serves as a convenient hub for visitors planning excursions to Banff National Park, located approximately 90 minutes away.

The hotel is located at 27 Freeport Crescent NE. For more information on the Park Inn by Radisson, Calgary Airport North, AB or to make a reservation, visit Choice Hotels.

TERRACE, BC (May 28, 2026) – Choice Hotels Canada is pleased to announce that Comfort Inn & Suites in Terrace has been honoured with a 2026 International Best of Choice award for the Comfort brand by Choice Hotels International.

The Best of Choice awards are among Choice Hotels International’s most coveted accolades, with recipients selected for their demonstrated commitment to superior guest service and operational excellence. One hotel winner was selected from each Choice Hotels brand segment in the company’s domestic and international portfolio.

The Comfort Inn & Suites also earned another Platinum Guest Satisfaction Award this year, the fifth such honour for the hotel. Platinum winners are among the top 3% of over 350 hotels from coast to coast and represent the best of the best in the Choice Hotels Canada portfolio. Winners are determined largely by verified customer feedback through guest insight surveys and Likelihood to Recommend scores.

“Without question, the Comfort Inn & Suites in Terrace has an impressive track record of excellence, and this Best of Choice award, along with its fifth Platinum Guest Satisfaction Award is a well-deserved recognition of the team’s achievements,” says Brian Leon, CEO of Choice Hotels Canada. “This latest recognition speaks to the team’s consistent commitment to exceptional service, operational excellence and memorable guest experiences.”

In addition to this year’s accolades, the 92-room property has previously been honoured with four APEX Awards (Awards for Property Excellence). In 2023, the hotel also received the prestigious honour of being named Choice Hotels Canada’s Hotel of the Year.

“We are truly honoured to receive this recognition from both Choice Hotels International and Choice Hotels Canada,” says Andrew Cho, general manager and owner of the Comfort Inn & Suites Terrace, who operates the property alongside his wife, Sharon Joo Cho, who sits on the Choice Canada Franchise Advisory Board. “These awards reflect the genuine care we have for our guests and the extra gestures we make to ensure every guest has the best stay possible. We’re grateful to be recognized again and applaud the dedication of our team, which makes this all possible.”

This pet-friendly hotel is conveniently located just off the Yellowhead Highway, in the gorgeous mountain town nestled between the crystal waters of the Skeena and Kitsumkalum rivers. After a day of hiking or kayaking, there is an indoor hot tub and dry sauna to enjoy. There is also a fitness centre and meeting space. For more information about the Comfort Inn & Suites in Terrace, BC, or a reservation, visit www.choicehotels.com.