Its doors have yet to open, but the new Holiday Inn & Suites Red Deer South is already taking reservations.
The five-storey hotel on the east side of Hwy 2 in Gasoline Alley will commence operations on Monday, confirmed Shazma Charania, vice-president of owner-operator Zainul & Shazma Holdings (1997) Ltd.
“We have some functions booked,” she said, adding that the hotel’s 7,000-square-foot ballroom — which has been constructed without pillars and has a fountain in its foyer — is attracting interest.
“This is a nice refreshing, contemporary concept that we have here.”
Charania said the hotel’s banquet offerings are another selling point. Head chef Emmanuel David has been a gold and silver medalist in international culinary competitions, and even cooked for Queen Elizabeth II while she was visiting Canada.
David will also be responsible for the hotel’s Boulevard Restaurant & Lounge. It’s slated to open on Oct. 3 as well, with the family restaurant operating daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and the lounge from 11 a.m. to midnight.
Holiday Inn & Suites Red Deer South has 114 units, including 24 suites with separate living rooms. Amenities include a pool with a waterslide and hot tub, a fitness centre and a boardroom.
The cost of the hotel is approximately $18 million, with its payroll approaching 100.
“We’re still hiring pretty much in all departments,” said Charania.
She added that Zainul & Shazma Holdings has just been named InterContinental Hotels Group’s Developer of the Year for Canada, with the company’s Gasoline Alley project earning it this recognition. InterContinental is the world’s largest hotel group, with Holiday Inn one of its seven hotel brands.
In addition to Holiday Inn & Suites Red Deer South, Zainul & Shazma Holdings operates the Holiday Inn Express outlets in Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House, Edson and Hinton, and another full-service Holiday Inn at Hinton.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com