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Vancouver's
Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel stands even
taller
 New
Enlarged and Enhanced Convention
Facilities
Our editors had an opportunity to visit the new
wing of the Sheraton Wall centre with some New York
colleagues this summer and am looking forward to
being there for the UBC Water Conference at which
time we will provide more photos of this attractive
area. We were there earlier this year with the
World Air Cargo Conference, the management of which
was very impressed with the hotel, as were our own
U.S. guests.
The
Sheraton Wall Centre was one of Air Highways first
advertisers, and hosted Canada's 1st Air &
Marine Tourism Conference, sponsored by Air
Highways Magazine. Many regional airports
participated, plus airlines, travel agents and
members of Canada's tourism industry. Our magazine
staff and friends in the industry welcome
James Kaufman back as the hotel's General
Manager, and wish him much success. The following
profile is from our original article.
Famous Doors of
Hospitality
Standing tall,
like a proud sentinel on downtown Vancouver's
highest point of land, the Sheraton Wall Centre
commands attention. And that's not just because of
its dominant size and unique shape; the Wall Centre
complex is a total architectural package, designed
to enhance the full city block it occupies,
fronting on Burrard, Hornby, Nelson and Helmcken
streets. Several of the huge trees that border the
attractively landscaped area surrounding the hotel,
are as old as the city of Vancouver
itself.
From
the website: The Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
Hotel knows how to service the movie production
business and has an unflagging optimism for the
future of the commercial and motion picture
industry in British Columbia. Already a home away
from home for many stars and movie executives who
have chosen BC as the perfect place for production,
the hotel has revamped many of its luxury suites
high in the soaring South Tower into completely
functional, totally commercial and movie tuned
production offices. Continued
James
Kaufman, General Manager, Sheraton Vancouver Wall
Centre Hotel is on the Board of Tourism
Vancouver
We aspire to
being number one for quality" says Jim Kaufman,
General Manager. "Vancouver's most upscale luxury
hotel. " The property's third tower will provide up
to 600 hotel rooms, and 30,000 sq. ft of conference
area, allowing us to seat up to 1,200. The new
tower designed for the northeast corner of the
property will connect with the Pavilion Ballroom.
It will be almost eye-shaped, curvaceous in design,
following the curves of the present structure.
Last April, we staged our first annual "Air Highway
Day", a Conference and Trade Show that focused on
Air Tourism and Open Skies. We chose the Wall
Centre for the event, which attracted airport
authorities, airline officials, tourism offices,
travel agents and tour operators from throughout
British Columbia.
All were truly
impressed by the venue, the broad tiled courtyard
piazza, liveried doormen, lush greenery of 100-year
old trees, ornate churches across the way - each
adding a special touch of class.
The Pavilion
Ballroom was impressive too; elevator and escalator
ascending from street level, extra high ceilings,
wide corridors decorated with works of art, wild,
upbeat colors, and a great abundance of natural
lighting.
Our photographer
did a dance of joy! The guest rooms and suites were
superb, as were the services, which included a
superb, as were the services, which included a
"Business Centre" with copier, fax machine,
computers and presentation boards. After the show,
there was an opportunity to refresh in the luxury
health club, with its Olympic swimming pool, steam,
sauna and twin Jacuzzis. As a trade show venue or
delightful place to stay, the Sheraton Wall Centre
is in a class by itself. The result? Our event drew
raves from many sources, at senior government level
and amongst the travel industry. We plan a repeat
performance in 1997.
Primed for
Vancouver's Entertainment Season
Speaking of performances, Vancouver is now
enjoying a second tourist season, with Broadway
style entertainment and big league sports. " The
off-season is an expression we don't use any more",
says Jim Kaufman. an enthusiastic supporter of
Vancouver's Project TED' (The entertainment
District), for which the hotel is ideally located.
"We're a gateway to this new tourism bonanza - to
Queen Elizabeth and Ford Theaters, Granville
Streets Movie Row, General Motors Place and the
Dome, with NBA Grizzlies basketball, BC Lions
football and Vancouver Canucks hockey. The Wall
Centre Garden Hotel is also in the business
district, kitty corner to the Provincial Law Courts
and offices. Two classic churches and St. Paul's
Hospital face the hotel, and Robson Street,
Vancouver's Rodeo Drive, is a block from the
property." The Wall group of companies has a
hospitality background of over 30 years, operating
the Centennial Hotel, now a Ramada.
In total, the
Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver ranks with the
best in the nation. As the concierge told us, "what
the whole wall Centre complex is about is that we
want to take Vancouver internationally,
architecturally, and design wise into the next
century. The building itself is something that
makes you stop and look. It's meant to be
inviting"
You are
invited to the Sheraton Wall Centre, 1088 Burrard
Street, Vancouver, BC, Phone (6040 331-1000, toll
free: 1-800-663-9255.
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