Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront Hotel and Conference Centre opens in the
Sault

Over $6-million redevelopment delivers city's first upscale, full service, four-star hotel

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON, Jan. 19 /CNW/ - Delta Hotels and Resorts is proud to announce the official opening of the Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront Hotel and Conference Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The property underwent an extensive $6-million redevelopment of the former hotel site making it the city's first upscale, full service, four-star hotel.

"We are excited to open the doors to our first property in Northern Ontario which is an important market for our continued expansion," said Hank Stackhouse , President and CEO, Delta Hotels and Resorts. "The Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront is an exciting addition to our brand and supports Delta's strategy of having premier locations in key markets. We are delighted to join the local community and look forward to providing a new experience for travelers to the Sault."

The Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront underwent an extensive redevelopment before it transitioned to the Delta brand. The redevelopment included upgrades to all guest rooms and amenities including all public areas, meeting space and food and beverage outlets. All 195 guest rooms and suites include Delta upscale offerings including the Delta Sanctuary bed and luxurious June Jacobs spa products.

Additional upgrades include a revitalized fitness centre with health club and indoor pool, as well as a new business centre. View Restaurant + Bar, led by Executive Chef Darius Martin , offers steak and seafood in an upscale casual dining experience with spectacular views of the river.

The conference centre offers more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space and is the most modern in the city with the largest number of meeting rooms, including the 5,208 square foot Algoma Ballroom.

The Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront will be led by General Manager Bill Durnford , an accomplished industry veteran with extensive experience in hospitality, particularly in the Sault. Durnford, who has been at the helm of the hotel since 2000 while it operated under a different brand, will oversee all day-to-day operations at the property.

"I look forward to leading this team in building Delta's brand presence in the Sault," said Bill Durnford , General Manager of the Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront. "Delta is well known for its high level of service excellence and we are both excited and ready to deliver the upscale Delta experience to our guests."

The hotel is situated in a prime location on Sault Ste. Marie's waterfront and is conveniently located in the downtown core within close proximity to local business centres and within walking distance to all major attractions. Located only 0.5 km from the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, the hotel also provides close access to the U.S.

The Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront is owned by Algoma Central Properties Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Algoma Central Corporation, and is managed and operated by Delta Hotels and Resorts.

About Delta Hotels and Resorts

A leading Canadian hotel management company, Delta Hotels and Resorts operates and franchises a diversified portfolio with 45 full-service, city centre and airport hotels and resorts under the Delta brand. Widely regarded as Canada's "brand of choice" by guests and owners, Delta Hotels also distinguishes itself as an exemplary employer. It is the only hotel company to have been recognized for its sustained focus on business excellence by the prestigious National Quality Institute with three Canada Awards for Excellence, including the award program's highest honour, the Order of Excellence (2007). The company also consistently ranks as one of the country's best employers in The Globe and Mail's Report on Business annual "50 Best Employers" list (2001-2003, 2005-2010). As well, its Corporate Social Responsibility platform, Delta Helps, includes a chain-wide commitment to the communities we serve through our national partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada , participation in the Hotel Association of Canada's Green Key Eco-Rating program, and our work with various other charitable groups. For more information, visit www.deltahotels.com.

For further information: Sandy Indig, Delta Hotels and Resorts, [phone] (office), [phone] (cell), [email protected]; Bill Durnford, Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront Hotel, [phone] (office), [phone] (cell), [email protected]