Seasons Greetings to All

Christmas Music

Carols ringing out, music in the air and Alberta Place Suite Hotel is ramping up Christmas  style.  For many people Christmas Music brings a sense of wonder and excitement, while for others is brings a sense of unity making this world just a little smaller once a year.

So in honour of the hours of Christmas Music playing in ours and I am sure many hotel lobbys all around the world I dedicate this blog entry to the Music of Christmas.

Here are the Top 10 Christmas Albums of all times (as brought to you by someone who has more time on their hands to research these things than I do)

10. Christmas Portrait (1978)- The Carpenters

9. White Christmas (1945)- Bing Crosby

8. The Christmas Song (1962)- Nat King Cole

7. Elvis Christmas Album (1957)- Elvis Presley

6. Manheim Steamroller Christmas (1984)- Manheim Steamroller

5. Merry Christmas (1994)- Mariah Carey

4. Noel (2007)- Josh Groban

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)- Vince Guaraldi Trio

2. A Very Special Christmas (1987)- Various Artists to assist Special Olympics

1. A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector (1963)- Various Artists

***A special nomination should be for Michael Bubles newly released "Christmas" album

The most downloaded Christmas Song is

Last Christmas (1984)- Wham!

Of course there are always some worth mentioning

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas (1944)- Judy Garland

Little Drummer Boy (1977)- David Bowie and Bing Crosby

The Chanukah Song (1994)- Adam Sandler

Marshmallow World (1966)- Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra

The First Noel (1991)- Crash Test Dummies

12 Days of Christmas (1981)- Bob and Doug McKenzie

The Chipmunk Song (1958)- The Chipmunks

Snoopy's Christmas (1967)- The Royal Guardsmen

Dominic the Donkey (1960)- Lou Monte

Feel free to mention a few others if you have your own favorites.

Seasongs Greetings to all.

Shelly R Ladouceur





Last Minute Gift Ideas

'Tis the time for last minute gift hunting. This tends to get more and more complicated as times goes on, so we at Alberta Place Suite Hotel have decided to send a few gift ideas for those who have everything....or just for fun.

How about a weekend away for a show or shopping spree? Alberta Place Suite Hotel can prepare gift certificates in any nomination you require or even for a time period of your request. Call our reservations agents and they would be happy to assist you with this gift. 1-800-661-3982.



Air Swimmers…. Filled with helium, the remote control swimmer glides through the air smooth and lifelike. Infrared remote control movement up to 30 feet. These can be found on AMAZON.com

Remote Control Pillow…This is a Sofa pillow with a  difference. NO more fighting over the remote. This pillow is a remote control, it claims to be fast and easy to set up and with infrared LED built right in. There is an auto shut off function as well.    BROOKSTONE.com

Telling Time with Water. The H2O Water powered multifunction Clock. This is both an ecologically and environmentally friendly design. It is lightweight and portable. This can be found at AMAZON.com.

 



When looking for something really unique and those few times when money is no object I turn to Neiman Marcus  and their Fantasy Gifts.  This gift at $75,000 is beyond the wildest and most decadent of most dreams. Inspired by the 1960’s TV show “I Dream of Jeannie” is an 18 foot diameter yurt decorated in one of a kind down filled-hand crafted pillows, and 18^th century inspired embroidery and trim from antique garments and taperstreies. You can choose a different colour scheme and décor as well. This is your get away after all.

Happy Holidays Everyone

Shelly R Ladouceur

Holiday Decorating

Happy Holidays Folks

The Alberta Place Suite Hotel Management and staff decided to take some time and decorate the lobby in a tasteful way this year.

Our focus colour was red/burgandy and we decided to focus on delicate rather than overwhelming.

Our lobby heralds a cherubian pair of Snowman and flank the front desk.

Behind the desk heralds a wreath with soft white lights and acorns and a splash of red with a bow in the corner.

You can find pointsettas throughout the lobby in splashes here and there.

If you are in the area, come on by and admire the display.

Happy Holidays Everyone

Shelly R Ladouceur

Ho Ho Hotel for Christmas

Ho Ho Ho and pass the Latkes!

Millions of people will travel during the holiday season. In many of those cases a hotel is a viable option compared to an overcrowded family home. Traditions and decorations are a huge part of the holiday tradition and do not have to be left behind because of where you sleep.

Here are a few tips on how to make your hotel room feel a little more like home for the holidays

Holiday Decor

A simple string of lights, a beautiful menorah, some tinsled garland or a little decorated tree can make the rooms more holiday friendly. Bring some decorations you can make during your stay, or favorite stockings, there is always your favorite movie too.

Ornaments

Homemade or those that travel well can be a beautiful touch hanging gracefully on the bottom of a lamp shade or dangling off a towel rack. If you are an avid traveler, why not start a "Christmas on the road" collection?

Concierge

Our front desk agents can be wonderful holiday helpers to hide gifts until needed, they can provide gift giving ideas and shopping suggestions as well. What about nightime calls from Santa to read a simple short story or help put the little ones to sleep. They would be happy to be involved in any surprises and act as Santa's helper all you need to do it ask.

Food

Food is a holiday tradition for almost everyone. There are many local restaurants and meeting places have special holiday meals. The Front Desk agents would be happy to find locations for special dessert treats or even make reservations for you at your restaurant of choice during the holiday season.

Alberta Place Suite Hotel will do all we can to  make your holiday visit as happy and comfortable as possible. Happy Holidays Everyone.

Shelly R Ladouceur

Candy Cane Lane

 

One of Edmontons Greatest Sights for the December Holiday Season is the Candy Cane Lane. This has become a tradition for many families and Alberta Place Suite Hotel is excited to be able to offer this information to our guests.
 Candy Cane Lane helps to instill the spirit of Christmas in hundreds of thousands of people a year with its colourful lights and sounds.

This usually runs the third week of December until midnight January 2nd.

Candy Cane Lane is located at 148th St between 100 Ave and 92 Ave.

The best way to enjoy Candy Cane Lane is the walk if at all possible. There is a sleigh ride reservation you can make directly off their website.

Please bring a donation to the Edmonton Food Bank, there are donation bins all along the route for your convenience.

Candy Cane Website....www.candycanelane.ca

Happy Holidays Everyone...enjoy your stay with us.

Shelly R Ladouceur

More than just Christmas Activities

Edmonton is just buzzing with activity in December. Outside of the Christmas Fun, there is so much for our guests to do.

Here are a list of just a few of the events to take in while you are here:

 Doc Walker- Event Centre

Joan Rivers- Jubilee Auditorium

 

Michelle Wright- Festival Place

 Prince- Rexall Place

So much to do, for ticket information for our guests you can contact our Front Desk and we can assist you.

Stay tuned for Christmas Seasonal Activities this year.

Shelly R Ladouceur

Rodeo Season

At this time of Year, Rodeo Season, would like to remind you that Alberta Place Suite Hotel is pet friendly. And with these two themes in mind, I would like to dedicate this blog to the animals in our rodeo lives. Those who come to visit Edmonton just for the Rodeo.

Images here are from the Rodeos

Happy Rodeos everyone

City Centre Mall Edmonton

High Fashion, Outlets, Dining and Entertainment all encompass to create an unforgettable experience and even a destination in itself.

With over 170 international, national and locally owned shops and restaurants to visit, this would be shopping with a difference.

City Centre Mall in Downtown Edmonton has some of the greatest shopping around. public transportation is available from all 4 corners of Edmonton including the LRT system.

Some shops to highlight include Eveline Charles, Bears & Wishes, ROberge Find Jewellery, Grand and Toy, Infinity Leather, Dollarama, Tea Fusion, Jacob Lingere and so much more.

Why not shop all day and plan for a fantastic dinner at Lorenzos Kitchen or just grab a Booster Juice and a Dozen roses from Bunches to go?

City Centre Mall is connected by Pedways and Underpasses that start only steps away from Alberta Place Suite Hotel front door.

For more information our Front Desk Staff as experience and brochures to assist you in planning your mini destination day.

Shelly R Ladouceur
Front Desk Supervisor

Too many to do lists...

How many lists do you keep?

To do lists for chores,  for kids, for groceries, What about to do lists for FUN?

There is non stop excitement from now until Nov 2^nd in Edmonton. Alberta Place Suite Hotel, we will help our guests have FUN this weekend. Here are a few things you can include on your Fun To Do List: (check online for specific ticket availability)

October 25         

                              Jeff Beck- at the Winspear

                              Oilers home game vs Canuks

October 26         

                               Edmonton Ghost Tours

                               Norwood Haunted House
                            Corn Maze- Farm of Fear

October 27         

                              Oilers home game vs Capitals

                              Home Hunter
                           Screamfest- 2011             

October 28         

                                Foo Fighters- Rexall Place

                                Skream- Edmonton Event Centre

                                Fort Edmonton Park- Murder Mystery

October 29         

                                Roger Daltry- Rexall

                                Sam Roberts Band- Jubilee Auditorium

                                Rocky Horror Picture Show

         Kim Mitchell- Shaw Conference Centre

         Hey Romeo- Crowne Plaze

October 30         

                               Oilers home game- Blues

October 31         

                               Trick or Treat- malls, homes...be safe

November 1      

                               Judas Priest- Shaw Conference Centre

        Jacks Mannequin- Event Centre

November 2      

                              Michael Jackson Immortal World- Cirque de Soliel- Rexall

Have a great Halloween Weekend!

Halloween with dEdmonton

Halloween is just around the corner and guests are coming from all over to celebrate this seasonal tradition in Edmonton.

Alberta Place Suite Hotel would like to encourage all guests to look into dEdmonton for exciting events and locations.

As the website states, they have the ghastly, ghoulish and grotesque, so a little something for everyone.

dEdmonton information click here

Have a great halloween seasons, and be smart be safe but most of all have fun!

Free Movies in October

Join us on the morning of Saturday October 22 at all Cineplex Entertainment theatres for Community Day in support of Starlight Children's Foundation. Doors open at 8:30 am with a great selection of FREE movies beginning at 9:00am. Plus, enjoy a regular popcorn, regular fountain drink and selected candy for only 2 DOLLARS each with 100% of the proceeds donated to Starlight Children's Foundation!

At the Scotia Bank Theatre at West Edmonton Mall

click here for more information

Other Free movies in October include

October 7- Churchill Square at dusk -Zookeeper - Bring your own chair
October 8- Churchill Square at dusk -Cars 2- Bring your own chair

click here for more information
October 12- Stanley Milner Library- Suspiria- May contain adult material

click here for more information

Enjoy the Show!

Beautiful Tourism Video

Click the link to see Discover Alberta Tourism Opportunities
This was put out in June of this year.

Discover Alberta Here

Alberta is so beautiful, one tends to forget.

Shelly

Hotels, Not just for Vacations anymore

A person hears Long Term or Extended Stay Hotel and may think about a HUGE expense or even a contradiction of terms. Hotels are supposed to be for road trips, family reunions and vacations right?

Extended Stay guests come for a variety of reasons, not limited to relocating to a new city or country, waiting for mortgage closing, transitioning between leases, preparing / returning from Military deployment, committed to long term work project, or even home emergency like flooding or fire.

Some hotels are both Traditional and Extended Stay hotels, and are advertised as such on their website, Facebook or other booking mediums.

Unfurnished Apts vs Extended Stay at Alberta Place Suite Hotel

Apartments:
                 Sign a 1 year lease (once you find a place in a good location) ,
                 Require deposits for power / water / cable / internet 
                 Optional to pay for protected or plug in parking
                 Furnishings including all kitchen / bathroom / bedrooms and kitchen appliances t
                 House cleaning

Extended Stay Hotels (with Alberta Place Suite Hotel):
                 No long term lease to sign
                 All inclusive water / power / internet/cable
                 Pay Per view movies available
                 Parking is included
                 No long term lease to sign
                 Complete furnishings included
                 Quick availability
                 Housekeeping services
                 Phone message service
                 Mail collection
                 Close to local amenities and bus routes

Alberta Place Suite Hotel can provide the Extended Stay traveler with the comforts of home without the hassle of creating another home of your own. We will cost you less than an unfurnished apartment and are more convenient.

Next time you or your company are putting  you up in Edmonton for a lengthy stay, call us and we can save you time, energy, and money for the task that took you away from home in the first place.

www.albertaplace.com or follow us on Facebook

Shelly R Ladouceur(Front Desk Supervisor)

Edmonton Free Admissions Day

Sunday September 25, 2011  from 10am to 6pm the City of Edmonton presents another of its annual

 Free Admission Day to City Attractions.

There is  something of interest to everyone and includes fitness facilities to try out, arts and crafts to learn (for kids and adults), nature to study and take pictures of, animals to watch and touch, history to relive and more.

For our guests here is a sample of what is available

1) Edmonton Valley Zoo- See the new animal enrichements and enjoy roving entertainers, educational animal talks and a variety of animal encounters. **Be sure to say hello to the Capybara for me.

3) Fort Edmonton Park- -View the history of Edmonton and the area and viewing tradional dances and interactive games. ** Be sure to grab an ice cream cone on 120th St. It is amazing!

4) Muttart Conservatory- Just a short 8 minutes away from Alberta Place Suite Hotel and perfect for those phytophilous of us.



More information on sites participating can be found at the City of Edmonton Attractions Webpage

Alberta Place Suite Hotel has rooms available this day, come and see what Edmonton has to offer.

You can reach us online on our website or call us directly at 1-800-661-3982.

Take a look on our Facebook page and see our newly renovated rooms and so much more.

Shelly

Eating Healthy on the Road

Typical travel food consists of fast food, microwave ready at the service station, bags of chips, chocolate bars and cans of a variety of pop. These are full of the bad fats and calories, plus eating these on a constant basis leaves you feeling tired, cranky and even results in stomach ailments.

Here are some ideas to help you cope with healthy travel eating.

Breakfast- Choose a hotel that offers a complimentary breakfast. This will not only save you money but usually will offer a variety of foods you may not think to purchase on your own. Think about a whole grain cereal or fresh fruit and yogurt for protein. If not, choose the best for yourself of what is available.

Lunch or Dinner - Choose a hotelroom that comes with a kitchen or kitchenette. Ask the front desk staff where the closest grocery store is, and buy healthy snacks fruits, nuts or go to their salad bar or deli. If your only option is the hotel vending machine, skip the candy and chips and look for microwave popcorn or nuts.

Other simple tips to think about

1)      Switch to water- Its cheaper and healthier. Most places in Canada have drinkable water right from the tap. If you don’t trust tap water quality filter it yourself, find a portable filter like a Brita

2)      Repetition can get boring, for protein changes, switch it up with Tuna, Eggs, Meat and Whey.

3)      Veggies, can be bought  frozen (thaw along the way) or splurge on pre-cut, prepared veggies or a veggie platter that will last a few days and store well in the hotel room fridge.

Alberta Place Suite Hotel Front Desk Agent know the best restaurants in the area, as well as the closest convenience and grocery stores. Feel free to ask about restaurant coupons, discounts, restaurant dress codes and any local secret restaurant locations as well.

Edmonton Events for Everyone

From Keith Urban, to Pearl Jam, Moody Blues to April Wine, Metropolis to Tom Jackson, the shows in Edmonton provide entertainment to a variety of interests.

A new staff member who just moved to Edmonton attended the Metropolis event recently and was quoted as saying “everybody is happy or friendly..they were respectful, I believe that because (Edmonton) has so many of these types of events, they (have) respect..”

September is going to be full of exciting events including:

Keesha/ Sept 7

Maroon 5 / Sept 10

Sawyer Brown /Sept 16

Keith Urban / Sept 21

Pearl Jam / Sept 23

Bachman, Turner /Sept 26

Rockstar Uproar/ Sept 29

October is also featuring:

Kings of Leon/ Oct 1

Moody Blues/ Oct 3

Opeth/ Oct 10

Avril Lavigne /Oct 10

Sir Sidney Poitier/ Oct 13

April Wine/ Oct 14

The Brothers Abram and Oh Susanna/ Oct 21

Foo Fighters/ Oct 28

Sam Roberts Band/ Oct 29

Roger Daltry / Oct 29

And more…

Contact  Alberta Place Suite Hotel for room rates and occupancy for the event of your choice, or call our reservations line at 1-800-661-3982 to make that booking today.

Shelly R Ladouceur

Facebook- Link and Like

Our Facebook Page is back.

This is our "Link and Like" Posting.

Simple two step process

Step 1- Link - to our Facebook page and get involved with all kinds of discussions, view our pictures and more
Step 2- Like - click Like to any of our photos, comments, postings, discussions or make comments or suggestions of your own.

Link Now

Shelly R Ladouceur
Front Desk Supervisor



The Renovations Continue

Onward and upward we move with our renovations.

The difference in the rooms is stunning, here is a sample of what you can expect.

Our Studio Suite: Our most popular Suite with 2 queen size beds, full kitchen and still almost 600 sq feet of space to enjoy.

Our Family Suite: This Suite features 2 single beds in the main bedroom, 1 queen bed in the main living area and a double pull out couch. This Suite also features a separate dining area. This is our largest suite in size with over 800 sq feet.

Our Apartment Suite: Features a queen size bed in the main bedroom, a double bed in a separate living space and a double pull out couch in the main living area. There are two tv's in this suite, a full kitchen and a guaranteed stunning view from all windows. This Suite has almost 800 sq feet to enjoy.

We also have Bedroom Suites and speciality Executive Suites as well, just call and ask about availability on these room types.

For those guests who have not returned in a while here is our renovated Lobby.

For availability and rates feel free to review our website Alberta Place Suite Hotel
or call our reservations line at 1-800-661-3982.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Shelly R Ladouceur
Front Desk Supervisor



Movies on the Square

Outdoor theatre at its finest, and its Free.

Do you remember drive in movies, with the speakers on the window, or tune into the radio station?

Well the fun and excitement is alive and well, only this time the screen is bigger and there is more room than in the car.

I have been attending Movies on the Square for quite a few years and each year I enjoy myself. At Churchill Square around 7:30pm the pre-show fun and activities start for the kids and kids at heart. With the movie starting at dusk, and its FREE.

Bring a lawnchair and blanket as needed, Popcorn and other munchies are available right at the site.

The movies are all family friendly and follow the link here for dates and movie selections, and its FREE

Churchill Square is just blocks from Alberta Place Suite Hotel.

Schedule and Movie Listings


Did I mention it was FREE?