OMNI HOTELS & RESORTS ANNOUNCES PURCHASE OF FAMOUS KING EDWARD HOTEL
Upscale Brand Acquires Famed Toronto Hotel
TORONTO - (Nov 24, 2015) Omni Hotels & Resorts today announced that it has fully acquired
The Omni King Edward Hotel, Toronto’s first and most fabled luxury hotel. Omni Hotels & Resorts has been managing and operating the hotel since August 1, 2013. With this transaction, the company will take on the ownership, operations and management of the iconic property.
“The King Edward Hotel is a very unique property with a rich history, including more than a century of hosting guests, as well as being a great source of pride for the city of Toronto,” said Mike Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts. “Omni is committed to making this incredible hotel the place to stay in Toronto, whether traveling for business or leisure. As an extension of our city center portfolio, The King Edward Hotel is a marquee property that allows us to offer our award-winning personalized service to our guests who visit Toronto, Canada.”
The Grande Dame of iconic, upscale hotels in Toronto, The Omni King Edward Hotel recently underwent a $40 million renovation to restore the property as one of North America’s first “palace” hotels. The renovation, designed to feature modern comfort in combination with the hotel’s original state of old-world charm and elegance, included all new guest rooms, modernized bathrooms, a new fitness center and an update of the grand meeting spaces. Long admired as one of Toronto’s most beloved landmarks, The Omni King Edward Hotel is located in the financial district within the heart of the city.
“We could not be more proud of our ownership by Omni Hotels & Resorts,” said Christophe Le Chatton, general manager of the Omni King Edward Hotel. “Omni is one of North America’s top-rated luxury hotel brands so this makes perfect sense. Omni has a clear vision for the future of this hotel and we look forward to unveiling the next steps and exciting changes that lie ahead”.
Historical Hotel
When The King Edward initially opened in 1903, it set the standard for upscale hotels in Canada and was the first hotel of its kind in Toronto. Designed by Chicago architect Henry Ives Cobb and Toronto architect E.J. Lennox for developer George Gooderham's Toronto Hotel Company, it quickly became the first choice for Toronto’s elite, as well as convention goers, political figures, and business travelers. Over the years it has hosted celebrities such as Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton.
The original design of The King Edward Hotel included 400 rooms and 300 baths. In 1921 an 18-storey tower with an additional 530 rooms was added to the original eight-story structure. Over its 112-year history, the hotel changed ownership and underwent further renovations in the 1970s. Omni Hotels & Resorts took over partial ownership of the hotel in August 2013, with renovations starting immediately, and completed by summer 2015. Now, Omni Hotels & Resorts is now the proud, full owner.
Guests may visit www.omnihotels.com/hotels/toronto-king-edward or call (416) 863-9700. Travelers or media can also follow the hotel on social media at www.facebook.com/omnikingedward, www.twitter.com/kingeddyhotel and https://instagram.com/omnikingedward/
About Omni Hotels & Resorts
Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at 60 distinct upscale hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America. With over 20 world-class golf courses and award-winning spa retreats, to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique wellness options. Known for its distinguished, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company’s “Power of One” associate empowerment program. The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations and travel publications and was ranked “Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upper Upscale Hotel Chains” in the J.D. Power 2015 North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM. To get additional information or book accommodations, visit
omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.
The Omni King Edward is Omni’s second property in Canada, along with the Hotel Omni Mont-Royal, located in the heart of downtown Montreal.