Prestige Hotels expanding to Kamloops

Prestige Hotels & Resorts is finally expanding into Kamloops.

"Oh yes, Kamloops has been missing from our portfolio for a long time," said vice-president of sales and marketing Amy Nunn.

"Our guests have been asking for Kamloops and we've explored a couple of acquisitions over the years that didn't come through, so we're happy that this is now official."

What's official is that Kelowna-based Prestige, which has a chain of 16 properties in BC, has purchased, for an undisclosed price, the former Comfort Inn & Suites in Kamloops.

Prestige has closed the hotel at 1810 Rogers Place for four months to do an extensive renovation of the exterior, lobby, restaurant, indoor pool and all 87 guest rooms.

"We're going with a completely new modern industrial concept," said Nunn.

Prestige isn't revealing many details about the new restaurant, simply saying it will be a thrilling new space with Valley views and great menu to meet the needs of corporate, sports and leisure guests.

Kamloops is desirable for hotel chains because it's a busy city with oodles of sports team overnights (Kamloops calls itself the Tournament Capital of Canada), four-season vacationers and business travellers associated with transportation, forestry and high technology.

"We believe that guests will be very impressed when the hotel re-opens this fall and will be an exciting new addition to the hotel scene in Kamloops," said president Terry Schneider.

"Guests will also benefit from Prestige programs such as Prestige Rewards and Aeroplan points, Go Green, and preferred corporate rates, as well as the same high level of personalized service that they've come to expect from Prestige over the last 28 years."

All guests that had bookings over the next four months at the Comfort Inn have been contacted and relocated.

Prestige's 16 properties are: Beach House in Kelowna, Vernon Lodge and Vernon Hotel, Harbourfront in Salmon Arm, Oceanfront Resort in Sooke, Golden, Radium Hot Springs, Rocky Mountain Resort in Cranbrook, Lakeside Resort in Nelson, Inn in Nelson, Mountain Resort in Rossland, Hudson Bay Lodge in Smithers, Prince George and Prince Rupert.