CALGARY, AB, April 28, 2026 /CNW/ - Calgary-based full-spectrum real estate company PBA Group has announced the acquisition of three Alberta hotel properties, marking a significant evolution in the company's hospitality strategy as it moves to a fully owned-and-operated model for the first time.

The newly acquired properties, formerly Days Inn Calgary Airport, Days Inn Red Deer, and Home Inn Express Medicine Hat, will join the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) portfolio immediately under a white-label name, with bookings available through IHG platforms. Following renovations, the hotels will transition to Garner by IHG, a rapidly growing midscale brand, marking the first Garner-branded properties in Canada.

PBA Group has an established presence in the hospitality sector, including ownership of The Dorian Autograph Collection, Courtyard by Marriott and Element by Westin Downtown Calgary. This marks the first time the company will bring hotel operations and staff fully in-house.

"This is a meaningful step forward for PBA Group," said Patricia Phillips, CEO of PBA Group. "By moving to a fully owned-and-operated model, we're able to take a more hands-on approach to the guest experience while strengthening our position within Alberta's hospitality landscape. It also allows us to build internal expertise as we continue to grow and diversify our portfolio."
The acquisition signals PBA's continued investment in the experience economy, as well as its long-term confidence in Alberta's regional travel and business markets. The three properties, located in Calgary, Red Deer, and Medicine Hat, serve a mix of business and leisure travellers, offering convenient access to key transportation routes and regional hubs.

Over the coming months, all three hotels will undergo a series of enhancements, including refreshed guest rooms, updated interiors, and improvements designed to elevate the overall guest experience. Following these updates, they will be brought together under the Garner banner, offering a quality, affordable, and comfortable stay that delivers on what matters most: a convenient location, a sound night's sleep, and a great complimentary breakfast.

"This collaboration with IHG and the introduction of the Garner brand in Canada reflects both our growth ambitions and our commitment to delivering strong, consistent guest experiences," said Phillips. "We see significant opportunity in this segment of the market and are excited to help bring a new offering to Canadian travellers."

The three properties will remain open and operational throughout the transition period under the Prairie Crest Hotels banner, with rebranding to Garner Hotels expected in early 2027.

Toronto, ON (April 27, 2026) – Choice Hotels Canada is proud to recognize the outstanding properties receiving its 2026 Guest Satisfaction Awards, celebrating hotels that consistently deliver the high-quality experiences that build guest confidence, inspire loyalty, and strengthen trust in Choice Hotels’ brand.

Presented annually, the Guest Satisfaction Awards* recognize top-performing hotels in the Choice Hotels Canada system based on verified guest feedback, likelihood-to-recommend scores, quality assurance results and overall good standing in the system.

This year’s recipients include 11 Platinum Award winners and 24 Gold Award winners, representing communities across the country. Platinum winners rank among the top 3% of hotels in the Canadian system, while Gold winners place among the top 4 to 10%. These properties reflect the best-of-the-best when it comes to the high standards of service, care, and operational excellence found across Choice Hotels Canada’s portfolio of more than 350 hotels.

“These awards recognize hotels that understand what it takes to earn guest loyalty and confidence over time,” said Brian Leon, CEO of Choice Hotels Canada. “It’s more than a single great stay — it requires operational consistency, a strong commitment to quality, and teams that deliver exceptional service day after day. From long-time recipients to first-time honourees, each of these properties demonstrate phenomenal dedication to hospitality excellence and represent their respective brands at the highest level.”

Below is the full list of the 2026 Platinum and Gold Guest Satisfaction Award recipients.

Platinum Recipients:

Upscale Brands
Halifax Tower Hotel & Conference Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Midscale Brands
Quality Suites, Drummondville, Québec
Comfort Inn, Sturgeon Falls, Ontario
Quality Inn & Suites, Lévis, Québec
Quality Inn & Suites, Petawawa, Ontario
Comfort Hotel Bayer’s Lake, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Quality Inn & Suites, Val-d’Or, Québec
Quality Inn & Suites, Victoriaville, Québec
Comfort Inn & Suites, Terrace, British Columbia

Value Brands
Rodeway Inn, Pikogan, Québec
Econo Lodge, Taber, Alberta

Gold Recipients:

Upscale Brands
Les Suites de Laviolette, Ascend Hotel Collection, Trois-Rivières, Québec
Le Noranda Hotel & Spa, Ascend Hotel Collection, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec
The Parlour Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection, Stratford, Ontario
Radisson Blu Downtown Toronto, Toronto, Ontario

Midscale Brands
Comfort Inn, St. Thomas, Ontario
Comfort Inn Magnetic Hill, Moncton, New Brunswick
Comfort Inn East, Sudbury, Ontario
Quality Inn Waddling Dog, Saanichton, British Columbia
Quality Inn & Suites Downtown, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Comfort Inn & Suites, Edson, Alberta
Quality Inn & Suites, Lethbridge, Alberta
Quality Inn & Suites, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Comfort Inn & Suites Edmonton International Airport, Nisku, Alberta
Quality Inn, Sept-Îles, Québec
Quality Inn & Suites, Kingston, Ontario
Quality Inn & Suites Amsterdam, Fredericton, New Brunswick
Comfort Inn & Suites, North Battleford, Saskatchewan
Quality Inn & Suites, Bathurst, New Brunswick
Comfort Inn & Suites, Valemount, British Columbia
Quality Inn & Suites, Mont-Joli, Québec
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Belleville, Ontario

Value Brands
Econo Lodge, Brossard, Québec
Park Inn by Radisson, Calgary Airport North, Calgary, Alberta
Park Inn by Radisson Osoyoos, British Columbia

For more information or to make a reservation at any of these award-winning hotels, visit www.choicehotels.com.

We are pleased to share that the Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association has officially appointed its new Board of Directors. You can view the full list here: https://ahla.ca/Board-of-Directors.html .

This announcement marks an important moment for the association as we begin building a new three year strategic plan that will guide our direction, strengthen our advocacy efforts, and support the continued growth of Alberta’s hospitality industry.

Our new Board brings a strong mix of experience, leadership, and industry insight, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will make as we move into this next chapter.

Vancouver, BC (April 23, 2026) — The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver is pleased to announce the appointment of Tanya Matthews as General Manager. Tanya stepped into her role in late March, bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience across luxury hotel operations, business strategy, and team leadership in Canada and the United States.

A Vancouver native and graduate of the University of British Columbia, Tanya brings a deep connection to the local community alongside a broad North American perspective shaped by leadership roles in premier destinations including Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Newport Beach, Hawai‘i, and San Diego. With more than 25 years of tenure at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, she progressed through senior leadership roles, most recently serving as Hotel Manager and Regional Director of Sales & Marketing in the Pacific Northwest, where she led regional commercial operations for a portfolio of five luxury hotels and oversaw operations at one of the brand’s flagship five star luxury properties.

Tanya is widely respected as a people centred, results driven leader who consistently delivers strong business performance while elevating guest experiences through thoughtful innovation and service excellence. Throughout her career, she has driven sustained revenue growth, record setting results, and high levels of guest satisfaction.

Central to her leadership philosophy is the belief that empowered, engaged associates are essential to creating meaningful and personalized guest experiences—an approach that closely aligns with Westin’s commitment to well being and purposeful hospitality. She is known for her holistic view of the guest journey, from arrival to departure, and for fostering cultures grounded in care, collaboration, and excellence.

“What excites me most is the passion surrounding this property’s story and history, and the opportunity to thoughtfully weave that narrative throughout the entire guest journey,” said Tanya, General Manager, The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver. “Whether guests are returning or visiting for the first time, our goal is to create a welcoming, restorative experience that reflects both the spirit of Westin and the unique beauty of Vancouver.”

In her role, Tanya will oversee all operations at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, one of Western Canada’s largest conference hotels, featuring nearly 500 guest rooms and suites, multiple dining venues, and more than 71,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Located on the waterfront between Coal Harbour and Stanley Park, the hotel is renowned for its strong connection to nature, commitment to well being, and role as a gathering place for both guests and the local community.

As the hotel celebrates its 65th anniversary this year, Tanya’s leadership will support the continued evolution of The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, with a focus on thoughtful innovation, exceptional service, and the creation of meaningful moments for guests, associates, and partners alike.

Outside of work, Tanya is passionate about cooking and entertaining, and enjoys travelling to discover new cultures and perspectives that continually inspire her approach to leadership and hospitality.