Burlington Convention Centre gets a Courtyard

Groundbreaking for the Burlington Courtyard by Marriott on May 4. From left: Frank McKeown, executive director of Burlington Economic Development Corporation; Domenic Fuda, president of TriAxis Construction Limited & Burlington Hotels Group Inc., equity partner; Manlio Marescotti, vice-president, Lodging Development, Marriott Hotels of Canada; Frank Vismeg, managing director of Courtyard by Marriott - Burlington/Burlington Hotels Group Inc./Burloak Hospitality Management Ltd.; Gary Carr, chair, Halton Region; Rick Goldring, Burlington mayor; Paul Sharman, councillor, City of Burlington Ward 5; Jack Moreira, president Burlington Hotels Group Inc. /Burlington Convention Centre & Burloak Hospitality Ltd.

BURLINGTON, Ont. — With shovels poised on May 4, investors and dignitaries broke ground on a new Courtyard by Marriott that will provide a long-awaited link to the Burlington Convention Centre.

"It's been a long journey over the past couple of years," said Domenic Fuda, an equity partner in Burlington Hotels Group Inc. "This hotel is special, with 135 rooms and six storeys, plus meeting and board room facilities. It's the latest generation 6 design with modern decor and finishes. We are very proud." 

Burlington Hotels Group Inc. is a partnership that includes Fuda, president of TriAxis Construction Limited, longtime hotelier Frank Vismeg, who will oversee hotel operations and Jack Moreira, owner of Burlington Convention Centre and Burloak Hospitality Management, Ltd. 

Fuda pointed out that Burlington Hotels Group is truly a family-style organization, since the wives of the three partners are all involved in the various companies that make up the partnership.

Sonia Radunovic and Frank Vismeg.

Conveniently connected to the 25,000 sq. ft. Burlington Convention Centre with an outdoor link, this new hotel will offer a Bistro Plus Restaurant & Bar, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and beverage services including Starbucks Coffee.  The hotel will have a fully equipped fitness room, indoor swimming pool, exterior courtyard, business centre, 1,800 sq. ft. of meeting and banquet space, and an energy efficiency program including in-house recycling. The hotel will be opening in spring 2018.

"Burlington has 180,000 jobs and 10,000 businesses," Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring remarked to the crowd gathered at the convention centre. He noted that construction will start in June on the building next door, an Innovation Centre. "This will truly be a great innovation and entrepreneurship area," he said. "It's part of the puzzle to put together to make Burlington and Oakville even better."

Manlio Marescotti, VP development with Marriott Canada, pointed out that Courtyard is something of a star among Marriott's 30 brands. "The Courtyard by Marriott brand is one of 30 hotel brands in our global portfolio, and with over 1,000 hotels in 42 countries, the Courtyard By Marriott hotel brand is everywhere today’s traveller needs — or wants — to be.”

Manlio Marescotti.

Frank Vismeg, managing director for Burlington Hotels Group and Burloak Hospitality Management Ltd. and Courtyard Marriott Burlington, has previous extensive international experience with Hilton Hotels, Sheraton and InterContinental Hotels Group, and a strong network of relationships with government, industry and service organizations.

"The growth of our Courtyard Marriott Hotels and the growth of Burlington go hand in hand," he said. "The improvements we’re seeing in Burlington have increased our business. And in turn, our guests patronize local shops, restaurants, galleries, etc. It’s a cycle that will only get better."

“We are very proud to be the first to bring the very successful Courtyard by Marriott brand to the Burlington/Oakville area and to finally meet the extraordinary demand for a first-rate hotel next to the Burlington Convention Centre,” said Jack Moreira, owner of Burlington Convention Centre, and president of the Burlington Hotels Group Inc. and Burloak Hospitality Management Ltd. 

“We are very excited to complement the high standard already established at the Burlington Convention Centre and thrilled to offer our guests first class accommodations and hospitality services right next door,” said Sonia Radunovic, director of operations and event consultant for the Burlington Convention Centre and Courtyard by Marriott Hotel.

From left: Manlio Marescotti, Jack Moreira, Paul Sharman, Frank Vismeg, Gary Carr, Rick Goldring and Domenic Fuda.