Ashler Hospitality Corporation

Ashler was very actively involved in the development of the Best Western Chemainus Festival Inn, a 75 suite strata-hotel in the picturesque town of Chemainus, British Columbia. We subsequently opened the property in June 2005 and continue to operate it successfully today on behalf of the multiple owner-investors.

Not only did Ashler provide input into the design of the hotel and undertake all aspects of the pre-opening, but we also assisted in the structuring of the condominium-ownership documents and thereby helped the developer to avoid many of the 'pitfalls' later experienced by similar strata hotels.

Our operation of the hotel since its opening has resulted in a property that has both created its own market, one associated with the year-round professional Chemainus Theatre, but has also drawn demand from nearby Duncan and Nanaimo. Important features of the property are its 'residential'-style guest suites, attractive indoor swimming pool and adjacent and very well-equipped exercise facilities.

Located in Gibsons, BC, this property was under the management guidance of Ashler from 1993 to 2003 when it was sold to owner-operators. Owned by Industrial Alliance Pacific Life, previously North West Life Assurance of Canada, this property has been taken from a major loss situation to one producing solid income. Converted from a retail/office complex this 45 room hotel includes leased food and beverage outlets as well as generous meeting/banquet facilities and fitness facilities/pool/jacuzzi/sauna amenities.

Executive Inn & Conference Centre

Previously the Penticton Inn & Conference Centre, this 100 room property was extensively renovated in 2000 and affiliated with the Executive Inn organization in July. In addition to guest rooms, the property has extensive food & beverage operations that include restaurant, pub and 10,000 square foot free-standing convention centre; the hotel also includes 10,000 square feet of retail/commercial space and 14 residential apartments. Responsible for this hotel in May 2000, Ashler undertook the re-positioning of the property along with making major improvements in its operating efficiency.

In 2004, we recommended conversion of the property into a seniors' facility and began this process for the owner.  As part of the conversion our affiliated property, INNsight Realty Ltd., undertook the brokerage of the stand-alone conference facility and successfully completed a sale for its future use as a church and related facilities.

Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort

Located in Osoyoos, British Columbia, this 87 suite resort hotel is a strata-titled property with reporting required to over 30 investors, including the developer/operator who retained a controlling interest. Ashler took over temporary management of the 3 year old hotel in March 2001 with the mandate to build the ‘shoulder’ and ‘winter’ markets while initiating improved efficiency and increasing operating profit. Our programs resulted in a 50% improvement in net operating income within 18 months and spurred the need for expansion to 120 rooms which was completed in 2005.

With the expansion, the developer returned to manage the property while retaining Ashler to continue undertaking all monthly accounting functions for the hotel and strata corporation.