SHELTON, Conn. (June 1, 2015) New Castle Hotels & Resorts, an award- winning, independent third-party hotel manager, owner and developer announced that four properties in its growing collection of historic hotels have joined Historic Hotels Worldwide™, (HHW) and Historic Hotels of America™, (HHA), official programs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States.
The hotels include:
The Algonquin Resort an Autograph Collection Hotel, St. Andrews, N.B. (HHW)
The Algonquin has been welcoming guests, including heads of state, royalty and every day travelers, since 1889, when it was promoted as a healthful retreat from urban living. In 2012 the 233-room, Tudor-style “Castle-by-the-Sea” was purchased by New Castle Hotels & Resorts and Southwest Properties and reopened in March, 2014 following a meticulously executed $50 million renovation. Now in its second century overlooking Passamaquoddy Bay, The Algonquin Resort is a landmark in Canadian hospitality and ranked among the best resorts in the world by Condé Nast readers.
Digby Pines Resort & Spa, an Ascend Collection Hotel, Digby, N.S. (HHW)
Visitors have been travelling to Digby, N.S. since 1903 when H.B. Churchill built a three-story hotel and named it The Pines. Over the years it served as officers’ quarters during WWI and became part of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) hotel collection. In 1929 the present-day lodge opened as The New Pines Hotel, and CPR hired Stanley Thompson to build an 18-hole golf course to with it. Today, Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa, includes the main lodge, a Norman-style chateau and one, two and three-bedroom cottages.
The Westin Portland Harborview Portland, Maine (HHA)
Formerly the Eastland Park Hotel, the Westin Portland Harborview, originally opened on June 15, 1927 and was the largest hotel in New England, hosting aviator Charles Lindbergh following his solo flight across the Atlantic and famously refusing to host former first Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her canine companion. In 2012, the hotel closed for a $50 million renovation that retained the building’s original façade, great sign and other historic touches, while updating for comforts, systems and décor to meet contemporary standards. It re-opened as the Westin Portland Harborview in December, 2013.
The Westin Nova Scotian Halifax, N.S. (HHW)
Overlooking Halifax Harbour, The Westin Nova Scotian, is one of the original Canadian National Railways hotels which opened its doors on June 23, 1930 to connect Halifax with the rest of Canada. Reminiscent of grand hotels seen all over the world, the hotel twice hosted HRH Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana’s only official royal dinner on an Eastern Canadian tour in the early 1980s. In April 1996, New Castle Hotels & Resorts of Shelton, CT, purchased the shuttered hotel and re-opened the grand dame on August 8, 1996 as the Westin Nova Scotian. The hotel has been recognized with AAA’s Four-diamond awards and Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.
The hotels join a collection of more than 150 hotels and resorts throughout the world that are recognized by Historic Hotels Worldwide for preserving authentic cultural treasures that demonstrate historic preservation and their inspired architecture, cultural traditions, and authentic cuisine. There are 260 hotels that have been accepted into Historic Hotels of America.
“This impressive collection of landmark hotels is a tremendous addition to Historic Hotels,” said Lawrence Horwitz, executive director of Historic Hotels Worldwide and Historic Hotels of America. “We are particularly pleased to note that their addition represents a three-fold growth in our Canadian portfolio that hopefully will spark renewed interest among the other iconic hotels of Canada.”
To be selected for membership in Historic Hotels Worldwide, a hotel must be at least 75 years old; utilize historic accommodations; serve as the former home or be located on the grounds of the former home of famous persons or a significant location for an event in history; be located in, or within walking distance to a historic district, historically significant landmark, place of historic event, or historic city center; be recognized by local preservation organization or national trust; and display historic memorabilia, artwork, photography, and other examples of its historic significance.
“Today’s travelers are looking for hotels that offer a distinct sense of place and there is nothing more uniquely local than an historic, landmark hotel,” said Bob Pope, vice president of sales and marketing New Castle Hotels and Resorts. “Affiliating with other hotels that are similarly situated allows us to capitalize on a growing travel trend, reach travelers who are predisposed to visiting historic hotels and collaborate with others who share our unique position in the markets where we operate.”
