HALIFAX, Nova Scotia/SHELTON, Conn. – – May 31, 2016—Gerry Chase, president and COO of New Castle Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel owner, operator and developer, today announced that John Wilson, has been promoted to general manager of the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax. Wilson previously served as regional controller responsible for the company’s six Canadian hotels, a position he will continue to hold.
Hired as an assistant controller in 1996, Wilson holds the distinction of being the hotel’s first employee. In the ensuing 20 years, Wilson’s career with New Castle took him to Racine WI, as the controller of the company’s Marriott property there and to Liscomb Mills, Nova Scotia where he was the general manager of the province’s Liscombe Lodge Resort & Conference Center, which New Castle manages. A native of New Brunswick and graduate of St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Wilson began his hospitality career as a night auditor with Centennial Hotels.
“John was here when we opened the Westin Nova Scotian as the brand’s first franchise hotel and there is no one better prepared for and more deserving of the opportunity to shape its future,” said Chase. “John has both the detailed, financial skills and the big picture hospitality frame of reference needed to operate a high profile, historic hotel in the province’s capital city.”
“The success of the Westin Nova Scotian is due to its incredible team of long-term associates, many of whom started with me back in 1996,” said Wilson. “As we move into our third decade of service in the Halifax community, I have every confidence that we will rise to the challenges with the same enthusiasm and can-do spirit that allowed us to turn a shuttered old hotel into an historic showplace.”
Originally opened in 1930 by the Canadian National Railway, the Westin Nova Scotian is located on the Halifax harbourfront, and attached to the VIA rail station, close to every major attraction including Pier 21, Canada's immigration museum, and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. The hotel has earned four diamond status from AAA/CAA and its valet parking for hybrid cars contributed to it receiving four out of five leaves from Green Key Global. The 310-room hotel offers 15 suites, and three dining options including the Wine Spectator awarded Elements on Hollis as well as a comedy club, Yuk Yuks. The Westin Nova Scotian features the brand’s iconic Heavenly Bed® and Heavenly Bath®, the New Balance Gear Lending program for runners, including a loaner running stroller for athletes in the making, the WESTIN Workout Studio and an indoor saltwater pool and Tangent at Westin featuring smart technology and intuitive design. The hotel also features 23,000 square feet of meeting space, capable of hosting receptions for up to 1,000 guests. Complimentary and tiered WiFi and Heavenly dog beds round out the amenity package.
