NEW PEARSON HOTEL, U.S. NATIONAL PARKS DEAL, MIDLAND FEST

Hotel Indigo today announced the opening of the Hotel Indigo Toronto Airport and plans for its third Canadian property in Vancouver, which will open just in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Hotel Indigo Toronto features "plush bedding, hard-surface flooring with area rugs, a spa-inspired bath experience, and complimentary high-speed Internet access in guestrooms and public spaces.  Additionally, the hotel has almost 2,000 square feet of meeting space for business functions and special events, a 24-hour business center, a sauna and indoor swimming pool, and a well-equipped fitness studio," officials said.

Never seen one, but it's always good to have more options in T.O.

Hotel Indigo Ottawa was the first such property in Canada, opening in 2007.

AMERICAN TUNE

 

Good idea here: The U.S. National Park Service is waiving entrance fees at 147 national parks and monuments on three weekends this summer. The weekends are June 20-21, July 18-19 and August 15-16.

 

The deals count for everything from the big boys like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite to smaller places, including former American presidents' home. Officials say the lost revenue will be offset by an increase in numbers of people spending on other items in the park or near it, in restaurants, gift shops, etc....

 

The waiver is only for entrance fees and doesn't mean free camping, concessions, tours or other items. Still, it's a welcome move and one that would be wise to follow up on here in Canada.

 

Just for the record, your crack Star travel team did a quick check on the U.S. national park service wwebsite today (www.nps.gov) and found hundreds of parks to choose from. The closest to us here in Toronto? Niagara Falls, (New York), naturally. There also are U.S. national parks in other parts of New York State (Erie Canal, Statue of Liberty, etc....), as well as Michigan, Ohio and other nearby states.

 

ABORIGINAL FEST IN MIDLAND

 

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons up Midland way will celebrate First Nations Heritage with its Aboriginal Festival Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14 and on National Aboriginal Day, Sunday June 21.

 

Among the First Nations performers and artists will be John Somosi, a singer and drummer from Hanover, the Red Spirit Drum and Dance Group and the Christian Island Hand Drum Group. Activities include lacrosse, basket-making, historic fire-starting and cooking. Call (705) 526-7838.

 

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BIG BEN

 

No idea Sunday was the 150th birthday of London's Big Ben, which has to be the most photographed clock tower in the world. AP has a video on the old girl (guy, we suppose, if you want to get technical).