After a complete redesign of their website, O noticed a large increase in online bookings which prompted them to look into alternate ways to connect with potential guests and investors. “People seem to prefer to do everything online these days,” says O President Irene Buchan. “It has gotten to the point that simple e-mailing is too formal and time consuming for some people.”

In order to expand their market even further, O Hotel Suites has started a fan page on Facebook and an account on Twitter. “In less than two weeks we are following 1,525 people with 524 following us,” says Buchan. “This has helped us reach a huge number of people that might not otherwise know about us.”

Twitter and Facebook are just the start of O’s social media campaign, as they are looking to expand into other such social networking sites as MySpace and YouTube, as well as some industry-related networking sites to reach their corporate targets.

“It is important in this economic climate that we keep abreast of communications and technological advances in order to own our category of short and long term stays in Calgary,” adds Buchan. “This is a great opportunity for us to ensure that we are always top of mind when people need furnished, executive accommodations in Calgary.”

In the short time since the inception of this campaign, O has had some moderate success to start and even seen some competitors follow suit. Twitter is the fastest growing social networking site existing today, allowing users to follow each other and communicate through short text-based “tweets.”

If you would like to follow O on Twitter, look them up under “ohotelsuites”.

Media Contact Information
Claire Halpin
(403) 475 7903
claire@ohotelsuites.com

“As the O brand has gained awareness across Canada, it has become necessary to recruit the best sales people in order to continue offering not only an amazing product, but the best possible service available to guests,” Says Carol Gilmartin, Regional Sales Consultant.

O Hotel Suites offers an economical solution to executive guests requiring corporate travel accommodations. O’s suites are complete with a full kitchen, allowing for guests to cook their own meals in order to avoid expensive and unhealthy meals out. All suites are complete with a workspace suited for the work at home executive, and O is currently updating their offering to include webcam services for go-to meetings.

“The changing economy is not viewed as a threat,” Says Gilmartin, “It provides us with an opportunity to gain market share and own the category for short and long term extended stays.”

O has also added a total of 13 new units to their inventory to expand the collection of quality suites to include two-bedroom, two- bathroom, and air-conditioned units. Some suites offered by O also include gym/spa facilities and meeting or conference rooms. O’s guests can choose anything from a tasteful, modern classic studio right up to a stunning two-bedroom urban retreat on two floors featuring cutting-edge interior décor. 

After a meeting or a night out, it’s just a few minutes “home” to that great urban style that O is becoming famous for. All those important “little” things like in-suite laundry, internet access, cable and free phone calls anywhere in North America are still included in our brand offering. O offers more than the standard hotel experience as they seamlessly blend the convenience of a hotel stay with the comfort of home and the confidence of great style.

Media Contact Information
Claire Halpin
(403) 475 7903
claire@ohotelsuites.com

Starting with a modest 24 units in two buildings, O Hotel Suites began to fill their units with travelling executives and contractors who were in Calgary to work on extended contracts. O Hotel Suites created an innovative brand that provides guests with all the comforts of home without the stale environment of a typical hotel.

In April, O Hotel Suites added a third building to their inventory. Taking an existing building not far from Calgary’s popular Uptown 17th Avenue and completely renovating it as a luxurious and high-end boutique hotel. This building, called the Oscar, added another 16 suites for the team at O Hotel Suites to fill with their executive clients.

O Hotel Suites offers not only a unique product, but also superior customer service provided by the knowledgeable and friendly staff who are committed to providing personalized levels of service that make their guests feel pampered.

Most recently, in June, another building was added with 33 trendy and spacious studio suites just in time to fill with several of the attendees and participants of the global petroleum conference. Now this newly created small business can boast having some of Canada’s largest and finest corporations and executives among their clientele.

From a stunning modern classic studio right up to a stunning two-bedroom urban retreat featuring cutting-edge interior decor and a tendency for guests to not want to leave, O Hotel Suites have created a new category as Calgary’s short and long term serviced executive accommodation specialists.

O Hotel Suites has also extended their entrepreneurial reach to focus on Calgary’s condo rental market by offering property management services to owners of vacant condos. The O Hotel Suites property management team is currently filling these condos with the same executive clients and providing revenue return for condo real estate owners and investors.

The property management and individual condo suites offer yet another option to travellers who may need more space for their families while working on temporary contracts in Calgary.

Media Contact Information
Claire Halpin: 1.403.475.7903, claire@ohotelsuites.com

Through positive word-of-mouth and a well implemented marketing campaign, The O Hotel Suites management team have even extended their product overseas and received bookings from the UK, Australia and South Africa.

“It‘s very exciting to see that our hard work has extended our reach even further than Canada or even North America,” says General Manager Irene Buchan.

“We really have an excellent and unique offering as well as a team of people that are dedicated to providing a welcoming environment and a hassle free experience to our guests.”

Beginning with The Ovation, formerly 15 Calgary, O Hotel Suites offers not only a unique product, but also superior customer service provided by the knowledgeable and friendly staff who are committed to putting people first and giving the traveller an experience that is just like home.

O Hotel Suites owns and operates three buildings with 40 suites and manages 37 additional suites. The Opal, The Oscar, and The Element as well as The Ovation, have a variation of one and two bedroom suites and studios. O Hotels Suites’ efforts of providing a new category of executive suites for the experienced traveller have paid off as the last few months have seen these properties at full occupancy.

These hotels have primarily been filled with travelling executives that come to Calgary to work on extended contracts. O Hotel Suites have created an innovative brand that offers a full kitchen, in suite washer/dryer and all of the accessories and cutlery that provide the guest with all the comforts of home without the stale environment of a typical hotel. The hotels are recently renovated and are decorated with contemporary furniture and art.

O Hotel Suites has also extended their entrepreneurial reach to focus on Calgary’s condo rental market by offering property management services to owners of vacant condos. The O Hotel Suites property management team is currently filling these condos with the same executive clients and providing revenue return for condo real estate owners and investors.

The property management and individual condo suites offer yet another option to travellers who may need more space for their families while working on temporary contracts in Calgary.

Media Contact Information
Claire Halpin: 1.403.475.7903, claire@ohotelsuites.com

Since the election Kassam has completely re-branded the company and added two new properties to the locally operated chain of executive class hotels located in downtown Calgary.

Beginning with The Ovation, formerly 15 Calgary, Kassam is offering not only a unique product with guaranteed satisfaction, but also above average customer service provided by the knowledgeable and friendly staff that are committed to giving the traveler a completely hassle-free experience.

These hotels have primarily been filled with traveling executives that come to Calgary to work on extended contracts. Kassam has created an innovative brand that offers a full kitchen, in suite washer/dryer and all of the accessories and cutlery that provide the guest with all the comforts of home without the stale environment of a typical hotel. The hotels are recently renovated and are decorated with contemporary chic furniture and art.

O Hotel Suites has four properties and 73 units in total. The Opal, The Oscar and The Element in addition to The Ovation have a variation of one and two bedroom suites as well as studios. Kassam’s efforts in providing a new category of executive suites for the experienced traveler have paid off as the last few months have seen these properties at full occupancy.

Kassam has also expanded his entrepreneurial reach to focus on Calgary’s condo rental market by offering property management services to owners of vacant condos. The O Hotel property management team is currently filling these condos with the same executive clients and guaranteeing an investment return to the condo owners.

Kassam plans to continue expanding this business and while he is currently focused on Calgary, he doesn’t limit himself geographically.

“I enjoy living in the moment, and five years ago I would not have dreamt that I would be doing what I am doing now,” says Kassam. “In thinking about future goals, I see myself as a world citizen doing something completely different from what I have ever done before.”

Media Contact Information
Claire Halpin: 1.403.475.7903, claire@ohotelsuites.com