Moving foward!

VOLUME 4 - ISSUE 1

GERMAIN HOTELS NEWS 
CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF
It’s official, our 20th hotel has opened its doors at the Ottawa International Airport!

Over the past few weeks, everyone rolled up their sleeves. Construction, training, cleaning, last-minute tweaks — on the ground and behind the scenes, no one stood still.

From Dino Gurusamy, General Manager, assembling his own desk, to Lauren Hill, Guest Services Manager, who travelled from St. John’s as an ambassador, to Michael Canning, Food & Beverage Supervisor at the brand-new Sosta!, who temporarily traded mixology for the fine art of phone-line wiring. And if there was even a spare minute, Emilie Planche, Talent Acquisition Specialist visiting from Calgary, was ready with another mission.

Today, we tip our hats to you. You jumped in with energy, curiosity and calm under pressure. An opening is intense — and you rose to the occasion with heart. As Dino puts it: “One team, one dream — and we’re still living it.”

Careers on the move
Some members of the new team are already familiar faces within the Germain Hotels family. Dino marks his first hotel opening with the launch of Alt Hotel Ottawa Airport — though it is already the fourth Germain property he has worked at. Meanwhile, Karyl-Anh Fandoux, Guest Services Manager, continues her journey from St. John’s, where she started as an intern, to Toronto as Ass. Director of Food & Beverage, and now Ottawa. Not to mention Ershad Eslam, Director of Housekeeping, Yacine Benmessaoud, Housekeeping Supervisor, and many others whose inspiring paths continue to land with us.

Stay tuned! Sweet surprises, behind-the-scenes and more celebratory moments will be touching down at your hotels soon.

BETWEEN US 
Meanwhile, at Alt Hotel Ottawa downtown, the doors stayed wide open as the team welcomed a wave of colleagues who came to lend a hand for the opening — IT, construction, marketing, accounting, HR and many familiar faces we don’t get to see every day. 

The team’s warmth did not go unnoticed.“Wow! What outstanding hospitality. I was genuinely impressed by the quality of the welcome and the team’s attitude. Well done and thank you,” said Dennis Reaburn, Maintenance Manager at Alt Hotel Saskatoon, following his visit. Between booking rooms, pitching in wherever needed and warm welcome, the team truly stepped up. A great example of flexibility and generosity.

Did you know?
Marie Boissonnault, General Manager at the Alt Hotel Ottawa, has been growing with us for over twenty years. A journey that began almost by chance… when her very first connection to Germain Hotels came through her roommate at the time: Marie Pier Germain!

A three-month internship at Le Germain Hotel Toronto sealed the deal. What followed? Time spent in nearly every department — sales, guest services, HR — multiple hotel openings, ambassador mandates across the country. 
Here's a little gem we’ve dug up from the opening of Le Germain Hotel Calgary 16 years ago — one Marie was part of, of course! 

A contagious burst of energy
While Ottawa was busy building a hotel, Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square was busy building desks. New year, new space!

Driven by the vision of Edyta Gocek, Director of Sales, the space was redesigned to better reflect the team who brings it to life every day. But with a fresh start comes… assembly. Dorothy Hatt, Regional Director of Sales, Nicolas Lazarou, General Manager, and Edyta rolled up their sleeves to tackle IKEA furniture and a bit of painting. Several hours later, the verdict was unanimous: “Never again! Six desks is enough for a lifetime. But it does look really great!” Dorothy laughed.

Dorothy, next time, call Dino’s team — they’ll surely have a few tips to share!

TEAM BUILDING  
A SEASON TO CELEBRATE 
Every season has its queen
At the Quebec City Service Centre, some traditions are sacred. Halloween has its queen. The holiday season does too.

While it’s widely agreed that October belongs to Sandy Bélanger, IT Project and Training Manager — who fully embodied Emily, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, this year — December belongs to Caroline Kirouac, HR Advisor. True to her holiday tradition, Caroline transforms her office each year to sprinkle a little magic into the everyday. Expectations are high. She never disappoints.

This year, inspired by the beloved Quebec cult classic La guerre des tuques, Caroline recreated the iconic snow fort with phenomenal attention to detail. The wooden ladder, the snowballs, faithful Cléo — even the famous line, “La guerre, la guerre, c’est pas une raison pour se faire mal,” (War, war, it’s no reason to hurt each other) made the scene. History doesn’t say whether a snowball fight followed.

And because here, no celebration goes unnoticed, team photos have become classics: Halloween, holiday ugly sweaters, Valentine’s Day… In Quebec City, we proudly keep our inner child alive.

A calendar full of celebrations
At Alt Hotel St. John’s, General Manager Greg Fleming stepped into a Santa suit. That was all it took to lure out the Grinch, who made an appearance to greet team members and guests with his signature grumpiness. Undeterred, the team quickly regrouped for cozy pajama movie nights — the perfect way to reignite the holiday spirit.

In Halifax, they took things just as seriously. Their movie night was part of a full 12-day marathon of festivities. For the occasion, the meeting room was transformed into a giant living room: blankets spread across the floor, families and kids building pillow forts, and hot chocolate flowing freely. The holiday season is not something they take lightly! Door and gingerbread house decorating, cookie exchanges, potlucks, white elephant gifts, food drive, scavenger hunts… and a game night that was anything but ordinary. Just ask the people who had to frantically fill a bowl with gift bows while blindfolded, plastic cups in hand. — we’re still waiting on the winning strategy.

According to Allie Spencer, Guest Services Supervisor, one of the standout moments was writing and sending letters to family and friends. Thanks to General Manager Mark Laughlin, who took on the role of postmaster, those heartfelt notes reached loved ones the team might not have had the chance to see during the season.

Generosity, creativity and togetherness
At Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel & Spa, the team gathered for a well-deserved festive evening at Maison du Bootlegger. True to tradition, each team member brought a non-perishable food item as their ticket in. Celebrating, yes — but sharing as well. The donations were given to Pro-Santé, a local community organization that supports individuals and families in vulnerable situations.

A little magic also made its way into the hotel itself, where Virginie Lagrandeur, Head Market Gardener and Horticulturist, and Stéphanie Duchesne, gardener, created beautiful centrepieces for the meeting rooms — crafted entirely from dried flowers and cedar harvested from the gardens. Homegrown arrangements blending creativity, precision and pride in a job well done.

And because the season of giving doesn’t stop after the holidays, Valentine’s Day turned into a coffee, cookies and ppreciation moment, where each team member was invited to write a kind note to a colleague. A simple gesture that went a long way.

Quizzing, dancing, snacking
This year, the Service Centre teams gathered at Le Capitole Hotel in Quebec City to celebrate the holidays in style. A welcome drink, upbeat music… and a fiery round of Kahoot! (an interactive quiz game platform) to put everyone’s general knowledge to the test. After a tight final, France Savard, Public Relations and Partnerships Advisor, and Hugo Germain claimed top honours — along with some well-earned bragging rights. And the evening wrapped up the way any good party should: on the dance floor, with a slice of pizza in hand.

A trio that sticks together
In Calgary, the rule is simple: we celebrate as three. Always. This year, close to 120 team members gathered at Cowboys Casino for the holiday party. On the menu? A true festive feast: prime rib, salmon and all the classic sides you could wish for. More than enough to tempt even the most reserved among us onto the dance floor. Once the energy was high again — and a few strategic calories had been burned — some tried their luck at the blackjack tables. For a few, the night was lucky. For others… it was a valuable learning experience!

From clay to slay
For one evening, the management team at Le Germain Hotel Quebec traded meetings for pottery. A hands-on session that showcased their refined sense of aesthetics. Hands in the clay, deep focus… and a few bold creative decisions. Let’s just say the experience reminded some that minimalism and heat don’t always make the best match.

Then came the traditional team party, held this year at L’Atelier, a local resto-bar. This time, it was dancing skills that took centre stage. Mike Mouemba, Guest Services Agent, set the bar high with some impressive moves. However, no one needed much convincing to step into the middle of the circle.

One of the highlights of the night was the awards ceremony. Nothing official a good excuse to have a laugh. The categories ranged from the “Lemon Award” (Moodiest or Office Gossip) to brighter distinctions like Most Stylish, Funniest and Ray of Sunshine. All voted on by peers, of course.The recipients? Esther Patenaude, Théo Maudet, Merlin Gorbin, Alberto Quezeda and Louis-Thomas Ménard. We’ll let you guess who won what.

Spotlight moment
It must have been awards season. After Quebec City, it was Alt Hotel Montreal’s turn to celebrate its own during an evening at Hang restaurant. Among the awards handed out: Hawk Eye, Resident Jokester, Master of Improvisation, Legendary Composure, Voice of Reason, Social Butterfly and Golden Colleague. Well-aimed nods, peer-voted, celebrating the personalities that bring the hotel to life. And just like at the Oscars, once the awards were handed out… it was time to party. DJ on. Dance floor open.

Off to the Masquerade Ball!
January. Pouring rain. Coats buttoned up, quick steps through wet streets. In this very dramatic setting, the team from Le Germain Hotel Montreal made their way to a riverboat… firmly docked in the Old Port.

They found out a little late — well after booking their holiday party — that in the middle of winter, the boat wasn’t going anywhere. But as Myriam Legault-Rioux, Assistant Director of Guest Services, put it so perfectly: “We may not have sailed down the river, but we definitely navigated the weather to get on board — without sacrificing our outfits!”

Once inside and finally dry, the masked ball began. There may not have been real secret identities to uncover, but for one evening, everyone happily stepped into character. The mood was light, slightly theatrical, and carried with humour by the evening’s masters of ceremony, Aurélie Fourage, Business Development Delegate, and Paul de La Durantaye, Regional Director.

Between lively conversations and raised glasses, the evening gently drifted into an ABBA karaoke set. The masks stayed on. The choruses, on the other hand, were fully and unapologetically embraced.

May the best one win
Clearly, quizzes are becoming a favourite at Germain Hotels. This time, it was the managers from Le Germain Hotel Toronto and Escad Hotel Quartier DIX30 who joined the fun. So… when’s the pan-Canadian showdown?

In Toronto, the rivalry continued with a debate as unexpected as it was passionate: ranking the best chip brands and flavours. Proof that no team discussion is too small to become very serious. The only way to settle it? A blind taste test. Twelve flavours to identify, brand included. The undisputed champion was Runo Odesa, cook, who correctly named eleven out of twelve with impressive speed. Let’s just say… jaws were on the floor.

Pssst! The day also marked three years with us for Concierge Luke McArdle, recently featured with a dedicated page on the hotel’s website. Congratulations, Luke!

Meanwhile, in Brossard, the team dove into a no-holds-barred game of Boulette. The concept is simple: words are written on slips of paper, tossed into a bowl and guessed in teams. Round one: describe it. Round two: one word only. Round three: act it out. And as the rounds go on… things start to unravel. Special mention goes to Rachelle Boutin, Director of Operations, who stayed true to her outgoing, always-ready-to-laugh personality to deliver a memorable performance while getting her team to guess Shakira. Very pregnant and fully committed. Unfortunately, we have no video evidence. But those who were there won’t be forgetting it anytime soon.

Knights for a night
Who hasn’t been swept up in the Game of Thrones craze over the past few years? Perhaps that’s what inspired the maintenance teams from the Greater Montreal area to trade their tools for swords for an evening. Ah, valiant knights indeed!

Guided by two professional fencing masters, these valiant apprentices learned the art of sword and shield. Ninety minutes of intensive training, where laughter flowed almost as freely as the sweat. The evening continued at Auberge du Dragon Rouge, an immersive medieval tavern complete with costumes, troubadours and a hearty feast in a setting worthy of a castle’s great hall. A true leap back in time — and finally, the perfect excuse to pound a fist on the table and declare, “Ale, innkeeper”! Proof that team spirit can be forged just as well in front of a heat pump… as in the middle of a sword duel. When’s the next tournament?

A visit to the neighbours
The team from Le Germain Hotel Toronto Maple Leaf Square gathered at the brand-new PUNCH, inside Le Germain Hotel Toronto, for a costume party worthy of the venue’s theatrical flair.

Masks barely adjusted, Alvin Agapito, server and 2023 Gvent Winner, took the mic with his signature contagious energy, instantly turning up the heat. The evening quickly took on the feel of a chic raffle night: games, draws and impressive prizes — from home appliances to hotel stays. And because a good party never truly ends after dessert, the team carried on to karaoke, where some discovered hidden talent… and others, a brand-new sense of confidence.

Hats off
At Alt Hotel Winnipeg, the year-end lunch brought the whole team together for a double celebration. What better theme than “hats” to add a playful twist to the festivities? From the most elegant to the most outrageous, headwear turned heads and sparked more than a few well-earned laughs. And if you’re going to wear a hat… you might as well tip it. Here’s to Eduardo Alcasid, Laundry Attendant, celebrating ten years with the hotel. Hats off, Eduardo!

Fun fact! Eduardo is also known around the hotel as Mr. Yeeerp. The nickname was born from a song that played on repeat in the lobby. You know the kind. The ones that slowly take over your day with unstoppable earworms and the occasional auditory hallucination. The singer kept repeating one word over and over: Yeeerp. After hearing it enough times, it became a running joke. The word stuck. The nickname did too.

RECOGNITION 
RISING STARS 
Shining bright in Toronto
Last November, Margarita Roca from Le Germain Hotel Toronto Maple Leaf Square was named Housekeeping Ambassador of the Year for the Greater Toronto Area at the Spirit Award Gala hosted by the Greater Toronto Hotel Association (GTHA).

For the past ten years, Margarita has embodied dedication and team spirit in everything she does. Dragana Burilo, Executive Director of Housekeeping, speaks about her with unmistakable admiration: “We’re so lucky to know her and to work alongside her. Margarita is driven, deeply committed and a true inspiration. Her growth since her early days at the hotel has been nothing short of remarkable.”

Always ready to lend a hand, Margarita shows up each day with a smile — and often a few dance steps — bringing contagious energy to the entire team.

And true to form, trophy barely in hand, Margarita was quick to share the spotlight with her whole team, reminding everyone that this recognition belongs to them too. As Dragana so perfectly puts it: Margarita is simply the full package!

The evening also highlighted the nominations of Anjila Ray, in the Housekeeping Room Attendant Ambassador of the Year category, and Ma Eleanor Peiji, in the F&B Outlets Ambassador of the Year category — both from Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square.

Three remarkable women. One shared pride.

Double gold in Calgary
At Le Germain Hotel Calgary, Ismail Cem Manglay has officially reclaimed his Les Clefs d’Or. A meaningful milestone for a concierge with 25 years of experience. After receiving his first Clefs d’Or in Istanbul in 2008, and practicing his craft in the United States and the United Arab Emirates, Cem has continued his journey in Calgary since 2025.

“We are incredibly proud of Cem. This distinction reflects his commitment to excellence and his true passion for concierge service — something he embodies with consistency and grace”, shares Armine Gevorgyan, Guest Services Manager.

Some guests even go so far as to compare him to Tom Wolfe, the famed Head Concierge of the Fairmont San Francisco — often cited among the best concierges in the world — noting that Cem’s presence elevates the already exceptional service that Germain Hotels is known for.

And then there are the stories. 
On the eve of a particularly busy Valentine’s Day shift, a guest from the United States made his reservation conditional on securing two tickets to Skijoring — completely sold out. With pressure high and time short, Cem activated his network. A few calls later, a pair of VIP tickets had been secured. The guests, impressed, later sent a card that summed it up perfectly: “Cem can make it happen.” 

GROWING WITH GERMAIN HOTELS 
THE NEXT GENERATION STEPS FORWARD 
Coumba Diallo and Julie Bourdeau, Director of Housekeeping and Director of Operations at Le Germain Hotel Montreal, along with Alizée Lambert, Meetings and Banquets Manager at Escad Hotel Quartier DIX30, are among the ten managers selected by the Greater Montréal Hotel Association (AHGM) to take part in its mentorship program.

Being selected is already meaningful. But above all, it’s a real opportunity for growth. Mentors, workshops and networking — the idea is simple: learn, step outside your comfort zone and prepare for what comes next. Congratulations, ladies! You represent a new generation of ambitious, engaged leaders ready to help shape the future of hospitality.

TEAM INVOLVEMENT 
A DECADE OF SOLIDARITY 
For over ten years, the Quebec City region teams have supported Centraide, an organization working to fight poverty and social exclusion. This year, the momentum only grew stronger. The result? $20,146.48 raised. Behind that number are volunteer hours, creative ideas and a genuine desire to make a meaningful impact in the community.

This year’s focus: food security. When you consider that every dollar donated to Centraide can represent up to five meals, the impact becomes even more tangible. To the teams at Alt Hotel Quebec, Le Germain Hotel Quebec, Le Germain Hotel & Spa Charlevoix and the Quebec City Service Centre — thank you for showing up, year after year.

Operation raisins
The Marketing team also rolled up their sleeves for a morning of volunteering… packaging raisins. Hair nets, surgical gloves and plastic aprons — fully compliant and fully committed. The two other groups on site seemed fairly relaxed. But for the Marketing team, losing the unofficial competition was simply not an option.

Three hours later — fingers practically fused together and shoes firmly stuck to the floor — 402 bags had been filled. The food bank coordinator, with a knowing smile, wouldn’t confirm whether the team had truly outperformed the others. We like to think they did!

COMMITTEES 
WHEN PREVENTION BECOMES CULTURE 
At Escad Hotel Quartier DIX30, health and safety isn’t a box to check. It’s a mindset. Under the leadership of Christian, Director of Maintenance, the mechanical rooms and technical spaces are nothing short of impressive. Everything in its place. Organized. Labelled. Floors freshly painted. Impeccable order. “You could almost eat off the floor in their mechanical room… or film a low-budget sci-fi movie there,” jokes Caroline Kirouac, Health & Safety Lead for Germain Hotels.

Caroline, who works closely with all our properties, doesn’t hesitate to say it: Christian is a true standout. With his committee, he takes the lead, proposes solutions, volunteers as a test case to move initiatives forward and support training efforts. Here, health and safety isn’t a burden. It’s a given. A shared responsibility they take to heart — to ensure everyone’s safety, every day.

WELLNESS INITIATIVES 
UP TO THE CHALLENGE 
When the Quebec Winter Carnival calls, the teams answer. This year, three teams from the Quebec City Hotels and Service Centre took on the famous Carnaval Pentathlon. On the program: running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skating and fat biking. Enough to test both endurance… and motivation. Faced with the scale of the challenge, some briefly reconsidered their life choices. But everyone eventually gathered their courage (and their mittens) and rose to the occasion.

Winter training that couldn’t come at a better time
It’s official! The Gmove Challenge is coming back soon, and the Quebec teams seem determined to claim the title won by the Alt Hotel Ottawa in the last edition. The competition is shaping up to be fierce!

Stay tuned so you don’t miss the starting line.

Make this newsletter worth reading by sharing your ideas, initiatives, and achievements. Your contributions make every issue personal and inspiring. We look forward to reading your stories from coast to coast!