LADYSMITH – Microtel Inn & Suites Oyster Bay is providing a much-needed service to businesses in the Central Island.
With a unique location in the growing Oyster Bay development just outside of Ladysmith, the inn is in close proximity to the Nanaimo Airport, making it a desirable location for meetings and corporate retreats.
“We have a main meeting room in the main part of the hotel that can accommodate up to 60 persons,” says General Manager Peter Watts. “The space is equipped with a 75” TV screen, with floor jacks for computers, making it ideal for powerpoint and other types of presentations. We also have a beautiful lobby area.
“Our newest addition is an outdoor meeting space that includes a gazebo and a built-in kitchen with a BBQ, fridge and gas fireplace. Guests who are using the main meeting room for their business, social group, sports team or other gathering, can finish off their event with a BBQ outside the hotel.”
The hotel is the closest facility of its kind to the Nanaimo Airport, which makes it ideal for events involving out-of-town visitors.
“It’s about a three-to-five minute drive from the airport, so we get a lot of guests who like to stay overnight while they attend an event,” says Watts. “Many flights leave at five or six in the morning, so our guests can take a short cab to the airport, minimizing travel time.
“You have to go to either Nanaimo or Duncan to find a space that’s comparable to what we have. In Nanaimo, parking can be an issue for a lot of people. Here, we have an abundance of parking space available.”
So far, the facility has played host to many business and community groups, including Western Forest Products, the local chamber, the First Nations Health Authority and more.
“We also put together packages for our guests,” Watts remarks. “We can do packages that involve team building exercises at Wild Play or golf packages with Cottonwood Golf Club. We can arrange catering with local catering companies, ranging from low-key dining options to upper-level options.”
Microtel Inn & Suites Oyster Bay began as a partnership between Master Built Hotels, the Coast Salish Development Corporation and Stz’uminus First Nation.
The project was completed in May, 2018 and features 81 rooms, a pool with a three-storey water slide, gymnasium and a Playstation for the kids (big or small). Guests receive a complimentary hot buffet breakfast with their stay.
Attendees can earn Wyndham Rewards with each stay at Microtel, which can contribute to free stays in hundreds of hotels throughout North America.
To find out more, visit www.microtel.com