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Home , Rogers Centre

TRAVEL SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 MONTREAL GAZETTE H11

CHECKING IN More than a sporting chance at the Renaissance

ROCHELLE LASH

Toronto’s sports frenzy will peak IF YOU GO in 2015 with the Pan-Am and Parapan Am Games and the 20th anniversary of the NBA team Porter Airlines: 888-619- Raptors. 8622, 416-619-8622, flypo- But the sports scene is peren- rter.com. Porter flies to Billy nially intense in the Queen City. Bishop Toronto City Airport Counting the Raptors, Toronto (downtown) from Montreal is to seven professional (from $99 one-way), as well sports teams: the Toronto Blue as Mont Tremblant (sea- Jays of Major League , sonal), Ottawa, Quebec City the CFL’s Argonauts, the NHL’s and Windsor. Air flies Maple Leafs, the Marlies of the to the downtown airport from American Hockey League, Toron- Montreal. (888-247-2262, to Rock of the National Lacrosse aircanada.com). League and Toronto FC of Major Visitor information: To- League Soccer. ronto: 416-203-2600, www. seetorontonow.com; BIRD’S-EYE VIEW The Arriba restaurant at the Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel overlooks centre field at Centre, and on Tourism, ontariotravel.net. The Renaissance Toronto Down- game night, reservations could be quite elusive. PHOTOS: RENAISSANCE TORONTO DOWNTOWN HOTEL Pan-Am Games (July 19-26) town Hotel is at the very core and Parapan Games, (Aug. of sports fever. It is said to be THE GAMES OF SUMMER 7-15), in Toronto: 416-957- the only hotel in the world that The PanAm and Parapan Games 2015, toronto2015.org. Union- is part of a major-league sports will welcome about 7,600 ath- Pearson Express: 416-869- arena, the Rogers Centre. That’s letes from Central, North and 3600, upexpress.com. the home field for the Blue Jays South Americas, as well as the Renaissance Toronto and the Argonauts. Caribbean. Downtown: 800-237-1512, That means that if you book The Games will take place 416-341-7100, renhotels.com; a room with a view — one of at venues in 16 municipalities 1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto. the Renaissance’s 70 deluxe of southern Ontario in 30 new Price: Rooms with Rogers guest rooms and suites or one of and refurbished venues. Some Centre view start at about the private Skybox Suites that already have been road-tested. $359 per night during a game overlook Rogers’ field — you will Water Polo Canada used the new or concert; other rooms and have a unique, compelling seat at Atos Markham Pan Am/Parapan suites from $209. Rates sporting events such as the Blue Am Centre for an international include indoor pool, hot tub, Jay’s season opener, April 13. meet in early 2015. During the fitness centre; valet park- Arriba, the hotel’s restaurant, summer games, this arena east ing, $35, self-parking, $25. also overlooks centre field and of the city centre also will be the Marriott Reward Members get features such sports-worthy site for table tennis and badmin- benefits. lunch and dinner dishes as beer- ton. battered fish ‘n’ chips, mushroom The new Cisco Milton Pan ravioli, flatbreads, steaks and Am/Parapan Am Velodrome, to the downtown Billy Bishop fish. When it’s game night, Arriba northwest of downtown, already Airport. might be the most elusive reser- has been the site of major But there is news — big news vation in town. cycling prequels to the Games. — for tourists and business The Renaissance has 348 rooms It will multi-task with basket- people flying in from Western and suites, airy in style, with ball and volleyball courts inside Canada and international cities floor-to-ceiling windows and the cycling oval and a walking/ to Toronto Pearson International modern business-like decor in jogging track around the perim- Airport. The new UP Express will colours of chocolate and vanilla. eter. be a rapid-transit system launch- At the heart of Toronto’s enter- Some of the sports set to make ing by Games-time and linking tainment district, the Renais- a Pan Am debut will be golf, Canada’s two busiest transpor- sance is close to the CN Tower, The Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel has a unique location as part of the women’s rugby and baseball, tation hubs. The ride between Ripley’s Aquarium, Air Canada Rogers Centre, which is home to pop concerts and Blue Jays’ baseball games. wheelchair rugby, seated vol- downtown and Centre, Metro Toronto Conven- leyball. Men’s softball will return Pearson will take 25 minutes, tion Centre and Harbourfront. airplanes. (Ouch! Don’t men- The dazzler this summer will to the Pan Ams as will Parapan with two stops en route. The new The Rogers Centre is a land- tion a to anyone be the opening ceremonies of football. UP Express terminus at Union mark with its own set of sta- who knows Montreal’s Olympic the Pan-Am Games at the Rogers Station will feature airline check- tistics. Indoors, even with the Stadium.) Centre on July 10. The Cirque du NEW PEARSON TRANSIT in kiosks and the trains will have retractable roof closed, it towers Besides major-league sports, Soleil will create an original pro- Travellers to Toronto from flight information, luggage racks so high that a 31-storey building the arena will rock with concerts duction especially for the extrav- Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax and and on-board Wi-Fi. could fit at centre field and it is like One Direction on Aug. 20 and aganza, but if you can’t attend, it Windsor have lots of choices [email protected] broad enough to house eight 747 Taylor Swift on Oct. 2 and 3. will be widely broadcast. including VIA Rail and flights .com/rochellelash

NEW YORK

RIVERSIDE TOWER HOTEL AMERICA’S BEST VALUE INN www.riversidetowerhotel.com www.plattsburghbestvalueinn.com New York City, New York 19 Booth Drive, Plattsburgh, New York Toll free 800-724-3136 & 518-563-0222 Toll free 1-800-358-2137 Singles USD $134. Doubles USD $139. Suites In wonderful Plattsburgh. Only $140 for USD $149. - $169. Lincoln Center area. Hudson 2 nights. Canadian cash. Up to 2 people, River views, 18 fl oors, kitchenette, 5 minutes additional pers. add $10 more per night. Free to midtown. Safe, quiet luxury area. Riverside continental breakfast. Located conveniently Drive & 80th Street. For more info, off exit 37 on I-87. Some holidays, wknds & call 800-724-3136 or visit spec. events do not apply. Up to 70% occ. daily. www.riversidetowerhotel.com Based on availability.

VERMONT

DAYS INN QUALITY INN TRAVELODGE SMART SUITES GREEN MOUNTAIN SUITES HOTEL 3229 Shelburne Road, Shelburne 2572 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne 1016 Shelburne Road, South Burlington www.smartsuitesburlington.com www.greenmountainsuites.com 802-985-3334 855-547-2524 1-802-862-6421 1700 Shelburne Rd., So. Burlington, Vt. 401 Dorset Street, South Burlington, Vermont Spend two nights at the Days Inn Shelburne, Special Rate for 2 night hotel stay for $149.99 USD or 1 night for Close to downtown Burlington shopping Toll free 877-862-6800 Toll-free reservations 866-337-1616 2 person occupancy for $149.00. Offer good $79.99 plus Tax. Park & Fly rate which includes 1 night stay with malls and outlets. Enjoy a Free Full Hot Come and enjoy our hospitality in either a studio Experience all the Charm of a Boutique Vermont Country through April 30, 2015. Close to attractions, round trip transportation to BTV airport and up to 21 days parking Breakfast, High speed wireless internet and effi ciency at US $82.00 or a more spacious one Inn Escape to beautiful Burlington starting at $119/ shopping and restaurants. Free continental for $139.00 plus Tax. Rates based on occupancy. Additional pets welcome. Special rates for 2 nights bedroom suite at US $92.00/night, including night weekdays Luxurious One-Bedroom Suite Includes breakfast and wifi. Call us directly if you charge $10/person/night. Pet charge $20/pet/night. These rates $129.00 USD or 1 night for $69.99 USD Plus a deluxe continental breakfast and free WIFI. Vermont-style Hot Breakfast served each morning Includes would like a newly remodeled room or any also include Full Hot Breakfast, Indoor Heated Pool, Hot Tub, Sauna, Tax. Additional $10 USD per person/night. Mention the Gazette special. Not valid with Fireside Reception with Beer, Wine and Food (M-Th.) Heated special requests. Take I89 to exit 13 and make Fitness center, Free wireless Internet and a Business center. Pet Charge $10/pet/night. Rates based on other discounts and subject to availability. Indoor Pool/Jacuzzi & Exercise facility Walking distance to a left. We are 3 miles down on the left. Directions: I-89, Exit-13. Rates based on availability. Not valid on availability and not valid on busy weekends. Effective December 1, 2014 to April 1, 2015. University Mall and close to Lake Champlain and the Church busy weekends. This promotion is available till 4/30/2015. Call 802-862-6421 for reservations Take Exit 13 off I-89, left on rt. 7 for 1.5 miles, Street Marketplace Promotional rate may not be available Call 802-985-8037 or Toll Free: 855-547-2524 for reservation. same entrance as Holiday Inn Express. during select periods. Toll-free reservations 866.337.1616

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