TORONTO — More properties have been added to the federal government’s list of quarantine hotels in the four designated cities.
And to add insult to injury it seems travellers are being encouraged to book direct, no doubt to ease the high volume of calls coming into the call centre.
The government site, found here, which serves as an info resource for travellers looking to book the mandatory 3-night quarantine hotel stay, went live on Feb. 18 with a limited number of hotels: 2 in Calgary; 1 in Vancouver; 4 in Toronto and 4 in Montreal.
Problems with the hotel quarantine program have included long hold times, up to 10 hours according to some reports.
Travel retailers have expressed anger with the hotel quarantine measures, telling Travelweek earlier this week that the industry is in a shambles and the program is a debacle.
Up until now travellers have been told that bookings will only be accepted by phone through Amex GBT, which is handling the reservations. The Amex GTB phone number is 1-800-294-8253 (toll-free within North America) and (613) 830-2992 (collect outside of North America).
However now from the looks of things several hotels on the expanded list are accepting online bookings.
Also it appears travellers can now call the hotels directly for bookings.
Under the heading ‘Book Your Hotel’, the first subhead is ‘Direct’. The site says: “Some of the hotels offer direct online booking for government-authorized accommodation. For all others, identify that you require accommodation for the COVID-19 mandatory 3-night stopover to ensure you are booked correctly.”
A second subhead, ‘Booking Call Line’, includes the Amex GBT phone numbers.
Amex GBT has the travel account for the federal government. Many agents say they’re frustrated that with so many travel retailers struggling financially right now, more wasn’t done to spread out the bookings over more agencies.
Here’s a look at the updated list:
CALGARY
Acclaim Hotel (online booking available)
Best Western Premier Freeport Inn Calgary Airport
Calgary Airport Marriott In Terminal Hotel
Hampton Inn by Hilton Calgary Airport North
Hyatt Place Calgary Hotel
VANCOUVER
Abercorn Inn Vancouver Airport
Coast Vancouver Airport Hotel
Days Inn by Wyndham
Executive Hotel Vancouver Airport
Fairmont Vancouver Airport (online booking available)
Four Points by Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel
Hilton Vancouver Airport
Quality Hotel Airport South
Radisson Vancouver Airport
Sandman Hotel Vancouver Airport
Travelodge Hotel by Wyndham Vancouver Airport
Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport (online booking available)
TORONTO
Alt Hotel Pearson Airport
Comfort Inn Toronto Airport
Courtyard Mississauga-Airport Corporate Centre West
Crowne Plaza Toronto Airport
Doubletree by Hilton Toronto Airport
Doubletree by Hilton Toronto Airport West
Embassy Suites by Hilton Toronto Airport
Fairfield Inn and Suites Toronto Airport
Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport
Hampton Inn and Suites Toronto Airport
Hampton Inn by Hilton Toronto Airport Corporate Centre
Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport
Holiday Inn Toronto – Airport East
Holiday Inn Toronto International Airport
Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport
Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel and Conference Centre
Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel
MONTREAL
Baymont by Wyndham Montreal Airport
Comfort Inn Dorval
Comfort Inn Pointe-Claire
Crowne Plaza Montreal Airport
Days Inn by Wyndham Montreal Airport Conference Centre
DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal Airport
Embassy Suites by Hilton Montreal airport (online booking available)
Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Montreal Airport
Marriott Courtyard Airport Montreal (online booking available)
Marriott Residence Inn Airport Montreal (online booking available)
Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal
Ramada Plaza Hotel
The site is here.
