MISSISSAUGA: Mississauga-based Crown Group of Hotels, which owns and operates top global brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Choice, etc., has now expanded into Ottawa with the acquisition of Holiday Inn Ottawa East located at 1199 Joseph Cyr Street in the national capital.
The Crown Group of Hotels is run by Mr Kuldeep Sharma, as its President and CEO, with his children Shivani Sharma Gupta and Sameer Sharma managing the company’s portfolio of family-held assets.
Before moving to Canada, Mr Sharma owned a mega security company in India, employing over 12,000 people. The Crown Group of Hotels is the replication of his grand success in India.
A red carpet champagne reception attended by over 100 prominent guests was organized at the Ottawa hotel on February 15 to celebrate its acquisition and host the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the on-site restaurant, now rebranded Myra’s Bar & Kitchen. Myra is Mr Sharma’s granddaughter.
As a live band performed, champagne flowed at the night-long event, with ice sculptures and exquisite hors d’oeuvres being passed around.
Among those who attended the reception were Ottawa Deputy Mayor Laura Dudas, Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier, MPP Natalie Des Rosiers, Regional City Councillor Tim Tierney, Indian High Commission senior diplomats Rakesh Mohan and Sunil Kumar and many business owners from Ottawa and Toronto.
Deputy Mayor Dudas presented a plaque to Mr. Kuldeep Sharma on behalf of the Mayor, welcoming him to Ottawa.
Mr Sharma said he was very happy to expand to Ottawa with the acquisition of not only the hotel but also the surrounding land part of which is occupied by the oldest and the first Lone Star Texas Grill in Canada. He announced potential plans for the development of 600 apartment units on land behind the hotel.
He said Crown Group of Hotels is also open to partnerships on this development land. “With its close proximity to downtown Ottawa, the St Laurent Mall and growing public transit, this area boasts a great location for families to reside. We look forward to continuing this discussion with the city,” said Mr Sharma.
The 261-room Holiday Inn hotel features 8,200 square feet of convention space, a western cuisine restaurant, pool, gym and many more amenities after undergoing an over $12-million renovation. General Manager Raymundo Patino, who has many years of experience in hospitality, will lead a staff of over 100. The Crown Group plans further investment in its latest acquisition to provide the best experience for its guests.
Their next phase of condo construction in Ottawa is expected to exceed $200 million.
READ ALSO: How Kuldeep Sharma created Crown Group of Hotels
