By Roseline Victoria Vijayakumar
Nestled within the stunning vistas of the rocky mountains and strategically located minutes from Calgary International Airport, the 155-room Hotel 11, MOD, stands as a proud member of Avonos Hotels’ ownership group and is Sonesta’s newest soft brand.
Sonesta introduced its upscale MOD soft brand to offer independent hotels an opportunity to affiliate with Sonesta’s network while retaining their hotel names, identities, designs and established styles. Hotel 11 mod a Sonesta collection at Calgary Airport is the first MOD soft brand hotel in the portfolio worldwide.
“The introduction of the new MOD property in Calgary aligns with our ongoing commitment to broaden our presence in Canada and further expand the Sonesta portfolio,” says Keith Pierce, Sonesta’s executive vice-president and president of franchise & development.
“This new opening represents a significant milestone in Sonesta’s soft-brand journey and we eagerly anticipate further growth of our MOD offerings.” Guests can access all MOD hotels through Sonesta’s website and call centre and have access to Sonesta’s extensive distribution channels and services. this strategic alignment provides guests with additional destinations to earn and redeem Sonesta Travel Pass points.
“MOD is uniquely positioned within Sonesta’s upscale portfolio and offers guests flexibility by catering to their unique lifestyle and travel needs,” says Pierce, adding MOD meets and exceeds the demand for flexibility by Augmenting Hotels with curated F&B and eclectic design.
hotel 11, MOD marks the first MOD property, a noteworthy milestone in Sonesta’s soft-brand journey. Owners Nick and Shona Karas chose Calgary for its entrance into Canada because they were eager for a soft-brand opportunity as they de-flagged from Wyndham. The property’s proximity to the Calgary airport made it highly desirable for its visibility in the local market.
The property boasts large, well-designed rooms and an array of amenities, including a 24/7 indoor pool with hot tub, onsite fitness centre, free airport shuttle and three meeting spaces totalling 3,700 sq. ft. Freeport Food & Drink, the hotel’s onsite restaurant and lounge, offers breakfast and dinner daily. “We’re excited to unveil the inaugural property of MOD, Sonesta’s newest soft brand, in Calgary,” says Shona Karas. “The hotel’s generous space and convenient location deliver an unparalleled guest experience, catering to both business and leisure travellers exploring Western Canada.”
Entrepreneurs and investors interested in joining Sonesta can explore franchise details, which include an application fee of $75,000 or $500 per room; a royalty fee that amounts to five per cent of Gross Room Revenue (GRR); a marketing fee set at 2.5 per cent of GRR; and loyalty fees which are 4.5 per cent of Qualified Room Revenue.
These fees contribute to the comprehensive support provided by Sonesta, ensuring that franchisees leverage the strength of the brand, its proven business model and continuous innovation in the dynamic hospitality industry. “The opportunity to explore MOD as a brand with softer brand standards, but the full support of Sonesta’s distribution behind it is just what we were looking for when we wanted to re-flag our hotel,” says Nick Karas. “The chance to be the first makes it even more exciting for our team and our guests.”
