Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets

This blog has moved

2010-04-21T07:23:00.001-07:00

This blog is now located at http://blog.douglasfir.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://blog.douglasfir.com/feeds/posts/default.

Front Desk Funnies

2010-04-20T13:16:00.000-07:00

Every Tuesday we are going to try to bring to you our best (and hopefully most humorous) stories from the front desk.

Here at Douglas Fir Resort we just love the front desk comments that they receive from some of our guests and wanted to share them with you.

The Top Three For April 20th -April26th

3. How do you turn the fire on?

2. You mean you have no rooms? Not even in the specialty suites? What about the chalets? Nothing? Ok, I'll call back later...

**1. Man inquiring about the tunnel in Tunnel Mountain. I drove up and down the mountain looking for the tunnel in Tunnel Mountain but we couldn't find it.**

Tunnel mountain got it's name from a surveyor Major A.B. Rogers, when he suggseted to CPR that the easiest path for the railway to take would be the construction of a 275 m (902 ft) tunnel through the tiny mountain. An alternative route north of the mountain was found, which incidentally shortened the railway by a mile, and avoided two long hills, saving the CPR millions of dollars. Surveyor Charles Shaw described the idea as the most extraordinary blunder I have ever known in the way of engineering. The idea of a tunnel was scrapped altogether, but the mountain is still called Tunnel Mountain to this day. The Stoney people had long called the mountain "Sleeping Buffalo", as it resembles a sleeping buffalo when viewed from the north and east.

Staying Overnight At Douglas Fir Resort

2010-04-15T15:56:00.000-07:00

Last night I stayed at Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets with my two little nieces. We booked into a one bedroom loft suite which was comfortable and spacious.

We arrived at 5:00pm and went straight to our suite for some dinner. We had yummy Thai takeaway from Pad Thai a local restaurant in Banff. We just put the leftovers in the fridge as all rooms have a full kitchen. After dinner we plugged our Nintendo Wii into the “Plug and Play Panel” and had a go at tennis and bowling. There’s more than enough space in the room to do all the Wii sports.

At 7:00pm we went to the water slides. The blue slide was really good for my four year old niece as it wasn’t too fast for her first time going down by herself. My five year old niece loved the white slide which was really fast around the second last corner and huge splashes coming out the end. Time went by really fast between soaking in the hut tub, flying down the water slides and enjoying the sauna.

At around 9:30pm we left the waterslides and went back to our suite. We had a snack watched a few minutes of t.v. on the new 42" HDTV flatscreen and then it was off to bed.

The next morning we woke up cooked our breakfast that was already in the fridge for us. This package includes: Bacon, eggs, toast, butter, milk, cereal, orange juice and of course coffee and crème.

Then we left for the “Play Zone” which is a giant indoor children’s playground. The kids love this place and it’s so clean you can smell that the housekeeping staff has come in just before our arrival.

By 10:00am the kids were ready to go back to the suite and pack up just in time for check out.

Overall the children loved the resort and I believe it is far better option than going to a regular hotel with only a few amenities. I really like the fact that Douglas Fir Resort includes all the amenities in the price. I can really understand why Douglas Fir Resort receives so many repeat families coming back for more!

What to bring with you for your stay in Banff?

2010-04-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

It's difficult to know what to bring with you when traveling to Banff. One reason for this is that most people coming to stay at Douglas Fir Resort don't realize that we now have:

* NEW HDTV Flat Screen T.Vs

* Plug n Play panels

* DVD player in the living rooms.

We make it easy for families to bring all of their electronic gaming systems with them including:

XBOX

WII

PLAYSTATION

There is an easy plug and play panel in all of our rooms for guests to use free of charge (dont forget to bring your connector cables).

Happy gaming!

Water Slides!

2010-04-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

Picture of the Blue water slide

Douglas Fir Resort Water Slides is an exciting aqua park that is complimentary for all guests staying here. Featuring over 100,000 litres of water, this area of our hotel offers two water slides and kiddy pool, hot tub, steam room and a unique games room. Families love it here.

Today I met with the water park staff to learn about what they do on a daily basis at Douglas Fir Resort. First we folded the complimentary towels and prepared for the guests. Then I learned how to keep logs and maintain records of all the guests that enter the water slides. It was a busy day here because our hotel was fully booked and everyone wanted to go sliding. We went down to the supply area so that we could refill all shampoo and conditioner bottles and check to make sure the pool area had stocked up on towels. By this time many guests were already enjoying the slides so I met up with staff to supervise the children and make sure they were safe. Everybody looked like they were having fun.

There was one moment that was quite funny. A mother was at the bottom of the blue slide ready and waiting to catch her child as she came down the slide when in fact it wasn't her child! There was actually a man coming down the slide who was very surprised to see that a women was there to catch him! Priceless.

Thanks to the pool staff for letting me join them on a evening of water fun. I had a good time and so did the guests.

Have fun Slidin!

A few tips from the water slides:

Life jackets are provided free of charge.
The white slide is the fastest!
All ages can enjoy the slides
Lockers are $0.25

Games Area

Douglas Fir Resorts Link to Customer Satisfaction

2010-04-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

Today I headed upstairs for my front desk duties and met with the Reservations Supervisor. We started the day off with an overall review of front desk procedures and operations. I was able to stand back and observe the smooth flow of all the front desk staff and see exactly how our clients interact with the staff from check in to check out. I noticed a few key qualities that all the front desk staff exhibit naturally towards the guests. The qualities included:

Cheerful outlook
Spirited optimism
Great listeners
Staff always holding a friendly smile

Considering these economic times for most hotels this type of person is hard to come by. I find it really nice to come into a hotel that already has these unique qualities in the guest services staff.
I believe that some of the most effective hotel strategies are those that simultaneously satisfy guests, improve operational efficiencies and generate additional revenue. That is what Douglas Fir Resort has really linked to right here at the front desk.
One member of the front desk showed me how she implemented her very own review guide for celiac and vegetarians in Banff. She has created a list of restaurants that people with food concerns can obtain from the front desk, as well as a monthly review of what events are going on here in Banff. I thought this was a fabulous idea being a celiac myself. I know just how hard it is to come by gluten free restaurants on my own. I could tell that the communications in the hotel have worked effectively and that the front desk has had an input of their very own. The guests are happy with additional touches such as reviews, and suggestions. Many of the guests commented on returning again as well as mentioning about our hotel to their friends.

Tomorrow I will be at the WATER SLIDES!

Anastasia

Knock Knock Housekeeping! (First Day Part 2)

2010-04-07T13:57:00.001-07:00

The housekeeping manager has a spunky, outgoing personality! She really needs to have one when you have 30 staff to keep track of throughout the day. The manager knows her staff really well and tries her best to keep everyone happy. For example, she tells me that her staff comes from approximately seven different countries and they speak five different languages. Whenever she writes up their room lists for the day she always writes a Thank-you in the housekeepers language. I thought that was a really nice gesture. She knows everyone in the hotel well and can say something positive and upbeat about them all.

We left her office and then went upstairs to show me how to do a final inspection of the rooms. We inspected every inch of the room to make certain that it was clean. She tells me about the housekeeping award the hotel received from Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association. The rooms are spotless. We visited one of our new Family suites that have two Double and four Queen Beds in three separate bedrooms. We inspected the suite to make certain the housekeepers had not missed anything and checked the kitchen to make sure all the utensils were counted for. The dinning table was massive and the view spectacular. I am certain anyone staying in this room would be pleased. In the bathroom the housekeeping manager tells me about the make-up remover wipes and environmentally friendly soaps she has implemented into the resort. They’re a real hit with the guests she tells me. We then reviewed two more room types and then it was time to go back downstairs.

Next we walked briskly to the Playzone because we will need to try it out and see that it is up to her cleaning standards. I was really surprised about how big the structure is with three slides inside and a tree trunk to climb three storeys high. We looked to see if we could find any dust but it was already so clean. I was out of breath by the time we came out.

By this time it was almost the end of my day. I did some reviews of the website and reviews of the rooms and then I was off to go home.

My first impression was that this resort is incredibly clean. I can see why it is such a wonderful place for families to visit.

See you tomorrow!

Anastasia

Day One at Douglas Fir Resort

2010-04-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day here at Douglas Fir Resort. I was excited with anticipation about what I would be learning. I met with the Accounting Manager this morning. She started out by giving me an overall review of the resort, rooms and chalets. We talked about the 16 different room types available and then we quickly stepped outside for a tour of the resort. She explained to me about what each room type looked like from the outside and showed me all the unique amenities the resort has to offer. My favorite included the Waterslides, Playzone, and the Tennis Court because I am an active person that likes to have fun. I also thought the free wireless internet in all rooms was a great gesture because I hate to pay for internet when I stay away from home.
Along the way we made sure to say hello to any guests passing by as well as introducing me to all the many smiling staff out and about working around the resort. I was then introduced to the Housekeeping Manager. I would be spending the rest of my morning and into the afternoon getting a close look at her busy job. I can not wait to tell you about it tomorrow!

A New Addition to the Team!

2010-04-05T12:40:00.000-07:00

Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets Sales Coordinator

We are excited to be expanding our marketing team with the addition of our Sales Coordinator here at Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets. Anastasia has joined our marketing department as the new media, and online reporting specialist. Her new and exciting role will include updating Douglas Fir Resort on Twitter, Facebook and Travel forums. Anastasia brings marketing expertise to the team, including direct experience in the areas of social media, and online content management. This week Anastasia will be blogging about the daily running of all departments at the Douglas Fir Resort. She will be getting an inside personal look at the daily routines at the resort including Accounting, Housekeeping, Laundry, Front Desk and receiving a full tour of all the suites available here at the resort. Anastasia is looking forward to having you join her as she learns why Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets is Banff’s finest family accommodation.

We welcome her aboard and look forward to working with her to improve our online communications to keep our guests and future guests informed on our resort and Banff events.

To follow her on Twitter please click here:

To become a Fan on Facebook please click here:

ABOUT ANASTASIA

From: Born and Raised in the Bow Valley

Favorite Food: Popcorn

Favorite Mountain: Heart Mountain......Because its easy to hike

Activity: Water Sliding!

Super hero: Easter Bunny

Favorite Place to eat: Saltlik

Favorite Festival: Banff Film Festival

Family friendly upgrades solidify our position as Banffs finest family accommodation

2010-02-16T10:49:00.000-08:00

Ongoing electronic upgrades at Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets have gone above and beyond flat screen TVs. The hotels latest improvement project includes new, large HDTV flat screens, DVD players and Plug and Play panels in every living room. Our new Plug and Play panels make it easy for families to bring and connect their gaming consoles to the HDTV.

This in room feature allows every member of the family to enjoy their holiday, their way. Imagine relaxing at the dining room table while the children happily play their favorite game. These new Plug and Play panels allow guests to easily connect their favorite gaming systems (wii, Xbox, playstation etc.) or even use the HDTV as a computer monitor while enjoying complimentary Wi-Fi internet access.

With innovative thinking like this, it is no surprise that the Douglas Fir Resort was the only Banff hotel to be recognized in the 2010 Calgary Child Magazine Parents Choice Awards for Best Hotel/Motel. Keeping up with the Jones is no longer adequate. We are going the extra mile to provide what our guests want, and that is quality time together says General Manager, Andre Fabbri.

The Three Bedroom Family suites, Chalets and Specialty Suites are already 100% completed, with the entirety of the hotel expected to be complete by spring 2010.

Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets Live Twitter Feed

2010-02-02T13:57:00.000-08:00

Follow Douglas Fir Resort on Twitter

Banff wins!

2010-01-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

Banff was lucky enough to play host to the Travelocity Roaming Gnome in January. Travelocity ran a Cure Cabin Fever contest on their social media sites and Banff won a visit from the famous Roaming Gnome. Luckily, he had time to visit the Douglas Fir Resort Waterslides.
Here is a video of him having a splashing good time on our slides!
If you want to join in the fun, book a family getaway at www.douglasfir.com

Ready, Set, Vote Polls Now Open to Vote Banff as Canadas Top Ski Destination

2010-01-12T11:47:00.000-08:00

Polls Now Open to Vote Banff as Canadas Top Ski Destination

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (January 12, 2010) – Voting is now open in Travelocitys Cabin Fever: Finding the Cure campaign which will reveal Canadas favourite ski destination and the location of the Travelocity Roaming Gnomes next ski holiday. The two Canadian competitors vying for the title are Banff and Whistler.

Voting begins January 12 and ends January 20 at noon EST. Once the winning destination is announced not only will there be huge bragging rights but the ski resort will immediately be visited by the Travelocity Roaming Gnome and his entourage who will enjoy all that the area has to offer including skiing, skating, dog sledding, snow tubing and of course apres ski.

The Travelocity Roaming Gnome is relying on Facebook fans to vote on whether Banff or Whistler is the best ski resort where he can cure his cabin fever.

Banff Lake Louise Tourism is calling on all Albertans to visit the following link to cast their vote for Banff and yes, you can vote more than once.

http://tvly.com/cabinfever

So why vote for Banff instead of Whistler as Canadas top ski destination?

1. Banff is Canadas first National Park

2. Banff has three ski resorts-Mt. Norquay, The Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village (Whistler has two) and our 8,000 acres of terrain are in Canadas Protected Playground

3. Our mountains have castles

4. Our authentic mountain holidays date back more than 100 years and always a ski trendsetter Mt. Norquay installed Canadas first chairlift in 1948

5. You can ski without a snorkel and water wings

6. Winter Olympics? That was so 1988

7. In Banff there is no danger of a bar brawl with Olympic Mascots

8. Have you seen the TV show Peak Season??

9. No need to use an umbrella on the way to the chairlifts

10. Our lifties use brooms and shovels, not squeegees

Banff Lake Louise Tourism is a destination marketing organization for the Town of Banff, Community of Lake Louise and Banff National Park. Supporting over 800 businesses, our mission is to engage visitors in unrivalled, remarkable experiences with our membership. For travel media inquiries, please contact Tulene Steiestol at tulene@banfflakelouise.com, www.banfflakelouise.com.

Our brand new 3 bedroom 4 bathroom Family Suites have opened!

2009-12-23T16:10:00.000-08:00

Take a tour!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWPWj7dtIWA

Early Bird Pricing on Ski Packages Extended Until December 15th!

2009-11-27T08:35:00.000-08:00

We understand how busy the holiday season is. With Christmas shopping, friends and family visiting, making plans for the holidays and getting the kids ready for winter break - it's no wonder we find so little time for ourselves! This is why the Douglas Fir Resort has decided to give you a little more time to take advantage of our Early Bird Pricing on our Winter Packages.

Book by December 15th and receive Early Bird pricing on all of our Winter Packages including:

Banff's Winter Wonderland
2 Day Family Ski Getaway
3 Day Ultimate Ski Getaway
Ski and Stay (choose your own length)

See you on the slopes!

Celebrities coming to Banff!

2009-11-20T08:31:00.000-08:00

The dates for the Star-Studded event in Banff have been set! Hollywood's top stars will gather January 14-17, 2010 to protect North American waterways while skiing the spectacular Canadian Rocky Mountains at Sunshine Village Ski resort.

In support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Waterkeeper Alliance, the event will be co-hosted by award winning actors Alec Baldwin, Marcia Gay Harden.

The names of other participants will be announced as the event draws closer, however, in past years, this event has drawn such Hollywood A-list stars as Glenn Close, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Meg Ryan, Dan Aykroyd, Jason Priestley and Martin Sheen.

You can purchase tickets to the Gala evening event being held at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for $500 CAD per person, or you can ski among the stars at Sunshine Village with the purchase of a Ski Package during this start studded weekend.

More Room to Mingle

2009-10-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

Groups of ten can now stay together!

The wait is over! Large families, extended families, multiple families and friends traveling together can now book one large hotel suite that can comfortably accommodate up to ten people. Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets is currently building several three bedroom, four bathroom large Family Suites that will be ready for check-in December 19, 2009. Every nook and cranny of these two level, 1350 square foot suites has been laid out with the needs of a large group in mind.

No more sharing! Every bedroom has two beds, a 37” flat screen cable TV with DVD player and private en-suite bathroom with shower, sink and toilet. Each room has its own individually controlled electric heating system. The four piece bathroom in the common area is ideal for bathing the youngest children or having a quiet soak.

There is no lack of space or seating! A full size kitchen, complete with all of the modern necessities of home is located on the main level right next to the open dining room. Of course there is enough seating for ten people around the large dining room table. The spacious living room area on the main level includes an electric fireplace (the latest in green technology with separate heat controls), a 42” flat screen cable TV with DVD player and enough seating for ten people. Enjoy breathtaking views from the private, double balcony from the living room or dining room.

Worried about parking and the additional costs? Included are two heated, underground parking stalls free of charge, complimentary wireless internet, free local phone calls and complimentary, unlimited access to the Town of Banff shuttle bus system. Best of all, the price is based on six adults and children 14 years and under stay free!

View our October newsletter

2009-10-07T08:02:00.000-07:00

Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets : Campaign Archive

If you enjoy the newsletter & would like to stay up to date on specials at the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets you can JOIN OUR MAILING LIST!

Join our e-newsletter

2009-09-15T12:31:00.000-07:00

September 10, 2009 Newsletter

http://app.e2ma.net/campaign/27106.067191037195614423cac2c489f0da40Be the first to find out about specials and packages at the Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets. Sign up for our e-newsletter.

Banff Crasher Squirrel's favorite package

2009-09-09T09:33:00.000-07:00

Get it before it's gone. Families are nutty for the Douglas Fir Resort. Crasher Squirrel can relate to having squirrelly kids that go nuts over their waterslide and play zone. Parents will enjoy the groceries provided to make one breakfast and a barbeque dinner for the Stay, Play and Cook Your Own Way package.

The latest news from Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets

2009-08-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

View our August newsletter

Banff's Newest Ambassador

2009-08-14T09:10:00.000-07:00

Become a fan Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets on Facebook

2009-07-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets on Facebook

Stay Play and Cook your own way

2009-06-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets has introduced another great package to their family of Cook your own packages. The Stay, Play and Cook your your own way package includes two nights accommodation, a Cook your own breakfast kit and a BBQ your own dinner kit. All groceries are delivered to your room fridge prior to your arrival.

Treat the family to a two day Banff getaway the way you like it. Wake up to stunning scenery and enjoy breakfast just the way you like it in your condo’s well stocked kitchen. After a big day exploring (or golfing) in the Rockies, relax in the great outdoors with a family BBQ dinner. The BBQ your own dinner kit includes enough steak, salad and more for the whole family. Douglas Fir Resort provides you with everything you need to BBQ your dinner the way you like it at our shared, outdoor BBQ stations. We've even added a new BBQ!

Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets June Newsletter

2009-06-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

View our newsletter.

Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets : Campaign Archive

If you enjoy the newsletter & would like to stay up to date on specials at the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets you can JOIN OUR MAILING LIST!