About Us
Clique Hotels & Resorts formally operated under the name Summit Resort Management Inc.
Our History
Summit Resort Management Inc. was founded in 1997 by Jim Muir. While his goal was to operate a portfolio of mountain resorts in Western Canada, Jim began by providing consulting services to resort and hotel developments throughout Alberta and British Columbia. These services included market studies, feasibility studies, and hotel planning and design consultation.
Summit has opened and operated a number of hotels and resorts in Western Canada.
Of note, Summit provided the conceptual planning and opened the Advantage West Inns & Suites in Fort McMurray. After the opening in 2004; the Advantage very quickly became the leaders in market share and customer service in the Fort McMurray market.
In 2008 the Advantage West Inns & Suites was sold and to this date, the selling price per key remains the highest amount paid for a limited service hotel in Canada.
Summit also developed the 223-room Acclaim Hotel at Calgary Airport in 2009, along with the Pacini Restaurant. The Acclaim Hotel quickly became Number 1 on TripAdvisor and outperformed other North East Calgary Hotels.
Summit operates the Falcon Crest Lodge, and Blackstone Mountain Lodge in Canmore. These properties have all enjoyed number one rankings on TripAdvisor and continue to be the best performing Condo Hotels in the Canmore market. Clique Hotels and Resorts became the new management company for Blackcomb Springs Suites in Whistler, British Columbia in December 2019.
In 2010 Summit created a new brand "CLIQUE Hotels & Resorts" to facilitate and pursue new strategies in their operation and marketing of their portfolio of hotels and resorts. As Summit Resort Management operates a small exclusive group of properties, the introduction of the CLIQUE brand has already been recognized as a high-quality and innovative brand in the accommodations industry.
Our sales and marketing efforts begin with an analysis of the competition and the market. With this knowledge, we determine the exact positioning of the property and introduce necessary amenities and quality standards with appropriate rates.
Summit has been successful in establishing business with F.I.T. and Wholesale segments and through various web based and G.D.S. portals.
Because of our relationships, we are able to have major wholesalers commit before the property is even built. Due to the seasonality of Canmore occupancies, on-site management is utilized for sales activities with strong support from the Clique offices. This allows the manager to focus on operations during the busy summer and holiday seasons and provide well planned and executed sales efforts during the shoulder and off-season which also coincide with travel trade market places. This strategy assures much greater efficiency in the overall operation.
The typical expectation of a hotel condominium owner is that after considering rental revenue and tax benefits, his condominium ownership will cost him nothing – at least a few years down the road, if not the first year or two. They can enjoy their condo when they have the time to do so, watch its value increase, and it might even provide a profit. Obviously, it is our goal to meet the owners' expectations.
The other factor, that is often overlooked by management companies is – owner pride. This comes in two parts. First, is that they have made a good investment decision. Summit will provide the highest possible returns both from a cash flow perspective, and increase the resale value of units. The second part is the luxury, quality, and service, at the owner's facility. Summit strives to provide its owners with a comfortable and enjoyable stay when they use their units for their personal use.
Even with full operational control, life is too short to run a property populated by unhappy owners. We will require the support and cooperation of the unit owners. Communication and understanding will be the key to manifesting this support. Summit Resort Management will install the notion in all property staff that owners are VIPs. We will actively participate in all Condominium Owner Association meetings. Along with a monthly owner's statement and cheque, Summit will send a monthly newsletter outlining our sales efforts, improvements at the property, new staff, etc.
These are the single most important documents a condominium hotel manager will encounter. If they are properly drawn, he will sleep soundly at night and experience pleasant working days. If poorly drawn, he will live a bad dream around the clock. Summit would insist that we would influence our expertise in drafting these documents.
There are two basic types of contracts, called gross – fee and net – fee. A gross fee is one under which management receives a large share of the rental income – generally 40 to 60 percent or more – and from which it pays the necessary operating expenses of the rental of the units. The gross fee contract is most common in British Columbia. The net fee contract is one under which management receives a smaller share of rental income – from which it pays no operating expenses. This can be a small percentage of gross income or a larger percentage of profits, or a combination of both. When management remuneration is based on the owner's profit, the management will likely have a greater motivation to maximize profits for the owners. It is our experience that with net fee contract we encountered fewer problems if any.
Pooling formulas are many and varied. Some use a percentage system by which each unit is assigned a percentage, and all unit percentages total 100. Other pooling arrangements set up separate pools for each type of rental unit. Most pooling arrangements, regardless of their mechanics, recognize owner occupancy as reducing income. Summit’s preferred property management system can provide distribution for virtually any pooling formula that would be created.
Meet Our Team
Jim Muir, CHA
President - Summit Resort Management Inc.
Jim Muir is a committed hotel professional with over 35 years of experience in the business. Jim was born in Scotland and grew up in Kitchener, Ontario. After graduating from Fanshawe College, with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering Management, Jim worked with Holiday Inns for a period of 12 years in various management capacities at properties located from coast to coast across Canada. Jim has resided in Canmore for fifteen years while he was Manager of The Timberline Lodge in Banff before assuming the position as General Manager at the Chateau Canmore Resort. Accredited by the American Hotel Motel Association as a Certified Hotel Administrator, Jim is results oriented with a proven track record. Jim was recognized as a leader in the Canadian Hotel Industry when the Chateau Canmore Resort was awarded “1996 Hotel of the Year” by Choice Hotels Canada. During the summer of 1997 Jim studied Hotel Real Estate, Development, and Hotel Investment, as well as Hotel Planning and Design at Cornell University in New York. Most recently, Jim studied Condominium Management with Canadian Condominium Institute.
Jim went on to start Summit Resort Management for the purpose of providing consulting and management services to Resort and Hotel developments and operations in Western Canada. Jim’s involvement at Advantage West Inns & Suites included the development of a limited service hotel concept utilizing modular construction. The Advantage West Inns & Suites property opened in Fort McMurray in July 2004 and the property enjoyed the highest market-share in Fort McMurray. The property was sold in 2008 providing the investors an unprecedented return on their investment.
While taking an active role in the management of the Rocky Mountain Resort Properties that include the Falcon Crest Lodge, Copperstone Resort and The Stoneridge Mountain Resort, Jim also finds solutions to raise the bar in the hospitality business.
Jim maintained a leadership role in the development of the Acclaim Hotel at Calgary Airport which opened in 2009. This hotel is recognized in the industry as being very innovative already outperforming many of the flagged properties in the area. In 2010 the Pacini Restaurant brand was introduced into the Calgary market at the Acclaim Hotel.
While Jim enjoys the hotel business, he also takes time to pursue other interests which include his family, skiing, mountain biking, sailing, traveling, and following Formula One motor racing. Jim is past chairman and a founding member of the Canmore / Kananaskis Tourism Board and has sat on Canmore Planning Commission and the Development Appeal Board.
Jim maintains an uncompromising belief in guest satisfaction, delivering guest service that goes beyond the guests’ expectations. Jim will continue to be involved with operations in planning, strategy, and assuring the team is focused on the commitment to the property objectives. It is very important that Jim brings value to any project in which he participates, and will continue to strive for high standards in the properties in which Summit will operate, maximizing the full profit potential.
Stewart Winterburn, CHA
Vice-President, Hotels & Development
Stewart Winterburn, a career hospitality professional, brings over 20 years of hotel and management experience to the Summit Hotels & Resorts management team. Stewart joined the SRM team and opened his first hotel as General Manager in 1998. With a proven record of getting the job done during the challenging opening period Stewart has opened three hotels in the Canmore area, one in Fort McMurray and most recently the new Acclaim Hotel Calgary Airport.
In 2000 Stewart received his professional designation as Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA). In 2001 and 2002 Stewart played a lead role in reforming the Canmore Hotel & Lodging Association as President. In other community activities, he sat as member of the Board of Directors for the Canmore Chamber of Commerce, and was actively involved as member of the Canmore Rotary Club.
Committed to being an industry leader Stewart has seen properties he manages achieve top market share and ADR in their market. Recognition has included Good Housekeeping Awards through the Hotel Association of Canada’s Canada Select program. Top rankings on user based review sites such as Tripadvisor, and Expedia reflect his commitment to provide an exceptional guest experience while achieving the organizations financial goals.
Edward Keenan
Vice President, Resort Operations
Edward joined the Summit Hotel & Resort Management team in 2005 as the General manager at the Advantage West Inns & Suites in Fort McMurray. Bringing over 18 years of experience in the hotel, restaurant and resort business, Edward is committed to ensuring the highest levels of owner, staff and guest satisfaction. Prior to his appointment as General Manager of the Stoneridge Mountain Resort, Edward has been the General Manager of the Advantage West Inns & Suites in Fort McMurray, Falcon Crest Lodge and the Copperstone Resort in Canmore. Prior to joining the Summit team, Edward worked as the Operations Manager at the Quality Inn University in Calgary for 8 years and before that at the Quality Resort Chateau Canmore, where he first met Jim and Stewart. Recently, Edward studied at Cornell University in New York, successfully completing the General Manager’s program further supporting his studies at the DeVry Institute of Technology, and the University of Alberta. Edward is currently the Vice-President of the Canmore Hotel & Lodging Association and in his spare time enjoys golfing, alpine skiing, mountain biking and spending time with his family.
In his capacity as General Manager at various hotels and resorts, Edward was instrumental in exceeding all expectations, exceeding bottom line profit projections. Edward has led his team to only deliver the highest standard of service while assuring bottom line profits continue to grow. The Stoneridge Mountain Resort maintains a top position on TripAdvisor.
Jenn Cavanagh
Human Resources Manager, Clique Hotels & Resorts Mountain
Jenn Cavanagh - Human Resources Manager, Clique Hotels & Resorts Mountain
Jenn recently joined Clique Hotels & Resorts as Human Resources Manager in July of 2014. Jenn is a Hospitality professional with over 22 years of experience in the Hospitality field.
Jenn began her career when she was 18 making beds and cooking for small town businesses. In 1993 she ventured off to College in Brockville Ontario where she attended St Lawrence College to specialize in Hotel and Restaurant Management. During her tenure at St Lawrence she went out to Banff for a summer as a coop placement where she worked for the Banff Springs Hotel in Housekeeping. After returning from Banff and completing her studies Jenn graduated and headed back out west to begin her career for the Banff Springs Hotel where she worked 9 years as a Leader in the Housekeeping Department.
In May of 2004 Jenn moved over to The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise as their Recruitment Manager where she was responsible for hiring over 300+ colleagues a year. During her time in recruitment Jenn also conducted several interviews, attended many job fairs and prepared ads for papers. As the recruitment manager Jenn easily developed relationships with the colleagues and leaders of the Hotel and became their resource.
Two years later Jenn was promoted to the Assistant Director of Human Resources where her role encompassed many aspects of HR which included Payroll, Benefits, WCB, Health and Safety, Employment Standards, RTA, Housing and Colleague Relations. As the Assistant Director of Human Resources Jenn became well rounded in all aspects of the HR field and once again became the go to person for the Chateau. Her philosophy of a firm but fair approach enabled her to build strong relationships within the Hotel and community and she was often sought out for advice even from local partners. Jenn secured the Employer of Choice Award for the Chateau for several years as she firmly believed in having solid HR practices and an open door policy for all her colleagues and leaders.
Rose Moser
Bookkeeping Manager, Clique Hotels & Resorts
Rose joined the team in August 2010. Rose completed high school and her apprenticeship as Hotel Manageress in Switzerland, where she grew up. She has worked in various departments in the Hotel and Restaurant industry and has more than 10 years of experience in Office Administration. In addition to making sure that the day to day office duties are being completed, Rose is also the direct contact to the owners of the Hotel rental pool.