‘We definitely have a gem here’: Summerside’s first new hotel in 30 years opens its doors

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The city’s first new hotel in 30 years is now open.
Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham began welcoming guests during a soft opening in mid-December, while contractors continued to put the finishing touches on some of its amenities. The remaining work is expected to be completed early in the new year.
The 83-room hotel is located at 511 Notre Dame St. and is attached to the city’s entertainment and sporting hub, Credit Union Place (CUP). CUP was originally designed for the eventual addition of a hotel, so the project represents a long-standing ambition for the city coming to fruition.

Cory Snow, the city’s deputy mayor who also recently started in the position of general manager for the new hotel, said he is excited for the community to get a better look at a project that has been under construction for more than a year.
“It feels really good to finally get it open, start welcoming people into the hotel and receiving feedback,” said Snow. “We’re booking into summer already. We’re seeing good numbers in tourism, we already have some weekends that are sold out during the summer – which is amazing considering we’re just getting into the winter, and we just opened.”
Kaley O’Brien, executive director of the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, said she toured the facility recently and was impressed. She was particularly interested in its five accessible rooms and the inn’s integration with the larger CUP’s amenities.
The new #Summerside Microtel Inn and Suites, which is attached to Credit Union Place, is now open for business. Here is a little look at the inside. I’m told it’s the city’s first new hotel in 30 years. #pei pic.twitter.com/Tmppam7Q8o
— Colin Roger MacLean (@JournalPMacLean) December 28, 2022
Increasing Summerside’s overnight guest capacity is key to attracting bigger concerts and events, she said, adding the opening of the Microtel Inn and Suites represents a significant opportunity for the overall economy of the area.
“The more places to stay that we can offer … the more activity is going to happen here in Summerside and it’s going to benefit all business,” said O’Brien. “In our community, it’s great to see when businesses are complementing each other to create this environment that we all want to be a part of.”

The hotel currently employs 12 people, but Snow expects the complement to go up to between 15 and 20 full- and part-time staff, once operations are in full swing.
Of the 83 rooms that make up the hotel, all are furnished with queen-sized beds, and there is a mix of single and double bedrooms. There are also six business suites that include small kitchenettes.

The business also has an agreement in place with the city that allows hotel guests to use CUP’s pool and gym facilities.
There is a full bar in the lounge area open to the public and room service is available through the CUP’s existing eating establishments.

The business is a great addition to the community, said Snow.
“We definitely have a gem here,” he said. “We’re going to make sure we showcase our city to anybody coming and provide them with a great stay.”
Colin MacLean is a reporter with the SaltWire Network in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached by email at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @JournalPMacLean.