The new rooftop apiary atop the Fairmont Royal York Hotel is causing quite the buzz among Toronto media. Here is some of the coverage it’s received so far:
Hotel Chatter – Fairmont Hotel has 40,000 bees, like, on purpose
Reuters – Toronto hotel boats own honey from rooftop hives
The Globe & Mail – Queen bees check in for a suite deal
The National Post – Royal York’s beehives with a view
Toronto Star – Royal York rooftop garden a hive for bees
Treehugger – Newest green roof accessory: bees
Three Queens and their accompanying entourage of over 10,000 bees are now in residence atop the roof of Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York. The Queens checked into their 14th story triple hive apiary on June 4th. To mark the royal visit and celebrate their arrival the hotel will offer a “B&B & BEE” overnight city getaway package available from July 5 through to September 1, 2008.
The Fairmont Royal York’s Executive Chef, David Garcelon views the three new hives as a natural extension of the decade old and flourishing rooftop herb garden. The rooftop apiary was established in partnership with the Toronto Beekeepers’ Cooperative and FoodShare. Both initiatives will deliver fresh local product in a sustainable way to hotel guests. For Chef Garcelon, “…you can’t find a supplier much closer than your own roof. He anticipates that “…our bee colonies will deliver some irresistible honey for our guests and at the same time assist with promoting our ecological commitment to bee culture.”
The Fairmont Royal York’s urban beekeeping initiative may also nurture the spread of pollinating bees to the neighbouring Toronto Islands, Don Valley watershed and city parks. Cathy Kozma, of the Toronto Beekeepers Cooperative, confirms that “Their very existence is sure to improve the city’s biodiversity and contribute to the pollination of thousands of plants. The more bees forage the more pollination occurs, improving the whole downtown ecosystem, all the while strengthening the rooftop garden by encouraging more flowers, healthier plants and bigger fruit.”
This summer the “B&B & BEE” overnight city getaway package at The Fairmont Royal York will take care of the Bed, the Breakfast and the Bees. The package includes:
* One night accommodation in a Fairmont Room
* Full Breakfast for two in EPIC or York’s Kitchen
* Valet parking for one vehicle
* A souvenir bee embossed soap
* A one dollar donation the Toronto Beekeepers Cooperative
The B&B & BEE package starts at $224 CAD per night, plus taxes and is based on double occupancy. It is available from July 5 through to September 1, 2008. Package reservations may be by booking online or by calling 1-800-441-1414 and referencing bee code: 1U8BEE.
The Fairmont buzz will spread from coast to coast as several more Queen Bees move into residence at two more of Fairmont’s luxury hotels: The Fairmont Algonquin in St. Andrews, New Brunswick and The Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, B.C.
