The newly branded Inn on Prince Hotel and Conference Centre delivers the ultimate guest experience and is the perfect choice for the leisure or business traveler. Whether you’re looking for an East Coast getaway with the family or meeting with colleagues, Inn on Prince has all you need for a comfortable stay situated in the hub of Nova Scotia where all the major highways meet.
Spotlight on Business’s Management Team recently stayed at the newly branded Inn and were so impressed with the changes being made to the charming hotel and conference centre that they knew that they had to sit down with Heidi Sponagle, Director of Sales and Celeste Baxter, General Manager to find out more about the transformation and inspiration behind the new brand.
~
In speaking with Sponagle and Baxter, it quickly becomes clear that the two women are passionate about the Inn’s
conversion, which is sure to impress local guests and tourists alike with a truly innovative hospitality experience. While the Inn’s grand opening has unfortunately been postponed due to the ongoing pandemic, the hotel continues to operate and serve its guests, adhering to strict COVID-19 safety protocols and precautions.
The Inn has had the same ownership for the past 12 years, although prior to the rebrand, they were owned as a franchise. They have now branched out and are independent of a franchised chain. This is not the first time this ownership group has taken this leap. Of the ten properties that they own, this will be the third time they have independently rebranded. The two properties that they have already converted are located in Vancouver and Montreal, and both have been true success stories. The Truro property is expected to enjoy the same accolades.
“The best part of becoming a non-franchised property is the ability to have creative flexibility,” Sponagle enthusiastically shares. “We are able to offer a more personal, customized, guest focused experience than what a branded hotel can offer.” Baxter adds that, “All of the traditional amenities remain available; however, we are now able to expand upon our offering with a creative twist.”
One of the first changes they made was introducing a new name and logo for the hotel. “We were looking for a name that would be easily searchable and simple and that guests could easily identify,” Sponagle tells us. They chose to go with Inn on Prince Hotel & Conference Centre Truro as the full name, but on the logo “Inn on Prince” stands alone as a succinct and catchy branding of the Inn. If you see the logo in print or on the website, note the inclined C in PRINCE. This choice was intentional, as it symbolizes that the destination is both a hotel and a conference centre.
Visit the Inn and you will find that the staff are friendly, approachable and always smiling. They are committed to
doing what is best for their guests. “If there is ever any issue with a guest experience, we coach our employees to find out how the guest would like to see the issue resolved so that every customer walks away happy,” stated Baxter.
Currently employing 45 full-time and 25 part-time employees, the Inn is fortunate to have almost everyone back to work in some capacity after the COVID-19 lockdown in Nova Scotia. Employees will tell you that there is never a dull moment and that working at the Inn on Prince is fun and ever-changing.
Amenities at the Inn include guest rooms with mini refrigerators, microwaves, HD flat-screen TVs with 70 channels, coffee makers, free Wi-Fi and local calls. Guests enjoy comfortable, spacious accommodations that are perfect for families, groups and business travelers. After a long day, the indoor pool is a popular spot to relax and unwind. If travelers are looking to be active, they can visit the fitness centre, jog on the nearby trail or visit Truro’s renowned Victoria Park. Additional perks include free on-site parking, complimentary breakfast and morning newspaper, which is available every day at the front desk.
In addition to the Inn’s 114 well-appointed and spacious guest rooms, it also boasts a lounge, a restaurant with 
seasonal patio and a large conference centre offering 12,000 square feet of meeting space.
The Inn makes a perfect spot to host a wedding, and offers its own on-site wedding coordinator, catering and a beautiful ballroom including linens and of course a dance floor. Pre-COVID, the largest event space could accommodate 300 people, these days the hotel can still easily host up to 150 people for meetings and events ensuring physical distancing measures are in place. Baxter points out, “We are still open for business and have done our homework to accommodate larger groups safely and comfortably.”
Truro’s location makes the town a great offering for meetings outside the city. Situated where all the major highways of Nova Scotia meet, it is only an hour’s drive from Halifax. Thirty minutes from the airport, the Inn is also a good choice for national conferences hosted on the East Coast. The Inn is conveniently located in close walking proximity to a grocery store, liquor store and many restaurants and quaint shops in the downtown area.
There are countless hidden gems to explore in all four of Nova Scotia’s beautiful seasons within minutes of this
hub town of Truro. Tourists can take a hike in beautiful Victoria Park, which is a 130 year old, 3,000 acre treasure in the heart of the town offering incredible natural features, including a dramatic steep-sided gorge, a winding river, cascading waterfalls and a stately old-growth Eastern Hemlock forest. If travelers are looking to get your steps in, they can challenge themselves with a 175-step climb to the top of Jacob’s Ladder which is also located in the park. Truro offers travelers a charming Farmers’ Market each Saturday morning which offers many products from the local area. We also recommend travelers check out the Tidal Bore, which occurs on the Salmon River near Truro twice daily at predicted times offering a natural demonstration of the extremity of 
Fundy’s renowned tides. For music lovers, Truro is home to both Rock the Hub and Country Rocks the Hub, which are two of the largest music festivals in Nova Scotia with both of these events taking place at the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition grounds just outside of Truro in Bible Hill. Those travelers looking for some excitement need look no further than Truro Raceway, one of the oldest racetracks in Canada. This half-mile track features live Harness Racing April through December. If travelers are looking for more adventure, they can ride the rapids on one of the many river rafting tours on the Bay of Fundy or hit the slopes to go skiing at nearby Ski Wentworth. As you can see, this hub town truly offers something for everyone in every season.
You do not need to be a traveler to enjoy all that Inn on Prince offers as residents of Truro and surrounding areas are also welcome to visit and enjoy the amenities at the Inn. Fitness memberships, which offers use of the Inn’s pool and fitness centre including change rooms, family viewing and a wide range of fitness equipment, are available for purchase.
Travelers and local residents alike make their way to the Inn’s popular restaurant, Bistro on Prince. Customers have raved about the Bistro on Prince and its’ crowd-pleasing favourites like steak, pasta, fresh salads and ever popular craft beers. Sponagle has heard many people remark that “The Bistro on Prince has the best patio in town.”
For those who are a little bit nervous about staying at a hotel during these uncertain times, worry no more. The Inn
has made every effort to ensure that the health and safety of their guests is the top priority. “We are committed to practicing physical distancing measures and sanitizing with hospital grade disinfectant and have gone above and beyond the current precautionary COVID-19 guidelines,” says Baxter. Guests can feel comfortable knowing that all surfaces are continuously sanitized and guest rooms are thoroughly cleaned. Plexiglass guards have been installed at the Front Desk and hand sanitizing stations are placed throughout the hotel. The pool is now open, but guests must choose a time slot in advance to ensure numbers don’t exceed government regulations and there is extensive cleaning between each guest reservation.
Despite challenging times in the hospitality industry, Inn on Prince is forging full steam ahead and Baxter and Sponagle tease us about what to expect next. “We can’t reveal just yet, but we promise you will continue to experience superior customer service and an ongoing commitment to exceeding expectations – there are many exciting things to come!”
To book your next stay, meeting or event, you can book online at innonprince.com or call 902-895-1651.
by Christi Rideout