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08JUL09

Pan Pacific Unveils Claire Newell Suite

What a girl wants, she gets…that’s if you are Claire Newell, travel consultant extraordinaire who has hit the big time.

Fancy having a suite named after you - all 1,650 sq. ft. of it, at the Pan Pacific Vancouver. This was one of Newell’s goals in life and boy, did she achieve it. On hand at the exclusive viewing of the Claire Newell Pacific Suite, an excited Newell revealed how Pan Pacific earned a special place in her heart when they sheltered her and her infant daughter 10 years ago during a freak snowstorm. Hotel officials were equally thrilled to have this travel expert onboard.

The Claire Newell Pacific Suite and the hotel’s four other luxury suites have recently been refurbished. What was Newell’s input for the suite? “I wanted a place that would cater to me as a business traveller and yet be romantic at the same time, plus I like the minimalist look,” she said. Formerly known as the Pacific Suite, this one-bedroom unit now features a large walk-in closet, dining for six, full kitchen and 180 degree views of the harbour and mountains.

All commissions for the booking of this room (rack rate is $5,700) will go directly to the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Newell has been a supporter of the hospice for some years.

Local Vancouverite Newell has come a long way. After years of operating her own company, Jubilee Tours & Travel, Newell has become travel consultant to Global TV and has been invited to appear on The Today Show, among others. Today, she is the spokesperson for Disney Family Travel and is ironing out the last minute details of a six-part travel series to air on public TV. Who says travel agents can’t can’t be famous?

Despite the celebrity status she has acquired, Newell has no airs, and retains her girl next door friendliness and charm. “We (my husband and I) will be moving in here,” she joked. “Our new address will be Room 2320, 23rd floor of the Pan Pacific Hotel.”

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