our history

President

Gerry Levasseur

Gerry was a pioneer of his times, starting our successful company 50 years ago. This was a dream come true for this very ambitious and young entrepreneur. Gerry lost his father at the age of 17 and was left to support his mother and five sisters. Imagine the story growing up during the depression era with little to nothing, starting our as a car salesman and winding up a successful hotelier with ten hotels. Life was certainly a lot tougher in those days. It took tremendous grit just to survive, let alone prosper and become so successful as an industry leader.

"We are only as good as the people we have working for us"

Gerry is a true champion of supporting local communities, giving both personally and through our family businesses in AB and BC. With an undeniable spirit to help make the world a better place, he is always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.

President

Sunrise International

Sunrise International Inc. is proudly a Canadian company, celebrating 50yrs of success InnHotels.

It all started when Gerry put a partnership group together and built the Jasper Inn & Suites in 1971, which is still our hotel premier property in the Jasper-Banff National Park.

While running several other businesses, Gerry established Sunrise Hotel Group and continued to grow the company. He had a long-proven track record of success in the industry building new hotels and acquiring distressed hotels then turning them around and profiting from a few hotel sales.

Both Lisa and Gerard were heavily involved in all aspects of the business from construction to running of hotels and restaurants with everything in between. Gerry ensured they both learnt from the bottom up, starting them out as children working as construction labourers, restaurant dishwashers and laundry attendants.

That is how we run the organization today, from the bottom up, with appreciation for every person in every position working for the company. The authenticity of who we are is the result of the strong commitment and hard work that Gerry Levasseur has dedicated to build Sunrise International from the ground up 50 years ago.

Brand

INNhotels

Today, we can proudly count on a long-standing history of success in the hospitality industry and the value of our staff. Gerry, now over 90 years old still plays an active part visiting his businesses and mentoring staff.

Since stepping in to help run all the hotels for her father in 2018, Lisa began dropping the franchise flags and establishing the independently run properties as one brand INNhotels representing all ten hotels across AB and BC.

We are Customer-Driven, People-Powered, Community-Engaged and Results-Oriented, with the intention to continue growing Sunrise as a hotel ownership company and INNhotels as a brand.

Our Goal is to make guests feel at home, exceeding expectations with attention to every detail. We invite guests to enjoy the best INNhotels hospitality with services individually tailored to each of our communities.

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1986
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1971

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The Levasseur Community Trust

The creation of this new family Trust will enable our company to carry on Gerry's undeniable spirit to help make the world a better place.

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Invermere Inn & Suites

A family friendly hotel located downtown Invermere that is walking distance to practically everything a visitor might need while visiting the Columbia Valley.

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Copper Point Resort

This grand property offers condo-style suites, two pools and hot tubs, a spa, sports court, on-site restaurant and to top it off, the entire property is surrounded by Copper Point Golf.

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The Suites of Red Deer

At The Suites, their motto is "spend a week, not a fortune". They offer nightly stays but specialize in long term rentals.

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Grande Cache Inn & Suites

This hotel sees everyone from travellers passing through on their way to Alaska, to crews looking for a home away from home and everyone else in between.

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Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn

This property continues to wow guests with its grand lobby and quaint style. Perfectly located in one of the top spots in Alberta, the hotel is ideal for romantic getaways surrounded by breath-taking mountain views.

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Best Western Sunrise Inn & Suites

This property is still a guest favorite in Stony Plain today. Thanks to its renowned waterslide, this hotel also attracts many locals looking for a staycation.

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Canmore Inn & Suites

This family and pet friendly hotel has housed many guests over the past 17 years, from sports teams to weekend adventure enthusiasts.

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Terracana Ranch Resort

Terracana is a 500-acre Rocky Mountain wilderness resort on B.C.’s world famous Fraser River. Minutes from Mount Robson, highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

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Sunrise International Inc.

The company, as we know it today, was officially established on June 16th, 1986. When Gerry is asked why the company is called "Sunrise", he simply replies: "I was sitting in my back yard admiring the sunrise and thought that that is what I should have called my company".

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Stony Plain Inn & Suites

Although the outside has changed throughout the years, the inside still offers great service and The Power Plant Grill, their on-site restaurant is a popular spot for locals.

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The Jasper Inn & Suites

The very first property that Gerry Levasseur, founder of INNHotels, purchased and built.