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Dave Kaiser, CEO of Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association told Postmedia’s Jeff Labine last week, “Just in hotels alone, there are 28,000 to 29,000 jobs in Alberta and 90 per cent of those folks will be laid off as we speak, or have been laid off. That’s almost the entire industry.”

The 19-storey Westin first flicked on its cliff-wall emoji Sunday night above the old post office clock tower. “That was our night manager and night engineering team who figured it out,” says D’cunha.

The hotel is currently generally operating in the east wing, so the lights had already been dark. While the Westin had been doing room renovations when the pandemic hit, the heart pixels just happen to be rooms with beds still in them, which seen from buildings higher up makes them look pleasantly lived in, as if people have just stepped out for dinner.

At 10135 100 St., the Westin is currently operating under a skeleton staff. Notes D’cunha, “We are one of the few operational hotels in Edmonton right now. We’re welcoming guests, just following the guidelines.

“The restaurants, in-room dining, banquet rooms, pool and gym are closed. We’re advising our guests to order in through Skip the Dishes and Uber Eats, and then we deliver the food to their rooms.

“But our rooms are open for booking.”

Photo by Fish Griwkowsky / Postmedia

As for the monumental, with-glowing-hearts design, D’cunha says, “It’s just our way of spreading the love in these difficult times.”

fgriwkowsky@postmedia.com

@fisheyefoto

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