The story of the Ambassador Conference Resort is the classically inspirational one of a man with a vision and faith in himself, his family and the future.

The story of the Four Points by Sheraton is the classically inspirational one of a man with a vision and faith in himself, his family and the future.In April, 1954, Joe Melo, a 29-year old Portuguese farmer borrowed enough money to pay his passage to Canada, arriving with only $225 with which to build a new life. While he first settled in Halifax, his move to Kingston launched him on a journey that would take him from the world of construction to his own restaurant and eventually to the development of Kingston's newest hotel, the Four Points by Sheraton.

By the late 1950’s, Joe Melo was well on his way. He had worked his way from labourer to founding partner in a local cement firm. In 1960, Mr. Melo moved what was to become the Melo family business in a new direction, buying into a restaurant in downtown Kingston, affectionately named The Azores after his Portuguese birthplace. It was a fateful day in 1965 when he was invited to move his restaurant to the then 55unit Ambassador Motel. This move started him on the road of what was to be his legacy, namely the building and management of Kingston's two premier hotel properties, the Ambassador Conference Resort and in 2000 the Four Points Hotel & Suites in downtown Kingston. Joe Melo was always proud to say that the Four Points is truly a family business with several members of the family taking an active role in its management and development.

The contributions of the late Joseph Melo and the Melo family extend beyond the hotel itself. Their dedication to Kingston is evident in the many community events they sponsor and causes they support. In the words of the late Maria Melo “We are dedicated to the Kingston community because it is our home and we feel a responsibility to give something back to the community in which our family has had so much success.” This commitment has been especially evident in the family’s support of Kingston’s youth and causes important to them. We feel that our youth are one of our most prized assets and an investment in them is an investment in our community.

Hard work, attention to detail and relentless commitment to their guests and the community will be the enduring legacy of Joseph Melo and the Melo family.