Omni Hotels & Resorts to Acquire and Operate Five Iconic Resorts

Luxury Hotel Brand To Purchase Distinguished Properties from KSL Capital Partners

Barton Creek (Photo: Business Wire)

IRVING, Texas--()--Omni Hotels & Resorts today announced it has reached a definitive agreement to purchase and operate five distinguished resort properties from entities affiliated with KSL Capital Partners, LLC. The properties will be reflagged under the Omni brand on July 1, representing a significant expansion of Omni’s already-robust Resort Collection. The acquisition extends Omni’s resort portfolio to the West Coast and adds other strategically important locations like the Texas Hill Country.

The five iconic resorts are longstanding classic hotels in North America that are distinguished in design, local color and authenticity reflecting their destination – all of which are consistent with Omni’s strategy to provide unique properties representative of their individual local market flavor. The five properties are Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, TX; La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA; Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, CA; The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC; and The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA.

“Each of these properties is unique in its own right – rich in heritage and distinctive in their elegance and charm. We would be fortunate to own and operate any single one of these celebrated resorts,” said Mike Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts. “By purchasing all five of these properties, Omni has significantly enhanced our growing Resort Collection in terms of scope, scale and prestige.”

The addition of the luxurious properties will add 2,362 rooms, 304,000 square feet of meeting and function space, 34 dining options, 48 retail locations, 12 golf courses, three water parks, a ski facility and five spas.

Barton Creek Resort & Spa: Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, the resort combines impeccable service with its own classic brand of casual elegance in a luxurious setting. Heralded as the number one golf resort in Texas, Barton Creek boasts four nationally acclaimed championship courses as well as the state's only Callaway Performance Center. The resort features 312 spacious and beautifully appointed guest rooms, a recently renovated full-service spa, superior dining options, and fine meeting and wedding facilities.

La Costa Resort and Spa: Fresh from a $50 million renovation and nestled among the beautiful coastal foothills of Carlsbad, CA, La Costa boasts a new look including 611 newly appointed guestrooms, suites and villas, an adult-only pool venue, the Coastal Events Center, an expanded Athletic Club as well as two redesigned signature golf courses. Honored as the #1 Wellness Spa in the Nation by Spa magazine, the 43,000-square-foot Spa at La Costa includes a private pool, café and therapeutic reflexology path. Acclaimed restaurants – Legends Bistro and BlueFire Grill – present an updated take on locally inspired cuisine and culinary delights.

Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa: The 444-room Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa is classic Rancho Mirage re-imagined for the 21st-century traveler. The resort’s new offerings include stylish guest rooms, the signature bluEmber restaurant, R Bar lounge, and Splashtopia, an exciting water playground complete with water slides, lazy river and sandy beach. The resort also features a 20,000-square-foot spa, a 27-hole Ted Robinson-designed golf course, a 25-court Peter Burwash International tennis center, and 41,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.

The Grove Park Inn: The AAA Four-Diamond Grove Park Inn is currently undergoing a $25 million restoration and renovation scheduled to be complete by summer 2013, which coincides with the property’s centennial. Noted for understated elegance and southern charm, ten U.S. Presidents and countless luminaries from the worlds of art, entertainment, sports and politics have stayed at this hotel. Guests may relax in one of 512 rooms and themed suites, enjoy a drink by one of two massive 14-foot fireplaces or watch the sunset from a rocking chair. The property offers sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, delectable restaurants, a Donald Ross golf course, tennis and fitness center, award winning spa and spacious convention facilities.

The Homestead: The Homestead is one of America's most storied resorts, offering unparalleled hospitality in a 2,000-acre setting within the Allegheny Mountains of southwestern Virginia. In summer 2013, the hotel will complete a $26 million renovation that will culminate with its new Canyon Ranch SpaClub. The Homestead is distinguished by 483 luxurious guest rooms and suites, 72,000 square feet of meeting space, a wide array of fine and casual dining choices, championship golf courses that include one of the nation's finest mountain courses (The Cascades), Allegheny Springs, a two-acre family-friendly water attraction complete with lazy river, and water play zone. The resort also offers the South's first downhill ski area, Equestrian Center and show ring, top-rated Shooting Club, Back Country Driving School, off-road Segway tours and a wealth of other recreational attractions.

For additional information please visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni. Travelers or media can also follow Omni Hotels & Resorts at www.Facebook.com/OmniHotels and Twitter.com/OmniHotels.

About Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at nearly 60 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America. From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique wellness options. Known for its award-winning, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company’s “Power of One” associate empowerment program. The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations and travel publications. To get additional information or book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.

About KSL Capital Partners, LLC

KSL is a private equity firm specializing in travel and leisure investments in five primary sectors: hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate and travel services. KSL has offices in Denver, Colorado and New York. In addition to the properties being sold, KSL’s current portfolio includes some of the premier properties in travel and leisure. In the United Kingdom, funds advised by KSL own The Belfry in the West Midlands and the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin chains. In the United States, funds advised by KSL own Montelucia Resort & Spa, The James Royal Palm and ClubCorp, one of the world’s largest owners of private golf and business clubs. KSL also owns other premier recreation businesses, including Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, two of the leading ski resorts in North America; and Western Athletic Clubs, the owner and operator of luxury fitness clubs in California. For more information, please see kslcapital.com.

Contacts

Media Contact:
LDWW Group
Zack Frizzell, 214-960-4136
zack@ldwwgroup.com
or
Omni Contact:
Omni Hotels & Resorts
Anne Tramer, 972-871-5625
atramer@omnihotels.com

Release Summary

Omni Hotels & Resorts today announced it has reached a definitive agreement to purchase and operate five distinguished resort properties from entities affiliated with KSL Capital Partners, LLC.

Contacts

Media Contact:
LDWW Group
Zack Frizzell, 214-960-4136
zack@ldwwgroup.com
or
Omni Contact:
Omni Hotels & Resorts
Anne Tramer, 972-871-5625
atramer@omnihotels.com