Destination Hotels & Resorts to Manage The Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa
Industry veteran, John T. Murphy, joins as the hotel's new general manager
Charlie Peck, president and chief operating officer for Destination Hotels & Resorts, today announced that the company has been selected by Carillon Properties to manage The Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa in Kirkland, WA, an iconic urban resort hotel located on the shores of Lake Washington. This acquisition represents the fourth Destination property in the Pacific Northwest, which currently includes Suncadia in Cle Elum, WA, Sunriver Resort in Bend, OR and Skamania Lodge near Portland, OR.
“Our entrepreneurial and customized hospitality marketing and operations platform has a proven track record and we are excited to integrate The Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa into the distinctive Destination portfolio of hotels and resorts,” said Peck. The prestigious Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa is a boutique luxury property with a stunning location on the shores of Lake Washington, making it the ideal Seattle destination for leisure guests, extraordinary weddings, meetings and special social events. Destination will leverage its renowned expertise in independent luxury hotel positioning to continue to enhance the outstanding reputation and appeal of the property.
From its origins in Aspen in 1973 with the opening of The Gant, a luxurious condominium resort, Destination has grown to include an award winning portfolio of over 35 hotels and resorts in some of the most notable nationwide cores and world-class destination resorts including Royal Palms Hotel & Spa in Phoenix, AZ, L'Auberge del Mar in Del Mar, CA and The Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C. Destination opened the highly acclaimed Terranea Resort in Ranch Palos Verdes, CA in June of 2009 and is recognized as a leader in building independent luxury hospitality platforms that are developed through innovative, customized solutions. The foundation of the Destination culture is based on core guiding principles and shared values that are integrated into each individual property and further, have served to build, grow and distinguish the Destination portfolio for over 35 years.
As the only hotel nestled alongside Lake Washington, The Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa offers a quintessential Pacific Northwest experience with unsurpassed views of Lake Washington, the Olympic Mountains, and Seattle's skyline. This exclusive 31-acre waterfront resort community features 100 lakefront, partial lake view, and classic guest rooms, including 21 suites. Each boasts luxury bedding, complimentary high speed Internet access, a 37” LCD Flat Panel TV and a desktop computer docking station. Guest baths are decorated with imported limestone and showcase a soaking tub and soothing rain shower, with a luxurious selection of Molten Brown bath amenities.
Located only minutes from downtown Bellevue and other Eastside destinations, The Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa is the ideal urban retreat. Manicured gardens with sculptured art, shoreline trails and a charming lakeside ambiance set the tone to enjoy indulging hotel amenities, including an award-winning medi-spa, Northwest Face Spa, and two exceptional restaurants, bin on the lake and Beach Cafe. Featuring amazing water views and classic American fare, bin on the lake is renowned for their wine program with over 80 wines by the glass. Other guest amenities and services include lake cruises, pet accommodations, fitness classes, business center, marina access, and over 9,000 square feet of flexible, distinctive event and meeting spaces.
As a AAA Four Diamond rated hotel, The Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa has earned regional and national accolades in publications like 425, Conde Nast Traveler, Kirkland Reporter and Washington CEO for its appealing luxury, indulging amenities and gracious hospitality and will continue to affiliate with the brand Standards of Excellence™ and global representation through Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
Tom Luersen, managing director and executive vice president for Destination Hotels & Resorts in the Pacific Northwest, has confirmed that Destination has hired a new general manager, John T. Murphy, to execute new business strategies and to identify new opportunities to continue to enhance guest relations through local business partnerships, rewards and incentive programs, employee training and hospitality excellence. With more than 20 years of executive hospitality experience, Murphy brings an arsenal of best practices, proven strategies, leadership skills and business savvy to invigorate operations at The Woodmark and ensure continuation of the Woodmark's rich history and reputation in the Seattle marketplace.
Prior to joining The Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa, Murphy managed operations for multiple properties within the Columbia Hospitality portfolio, including Salish Lodge, University of Puget Sound, Bell Harbor International Conference Center, Seattle World Trade Center, Cedarbrook Lodge & Conference Center, and others. In this capacity, he cultivated high-quality service standards and adherence to parent company core values. He consistently delivered year-over-year increases in revenue and net operating income and managed programs that drew national recognition and awards to each property.
For more information, visit The Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa, or call (800) 822-3700.
About Destination Hotels & Resorts Destination Hotels & Resorts is the fourth largest independent hospitality management company in the United States with more than 35 luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers. The company has developed a variety of initiatives to better serve its communities, stakeholders and customers including Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program, and the Destination Delivers guest loyalty program, which provides the best available offers to members. Destination operates properties in key metropolitan areas and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Denver, San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Fe, Aspen, Palm Springs, Houston and Lake Tahoe. Destination is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com or to join Destination Delivers, visit www.destinationdelivers.com.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
