Gemstone Hotels & Resorts to Manage 120-key Essex Culinary Resort and Spa in Burlington, Vermont

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. January 27, 2014

PARK CITY, UT / BURLINGTON, VT - January 27, 2014 - Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, a full-service hotel management company that specializes in owning and operating luxury and upscale urban hotels and resorts, today announced the company has assumed management of the 120-room, AAA Four Diamond Essex Culinary Resort and Spa in Burlington, Vt. The resort is situated on 18 acres tucked between Vermont's Green Mountains and Lake Champlain.

"Essex Culinary Resort and Spa is a hand-in-glove fit with our growing portfolio of 18 luxury and upscale resorts and hotels," said Jeff McIntyre, principal of Gemstone. "Essex is smartly on-trend for today's food-savvy, wellness-focused traveler, and our team has a unique understanding of the operational and marketing needs of one-of-a-kind resort properties. Gemstone specializes in creating and celebrating 'brands of one'."

"More and more, we see leisure, group and business travelers looking for an experience, not just a place to stay. The authentic, local experience that is the essence of Essex clearly resonates with their guests," noted Thomas Prins, principal of Gemstone. "We look forward to tailoring our proven marketing and management systems to The Essex in order to attract active, traveling foodies who want to expand their culinary skills and knowledge while savoring locally-inspired fine cuisine."

The resort's culinary experience, includes two restaurants, 10,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and catering venues, and one of the most unique and rustic wedding locations in all of New England-The Ponds. The true distinguishing feature of "Vermont's Culinary Resort", is the in-house "Cook Academy", where guests have the opportunity to learn from the resort's world class chefs in special classes and daily samplings. The school and the resort's food and beverage offerings are under the direction of award-winning, certified European master chef Arnd Sevier. The hotel's restaurants, Amuse and The Tavern, are led by two-time Vermont Iron Chef Shawn Calley.

Essex Culinary Resort and Spa also features the area's only full-service spa, The Spa at Essex, with ten treatment rooms, a fitness center, indoor lap pool, a seasonally available outdoor pool and hot tub and a full-service salon. The resort also is home to Vermont Tennis Vacations, listed among Vermont's best by Tennis Magazine, and the area's only 18 hole executive golf course.

The hotel's recently renovated guest rooms and suites, some with fireplaces or in-rooms spas, are comfortably outfitted with flat-screen, high-definition televisions, in-room coffee featuring locally-sourced Green Mountain coffee, and iHome audio systems. The hotel is pet friendly and, in keeping with it's culinary focus, serves house-made treats along with a cold bowl of water to its four-legged guests.

Essex Culinary Resort and Spa is located at 70 Essex Way in Essex (Burlington) VT. For additional information, please visit the resort's website at http://www.essexresortspa.com.

About Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, LLC

Headquartered in Park City, Utah, with offices in Stamford, Connecticut, Gemstone is a full-service management company that specializes in luxury and upscale hotels and complex resorts. For more information about Gemstone, go to www.gemstoneresorts.com