James Sabatier Named President of Destination Hotels & Resorts
LOS ANGELES - March 27, 2012 - Lowe Enterprises, a Los Angeles-based leading national real estate investment, development and management firm, announced today that James “Jamie” Sabatier has been named president and chief operating officer of Destination Hotels and Resorts, the firm's hospitality management subsidiary. Established in 1973, the Destination collection of unique properties now includes a distinctive portfolio of nearly 40 award-winning hotels, resorts, and conference centers.
“Jamie is a skilled and innovative leader who shares our vision for the future of Destination Hotels and Resorts,” said Robert J. Lowe, Jr., co-president of Lowe Enterprises. “With 25 years of experience both inside and outside the hospitality industry, he is well-suited to guide Destination Hotels and Resorts through a new phase of growth.”
As a senior executive with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Sabatier was part of the team that led the W Hotels brand to industry prominence, involved in determining the strategic direction, positioning and growth plan for the brand. During his tenure, W Hotels' portfolio and its active pipeline grew significantly. Sabatier also oversaw Starwood's global investment team as it completed approximately 50 corporate and real estate transactions including the Le Meridien mezzanine investment and brand acquisition and the $600 million acquisition of Vistana, its residential, fractional and vacation ownership company.
Prior to his time at Starwood, Sabatier was a senior member of the investment banking division of Montgomery Securities where he led the completion of merger, acquisition and equity transactions totaling more than $1 billion. He began his career in investment banking with Lehman Brothers and, before that, Coldwell Banker Commercial. Most recently, as the head of J. Sabatier & Company, he has acquired commercial real estate assets while guiding the successful turnaround of a family-owned business. He earned his bachelor's degree in history from Brown University and his MBA in finance from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Business.
After more than a year of planning for transition, Sabatier will take the helm from retiring-president Charles S. Peck who has led the company for 15 years of exceptional growth and profitability. Under Peck's leadership, Destination Hotels and Resorts has grown to be currently ranked the third largest hotel management company in the U.S. (Hotel Business) and has just completed another year of significant growth, adding seven properties to its management roster over the last 12 months. “Charlie built a strong leadership team that is a great legacy for the firm as we transition to new leadership,” added Lowe. “We will continue to benefit from his keen business skills and passion for the hospitality business as he works with us on future strategic projects.” The firm currently manages nearly 40 hotel, resort, and resort condominium properties nationwide with a total of more than 9,100 guest rooms. Sabatier will assume his new role on April 9.
About Lowe Enterprises
Los Angeles-based Lowe Enterprises is a leading national real estate investment, development and management firm. Over the past 40 years, it has developed, acquired or managed more than $17.5 billion of real estate assets nationwide. Lowe is currently responsible for more than $5 billion of commercial, hospitality and residential assets. In addition to its Los Angeles headquarters, Lowe Enterprises maintains offices in Southern California, Northern California, Denver and Washington, D.C. Founded in 1972, Lowe Enterprises is marking its 40th year anniversary in 2012. For further information on Lowe's activities, please visit: www.LoweEnterprises.com
About Destination Hotels & Resorts
Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held hospitality management company headquartered in Colorado. With nearly 40 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the third largest hospitality management company in the country. The company's portfolio features more than 9,100 guest rooms, 16 golf courses and 16 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Portland, Palm Springs, Palos Verdes, Maui and Lake Tahoe. The company is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises.**
For a complete list of properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.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 
