Destination Hotels & Resorts Celebrates 40 Years of Excellence

Hospitality leader reaches milestone anniversary; poised for significant growth and expansion of luxury portfolio

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. August 02, 2013

Englewood, CO - August 2, 2013 - The United States' fourth-largest hospitality management company, Destination Hotels & Resorts (Destination), celebrates its 40th anniversary in style with the addition of Eden Roc Miami Beach and further plans for growth in North American markets. Eden Roc Miami Beach joins Destination's roster of notable properties across the country, including Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Arizona, Hotel Derek in Houston, Terranea Resort in California and celebrated mountain resorts, Vail Cascade in Colorado and Stowe Mountain Lodge in Vermont.

Destination was founded four decades ago with the development and management of The Gant in Aspen, in 1973, and today comprises a portfolio of 40 distinctive properties coast-to-coast with more than 9,600 guest rooms nationwide, 18 golf courses, 17 full-service spas and seven IACC certified conference centers.

Destination became an established operator of condominium and vacation rental management properties in premier destinations - including Aspen, Snowmass, Maui, Vail and Telluride, and evolved to become a leading hotel management company with iconic independent hotels and resorts in the collection, including L'Auberge Del Mar, Paradise Point Resort, Inn and Spa at Loretto, Wild Dunes Resort, Sun River Resort and Carolina Inn. Throughout the decades, Destination Hotels & Resorts has managed legendary properties, from Hotel Del Coronado to The Algonquin Hotel in New York to NINE Zero in Boston. Additionally, Destination managed three properties in the U.K., including Cliveden, Cliveden Town Homes and The Royal Crescent.

“Over the past 40 years, Destination has created a solid reputation for management excellence, working with a diverse portfolio of properties and delivering exceptional value and return for our owners,” said Jamie Sabatier, the company's President and COO, who joined Destination in 2012. “We're continuing to evolve, and have aggressive growth plans to expand our portfolio with urban, resort and conference center assets as well as pursuing opportunities in the Mexico and Caribbean markets. Another key priority for us is the introduction of a soft brand that integrates the portfolio and showcases our authentic hospitality experiences,” says Sabatier.

Leading that charge with Sabatier is Russ Urban, Destination's Executive Vice President of Business Development and Acquisition, who has the portfolio focused on global expansion. The addition of Urban's role and the growth of Destination's footprint are two key investments in the company's future. Sabatier is also focused on revolutionizing the nature of the consumer experience in travel through an investment in technology, design and people.

“Our strategy moving forward includes investment in shared resources, such as technology platforms, that allow our distinctive properties to leverage the scale of the whole collection,” says Sabatier. “We are also looking at how the needs of customers have changed. They are looking for more from their travel; they want a customized, personalized experience to share with friends and family.”

Destination is delivering on this tenant through the creation of signature programs and property offerings that tap into the local culture and history of the area, and through personalized touches and guest interaction. Destination has also made a significant investment in a hospitality relationship management solution and CRM overhaul that will allow Destination to cultivate guest relationships across the collection.” Sabatier adds, “Everything flows through a centralized program and dashboards, allowing associates to know the guests before they arrive and spot trends quickly and efficiently. It's data sharing in a way that's never been possible in the past among independent property collections that utilized different property platforms”

At the property level, Destination creates and executes customized design solutions for owners, helping them optimize their assets and capitalize on their location and positioning. “Gone are the days when one hotel room was like the next,” explains Sabatier. “From the aesthetic to functionality- hotel design has proven to be a valuable investment, and this is continually affirmed from our guests who seek an authentic sense of place in their travels,” he continued.

Sabatier has a dedicated team sharing his vision, which he attributes to Destination's longevity. “Associate retention and recruiting talented associates will be fundamental to our success,” he explained. “We continue to strive to build a culture that fosters innovation and provides opportunities for our associates to develop and grow.”

With Sabatier's leadership and a winning team, Destination is reinvigorated and remains focused on the next 40 years.

About Destination Hotels & Resorts
Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held hospitality management company headquartered in Colorado. With 40 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the fourth largest hospitality management company in the country. The company's portfolio features more than 9,600 guest rooms, 18 golf courses and 17 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Phoenix, Santa Fe, Aspen, Lake Tahoe, Seattle, Denver, Austin and San Diego. The company is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises and the Lowe Hospitality Group. Follow us on Twitter: @Destination. Like us on Facebook: DestinationHotels