KSL Resorts to Add Marriott Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa to Its Collection

LA QUINTA, Calif., May 10  /PRNewswire/ -- KSL Resorts, a leading owner and operator of luxury destination resorts, today announced plans to manage what is currently known as the Marriott Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. in the greater Palm Springs area.  The resort is being acquired by KSL Capital Partners from Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:BEE). Management of the resort will be transitioned to KSL Resorts when the acquisition closes in July, 2006.  Consistent with its strategy, KSL Resorts will operate the property as an independent resort.  The property joins two preeminent California resorts in the KSL Resorts collection: La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad and Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.

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"Our opportunity to add Rancho Las Palmas to our collection, with its long and rich history, reflects our goals as a company: to identify unique and memorable resorts that can benefit from our track record of enhancing the guest experience through strategic capital improvements and exemplary service," said Scott Dalecio, president and chief executive officer of KSL Resorts.

KSL Capital Partners will invest significant capital to renovate and expand the 444-room hotel, upgrading such facilities and amenities as the resort's guest rooms and suites, the entry way and lobby, all restaurants, 27-hole golf course (at Rancho Las Palmas Country Club,) the full-service Spa Las Palmas, and numerous swimming pools.  The renovations are expected to take 24 months, during which the resort will remain open.

"Adding Rancho Las Palmas to the KSL Resorts portfolio represents an excellent opportunity to expand our options in California for both business and leisure travelers, insuring them of an incomparable breadth of facilities and services at each site," commented Arthur Berg, KSL Resorts' vice president of marketing.

Founded in 1992, KSL Resorts owns and operates one-of-a kind destination resorts, including Hotel del Coronado, in San Diego, and La Costa Resort and Spa, in Carlsbad, Calif.  Each is a true American classic -- grand without pretension, rich in legacy, and genuine in service.  For more information, call 1-866-KSL-7727 or visit http://www.kslresorts.com/ . 

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DATASOURCE: KSL Resorts



CONTACT: Emily Santos, [phone],  or Gina

Galatro, [phone], , both of Middleton & Gendron,

Inc. for KSL Resorts



Web site: http://www.kslresorts.com/ 

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