  Press Kit
      Overview
      Fact Sheet
      Golf
      Spa
      Activities
      Weddings
      Management
      History
      Dining

  Resources
      Image Gallery
      Archives
      Search
      Contact
      Consumer Website

  Releases

  Articles

Archives

HEI HOTELS & RESORTS ACQUIRES EQUINOX RESORT AND SPA

November 12, 2008

Historic Vermont Property Marks HEI First Resort Property

NORWALK, Conn., March 21, 2007—HEI Hotels & Resorts, a rapidly growing hotel ownership and operating company, today announced that it has acquired the 195-room historic Equinox, The Vermont Resort in Manchester Village, Vermont, for an undisclosed amount from Olympus Real Estate Partners. This registered historic landmark and second longest operating hotel in the U.S., dating back to 1769, marks HEI’s first resort property and is the eleventh acquisition by its $500 million Fund II.
“Equinox marks our first foray into the lucrative resort marketplace,” said Steve Mendell, executive vice president. “This property is matchless in its rare combination of historic relevance, old-world charm and modern amenities. Equinox is an extraordinary destination, and our goal is to maintain its historical value while enhancing its contemporary offerings.
“Our management team has significant hands-on experience with these specialized properties, and we anticipate adding additional resorts this year,” Mendell commented. “We are committed to maintaining and respecting the legendary beauty of this resort, as well as broadening its appeal with modern enhancements.”
Located on nearly 1,300 acres between the Green and Taconic Mountains, Equinox, The Vermont Resort includes the historic Equinox Hotel, the 1769 Marsh Tavern and the Charles Orvis Inn. Named a AAA Four Diamond hotel for 14 consecutive years, the resort features a 13,000-square-foot spa, several food and beverage outlets, tennis courts and the Golf Course and Clubhouse, one of the top 50 golf courses in the United States. The resort also includes the 12,000 acre Equinox Preservation area.
“We are dedicated to maintaining and preserving the natural beauty of this invaluable land,” Mendell added. “The property prides itself on its eco-friendly practices and use of sustainable energy sources.”
Accommodations include guest rooms, suites and townhouses adorned with antique furnishings, Audubon prints and richly textured fabrics. Townhouses feature fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, porches and mountain views.
Dining options range from casual to formal. The 1769 Marsh Tavern offers regional cuisine and fine spirits. The Colonnade Dining Room features a renowned brunch, while the seasonally open Dormy Grill, housed at the clubhouse of the Golf Course, serves causal lunches and weekend lobster feasts.
The spa, which will be re-branded to The Spa at Equinox,, has a 75-foot, heated, indoor swimming pool; ten treatment rooms; men’s and women’s steam baths; men and women’s saunas; relaxation room with fireplace; movement studio; state-of-the-art fitness center; and an innovative image center. Additionally, the spa provides a comprehensive menu of massage therapies, facials and body treatments. Originally built in 1927 by the legendary Walter J. Travies, is a par 71, 6,423-yard golf course. The links have won numerous awards themselves, including (can we do something like the top 60 golf courses?) Best Resort Golf Course in North America by Golf Digest, one of the “Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World” by Conde Nast and recipient of the Silver Medal Award by Golf Magazine. A $2.0 million renovation is scheduled to begin in 2008.
The resort also offers falconry, fly-fishing, off-road driving, archery, hiking and proximity to skiing. HEI will undertake an extensive capital program that will encompass the resort’s guestrooms, public space, spa, and other ancillary facilities between 2007 and 2009.
The resort has won numerous awards, including being named as one of only nine Leading Spas of the World, New England’s Leading Ski Resort at the 2005 World Travel Awards and “The Number One Luxury Resort” in the Northeast by Departures Magazine.
“As we further expand our hotel portfolio, we will aggressively seek resort destinations that are consistent with our acquisition profile in the segment,” said Steve Mendell, HEI’s executive vice president of acquisitions and development. “These well regarded, though not necessarily branded, properties are in highly desirable locations with substantial barriers to new entry.
“We believe our expertise in destination urban markets will segue naturally into the resort marketplace,” Steve Mendell added.
HEI Hotels and Resorts, headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., is a leading hospitality investment firm that acquires, develops, owns and operates first-class, full-service and focused-service hotels throughout the United States under such well-known brand names as Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, Embassy Suites, and Hilton. For more information about HEI, visit the company’s web site, www.heihotels.com.
About Equinox, The Vermont Resort

Located in Manchester Village, Vermont, Equinox is the second longest running resort in the United States having first opened in 1769. The 195-room resort is a luxurious year-round destination with a variety of activities and amenities for all seasons located within a four-hour drive of New York and Boston, and nestled on 1,300 acres of pristine countryside. The resort boasts five elegant restaurants, an 18-hole championship golf course, and an array of unique diversions including archery, mountain biking, fishing, the British School of Falconry and Land Rover off-road driving. Amenities at Equinox also include a 13,000 square-foot Spa. An ideal location for elegant weddings and intimate group meetings, Equinox’s full service meeting and event facilities can easily accommodate 20 - 300 people.

In the spirit of continuing the resort’s legacy, New England-based HEI Hotels & Resorts acquired the hotel in 2007 and commenced a multi-million dollar refurbishment of the resort led by renowned designer Geoffrey Bradfield and acquired the 1811 House, an historic country inn located directly across from the resort. Renovations of Equinox will be completed in summer of 2008 and will include a new restaurant, bar, grand lobby and two-tiered outdoor decking with fire pits.

Equinox has received AAA Four Diamond accreditation for 14 consecutive years, was listed as the “#1 Resort in the Northeast” by Departures, and as one of the “500 Greatest Hotels in the World” by Travel + Leisure. For more information please visit www.equinoxresort.com or call 1-800-362-4747.

« Back to Releases

Year 2010
For More Media Information
leslie_silver@dkcnews.com
marissa_mastellone@dkcnews.com


Press Kit Overview Fact Sheet Golf Spa Activities Weddings Management History Dining Resources Image Gallery Archives Search Contact Consumer Website Releases Articles	Archives HEI HOTELS & RESORTS ACQUIRES EQUINOX RESORT AND SPA November 12, 2008 Historic Vermont Property Marks HEI First Resort Property NORWALK, Conn., March 21, 2007—HEI Hotels & Resorts, a rapidly growing hotel ownership and operating company, today announced that it has acquired the 195-room historic Equinox, The Vermont Resort in Manchester Village, Vermont, for an undisclosed amount from Olympus Real Estate Partners. This registered historic landmark and second longest operating hotel in the U.S., dating back to 1769, marks HEI’s first resort property and is the eleventh acquisition by its $500 million Fund II. “Equinox marks our first foray into the lucrative resort marketplace,” said Steve Mendell, executive vice president. “This property is matchless in its rare combination of historic relevance, old-world charm and modern amenities. Equinox is an extraordinary destination, and our goal is to maintain its historical value while enhancing its contemporary offerings. “Our management team has significant hands-on experience with these specialized properties, and we anticipate adding additional resorts this year,” Mendell commented. “We are committed to maintaining and respecting the legendary beauty of this resort, as well as broadening its appeal with modern enhancements.” Located on nearly 1,300 acres between the Green and Taconic Mountains, Equinox, The Vermont Resort includes the historic Equinox Hotel, the 1769 Marsh Tavern and the Charles Orvis Inn. Named a AAA Four Diamond hotel for 14 consecutive years, the resort features a 13,000-square-foot spa, several food and beverage outlets, tennis courts and the Golf Course and Clubhouse, one of the top 50 golf courses in the United States. The resort also includes the 12,000 acre Equinox Preservation area. “We are dedicated to maintaining and preserving the natural beauty of this invaluable land,” Mendell added. “The property prides itself on its eco-friendly practices and use of sustainable energy sources.” Accommodations include guest rooms, suites and townhouses adorned with antique furnishings, Audubon prints and richly textured fabrics. Townhouses feature fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, porches and mountain views. Dining options range from casual to formal. The 1769 Marsh Tavern offers regional cuisine and fine spirits. The Colonnade Dining Room features a renowned brunch, while the seasonally open Dormy Grill, housed at the clubhouse of the Golf Course, serves causal lunches and weekend lobster feasts. The spa, which will be re-branded to The Spa at Equinox,, has a 75-foot, heated, indoor swimming pool; ten treatment rooms; men’s and women’s steam baths; men and women’s saunas; relaxation room with fireplace; movement studio; state-of-the-art fitness center; and an innovative image center. Additionally, the spa provides a comprehensive menu of massage therapies, facials and body treatments. Originally built in 1927 by the legendary Walter J. Travies, is a par 71, 6,423-yard golf course. The links have won numerous awards themselves, including (can we do something like the top 60 golf courses?) Best Resort Golf Course in North America by Golf Digest, one of the “Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World” by Conde Nast and recipient of the Silver Medal Award by Golf Magazine. A $2.0 million renovation is scheduled to begin in 2008. The resort also offers falconry, fly-fishing, off-road driving, archery, hiking and proximity to skiing. HEI will undertake an extensive capital program that will encompass the resort’s guestrooms, public space, spa, and other ancillary facilities between 2007 and 2009. The resort has won numerous awards, including being named as one of only nine Leading Spas of the World, New England’s Leading Ski Resort at the 2005 World Travel Awards and “The Number One Luxury Resort” in the Northeast by Departures Magazine. “As we further expand our hotel portfolio, we will aggressively seek resort destinations that are consistent with our acquisition profile in the segment,” said Steve Mendell, HEI’s executive vice president of acquisitions and development. “These well regarded, though not necessarily branded, properties are in highly desirable locations with substantial barriers to new entry. “We believe our expertise in destination urban markets will segue naturally into the resort marketplace,” Steve Mendell added. HEI Hotels and Resorts, headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., is a leading hospitality investment firm that acquires, develops, owns and operates first-class, full-service and focused-service hotels throughout the United States under such well-known brand names as Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, Embassy Suites, and Hilton. For more information about HEI, visit the company’s web site, www.heihotels.com. About Equinox, The Vermont Resort Located in Manchester Village, Vermont, Equinox is the second longest running resort in the United States having first opened in 1769. The 195-room resort is a luxurious year-round destination with a variety of activities and amenities for all seasons located within a four-hour drive of New York and Boston, and nestled on 1,300 acres of pristine countryside. The resort boasts five elegant restaurants, an 18-hole championship golf course, and an array of unique diversions including archery, mountain biking, fishing, the British School of Falconry and Land Rover off-road driving. Amenities at Equinox also include a 13,000 square-foot Spa. An ideal location for elegant weddings and intimate group meetings, Equinox’s full service meeting and event facilities can easily accommodate 20 - 300 people. In the spirit of continuing the resort’s legacy, New England-based HEI Hotels & Resorts acquired the hotel in 2007 and commenced a multi-million dollar refurbishment of the resort led by renowned designer Geoffrey Bradfield and acquired the 1811 House, an historic country inn located directly across from the resort. Renovations of Equinox will be completed in summer of 2008 and will include a new restaurant, bar, grand lobby and two-tiered outdoor decking with fire pits. Equinox has received AAA Four Diamond accreditation for 14 consecutive years, was listed as the “#1 Resort in the Northeast” by Departures, and as one of the “500 Greatest Hotels in the World” by Travel + Leisure. For more information please visit www.equinoxresort.com or call 1-800-362-4747. « Back to Releases
	Year 2010 For More Media Information leslie_silver@dkcnews.com marissa_mastellone@dkcnews.com