What Makes A Golf Resort Great?

It's More Than Golf

Press Release: Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG)
June 6, 2002
ORLANDO, Fl -- Following closely behind course design, it's the property's accommodations that can make or break a golf resort, according to research and surveys conducted by Condè Nast Traveler magazine.

In a survey of 4,000 readers who assessed the experience at 185 golf resorts around the world over the past three years, destinations were ranked on the basis of the following weighted criteria:

• Course design (40%)
• Accommodations (35%)
• Speed of play (10%)
• Other activities (6%)
• Food (5%)
• Pro staff (4%)

One thing that many of the world's top-ranked resorts have in common is that they were designed by a single architecture and interiors firm: Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG).

In the "accommodations" category, the top two resorts-Villas of Grand Cypress in Orlando, and Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea-were both designed by WATG. Other winners master-planned, designed and/or renovated by WATG include:

• The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii
• Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort & Spa, Hawaii
• Orchid at Mauna Lani, Hawaii
• Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Orlando, Florida
• Walt Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Orlando, Florida
• Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Carlsbad, California
• Hyatt Regency Maui, Hawaii
• Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, Mexico
• Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Scotland
• Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

From seven offices around the world, WATG has designed hotels and resorts in 130 countries. Founded in 1945, WATG is ranked in several industry surveys as the number one hospitality and leisure design firm on the planet. Its mission is to "create special environments that lift the spirit." For more information on WATG, visit http://www.watg.com.

----------------------------------------

Contact:

Howard J. Wolff
808.540.4645 (Voice)
808.540.5200 (Fax)
hwolff@watg.com (E-mail)