Company Press Release
June 19, 2000
DALLAS, TX -- According to Conde Nast Traveler's fifth annual readers' survey ranking the 50 Best Golf Resorts
in the United States, the Caribbean and beyond, golf enthusiasts are ``clearly inspired'' by challenging courses
amidst awesome scenery, exceptional accommodations and savory meals.
That must be why they cast their votes for three Wyndham International Hotels and Resorts -- The Boulders, in Carefree,
Arizona, The Lodge at Ventana Canyon in Tucson, Arizona, and Wyndham Peaks Resort & Golden Door Spa in Telluride,
Colorado.
The prestigious survey, which is featured in the magazine's June issue, asked 4,000 readers to evaluate 224 golf
resorts that they had visited in the past three years, based on six criteria: course design (35 percent), speed
of play (15 percent), pro staff (five percent), accommodations (35 percent), food (five percent), and other activities
(five percent). Overall scores were calculated according to the percentage of readers who rated a particular feature
``excellent'' or ``very good.''
The Boulders, which aced into position at 14th, offers two 18-hole, Jay Morrish-designed golf courses that have
won some of the industry's highest accolades, including Golf Magazine's ``Gold Medal'' and Golf Digest's ``Top
25 U.S. Resorts.'' Respondents of the Conde Nast Traveler survey are quoted as saying that playing amidst the resort's
12-million-year-old boulders is like ``teeing off at Stonehenge, except with modern amenities'' and ``beautiful,
simple casitas'' are ``well camouflaged'' in the surrounding red rock formations. The Boulders also ranked ninth
for accommodations. One guest cited the bedding as ``especially luxurious -- and I don't usually notice bedding,''
and another enjoyed special touches like ``authentic Native American crafts.'' Last year, The Boulders ranked 10th
among the Top 25 North American Resorts, appearing on Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Award list for the
second time.
The Lodge at Ventana Canyon placed 23rd on the list, clearly impressing readers with its two Tom Fazio-designed
courses which provide challenging play in a breathtakingly beautiful natural setting. According to the survey,
The Lodge at Ventana Canyon is a ``golf getaway without all the huge hotel hoopla.'' It features ``suites like
a vacation home'' in a ``residential community that gives you access to everything.'' In addition to past Conde
Nast Traveler accolades, last year marked the first time that The Lodge at Ventana Canyon received a Readers' Choice
award, ranking the resort 12th among the Top 25 North American Small Hotels. An intimate 50-suite hideaway nestled
in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, The Lodge offers floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of
the high Arizona desert.
In a separate listing that acknowledged consistently high scores in one of the six categories (see above), Wyndham
Peaks Resort & Golden Door Spa placed fourth among the top five resorts for accommodations. Last year, it placed
second among the Top Five Spa Resorts worldwide, marking the seventh year the resort has been among the magazine's
top 10 spa resorts. Other Conde Nast Traveler awards include multiple mentions on its Gold List and Top Ski Resort
list. The property, surrounded by the 14,000-foot peaks of the San Juan Mountain Range, boasts one of the most
comprehensive spas in the country, and a host of innovative treatments and programs.
Wyndham International, Inc. is one of the world's largest hospitality and lodging companies. Through its proprietary
brands and management services division, the company offers primarily upscale and luxury hotel and resort accommodations
in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe. Headquartered in Dallas, Wyndham International
owns, leases, manages and franchises more than 300 hotels totaling more than 70,000 rooms. For more information,
visit www.wyndhamintl.com.
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Contact:
Wyndham International, Inc., Dallas
Darcie M. Brossart, 214/863-1335
Dbrossart@Wyndham.com
or
Media Contacts:
Middleton & Gendron, Inc.
Michele Lee/Lisa Herbst, 212/980-9060
MLee@MandG.com