Company Press Release
March 10, 2000
SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- A leading hospitality company dedicated to creating a unique resort experience for generations
of future guests is making a major commitment to bring past standards of quality and service into the 21st Century.
The Scottsdale-based Olympus Hospitality Group announces that it has assembled a unique portfolio of world-class
properties which will now be known as Rockresorts.
By bringing new four-star resorts under the Rockresorts banner the company is breathing new life into one of the
legendary names in the world of international resorts.
Olympus Hospitality Group acquired the Rockresorts signature in 1999.
The new portfolio of Rockresorts includes Cheeca Lodge in the Florida Keys, a favorite among Presidents as well
as avid fishermen; the new CuisinArt Resort & Spa in Anguilla, noted for its elegant spa and fine cuisine enhanced
by the resort's own hydroponic farm; La Posada de Santa Fe, a charming blend of old and new in the heart of one
of America's most exciting and beautiful cultural centers; and Rosario Resort, a tribute to the sweeping beauty
of the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest.
New Rockresorts Continues Time-Honored Tradition
Olympus Hospitality Group's President L.K. Eric Prevette and Executive Vice President Carlos Lopes announced their
intention to enhance with Signature Services the quality standards that Laurance Rockefeller's Rockresorts made
world-famous three decades ago. They noted that Rockresorts plans to expand aggressively through acquisitions of
unique destination resort properties as well as through management contracts.
The Prevette-Lopes team has been affiliated with world-class, five-star properties in the course of their careers,
including, among others, Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles; Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat, France; the K-Club, Barbuda, BWI;
and Cap Juluca, Anguilla.
``We are continuing a tradition established by Laurance Rockefeller,'' stated Mr. Prevette. ``Simply put, his resorts
were places of exceptional beauty, offering a distinctive vacation experience. In our commitment to identify resorts
of unique character amidst incomparable natural settings throughout the world, we honor that legacy even as we
create memorable vacation experiences appropriate for today's traveler.''
Mr. Lopes stated that each of these properties is highly individualized in character as reflected in the stunning
environments where they are found.
``We celebrate the uniqueness of each one with an extensive menu of guest experiences that takes full advantage
of each setting and a food concept that reflects the freshest of local and regional produce as well as regional
culinary influences. Our chefs will accommodate any request for special preparations and comfort foods,'' noted
Mr. Lopes.
Guests Will Feel Like Members of a Special Club
``What will be common to all Rockresorts is a quality of vacation experience that fully engages and delights the
guest without intruding on his or her privacy. We want our guests to feel like members of a club where they are
comfortable exploring old and new interests, interacting with other interesting people and enjoying their solitude
as well,'' Mr. Lopes noted.
``In fact,'' stated Mr. Lopes, ``we will offer a club experience with special benefits for guests who frequent
any or all of our Rockresorts. In the same way that a fine hotel can assure a guest that he will always have his
favorite pillow, we will make sure that our repeat visitors at any or all of our resorts have their preferences
noted in a linked data-base which will allow us to give them VIP treatment.''
Mr. Prevette and Mr. Lopes noted that as Rockresorts grows the company will continue to look for resorts that either
have distinguished histories or, if new, set imaginative new standards for facilities, services and location. With
the exception of CuisinArt Resort & Spa, which opened in the Caribbean in December 1999 with an outstanding
spa and hydroponic farm, the other resorts in the current portfolio enjoy illustrious histories.
All existing and future Rockresorts will offer the company's unique Signature Services which impact every aspect
of resort life and are designed to assure that all guests receive personalized attention, the highest quality facilities
and services and a welcoming sense of being integrated into the Rockresorts `club' atmosphere.
The resorts also focus on activities for guests with a great diversity of interests. Full-service spas are integral
to the Rockresorts experience (Cheeca Lodge is creating a new 5000-square-foot spa as part of a present renovation)
as are recreational and cultural activities specific to each resort's setting. Whale watching in the San Juan Islands,
the Santa Fe Opera and deep sea fishing in the Florida Keys are examples.
But the pampering extends well beyond spas to encourage guests to treat themselves to whatever rejuvenates or inspires
them, from biking to skiing to culinary classes to Yoga.
Extraordinary Recreational Options Abound
``In fact,'' mentioned Mr. Lopes, ``what we are focusing on are the world-class recreational facilities literally
at the back door of our resorts. For example, Cheeca Lodge offers exemplary deep-sea fishing, golf and abundant
opportunities to explore the diversity of the ecology that makes the Florida Keys so distinctive. Rosario Resort
offers scuba diving, boating and sailing as well as hiking and golf. La Posada offers golf, as well as, in the
winter season, convenient access to world class ski resorts. CuisinArt Resort & Spa can provide guests a variety
of water activities including scuba and snorkeling.''
Dedicated to providing a physical setting and casually elegant ``home away from home'' ambience that helps vacationers
relax, rejuvenate and revitalize body and spirit, Rockresorts is aiming to win over loyal customers for life.
``Ideally, we want our guests to arrive as newlyweds and return with their children and grandchildren generation
after generation,'' Mr. Lopes stated.
One way to accomplish that goal, he said, is through substantial, ongoing investment in staff training on the resort
level.
``We want our employees to have a passion for this industry and for their craft. If we can make Rockresorts a great
place to work, it will also be a great experience for guests.''
Mr. Prevette and Mr. Lopes are bringing to Rockresorts a new management vision which has secured their success
with some of the most prestigious hotels in the world.
The Olympus Hospitality Group, an affiliate of Olympus Real Estate Corporation, was created in late 1999 to oversee
four distinct hotel groups; Rockresorts, Unique Hotels, Park Plaza International and Park Inns International. Olympus
Hospitality Group's expanding hotel and resort portfolio includes 104 properties around the world.
For further information, contact Rockresorts, Olympus Hospitality Group, 6263 N. Scottsdale Rd. Suite 200, Scottsdale,
AZ 85250; for reservations please call 800/223-7637 or 480/951-3335; or fax 480/951-3050; or visit the web site
at www.rockresorts.com.
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Contact:
Hawkins & Widness Public Relations International
Jennifer Hawkins, 646/602-7010
Fax, 646/602-7020
HWPRI@aol.com
www.rockresortspressclub.com