HOUSTON
Benchmark Hospitality has announced the completed renovations at several hotels and resorts within the portfolios of its two brands: Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels. A collective $50 Million was recently invested across the two brands to update and enhance guest accommodations, public and meeting spaces, resort amenities, spas, and to upgrade technology.
“During the recession properties within our two brand portfolios continued to make major improvements via capital commitments,” said Greg Champion, COO of Benchmark Hospitality International. “Those investments have paid dividends and allowed us to justify more significant improvements that will continue to maximize our performance and enhance guests’ overall experiences. We’re very pleased with the results.”
Benchmark Hospitality International hotels and resorts that engaged in renovations in 2013 include:
Bonaventure Resort & Spa
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Renovation Summary: Situated just west of Fort Lauderdale, the four diamond Bonaventure Resort & Spa is surrounded by 23 tropical acres and features 500 spacious guestrooms and suites along with over 60,000 square feet of newly renovated conference space and 20,000 square feet of flexible outdoor gathering options.
A Benchmark Resort, the property’s recent renovations included the entire conference and event center. Guestrooms are scheduled for refurbishing in 2014.
Cheyenne Mountain Resort
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Renovation Summary: In the summer of 2013, Cheyenne Mountain Resort and Country Club, a Benchmark Resort, completed a major $3.8 million renovation of its Pete Dye-designed 18-hole championship golf course. The course is part of the four-diamond resort and private country club that extends golf privileges to members and resort guests.
One of the objectives of the renovation was to make the course more challenging. All of the bunkers were rebuilt and tee boxes were elevated to reflect the original Pete Dye-style of design. The course’s driving range was completely redesigned to include target greens, which enable golfers to practice their short game. The teaching and chipping areas were also upgraded.
As a result of the renovation, the course’s length was extended by approximately 47 yards beyond the previous yardage of 7,056, and the slope rating increased.
Renovation Price Tag: $3.8 Million
The Chattanoogan Hotel
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Renovation Summary: The Chattanoogan, a Benchmark Hotel located in the heart of revitalized Chattanooga, completed the renovation of its 25,000-square-foot meeting and event facilities in 2013, winning awards for the results.
The Chattanoogan's 20 meeting and event rooms were transformed with design treatments in a palette of blue, brown, gold and red. The integration of warm and cool colors reflect the dynamic architecture of the hotel, which borrows from Chattanooga’s industrial past and the breathtaking scenic views of the surrounding mountains and landscape.
Select customized carpets replicate scenes from the historic city, including rolling hills and flowing patterns resembling the Tennessee River, which flows through the heart of Chattanooga and is a focal point for the city’s revitalized downtown. Wall coverings are in soft shades of neutral tones and grays offset with a variety of subtle patterns. Cream colored large-scale botanical design elements mix with the eclectic artwork displayed in the meeting space.
Renovation Price Tag: $750,000
Eaglewood Resort & Spa
Chicago
Renovation Summary: Eaglewood Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resort located in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, completed the renovation of its conference center during 2013. The makeover encompassed the conference center’s meeting rooms and common areas, including new carpeting, wall vinyl, draperies & sheers, upholstery and furnishings, along with a technology upgrade to accommodate up to 100 Mbps of bandwidth.
Eaglewood Resort & Spa is IACC-certified with more than 37,000 square feet of event space.
Renovation Price Tag: $1.2 million
The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
Rancho Santa Fe (San Diego), Calif.
Renovation Summary: Throughout 2013, the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, a Personal Luxury Resort, invested millions in renovating guest accommodations, public areas, and the resort extensively re-landscaped its gardens and grounds. A new spa was added, and a new restaurant opened to great acclaim.
Renovation Price Tag: $12 Million
Snow King Resort
Jackson Hole, Wyo.
Renovation Summary: The Snow King Hotel at Snow King Resort, a Benchmark Resort located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, completed a $17 Million renovation of its 203 guestrooms, meetings space, exterior, public space, spa and salon in December of 2013. The revamp also included the launch of a new restaurant, Hayden’s Post, and the addition of a seasonal Activity Center, Business Center and Fitness Room. This was the first comprehensive renovation in the property’s 36-year history.
Renovation Price Tag: $17 million
Villas of Grand Cypress Resort
Orlando
Renovation Summary: The Villas of Grand Cypress, a Personal Luxury Resort, engaged in a property-wide guestroom renovation, encompassing all 146 guest accommodations. An investment of more than $100,000 per luxury villa aims to usher in a new era of comfort and enhanced standards at the resort. Design materials range from rich Zebrano wood to natural Shabui stacked stone, luxurious club chairs, and sectional sofa sleepers in rich American leather.
Guest baths feature a sculptural, deep-walled bathing tub; freestanding glass-enclosed shower equipped with a European shower tower featuring body jets, a hand held shower wand, and a rain showerhead; custom quartz counters with double sinks; and an illuminated mirror integrated with 19" HD television.
Newly renovated kitchens showcase top-of-the-line GE stainless steel appliances, walnut cabinetry, quartz countertops, polished chrome fixtures and a Keurig single shot beverage maker.
Renovation Price Tag: $14 Million
