August 11, 2005 - The Irvine Company said Thursday that it plans to take over management of the 295-room Four Seasons Hotel Newport Beach at the end of October. 

The move is part of the company�s strategy to manage its hotels, golf courses and shopping centers. A new name for the Four Seasons has not yet been chosen. 

Last month, the company said it would manage the 204-room Pelican Hill resort it is building at Newport Coast as well as the Clubhouse at Pelican Hill, which previously was managed by the Four Seasons.

The company had added executives with hotel and golf experience to help build its resort division, said Clarence Barker, president of the investment property group for the Irvine Co., in a recent interview.

�Being in Orange County and with the asset base we have, we believe we�re uniquely positioned to understand the market here,� he said.
The Irvine Co. named Hansjoerg Maissen to manage the hotel. The 30-year hotel veteran currently is general manager of the Pelican Hill and Oak Creek Golf Clubs. 

Others in the hospitality industry said they didn�t think the Four Seasons move would have a significant impact on the OC hotel market.
�On a global scale, they�ll lose out on a brand name and the clientele it attracts,� said Alan Reay, president of Costa Mesa-based Atlas Hospitality Group.

�But they�ll probably show a better profit, because Four Seasons hotels tend to operate at high expense ratios,� he said. �The market is extremely strong. Owner sentiment must be that they can do as well on their own.� 

The Four Seasons is a member of The OCeanfront, a marketing partnership promoting coastal hotels. The Irvine Co. also participates in the partnership.

Sandi Cain
Laguna Beach CA
949-497-2680
[email protected]