The Kimpton Fund acquired the Caleo Resort & Spa from AGL Investments, shortly after their completion of an extensive $7.2 million transformation of the property, including structural renovations, room product upgrades, launch of an Indonesian-inspired spa and additional luxury enhancements. Caleo, pronounced (kuh-lay-o), is located in the vibrant and burgeoning area of Scottsdale, Arizona, within close proximity to Fashion Square, fine dining, museums and the dozens of art galleries that are part of historic Scottsdale. The location is ideal for business travelers to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area as well as leisure travelers seeking a more intimate environment with the conveniences of all the upscale shopping and nightlife that Scottsdale has to offer. 

Caleo Resort & Spa is a strategic addition to Kimpton's portfolio of 38 boutique/lifestyle properties, which has achieved recent success with the Hotel Solamar, an urban-style resort property that opened in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego earlier this year. 

"The Phoenix/Scottsdale region has been a key target market for Kimpton, and Caleo's premium offerings provides a welcome alternative to the sprawling resorts and larger conference hotels in this prime location," said Joe Long, Kimpton's executive vice president of acquisitions and development. "The combination of Kimpton's management expertise, Scottsdale's growth, and the quality features of Caleo, will undoubtedly attract consumer interest while also attempting to provide superior returns to our investors," added Long. 

Situated amidst the Arizona palm trees, soothing fountains and flickering fire pits, Caleo Resort & Spa has 204 spacious guestrooms and luxurious suites, averaging 400 and 800 square-feet respectively, each with a private balcony or patio. Additionally, it has two expansive pools; a sand-bottom pool with a beach area and a main lagoon-like pool, separated by a quaint foot bridge. The property also features approximately 14,000 square-feet of multi-use function space, including 13 meeting rooms, each offering a unique and appealing setting capable of accommodating both larger group business and highly customized social events. Last year, the resort opened a 3,500 square-foot Indonesian-inspired spa and a newly designed, signature Kimpton restaurant will also be a significant part of the project. 

"With the acquisition of the Caleo, we sought an opportunity to officially introduce the Kimpton brand to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area," said Tom LaTour, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. "Acquisitions of existing hotels in desirable locations, including the resort segment, where an opportunity exists to reposition the property as a Kimpton hotel, is a strategy the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants will continue to pursue nationwide." 

The Caleo Resort & Spa is the Kimpton Fund's second acquisition succeeding the purchase of the former Radisson Hotel in Washington D.C., which is undergoing renovations to convert it to Kimpton's signature Hotel Palomar. The Fund will play a critical role in Kimpton's immediate future plans for growth, which includes 38 properties nationwide, with five new projects under development. The objective of Kimpton's $157 million Fund is to acquire more than $450 million in hotel properties over the next two years, following an opportunistic investment strategy. 

The Caleo will continue to operate as a full-service resort as it undergoes additional renovations and improvements to elevate the property to Kimpton's signature brand style, services and amenities. It is scheduled for completion by year-end 2006. 

About Kimpton 
Founded by Bill Kimpton in 1981, San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is a unique collection of boutique hotels coupled with chef-driven, destination restaurants. While all Kimpton Hotels are thoughtfully appointed and managed to help guests maintain and enrich their lifestyles on the road, each is individually designed to reflect the energy, personality, and pulse of its distinct location, history, and architectural style. Featuring highly personalized guest services, comforting in-room amenities, and one-of-a-kind specialty rooms and suites, Kimpton Hotels provide travelers with welcoming atmospheres that embrace its signature elements of care, comfort, style, flavor, and fun. Kimpton takes pride in its social responsibility, supporting select like-minded partners and is a leader in ecological practices. Kimpton currently operates 38 boutique hotels with restaurants throughout the United States and Canada. This includes 70 park avenue hotel, the first Kimpton in New York City and the new Hotel Solamar in San Diego. Kimpton also re-launched the newly renovated Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove, Miami and will debut the Hotel Palomar, Washington D.C. in mid-2006 and the Hotel Palomar, Dallas in August 2006. Several additional projects are currently underway in Arizona, South Beach and Virginia. For more information, please visit www.kimptonhotels.com or call 1-800-KIMPTON.

Kimpton
Allison Goldstein, 415-955-5407
[email protected]