Hotel Online  Special Report
.

advertisement


..
Dolce International has Four Major Projects Underway and Two Properties
Slated to be Opened: Zermatt Resort & Spa in Utah
and La Hulpe in Belgium
.
Montvale, NJ (April 2006) � Dolce International announced it is taking a fresh and innovative approach to current Dolce-managed development projects through 2007. The global hospitality company specializing in the meetings experience has four major projects underway which include two new properties slated to be opened: Zermatt Resort & Spa in Utah and La Hulpe in Belgium; and an expansion and renovation at Lakeway Resort and Spa in Texas and Aspen Meadows Resort in Colorado. 

Andy Dolce, Chairman and Managing Partner of Dolce International stated, �Dolce properties are already recognized for their unsurpassed meeting expertise and their unique character. After speaking to customers and analyzing trends, we are implementing a blueprint that keeps each property unique by infusing the local natural environment with individual decorative composition and cutting edge technology. We believe the environment, both the interior and exterior, of our conference properties has a profound impact on the total guest experience.�  The company is committed to enhancing the learning and leisure experience by providing an atmosphere that will stimulate, motivate and encourage interaction. 

ZERMATT RESORT & SPA, Midway, Utah 
Zermatt Resort & Spa is an escape to a quaint Swiss village in the heart of Utah. Artisans are pain-stakingly hand painting murals and frescos. Wood carvers are creating such unique elements as a William Tell fireplace, statues for the grounds-both inside and out as well as carving large ceiling beams.  With the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, Zermatt will make you believe you are in the Alps.   A European style carousel and sidewalk dining, an authentic bakery and gelato shop are all part of the Swiss touches. The focal point is Hotel der Baer, a four-story Swiss chalet, with 226 guest rooms that tastefully fuse European elegance with modern day technology.  Amenities include a 17,000 square-foot European spa and a nine-hole executive golf course. The chic mountain retreat also lays claim to a natural phenomena - geothermal hot springs, which can be used in the winter for scuba diving or relaxing. The Matterhorn Conference Center, linked to Hotel der Baer, includes 28,000 square feet of meeting space with a ballroom designed to look like the elaborate grand banquet halls of old Europe. The property is slated for a June 2006 opening and already has meetings on the books through 2008.

DOLCE LA HULPE CONFERENCE RESORT & SPA , Brussels 
The boldly modern Dolce La Hulpe is the company�s first property in Belgium.  Dolce La Hulpe�s location � 10 miles from Brussels city center, in the Soignes forest � serves as the inspiration for the design of this resort.  From the public spaces to the guest rooms, the hotel brings the wooded nature in with floor-to-ceiling windows throughout, exposing magnificent views and offering soothing natural light.  This is fused with the modernity of Belgium�s trendy capital city revealed by the use of a simple and clean design and stark solid dark wood furnishings. The full-service hotel and conference destination will offer 264 generously sized guest rooms, styled in a highly contemporary open floor plan with a loft-like feel.  The ultra-modern design will allow natural light to flow through the bedroom area into the bathrooms. For meetings, the two conference centers will offer a total of 47,400 square feet of meeting space, divided by the hotel wing located in the center of the property.  Dolce La Hulpe is scheduled to open February 2007.

LAKEWAY RESORT & SPA, Austin, Texas
 A Futuristic glass structure is part of the $15 million upgrade of the legendary, Lakeway Resort and Spa, situated on the shores of Lake Travis. The redesign features oversized windows throughout to allow guests to enjoy the expansive and breathtaking views, and bring in much natural light.   By April 2006, all 170 guest rooms, many with private balconies to enjoy the views, will be remodeled in contemporary furnishings and new soft goods, using a neutral color palate and feature luxurious beds and bedding, spacious desk areas and flat screen televisions.  Extending out over Lake Travis, the main building will house: a 5,500 square-foot state-of-the-art spa and fitness center, with 6 treatment rooms; and a conference center with 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, breakout meeting rooms, and the 5,200 square foot �Glass Ballroom� with a wall of windows sitting right out on the water.  Another highlight of the redesign is a $1.8 million dollar, three-level infinity pool overlooking Lake Travis. New concepts in cuisine and décor will improve the dining areas. The resort has already seen changes:  At the recently reopened Vista Bar, a cleverly designed cherry wood bar which extends 30 feet high to the ceiling, and holds 500 bottles of wine, has become a focal talking piece and a unique gathering place for groups.  The resort will complete its redevelopment in October 2006. Lakeway�s commitment to outstanding service has helped keep sales strong through the renovations with occupancy and revenues exceeding budget to date. 

ASPEN MEADOWS RESORT & SPA, Colorado
Taking full advantage of its surroundings, Aspen Meadows Resort will more than exude serenity following its expansion, redesign and makeover.  Situated on a remote 40 acres, encircled by the Colorado Rockies and two beautiful rivers, a highlight of the redo is the transformation of the fitness center into a true wellness center promoting the idea of mind, body and spirit.  The Resnick Wellness Center will offer areas for massage, Yoga and Pilates. Emphasis will be placed on teaching healthy cooking, eating and proper exercise. A 22,000 square foot Doerr-Hosier Conference Center will also be constructed. The innovative design of this building will draw energy from the natural elements of the site and integrate them directly into the building. Other additions include an elegant and contemporary restaurant offering sweeping views of the surrounding area.  The entrance and lobby area have recently been redecorated and all 98 spacious guest suites will be totally renovated, complete with Plasma flat screen televisions. The resort will remain open through the duration of the renovations, which are expected to be completed in early 2007. Aspen Meadows continues to be a strong performer with showing a steady increase in occupancy and revenues over the past 24 months.

Steve Giblin, President and COO said, �We are constantly reinventing what a meeting experience should be at a Dolce Destination. We regularly seek feedback from our customers and our approach is a reflection of our rapidly evolving, savvy customer.  Our Associates work hard to maintain our loyal base of customers as well as to attract a new generation of customers. By keeping our destinations fresh, cutting edge and technologically advanced we feel we have an advantage. The steady sales growth we have experienced is a reflection of the strengthening economy and the approach we have taken. We are expecting 2006 to be an extremely strong year and all indications are pointing to a strong first quarter with RevPar projected to be up about 22 percent which is well above the industry.

About Dolce International:
Dolce International is a global hospitality company specializing in the meetings experience for its customers. The company has a collection of 21 unique properties in the United States, Canada and Europe.  Each property features a different style ranging from a historic castle, to an authentic alpine village, to a New England-style country resort, to a French chateau, to a traditional corporate learning center.  All Dolce Destinations meet the high standards of the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC).  While Dolce International specializes in the meetings niche of the hospitality industry, the company also caters to leisure travelers, individual business travelers and offers a variety of venues for events.  Headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey and Paris, France, the company has approximately 3,000 employees.  Dolce is currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary. 

.
Contact 

Barbara A. Rogers 
Director of  Marketing & Public Relations
Dolce International®
28 West Grand Avenue 
Montvale, NJ 07645 
Direct: 201-505-4413 
Email:[email protected]
www.dolce.com

.
Also See: Steve Giblin Appointed Chief Operating Officer and Debra Bates as Chief Investment Officer at Dolce International / March 2006
After Nine Years of Planning and Obtaining Entitlements, Zermatt Resort & Spa near Salt Lake City, Utah Under Construction; Dolce International Appointed to Manage Resort and Conference Center / February 2005
Dolce Awarded Management Contract for the Former IBM Training Center in La Hulpe near Brussels; Following Renovation and Expansion the 264 room Property Will Reopen as the Dolce La Hulpe Brussels / September 2005

.


To search Hotel Online data base of News and Trends Go to Hotel.Online Search

Home | Welcome! | Hospitality News | Classifieds | Catalogs & Pricing | Viewpoint Forum | Ideas/Trends
Please contact Hotel.Online with your comments and suggestions.