Highlight of $60 Million Expansion at Lansdowne Resort is the 12,000 Sq. Ft. Spa Minérale / April 2006

Hotel Online Special Report

Highlight of $60 Million Expansion at Lansdowne Resort
is the 12,000 Sq. Ft. Spa Minérale

Lansdowne, Virginia, April 2006 ... Benchmark Hospitality International has formally announced that Lansdowne Resort's Spa Minérale (pronounced Min-er-al), a new 12,000-square-foot, full-service luxury spa, is officially open. The new spa is one of the largest luxury spas in the Washington, DC, area. Spa Minérale is part of the resort's $60 million renovation and expansion program. Benchmark Hospitality International operates Lansdowne Resort.
.

Lansdowne Resort's $60 Million Renovation
& Expansion Summary

Renovation of all 305 guest rooms and public spaces (completed March 2005)
5-Pool Aquatic Complex, complete with waterslide (opened July 2005)
45,000 sq. foot clubhouse, complete with restaurant, pub, ballroom, golf shop and spacious locker rooms (opened September 2005)
18-hole championship golf course designed by Greg Norman (opened September 2005)
9-hole short course designed by Greg Norman (scheduled to open fall 2006), which will bring the total golf holes available at Lansdowne Resort to 45

.
"Spa Minérale has been designed to give our guests a true spa experience, not just a spa treatment," said Tom Manno, managing director for Benchmark Hospitality at Lansdowne Resort. "By combining a world-class facility with exceptional service, we expect Spa Minérale to soon be considered one of the finest spas in the country."

Spa Minérale features 13 spacious treatment rooms, each designed with specialty lighting and music; three private, comfortable relaxation lounges - each with their own fireplace; a complete image center / salon for men and women; and spacious, inviting locker rooms complete with whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms and grooming amenities. The spa's design includes an intimate, private Spa Suite with its own lounge and up to four treatment rooms for guests to enjoy their spa experience in seclusion with friends, family or that special someone.

Guests can select from a wide variety of specialized treatments, including a variety of massages; cleansing exfoliations; hydrating and de-toxifying body masks; hydrotherapy air-jet bath, Vichy and multi-head shower experiences; basic and advanced skin care facials; and depilatory waxing.

The Image Center will offer manicures, pedicures, hand and foot treatments, cuts and styles for both men and women as well as make-up application and demonstration. Full and half day packages will be offered and are designed for complete customization.

For a Complete Menu of Spa Minérale Treatments visit: http://www.lansdowneresort.com/Spa/pdf/spaminerale_menu121405.pdf

"The menu is deliberately uncomplicated, but provides a variety of treatments without becoming overwhelming," said Judy Stell, Lansdowne Resort Spa Director. "Our intent is to be able to understand each guest's needs, and then personalize a treatment program based on these needs and their schedule. Pricing is based on the time the treatment is scheduled instead of the treatments decided upon. This keeps the spa experience uncomplicated, relaxing and stress free."

Signature Spa Minérale products are inspired by Virginia's mineral rich environment and indigenous botanicals. The nearby Goose Creek Rock Quarry has been harvested to produce many of the salts, scrubs and muds, while Virginia's official tree and flower, the Dogwood, has long been utilized as an astringent for its ability to stimulate collagen and improve clarity and skin tone. The spa's layout features a spa shop with an array of signature products and "home spa" delights.

The project was directed by Health Fitness Dynamics, Inc. (HFD), www.hfdspa.com, an internationally recognized spa design and consulting company based in Pompano Beach, Florida. HFD has developed luxury spas for hotels and resorts around the world.

For more information on Spa Minérale, visit www.lansdowneresort.com or call 703-729-8400 / 877-509-8400.
.

Quick Facts About Spa Minérale

Size: 12,000 square feet

Treatment Rooms:
13 spacious treatment rooms with specialty lighting and music

Image Center:
A complete 11 station image center/salon offers manicures, pedicures, hand and foot treatments, cuts and styles and make-up application and demonstration.

Lounges:
Three private, comfortable relaxation lounges each with a fireplace and refreshment areas, including a women's lounge, men's lounge and co-ed lounge.

Spa Suite:
A private Spa Suite with its own lounge and up to four treatment rooms for guests to enjoy their spa experience or celebration in seclusion with friends, family or that special someone.

Signature Products:
The Signature Spa Minérale products are inspired by Virginia's mineral rich environment and indigenous botanicals. The nearby Goose Creek Rock Quarry has been harvested to produce many of the salts, scrubs and muds, while Virginia's official tree and flower, the Dogwood, has long been utilized as an astringent and for its ability to stimulate collagen and improve clarity and skin tone.

Designer:
Health Fitness Dynamics, Inc. (HFD, www.hfdspa.com ), an internationally recognized spa design and consulting company based in Pompano Beach, Florida. HFD has developed luxury spas for hotels and resorts around the world. A partial client list includes: Little Dix Bay, TPC Marriott Sawgrass, Pinehurst, The Breakers, Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, The Homestead, The Greenbrier, Four Seasons Hulalai, Mandarin Oriental Miami, The Royal Sands, Miraval, Malliouhana, Cranwell, Bacara, Silverado, Delano and Doral Golf Resort & Spa.

Spa Director:
Judy Stell has an extensive and impressive background managing luxury resort spas, coming to Lansdowne from the Ballantyne Resort & Spa in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has also directed operations at Hilton Sandestin Golf Resort in Destin, Florida and The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, among other properties.

Getaway Spa Packages:
With the opening of Spa Minérale, Lansdowne will feature several great getaway packages for guests to spend the weekend at the resort and enjoy the spa. For details, visit: http://www.lansdowneresort.com/Accommodations/accommodation_packages.asp

.
Lansdowne Resort (www.lansdowneresort.com) is the capital region's premier, full-service resort. Operated by Benchmark Hospitality International, the resort is situated on 500 + acres of secluded countryside along the Potomac River near Leesburg, Virginia. Lansdowne features 305 freshly renovated luxury guestrooms and suites, a multi pool aquatic complex, 36 holes of championship golf, including the new Greg Norman Course, a new 45,000 square foot clubhouse, and six dining outlets. In the spring of 2006, the resort unveiled Spa Minérale, a 12,000 square foot full-service spa, and in the fall will open a 9-hole Greg Norman-designed short course, bringing the golf complex to 45 holes.

Benchmark Hospitality International, an independent hospitality management company based in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, operates resorts, conference centers, hotels and condominium resorts both domestically and internationally. For locations of Benchmark Hospitality properties and for additional information, visit Benchmark's Website at www.benchmarkhospitality.com.

Contact:

Benchmark Hospitality International
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas
www.benchmarkhospitality.com

Ken Ellens
Ken Ellens Communications
201-758-2864 / 201-758-2865-Fax
[email protected]

Josh Herman
Director of Public Relations
Lansdowne Resort
703-729-4129
[email protected]

Also See:	Tom Manno Appointed Managing Director for the 305 room Lansdowne Resort Near Washington, D.C. / February 2006
	Benchmark's Top Ten Hospitality Trends For 2006 / March 2006

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