The new brand, Solage Hotels & Resorts, derives its name from the sun-drenched California lifestyle that inspires Auberge Resorts' warm, yet sophisticated, style of hospitality.

Developed by the team behind Auberge Resorts' award-winning luxury properties, Auberge du Soleil, Esperanza, Calistoga Ranch and The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Solage will depart from the Auberge model of timeless romantic retreats to offer a contemporary, design-focused culture that is more accessible in price, style and experience.

"We've had great success bringing Auberge Resorts into new destinations. Now, we're excited to launch a hotel concept that brings our style of hospitality to a new and broader audience," said Mark Harmon, CEO of Auberge Resorts. "We envision a collection of hotels that are fresh, inclusive and distinctive to their settings. Solage Hotels & Resorts will offer an energetic, comfortably cool experience that is stylish, yet always welcoming."

The first resort, Solage Calistoga, is currently under construction and scheduled to open in spring 2007 in Napa Valley. Offering a relaxed approach to the wine country experience, the 89-room cottage-style property will be the first affordable, full-service resort in the valley. Designed by renowned local architect Howard Backen, the resort's architecture interprets Napa's rural heritage with a stylish twist described as "San Francisco loft meets Napa Valley barn." Interiors are being designed by San Francisco firm Dowling Kimm Studios, a team acclaimed for their work for Banana Republic and a number of hotels and spas.

The resort will feature a bar and casual restaurant both opening onto large outdoor terraces, fire pits, bocce courts and views of the Palisades Mountains. Stretching across the lawn will be a 130-foot pool surrounded by cabanas and lounges. Complimentary "cruiser" bikes will be available for guests to take a spin through the 25-acre property or into nearby Calistoga to browse through its charming shops and attractions.

The heart of the resort, the Solage Spa will be a tongue-in-cheek ode to Calistoga's origin as a frontier spa destination, with a clever lineup of experiences such as the "mud bar," where guests will rest on marble slabs, while being painted with nutrient-rich local volcanic mud. Solage Spa will also feature soaking pools tapping the famous Calistoga geothermal springs.

Environmental sustainability will also be a major effort at Solage Calistoga. Various initiatives, such as landscape preservation, water and lighting conservation and a "Green Team" made up of employees focusing on environmental programs will be integral to the resort.

Rates at Solage Calistoga will range from $275 for a deluxe room to $850 for a one-bedroom suite.

Tim Harmon, a partner with Auberge Resorts, who currently oversees real estate development, will serve as Chief Executive Officer for Solage Hotels & Resorts. Harmon is currently exploring locations for future Solage developments in Mexico, Hawaii and California.

About Auberge Resorts
Auberge Resorts is a collection of exceptional hotels, resorts and private clubs, each with a unique personality that assures a memorable guest experience. Among the distinctive properties are Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley; Esperanza, Cabo San Lucas; Calistoga Ranch, Napa Valley; and The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, S.C., with several others currently in development. While Auberge Resorts nurtures the individuality of each establishment, all are characterized by a set of communal elements: intimate, understated elegance; captivating locations that inspire exceptional cuisine and spa experiences; and gracious yet unobtrusive service. For more information about Auberge Resorts, please visit http://www.aubergeresorts.com/.

Auberge Resorts
Solage Hotels & Resorts
http://www.solagehotels.com