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 Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Signs Agreement with Castillo Grand, L.L.C.
to Assume Management of The St. Regis Fort Lauderdale
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CHEVY CHASE, Md. � July 22, 2008 � The award-winning Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. has reached agreement with ownership group Castillo Grand, L.L.C. to assume management of The St. Regis Fort Lauderdale, a 192-room oceanfront hotel, which also includes lavish private residences, on the beaches of Florida�s scenic Gold Coast. The management transition will be effective August 11, 2008, with The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale becoming the tenth location in the state for the company named by The Luxury Institute as �The Most Prestigious Luxury Brand.�

�We are very pleased to add this outstanding resort to the family of Ritz-Carlton properties in Florida,� said Simon F. Cooper, president and chief operating officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.  Fort Lauderdale is a sought after destination for both leisure and group business. The resort features the largest oceanfront ballroom in the city, a spacious and stylish spa and memorable ocean and Intracoastal Waterway views. The resort will now also offer its guests and residents our �best in class� personalized service recognized around the world,� Cooper added.
 
Castillo Grand Managing Partner, Fred B. Bullard, Jr. and Gregory Morris, Chief Operating Officer, representing fellow partners Clayton McNeel, Roy M. Speer, Dr. John Barnett and Barbara Santangelo said, �The Ritz-Carlton brand represents the ultimate in luxury, which is what Castillo partners have committed to the Fort Lauderdale area. With more coveted Mobil Five Star and American Automobile Association (AAA) Five Diamond ratings than any other hospitality company, The Ritz-Carlton reputation for professionalism and attention to detail is obviously why they have achieved such a great reputation. We are very pleased to be working with The Ritz-Carlton and look forward to making the resort an icon of relaxed elegance and superb service,� he added.

Open since May 2007, the resort was designed by Miami-based architectural firm Arquitectonica. Interiors were created by the noted decorators Hirsch-Bedner. The 24-story building stands out for its white curvilinear exteriors, inspired by the grand ocean liners of another era and whimsical murals reminiscent of famed French painter Jean Cocteau.  In addition to the 192 guest rooms, the hotel includes eight oceanfront suites and 20 suites overlooking the Intracoastal waterway. Room décor is casually elegant in tones of cream, yellow, and beige. Vintage black and white photos evoking the Fort Lauderdale of the 1940�s accent the spacious rooms. A range of modern services from wireless access to LCD televisions and in-room fax, copier and printing offer guests every convenience.

The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale will provide owners with a range of personalized services, including the opportunity to avail themselves of housekeeping, catering, in-room dining, concierge, and other amenities provided by the resort staff. �The lifestyle of our Residences' owners is going to be greatly enhanced by the change to The Ritz-Carlton,� predicted Mr. Bullard. 

Meeting and special event space at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale totals 14,000 square feet, including two ballrooms and an Executive Boardroom, all equipped with state-of-the-art wireless technology and features. The 29,000 square foot tropical pool deck features exclusive cabanas, a bar and grill for casual dining, and a convenient skywalk connecting to the beach. For the ultimate in pampering and relaxation, the resort�s spa and fitness center complex offer a range of services and treatments, as well as workout equipment and choice of classes from yoga to spinning.   

Dining choices at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale currently include the Cero Restaurant, a three meal a day facility with al fresco oceanfront dining. In The Lobby Bar, a 16-foot high ceiling with a hand-painted mural of Neptune, provides a relaxing setting for refreshments and cocktails. In addition to the pool bar, The Wine Room, stocked with an extensive collection, is open for private events.

Located at One North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, the resort is less than seven miles from The Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. 

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 71 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe with future openings including Shenzhen, China; Dove Mountain, Arizona; and Lake Tahoe, California. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com.

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Contact:

Vivian A. Deuschl 
Corporate Vice President, Public Relations 
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. 
4445 Willard Avenue, Suite 800 
Chevy Chase 
Bethesda MD 20815 
Dir: 703.941.6225
 

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Also See: Starwood Abandons the Fort Lauderdale Hotel Market 14 Months after Opening the St. Regis Fort Lauderdale Resort, Cites Contract Dispute with the Castillo Grand Ownership Group / July 2008
St. Regis Resort, Fort Lauderdale Opens; Features Signature St. Regis Butler Service, Largest Ocean-Front Ballroom, Signature Cero Restaurant by Chef Toby Joseph / May 2007
Vector Investments Moving Forward with the $150M Castillo Grand in Fort Lauderdale / Jan 2000
Castillo Grand, LLC and Starwood Break Ground on $135 million The St. Regis Resort, Spa and Residences, Fort Lauderdale, Florida / Jan 2002

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