The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 4, 2012 … Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading US-based independent hospitality management company, has announced that Snow King Resort, located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has joined the company’s portfolio of prestigious, independently-branded properties.  Burt Cabañas, chairman and CEO, made the announcement.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Snow King Resort to Benchmark Hospitality International,” said Mr. Cabañas.  “As distinctive as Jackson Hole’s legendary Old West destination is awe-inspiring, Snow King is a wonderful addition to our expanding portfolio of properties.”

“The acquisition of Snow King Resort represents the second in a series of strategic acquisitions whereby JMI Realty Partners IV has identified a terrific asset in an irreplaceable location,” said John Kratzer, chairman and CEO of JMI Realty, the new owner of the hotel.  “We’ll begin a large-scale renovation and repositioning program in an effort to achieve the asset’s full potential.  We are extremely happy to have Benchmark Hospitality International play a key role in the transformation of Snow King.”

Snow King Resort is located in Downtown Jackson Hole at the base of Snow King Mountain, just minutes from the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.  In the heart of Wyoming's legendary ski country, Snow King Resort features comprehensive all-season recreational opportunities, superb dining, outstanding social and corporate gathering spaces, and diverse lodging choices:  Guests of the resort can select from the Snow King Hotel, the adjacent Snow King Condominiums, and the Grand View Luxury Lodge.

Snow King Resort is as ideal for social and corporate gatherings as it is for summer vacations and ski holidays.  The hotel features 30,000 square feet of event space and is supported by skilled catering and conference service teams.  Three outdoor event areas provide 9,000 additional square feet of function space for weddings, receptions and meetings, complemented with inspiring views of the surrounding landscape.   With a 9,000-square-foot ballroom on site, and access to the 25,000-square-foot Snow King Center, the resort provides the most comprehensive meeting amenities of any property in the region.

Superb dining will be a focus at Snow King Hotel, as a transformed Atrium Restaurant will re-open in the spring. In the interim, the hotel will continue to provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner service.  Snow King’s banquet and catering team ensures every social and corporate event is skillfully executed and long remembered.

What is most inspiring about Snow King Resort, however, is its distinctive setting in the heart of America’s legendary “Old West.”  Located at the base of Snow King Mountain with views of the Grand Tetons, outdoor adventures abound.  Numerous activities are available to guests, and include horseback riding in the foothills of the mountains, white water rafting on the nearby Snake River, scenic chairlift rides to mountain tops, the famed Alpine Slide -- an exhilarating ride through the wooded mountainous surroundings, as well as some of the nation’s most breathtaking hot air ballooning high above the Grand Teton Mountain Range.

Winter sports feature sought-after snow skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing.  Also available to resort guests are ice skating at Snow King Center, snowshoeing in Grand Teton National Park, and so much more.  Close by is the world’s first and arguably most beloved national park, Yellowstone, with all-season outdoor adventure and wildlife excursions that have inspired generations of travelers.

For those needing a break from nature, charming Jackson Hole provides superb shopping and dining choices, as well as art galleries, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and an historic Town Square.  Airlift into the destination is through the Jackson Hole Airport, which is serviced by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Skywest Airlines and United Airlines with direct service to Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Minneapolis, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, Houston, and Los Angeles.

About Snow King Resort
The Snow King Resort, which includes the Snow King Hotel and the Grand View Luxury Lodge, is located just six blocks from the Historic Jackson Hole Town Square and near the gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, providing an ideal setting for leisure vacations or productive business meetings.  A full-service resort, the property features a restaurant, lounge, concierge, 30,000 square feet of event space, 204 guestrooms, over 100 Grand View Luxury Lodge units and 45 one-to-four bedroom condominiums.  In the winter, guests enjoy Skiing, Snowboarding and Snow Tubing.  During the summer, on site Scenic Chairlift, Alpine Slide, Miniature Golf, Horseback Riding, Mountain Bike and Hiking trails make every stay an adventure.  A visit to Snow King Resort is a retreat to the distinctive western hospitality of storied Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

About JMI Realty
JMI Realty is a vertically integrated hospitality investment company with deep acquisition, development, construction and repositioning expertise.  Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with a satellite office in San Diego, California, the firm is headed by John Kratzer and is perhaps best known for its role as the master developer of the ballpark district in downtown San Diego.  The firm recently began a significant joint venture relationship with Siguler Guff out of New York.  This is the second in a series of investments for the Fund.  For additional information please visit www.jmirealty.com. Or email Gregory Clay, Chief Investment Officer, at [email protected].

About Benchmark Hospitality International
Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels^SM.  The independent company, launched in 1980, is a worldwide organization operating properties in major metropolitan and resort destinations.  Benchmark's international headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston. Benchmark Hospitality is also a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers.  The company's eastern regional office is in New Jersey, western regional office is in Washington, with international offices in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark's properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com.