MIAMI, FL (January 1998):  Derek Pinto, managing director of Hotel Partners International's Latin America/Caribbean division, has confirmed the sale of the Westin Carambola Beach Resort in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.  The 156-unit property was sold by a subsidiary of Columbia Sussex Corp. to Signature Resorts for $13 million.  Pinto and vice president John Karver (Chicago) of Hotel Partners represented the seller in this transaction.

The four-star, four-diamond Westin Carambola is located on the highly desirable north shore of St. Croix, the largest of the three main islands that comprise the US Virgin Islands.  Guest amenities at the resort are extensive, including meeting space, multiple food and beverage outlets, tennis courts, spa and exercise facilities and one-quarter mile of white sand beachfront.

About Hotel Partners International  Chicago-headquartered Hotel Partners International is the world's premier hotel investment advisory firm.  Services provided to the hospitality investment community include individual hotel and portfolio acquisition and disposition, debt and equity financing and asset management.  Hotel Partners has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Hong Kong, Honolulu, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Singapore and Tokyo.