| LOS ANGELES � June 26,
2003 � HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates -- renowned as the �No.1 Hospitality
Design Firm� -- unveils the country�s most anticipated designs in upcoming
months, from the exclusive Mandarin Oriental New York in the AOL/Time Warner
towers to The Watermark Hotel and Spa, the only five-star River Walk destination.
This year, HBA�s designs restore historic grandeur and push the envelope
with contemporary, innovative looks, while introducing the latest in-room
technology.
The Mandarin Oriental New York, (opening Fall 2003) blends oriental influences with vintage 1940s-inspired furnishings. With two floor plans and color schemes in either pale gold and jet black or Chinese red and gunmetal silver, each of the guestrooms boasts floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of New York City. Soaking tubs, complete with mounted LCD display televisions, are situated at picturesque windows providing guests with awe-inspiring views of Manhattan. The largest non-gaming resort in the country, The Grande Lakes Orlando, Fla., (opening July 2003) includes a 584-room Ritz-Carlton and 1,000-room JW Marriott, as well as 40,000 sq. ft. spa with 40 treatment rooms and an 18-hole golf course designed by two-time British Open winner Greg Norman. The resort will be the first in the world to have its own full-time Citrus Consultant, an expert on all things citrus. At the Spa, the Citrus Consultant will highlight citrus-inspired health and beauty treatments and citrus-based spa products as well as give guests advice about which citrus is best for skincare or diet. Within the gracious interiors of the historically significant 19th century L. Frank Saddlery Building, the Watermark Hotel and Spa, San Antonio, TX, (opening November 2003) features residential design with traditional Texas décor. As the only five-star River Walk destination, the hotel promises a timeless sanctuary reminiscent of Native American settlers and Old World explorers. Indigenous stone columns and fireplaces with stone hearths are culturally-attuned, while the reception desk is a replica of a detailed antique piece that may have originated with the building. Warm woods, hand-forged iron four-poster beds, expansive windows and art crafted by local artists in the guestrooms embrace guests in the comfortable elegance of a private residence. Couples� Spa Suites offer guests a private, elegant indulgence with wood flooring, upgraded bathrooms, breathtaking views of the river and an area for couples� massage lessons. La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, Calif., (opening Summer 2003), the historic west coast mafia hangout and the burial site of Jimmy Hoffa (legend says he�s buried under the18th green), has been gutted and completely re-designed by HBA. With names of the public areas reflecting those of a home, the new design and feel of La Costa will evoke a truly residential atmosphere. The main building is named the Manor House, while the entry is the Foyer, the lobby is called the living room and the lounge is the library. The new 26,000 sq. ft. spa includes 42 treatment rooms all with operable windows opening to the garden and a co-ed pretreatment lounge that extends into the lushly landscaped courtyards and waterfalls. Two spa suites, perfect for couples include their own private courtyards. Built to resemble an 1800�s plantation home, The
Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, Kiawah Island, S.C. (opening March 2004) evokes
a residential ambiance with turn-of-the-century antiques, bubbled-glass
lanterns and high, beamed ceilings. Woven sea-grass panels on the lobby
walls offer a sense of place. The warm fireplace and settees in the morning
room provide meeting groups a comfortable, �at-home� area for morning coffee
and pastries before meetings. The spa, one of the largest on the East coast,
spans the entire second floor of the hotel with 14 treatment rooms. Each
of the treatment rooms feature knotty pine floors, windows with garden
views and up-lit circular domes.
Guest Bedroom The Sancturay . HBA Background
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