LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (January 13, 2003) - Montage Resort & Spa
-- the first oceanfront hotel to open in Laguna Beach in more than 50 years
-- will open February 21, 2003.
With sweeping panoramas of the Pacific Ocean and striking craftsman-style
architecture, the new 262-room resort is situated on 30-lushly landscaped
beachfront acres.
According to Alan Fuerstman, the founder, president and chief executive
officer of Montage Hotels & Resorts -- a newly formed luxury hotel
operating company focused on serving the affluent traveler -- this new
coastal destination is his company's namesake and flagship property. "A
'montage' is a composite of closely juxtaposed elements," says Fuerstman.
"This term aptly captures the flavor of this resort, which was carefully
designed to reflect the history and artistic heritage of Laguna Beach,
appealing to domestic and international travelers alike."
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Breathtaking ocean views are the backdrop for the resort's elegant beachfront
accommodations and myriad amenities, among them: a 20,000-square-foot beachfront
spa; three sparkling swimming pools; destination dining - featuring Studio,
the resort's signature restaurant headed up by acclaimed Chef James Boyce;
and over 20,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space.
"The resort is located in one of the country's foremost artistic communities,"
Fuerstman explains, "so the perpetuation and appreciation of the arts is
a key component of the property and its locale." With this in mind, the
resort houses a museum-quality collection of fine art and ceramics inspired
by the Early California Arts and Crafts movement, including rare paintings
by such famed plein-air artists as William Wendt, Edgar Payne and John
Manheim.
Paying further tribute to Laguna Beach's rich cultural heritage, the
resort reflects the area's artistic roots while harmonizing with the rugged
coastal environs. Traditional touches such as stone architecture; rich,
dark wood; copper gutters; and shingle-style roofing -- combined with Arts
and Crafts-style artwork and décor -- capture a bygone era.
Alan J. Fuerstman
President and Chief Executive Officer
Alan J. Fuerstman founded Montage Hotels & Resorts, a luxury hotel
and resort management company, in January 2002. He is now the president
and chief executive officer of the company, whose flagship property is
the Montage Resort & Spa Laguna Beach, California.
A 25-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Mr. Fuerstman most recently
served as opening vice-president of hotel operations at the Bellagio Las
Vegas, joining the pre-opening management in April of 1998. He left the
Bellagio in September of 2000 to form his own hospitality group, the foundation
for Montage Hotels & Resorts.
From 1994 to1998, Mr. Fuerstman was the managing director of the Mobil
Five-Star Phoenician resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. During his tenure there,
he was responsible for ITT Sheraton Luxury Collection's St. Regis Aspen
and St. Regis Houston hotels, as well as with overseeing all ITT Sheraton
properties in Arizona. In addition, he served as advisor to the Luxury
Collection's resort development and acquisitions team in North America.
Mr. Fuerstman was recognized as ITT Sheraton's 1993 "General Manager of
the Year" and in 1996, the company named The Phoenician its "Hotel of the
Year." While managing The Phoenician, Fuerstman was instrumental in helping
the resort achieve the prestigious Mobil Five-star status and earn several
rankings as the top resort in North America by various respected travel
magazines.
Prior to joining The Phoenician, Mr. Fuerstman served as general manager
of the El Conquistador Resort and Country Club in Tucson, Arizona. He began
his distinguished career with Marriott International in 1978. His tenure
with Marriott culminated with the opening of several new properties including
their flagship property, Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa. Mr. Fuerstman
currently serves on the Northern Arizona University School of Hotel and
Restaurant Management's Advisory Board, and on the Audit Committee of the
American Hotel/Motel Association.
Prior public service includes a board position with the Nevada Hotel/Motel
Association, the American Red Cross in Tucson, Business Advisory Council
for Public Schools in Tucson, Chamber of Commerce Visitor Industry Advisory
Council in Scottsdale, Board of Directors of Arizona Hotel/Motel Association,
and the Phoenix and Valley of the Sun Convention and Visitors Bureau, and
Trustee for the Arizona
Hotel Foundation.
A native of New Milford, New Jersey, Mr. Fuerstman graduated with a
Bachelor of Arts degree from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. He is
married to Susan J. Fuerstman and they have four children.
DESIGN TEAM:
Developer - The Athens Group of Phoenix, AZ
Architect - Hill Glazier Architects of Palo Alto, CA
Contractor - Wentz Group of San Carlos, CA
Interiors � Wilson & Associates of Dallas, TX
Art � Julie Cline Fine Art Services of Newport Beach, CA
OWNERSHIP: Laguna Beach Resorts,
LLC
OPERATOR: Montage Hotels & Resorts
EXECUTIVE STAFF:
Alan J. Fuerstman, Founder, President & CEO
James D. Bermingham, General Manager
Bob Frear, Vice President of Sales
Jeff Johnson, Vice President of Marketing
James Boyce, Executive Chef of Studio
Todd Orlich, Director of Food & Beverage
Iqbal Bahir, Director of Finance
Bill Claypool, Director of Technical Services
Carol Reynolds, Director of Human Resources |
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