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Montage Hotels & Resorts, a Newly Formed Luxury
Hotel Operating Company, Set to Open the
Company's Namesake and Flagship -
The Montage Resort & Spa

 
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


 
Contact:
Marguarite Clark
Director of Public Relations
Tel: (949) 715-6116
E-Mail: [email protected]
http://www.montagelagunabeach.com
Also See: Montage Founder, Alan J. Fuerstman Sees Big Things for Laguna Colony Luxury Hotel, Acquired from Marriott International for $190 million / Sandi Cain / July 2002
Ritz, Surf & Sand, Vie With Beach Resort Newcomers Along California's Orange County Coast; Almost 1,000 rooms Set to be Added / Sandi Cain / Aug 2002


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