The Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth, California Prepares
to Open
.
James McGillivray Named General
Manager of the Third Venture Between
Intrawest and Starwood Hotels &
Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
 Mammoth
Lakes, Calif. (Summer 2007) � The Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth is scheduled
to open its doors in fall 2007, bringing a hotel brand recognized the world
over for its instinctive service and signature amenities. In addition to
being the first internationally recognized upper-upscale hotel property
in Mammoth, the Monache will also be one of the first flagged condo-hotels
to open in California.
The 230-condominium Westin Monache Resort (pronounced �mon-ah-she�),
will be the first full-service property in a region becoming increasingly
popular with not only its loyal Southern California following, but also
vacationers from around the country. One of the fastest-growing mountain
destinations in North America, Mammoth is located in the Eastern Sierra
Nevada Mountains (south of Reno, NV and northeast of Los Angeles). The
resort is one of the top three most visited ski areas in the U.S. and California�s
most popular four-season mountain destination. In addition, Mammoth ranked
in the top 10 for Skiing Magazine�s Top 25 Resorts for the �06/�07 season,
and has been ranked the number one overall resort in North America by TransWorld.
The Westin Monache Resort will offer an ideal location in The Village
at Mammoth, adjacent to Mammoth Mountain�s 15-passenger express gondola.
Among its many amenities, the new property will include panoramic views
of the mountains; a full service restaurant; 24-hour room service; ski
valet and rental shop; a pool and hot tubs; fitness facilities; underground
parking; and more than 2,000-square-feet of meeting space. The property
will feature a contemporary elegance that redefines mountain lodging.
�The eagerly anticipated opening of this newest Mammoth Lakes hotel
is part of the town�s drive to become a vacation destination on par with
some of the finest mountain resorts in the world,� said James McGillivray,
general manager of the Westin Monache Resort. �The Westin brand is one
recognized internationally for its renewing accommodations and superior
service.�
| James McGillivray, the General Manager at the new Westin Monache Mammoth
Lakes, brings to his new role both a passion for the hospitality industry
and the sport of skiing. His extensive background in the ski resort hospitality
industry and his love of the mountains will serve him well as he oversees
the upscale 230-unit condominium-hotel scheduled to open in 2007.
Having arrived at Mammoth from Intrawest�s Village at Blue Mountain
in Ontario, Canada, McGillivray is familiar with the concept that underlies
Intrawest�s Mammoth property. At Blue Mountain, where McGillivray held
numerous roles, the most recent being Vice President of Recreation, Retail
and Planning, he watched the Village�s transformation from a parking lot
and snowmaking pond in 1999 to the four buildings, 650 condominium hotel
units, and 40,000 square feet of retail that encompass The Village at Blue
Mountain today. Prior to arriving at Mammoth, he was instrumental in the
planning of The Village at Blue Mountain, which will include 1,200 units
scheduled for completion in the next few years.
�The transformation that occurred at Blue Mountain is similar to the
one that Mammoth is undergoing,� said McGillivray. �I feel right at home
here because what�s happening in Mammoth has already happened in Blue Mountain
with the opening of The Westin Trillium House. At Mammoth, The Westin Monache
will take this destination to a whole new level. I am excited to become
a part of Mammoth�s transformation and to become actively involved in the
Mammoth community and make it my own.�
At Blue Mountain, McGillivray�s accomplishments included engaging stakeholders
(resort owners, local residents and various planning and approval agencies)
to ensure full understanding of The Village growth plans and to encourage
input and buy-in. He also utilized the expertise of his team along with
his general knowledge to bring about significant growth, and was a key
player in implementing Intrawest�s Operational Excellence initiative.
McGillivray has felt at home in a mountain environment from the time
he was fifteen, when he began working in the hospitality arena of Blue
Mountain. Working at the resort, he developed an interest in the industry
and graduated with a degree from Cornell School of Hotel Management in
1990. After graduating, he returned to the mountains, where he gained valuable
experience at Banff Springs Hotel. Three years later, he went back to his
roots at Blue Mountain, where over the last 13 years, he worked his way
through most aspects of hotel and ski area operations. In 2000, he earned
his MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western
Ontario.
McGillivray also served on the Southern Georgian Bay United Way board
of directors for six years, including two years as President. He is currently
a member of Cornell Hotel Society. |
The Westin is the next step in Mammoth�s renaissance, and will complement
the already existing facilities at The Village at Mammoth, a driving force
behind the area�s redevelopment. The Village�s design borrowed from European
alpine ski towns and includes year-round activities and attractions, plus
unique shops, fine restaurants, exciting nightlife and special events.
The Westin Monache Resort is the third venture between Intrawest and
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. � Westin�s parent company
� following The Westin Resort and Spa at Tremblant, Quebec, which opened
in 2000 and The Westin Trillium House at Blue Mountain in Ontario, which
opened fall 2005.
�Intrawest has a proven track record of developing superior mountain
and warm weather destinations,� said Sue Brush, senior vice president of
Westin Hotels & Resorts. �They also share our commitment to quality
and creating memorable guest experiences.�
The Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth is scheduled to open this fall.
For more information contact Rebecca Broz, director of sales & marketing
at 760-934-7306 or via email at [email protected].
About Intrawest
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts.
The company has interests in eleven resorts at North America�s most popular
mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the
2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Intrawest network also includes
Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world,
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest�a private
resort club with nine locations throughout North America. In addition,
Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across
North America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver,
British Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com
About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, with more than 135 hotels and resorts
in more than 30 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels
& Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and was voted the number one
upper-upscale hotel brand for three years in Business Travel News� �Annual
U.S. Hotel Chain Survey.� Starwood is one of the leading hotel and leisure
companies in the world with more than 750 properties in more than 80 countries
and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally
renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor
of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton,
Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation
Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality
vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit
www.starwoodhotels.com |
