�We now have completely refurbished 80 percent of rooms and suites, as well as all of our public areas, including the lobby, fitness center and meeting rooms,� said Katrin DeBacker, Director of sales and marketing.  �We essentially are a �new� resort and believe the new name showcases and reflects the major renovation that we have completed.�

Debacker said that guest response to the changes has been highly favorable.  �Our advance bookings are ahead of last year, especially repeat business from guests who have stayed here in the past year.  This is especially heartening in light of the difficulties experienced by the hospitality industry following the tragic events of September 11.  Our guests are telling us that they want to get away from the pressure and spend more quality time with their families.� 

�Following completion of our renovation, the Forest Suites Resort now is an upscale, full-service destination, which offers a wide variety of offerings from ski packages to weddings, business meetings to just plain relaxation,� DeBacker said.  �Our location is in the heart of South Lake Tahoe yet tucked away from all the noise and hub-bub on a sheltered 5.5-acre wooded site.�  She said that the third phase of the renovation is expected to commence in spring 2002 with completion scheduled for that autumn.

With 119 units located in seven buildings, the boutique resort is located 100 yards from the base of the newly opened high-speed gondola at Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe.  The Forest Suites Resort also is located adjacent to Harrah�s Casino in Nevada, just over the California state line.

Nestled in a breathtaking alpine setting on 5.5 wooded acres, the Forest Suites Resort offers 102 one- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens and large living rooms, and 17 oversized hotel rooms.  The property also features a wedding chapel that provides a charming setting for year-round weddings.  Other property amenities include two outdoor swimming pools, two hot tubs, health club, game room, on-site massage service, newly built meeting space for groups of up to 50 people, complimentary breakfast and a lobby bar featuring a large stone fireplace.  Complimentary transportation is provided to all major local ski areas and casinos.

Forest Suites Resorts is operated by Gemstone Resorts International, a management company that specializes in complex resorts that comprise multiple operations. The company is engaged in resort marketing and management, asset management and consulting.  Gemstone currently manages or asset manages projects in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida and Utah.