Posted Jan 27, 2010 by serenaw New collaboration gives independent U.S. hotels one voice with one ethos:
"Authentic in Spirit, Distinctive in Style"

October 23, 2009 (New York) - Seven independent and iconic U.S. properties announce the launch of Kindred Resorts and Hotels, a newly formed collaboration dedicated to giving independent hotels one voice in a cluttered hospitality marketplace with the ethos: "Authentic in Spirit, Distinctive in Style."

The charter member properties of Kindred Resorts and Hotels include:

The Breakers - Palm Beach, Florida
The Carneros Inn - Napa, California
Colonial Williamsburg Resort Collection - Williamsburg, Virginia
Grand Hotel - Mackinac Island, Michigan
The Lodge at Torrey Pines - La Jolla, California
Ocean Reef Club - Key Largo, Florida
Saddlebrook Resort - Tampa, Florida


At a time when hotels across the country are confronting the challenges of ownership and management changes as well as high staff turnover, the independent Kindred properties remain solid organizations run by dedicated and highly motivated staff. Many are steeped in rich family traditions and legacies, and each embraces its own signature traits while joining together in the promise of quality service to travelers that has endured through good times and bad.

The aspiration of Kindred Resorts and Hotels is to provide a single voice for the independent true hotelier to promote the consistency in bespoke service and vibrant legacies offered by these iconic U.S. properties. In the changing hospitality landscape, the new alliance offers independent hotels the opportunity to pool resources and collaborate on sales and marketing initiatives by serving as a one-stop shop for travelers looking for the authentic experiences offered by these hotels.

Steve Pelzer, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for The Lodge at Torrey Pines and the newly appointed spokesman for Kindred Resorts and Hotels, said, "We are thrilled to announce the launch of Kindred Resorts & Hotels. The Kindred properties represent best-in-class hotels offering authentic experiences and a sense of place unique to their own destinations. Furthermore, these industry leaders also have long-term management teams securely in place; this peace of mind is priceless for our loyal guests and dedicated staff. We look forward to finally giving independent hotels a cohesive voice with Kindred Resorts & Hotels."

Kindred Resorts and Hotels charter members came together first as an ad-hoc group of autonomous non-branded luxury hotels and resorts to combine complementary marketing, sales and public relations resources. They hired topnotch hospitality branding company Dana Communications to research and conceptualize how best to synergize efforts and goals. A new logo and website kicks off the initial phase.

The new website [url]www.staykindred.com[/url] will serve as a one-stop shop for a variety of travel alternatives, from La Jolla and Palm Beach to Napa and Williamsburg, as well as a portal for all the resorts to showcase new and exciting initiatives. Future initiatives include consumer promotions, travel agent incentives and other offerings.

http://www.elitemeetings.com/property/the-carneros-inn/ Posted Nov 17, 2008 by Elite Concierge Luxury Resort Now Features Organic Scalp Therapy Treatments, Pre- and Post-Natal Packages, Custom Scented Spa Services and Fitness Programs for the Body and Soul

NAPA, Calif. (March 25, 2008) - Rated by the Conde Nast Traveler Readers Poll as one of the top spas in North America, The Spa at The Carneros Inn today unveiled a new menu of rejuvenating treatments. Nestled amid the beautiful vineyards in the heart of the Carneros winegrowing region, the luxury resort will now offer a wide range of new restorative experiences, including holistic scalp therapy, a complete offering of pre- and post-natal services, custom Carneros scented spa services created with Red Flower organic products, and updated mind and body fitness programs.

"We believe that spa therapies and mind and body activities are essential in dealing with the stresses of every day life," said Jeannie Jarnot, spa director for The Carneros Inn. "Our programs are designed to restore energy and enhance health and happiness. We also believe that being in harmony with your surroundings is important for achieving ultimate relaxation, which is why all of our programs encompass ingredients indigenous to the Carneros region."

From the local harvests, surrounding farms and fresh flowers to the celebrated Carneros varietals and the gently flowing Huichica Creek, the region's natural beauty has inspired completely unique treatments and tranquil spaces, all aimed at drawing upon the healing properties of the earth.

Partnering with Leonor Greyl, specialists in hair treatments using only high-grade natural ingredients free from harmful chemicals and silicones, the spa has launched several scalp treatments featuring Leonor Greyl's holistic products. Guests can benefit from the Holistic Hair and Scalp Therapy treatment, in which specialists analyze hair and scalp for nutritive deficiencies and then apply a customized, hand-mixed mask of wheat germ oil, dehydrated carrots, celery, ginseng, seaweed or proteins and other natural ingredients. A soothing neck massage is followed by a cleansing with hair specific shampoos and deep conditioners. Guests can also enjoy the Wild Magnolia Hair and Scalp Therapy, a three-part scalp treatment to stimulate and balance the scalp using rose and jasmine oils to protect and soften the hair, followed by a relaxing neck massage.

Another sumptuous service added to the spa's overall wellness menu is the exclusive Red Flower Carneros Wine Blossom Tribute two hour full body treatment. In 2006 The Carneros Inn partnered with Red Flower products and reached out to the local community to create an exclusive, regionally-inspired scent. Community members received mason jars with a note asking them to fill it with elements that reminded them of their much-loved region. The outpouring of stories and scents was extraordinary and the result was the Red Flower Carneros Wine Blossom scent. The two-hour scented treatment begins with a detoxifying and relaxing Huichica Bath infused with blossom-scented salts followed by a full-body exfoliation with wine blossom scrub and full-body massage using warm wine blossom scented oil targeting every muscle point in the body.

The spa is also proud to include a host of nurturing pre- and post-natal services featuring Mama Mio "Mama's Touch" products and services. Mama Mio emphasizes ingredients with high levels of Omega 3, 6 and 9, which boost skin strength and elasticity and are all free from parabens, petrolatum, synthetic fragrances and other harmful chemicals. Pre-natal mommy-friendly services include the Mellow Mama, a complete body massage using specific pre-natal techniques to relax, renew and rejuvenate the expectant mother, and the Mama's Skin Smoothie, a gentle exfoliation and massage treatment that smoothes uneven skin and increases skin strength and elasticity. Some of the post-natal treatments include the Shrink to Fit, especially designed to restore elasticity, reduce water retention, and reverse spongy skin and the appearance of cellulite, and the 4th Trimester Healing Hour, a massage designed to help alleviate the physical and mental stress associated with new motherhood. All of The Inn's therapists are qualified in pre-natal massage techniques.

By popular demand, additional treatments were created as part of The Inn's famous warm goat butter services. The spa will now offer a vitamin rich goat milk body scrub and a goat milk and honey extreme moisture facial using milk and honey from the surrounding farms. As part of the mind/body experiences guests can also enjoy a wide range of activities at The Inn's recently expanded state-of-the-art fitness center and Motion Studio. The spa can reserve private yoga classes for moms-to-be, couples or families as well as boot camp endurance training classes and personal training sessions. For mind enhancement, guests can sign-up for one of the spa's customized individual or family writing retreats.

These new exclusive services vary in price and will begin on April 15, 2008. For reservations please call (707) 299-4900. Posted Mar 19, 2008 by serenaw The Ultimate Takeover
Author: Carolyn Koenig
March 2008

Features

Move over, Microsoft: Buyouts can be fun

Last summer, Jennifer Maka, trade show and event manager for Synplicity in Sunnyvale, Calif., spent a solid two weeks researching and planning a worldwide sales conference for 103 attendees. The group included more than 50 international delegates, and she also needed a site that was attentive to their particular needs and comfort, including various dietary considerations and the availability of late-night room service. She narrowed down the destination to the Napa wine country, choosing The Carneros Inn over a national brand. "The other hotel was larger and could accommodate our numbers," she says, "but we preferred to be the full focus." Satisfied with her choice, the planner committed to a buyout of the property-a course of action she had to justify to her executive staff prior to going and, with great results, at the conclusion.

Maka's decision to opt for a buyout reflects a growing trend that provides groups with the full attention of the staff, but also offers unlimited flexibility and creativity. For the hotels, they're guaranteed room nights on the books, a not inconsiderable factor given the uncertainty of today's economy. At the same time, you may find more properties open to the idea than in the past, and more willing to work with you on the terms.

We've taken a look at the pros and cons of the concept to help you make that decision. You may find it's your best meeting yet.

WHY BUY?
Perhaps the most critical reason is the element of exclusivity. "Buyouts provide an exclusive environment to meet your business objectives," says David Gabri, president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI). "Delegates only interface with a common purpose. They keep groups on a common plane." This is true whether you've got an incentive, a sales seminar, a corporate retreat or an educational conference.

Buyouts work around your own agenda, as well. When you book at Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort near Solvang, Calif., for instance, "The ranch becomes yours," says Sherrie FitzGerald, director of sales and marketing. "Some rules go out the door, because you're not infringing on any other guests." Want to go horseback riding at 11 a.m. and the scheduled group ride would be at 8 a.m.? No problem. No coats in the dining room? Take 'em off. Want to erect a tent on the property? A-OK with a buyout. A case in point: According to FitzGerald, when CBC Steel Buildings in Lathrop, Calif., brought a group to the Alisal in January, it was almost like a trade show. They brought in their top vendors and erected a tent in the grassy area near the guest rooms where the company's products were displayed for the length of the meeting and attendees could browse at their leisure.

The possibility of utilizing venues creatively is another "pro"-from chef-time in the kitchen to, as Maka reports, grape-stomping (through Adventure Tours at The Carneros) on the lawn. You can go all out with decor and signage, with no potential complaints from leisure guests.

One caution: While takeovers generally encompass complete usage of a location's meeting facilities, guest rooms and banquet facilities, if you're interested in other, nontraditional areas, it's best to get that understood from the get-go.

LOCATION, LOCATION
Smaller groups often gravitate to smaller, boutique properties-that's a given. "There's a sense of place," Baker says. "And you don't have to worry about how you will impact the rest of the guests."

ALHI's "Elite Retreat Buyout" program is available across a variety of the properties they represent, from La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa in New Mexico to The Peaks Resort & Golden Door Spa in the Colorado Rockies and Sun Valley Resort in Idaho.

But the parameters of a buyout aren't limited to one entire entity. Another option is to book a separate "cluster, wing or building" area for a group, Gabri says. Think of Turtle Bay in Hawaii, he says, where you can buy out the villas and own that whole section of the resort.

Or, try the "hotel within a hotel," the hot new trend that's springing up throughout the West, in places like Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Denver.

DOLLARS AND SENSE
Price is always the big question: Do buyouts cost more or less? Planners "shouldn't be looking for a super deal," according to Gabri. But, he adds, "Generally speaking, hotels absorb some of the costs on both sides of the buyout as they develop the business."

Budget was a major concern for Synplicity's Maka. "Moving up from the [national brand] to Carneros Inn was a big jump, but we were going to get our money's worth," she says. "I had to prove that [to the executive staff] with just the proposal." So, the planner approached the resort after doing all her detailed analysis and prep work; in turn, the hotel "gave us a lot for our money. They made our numbers work, and didn't make us look like we were skimping. We got first-class accommodations, food and service." At the end, "all the numbers they committed to held true; there were no markups or hidden costs. They abided by it," she adds. And although only two of her attendees scheduled use of it, room service was available until 1 a.m.

Some properties offer buyout packages, which make it easier to know up front what the bottom line is. Alisal offers three packages, all of which include their entire complement of 73 guest studios and suite accommodations. The basic package for the 10,000-acre resort also includes a Western-style outdoor barbecue, breakfast horseback ride, gourmet dinner and unlimited golf, boating and fishing. The premium version also features additional amenities and team-building activities, plus a winemaker dinner (a treat, as Alisal is located in Santa Barbara's well-regarded wine country).

There are other ways to trim costs as well. Just like arranging a standard meeting, booking during off-peak or off-season dates is a money-saver. Buyouts over a weekend are tough; midweek times are better, says Alisal's FitzGerald.

And, depending on the type of property you're working with, Maka says of her experience, transportation costs can go down and you can put your attendees in a nicer room.

OTHER CHALLENGES
One major challenge of buyouts, says Calistoga Ranch's Baker, is that you're booking far out (typically nine months to a year), and you need to be willing to take a risk with the rooms. "Your numbers may fluctuate, and if you lose people, you are still on the hook." But there are those groups that say "I want the whole thing" and are willing to pay for it, she says.

Conversely, if you've bought out the property and the meeting becomes so popular that you need additional rooms, squeezing in extra attendees might not be possible.

Restaurant and spa charges can become an issue as well. Restaurants often depend on hotel guests (and outside diners) to fill their tables and peruse their wine list. Spas may open their treatment rooms to the public and hotel guests (and, in the case of condo-tels, owners). You will need to negotiate your F&B minimum-and if your program doesn't include spa treatments-a spa minimum as well. For example, The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, a RockResort near Vail, Colo., has a world-class spa that derives a good portion of their business from hotel guests; the resort requires a spa minimum depending on "your overall needs and the time of year."

"If you're buying out the place, the rest of the facilities will be under-utilized. That goes into consideration when calculating the cost," Gabri says. "It takes mature deliberation between planner and property, often bringing into play the general manager and director of sales, so there are no surprises."

Remember that providing your attendees with a variety of venues while on-site can make or break a buyout experience. Two days of PowerPoint meetings in a standard ballroom can make your attendees "feel like they're being punished," Maka says. It's essential that you do a site visit, rather than view a web video, to discover all the interesting and unusual places to hold receptions, breaks and other activities, such as team-building.

With so many properties in the West to choose from, meeting professionals can find an ideal spot for their ultimate takeover. "It's all about your vision. We're focused on you, who you are, and what you're doing," says Baker, of Calistoga Ranch. And that's the whole idea. Posted Feb 29, 2008 by serenaw In keeping with Napa County's commitment to sustainable and ecologically sensitive development, The Carneros Inn has been designed in accordance with the principles of Smart Growth and environmental best practices. Thrifty with water and energy, The Carneros Inn uses state-of-the-art water recycling technology and geo-thermal heating and cooling systems for all guest accommodations.

The Carneros Inn has re-established a civic space for the Carneros community through the creation of a town square, replete with post office, bocce courts and outdoor fireplace around which community gatherings can occur.

The Carneros Inn was founded by the Carneros Partners, a small, privately funded group with wide experience in environmentally and socially responsible land planning, hotel and residential development, and hotel and restaurant operations. The Carneros Inn is managed by the PlumpJack Group.

The design team assembled for The Carneros Inn was of the highest caliber, comprising renowned professionals with worldwide reputations for signature projects.

Architect: William Rawn Associates
Boston, Massachusetts

Landscape Design: Olin Partnership
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Interior Design: Shopworks
Napa, California

Art Concept: Burks Consulting Group
New York, NY

Environmental:
The Carneros Inn is a luxury resort located in the heart of Napa Valleys beautiful Carneros winegrowing district, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country. So protective are the Carneros landowners that there has never before been a lodging facility project that was able to win their trust. Keith Rogal, founder of The Carneros Inn and an ardent environmentalist, has gone to great lengths to ensure that The Carneros Inn reflects environmental and eco-friendly principals to maintain the unspoiled splendor of the region.

The Carneros Inns meticulous attention to detail and respect for the areas agricultural tradition finds full expression in the 27-acre resorts landscaping, which includes hundreds of species of flowering plants and trees, including a few stately oaks which were painstakingly "- and expensively "- relocated on the property when it was impossible to build around them. Even the cuisine at the on-site restaurants and the spa treatments utilize organic regional ingredients and herbs.

Below are examples of how The Carneros Inn, designed with smart growth and environmental best practices in mind, provides an eco-friendly and eco-conscientious environment.

Water Conservation
Due to concerns regarding excessive water use in the Carneros region, The Carneros Inn installed sophisticated water conservation systems. As a result, a large portion of the water on the property is recycled.

For instance, after use by guests, water is treated using state-of-the-art micro filtration technology, making the water almost potable again. The water is then stored in a large reservoir during the winter months so it can be re-used for irrigation when summer arrives.

To further conserve water, most irrigation is done by drip rather than spray. Despite the lush landscaping, water conservation systems allow the property to donate excess recycled water to neighboring vineyards.

Ground Source Heat Pump System
The Carneros Inn does not employ traditional air conditioning systems to heat and cool the resorts individual cottages and buildings, but rather an eco-friendly ground source heat pump system. Typical air-conditioning and heating systems require significant amounts of electricity.

A ground source heat pump system is far more efficient, using the temperature of the deep earth to heat and cool. In the summer, when the air is hot, the cool temperatures of the deep earth act like a heat sink, absorbing heat from inside the buildings. In the winter, the earth acts as a heat source providing a baseline heat of 65 degrees, which radiators can use. The ground acts as a seasonal storage medium.

This system has two distinct advantages: there are no outdoor air coolers with noisy fans, and because the ground temperature is constant, it's much more efficient (approximately 50% more) than an air-based system, both in summer and winter.

Perhaps most importantly, a ground source pump system will never be seen or heard by anyone, and will just quietly perform its job, letting guests enjoy the quiet serenity of the resort. Another advantage is that instead of a large cooling fan, a small pump is all that's necessary to exchange the heat, using less electricity.

Finally, extensive use of vegetation around the resort cools the air, requiring less air-cooling in summer.

Architecture
While heating and cooling are provided by ground source heat pumps, two other significant energy uses of typical hotels have been addressed. Operable windows abound throughout the cottages to take full advantage of natural ventilation during the temperate seasons in Carneros as well as provide extensive controlled daylighting. Throughout The Carneros Inn - in dining, spa, and office spaces - natural light and natural ventilation strategies help create healthier environments and reduce energy usage.

Materials were also chosen for their appropriateness to the environment of Carneros. Roofs at The Carneros Inn are made of galvanized sheet metal, which reflects heat, reducing cooling loads. And unlike composite shingles, the material can be recycled later. Cedar siding and porch framing are from predominantly managed forests, in which controlled harvests, natural regeneration and reforestation programs ensure a perpetual harvest.

Buildings at The Carneros Inn buildings were designed from a perspective of connection with their natural setting and as such natural light, natural ventilation, and natural materials are integral with their design.

Getting Around
The hotel has been set up as a pedestrian-oriented village. Streets are narrow to reduce automobile speed, and cars are parked in small, hedged parking lots.

Pedestrian paths criss-cross the site, and take the visitor through a variety of landscaped areas, making walking fun and interesting. Guests wishing to go to The Spa, any of the 3 restaurants or Meeting Halls usually choose to walk. Guests that do not wish to walk are picked up by an electric golf cart, which pollute less than an automobile.

Family History:
From the moment that Keith Rogal, founder and CEO of Carneros Partners, envisioned The Carneros Inn, he saw that it had to be an integral fit with the pristine landscape that characterizes the Carneros winegrowing district. He realized, too, that this commitment had to extend beyond the architecture and design to embrace the people who have made this special place home for generations.

Through the six-year course of approval and development of The Carneros Inn, Rogal developed close relationships with many of his Carneros neighbors " including key community members, farmers, dairymen, and local vineyard and winery owners -- many of whom traced their roots in the Carneros region to the mid-1800s.

Not only were we proposing to build the first lodging facility in the areas history, but it was going to be a luxury resort, right here in the middle of the vineyards, Rogal remembered. That took a lot of explaining and a lot of trust building.

True to his vision, early on Rogal and his partners commissioned Burks Consulting Group Inc. with the task of creating an original art concept for The Carneros Inn, one that would capture the Carneros regions longstanding sense of community and local history, and pay tribute to the generations who had worked the land.

Susan Burks, president and founder of Burks Consulting Group, went to work. She canvassed the area, talking to long-time residents, recording their stories, and borrowing family photos and albums.

The result of that work comprises one of the unique decorating touches that characterize the resort. Burks digitized and reprinted more than 300 of the original Carneros family photos as fine-art quality images, which are now on display in each of the resorts luxury cottages and homes as well as throughout the public areas of The Inn.

Its these relationships and people that define Carneros region, so its fitting to incorporate them into the design aesthetic of The Carneros Inn, says Rogal. Our intent was always to showcase the best Carneros has to offer -- the landscapes, the lush vineyard surroundings, the natural beauty -- and certainly the local community and its history are part of that.

The photographs include everything from turn-of-the-century landscapes that depict the area before it was covered with vineyards to school children gathered on the steps of the Fly District School named after Boon Fly, an early settler in the Carneros region. Boon Flys name now graces one of The Carneros Inn's main dining facilities, The Boon Fly Cafe.

The wealth of personal histories, stories and impressions that the photographs represent are an integral part of the culture of The Carneros Inn. Guest cottages are grouped in small clusters and named after members of the Carneros community, while anecdotes of the communitys history are yet another way that guests are introduced to the region and connect with the propertys unique sense of place.