Montelucia

A New Luxury Hybrid: Suites Of The World

The simplest, most lucrative ideas usually are not borne in a vacuum: they hybridize from others that have been successful, but with an ineffable something that seemed missing. So it was with Randall Brown and John Martinelli, who recently launched their new company, Suites Of The World. Brown and Martinelli combined their experiential intelligences in the luxury hotels and in private investment banking fields to create this company, the only one that provides travel professionals, their affluent clients and interested others with choice and access to high end and often historic suites.

Messrs. Brown and Martinelli knew about luxury hotels, the needs of high end private banking clients and realized -- more than once! -- how many of their clients, including celebrities, Fortune 500 executives, and luxury travel professionals were frustrated with the lack of readily-available information about the history and the availability of the world's top suites. "We've positioned Suites of the World to educate the affluent consumer as well as luxury travel professionals about the history and exclusivity of these suites." said Brown. "Additionally, we also have access to numerous suites and private properties not yet released to the general public, enabling an even more unique experience for those who have interest."

Suites of the World provides detailed information on all represented properties, from a current photo library and accurate floor plans to key security information on the suites and villas. Additionally, the company will assist in providing access for filming and arranging special events within the suites.

Suites of the World's collection of luxury hotel suites are hand-selected for their character, location, historic significance, style, and service. Many premier suites have been home to celebrities, royals, diplomats, and presidents. Just a few in New York include:

The Presidential Suite at the Waldorf Towers (see below) is one where where every sitting president has stayed since Herbert Hoover. This suite is complete with JFK's actual rocking chair and Franklin Delano Roosevelt's private desk.

Tags: Casa Elar, Celebrity suites, Duke and Dutchess of Windsor, Greenwich Hotel, Johnny Grant, luxury suites, marilyn Monroe, Montelucia, Presidential Suites, Royal Apartment at the Waldorf Towers, Suites Of The World, Sunset marquis hotel, Waldorf Towers

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Obama Stays At Hotel In Foreclosure

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Celebrity Shopping

President Obama changed things up when it came to his first hotel stay in Arizona. Presidents traditionally stay at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix at least once while visiting the Valley but Obama chose the new InterContinental Montelucia Resort and Spa in Paradise Valley, a resort that just happens to be already facing foreclosure. The Arizona Republic says that the resort was fully booked Tuesday night with Obama's entourage and other guests. There are two presidential suites which cost $3,000 to $4,000 per night. The Biltmore also has two presidential suites, It was also the site of John McCain's election-night concession speech. While the McCains live within walking distance of the Biltmore they were also at the Montelucia on Tuesday for a fundraiser.

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Tags: arizona, montelucia, obama

Two Major Scottsdale Resorts Facing Foreclosure

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

What is going on in Scottsdale, Arizona? The popular warm weather destination has had its second announcement of a major resort facing foreclosure in just a few weeks. The 293-room InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa, which just opened last fall headed toward foreclosure and scheduled for disposition on April 28. It follows the W Scottsdale which was hit with a foreclosure notice a few weeks ago.

The owners of the Montelucia are, according to GlobeSt.com having troubles with a $185 million mortgage held by Eurohypo AG of Germany. The article quotes a local analyst who says that Phoenix is leading the nation in a drop in hotel occupancy rates. There is concern that other new projects which were also conceived during the boom time of 2006 could now be vulnerable. Some of these projects have loans coming due this year and next year and may have trouble finding refinancing. Both the W Scottsdale and the Montelucia are still open for business.

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Tags: arizona, montelucia, w hotel, WHotel

Makeovers For Paradise Valley Resorts

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Arizona Republic reports that the hotels in Paradise Valley's "resort row" are heading for some big changes. The hotels along Lincoln Drive are spending a total of almost $500 million on various projects between now and 2008. Here's a breakdown of what's going on:

--Crown Realty & Development demolished the La Posada Resort and plans to build the $230 million Montelucia Resort, Spa and Residences in its place. They are also hoping to replace the old Mountain Shadows Resort with a $200 million property.
--Camelback Inn, a Marriott Resort & Spa, will spend $40 million to update its guestrooms, overhaul its restaurants and the ballroom.
--Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain and Hermosa Inn are also updating their guest rooms

It is expected that the upgrades will lead to higher rates and also hopefully to a raised profile for Paradise Valley as a resort destination. The area is already famed for its high-end real estate which makes the building of resorts problematic since neighbors want to make sure that the resorts don't change the quality of life in the area.

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Tags: arizona, camelback inn, hermosa inn, hotels, montelucia, paradise valley, resorts, sanctuary on camelback, travel