RockResorts Welcomes a Premier Beachfront Costa Rican Hotel, Xandari by the Pacific, to Its Collection of Luxury Resorts With a New Name and Planned Enhancements

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- RockResorts International, LLC – a subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) – announced that it is expanding and enhancing its collection of luxury resorts with the addition of Alma del Pacifico Hotel, an existing beachfront Costa Rican property currently named Xandari by the Pacific that is consistently ranked by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the best in Latin America.

Vail Resorts' lodging division will take over management of hotel operations starting today and after the holiday season the hotel's name will change from Xandari by the Pacific Resort and Spa on Playa Esterillos Estes to Alma del Pacifico Hotel. Alma del Pacifico Hotel will continue to operate and welcome guests this winter. During spring and summer 2011, a thorough renovation of the property is planned for all common areas, guestrooms, the spa and food and beverage outlets. The renovation will be followed by the re-launch of the property under the RockResorts brand with the official name of Alma del Pacifico Hotel, A RockResort.

RockResorts also has been engaged to manage all hospitality and lodging operations at the adjoining Del Pacifico at Esterillos master planned residential development, including that development's existing property management program and certain commercial activities. Future plans at Del Pacifico at Esterillos include an equestrian center, 18-hole golf course, boutique hotel and additional residential units.

Located on Playa Esterillos Este, the hotel and the master planned development are located halfway between Jaco Beach and Manuel Antonio National Park. Alma del Pacifico Hotel features spacious private beachfront villas designed by architect Sherrill Broudy, with original paintings, mosaics and tapestries by artist Charlene Broudy, as well as private terraces with views of the Pacific Ocean or lush gardens. Del Pacifico at Esterillos is a 700-acre master planned resort community designed by award-winning architect Dhiru Thandani with renowned town planner, Leon Krier, contributing to the design and plan for La Prada, the town center for the seaside community.

Alma del Pacifico Hotel currently boasts two swimming pools, an outdoor Jacuzzi, herb and vegetable gardens, an art galley, an artisan shop, a restaurant and bar, a fitness center and a renowned spa. Guest activities in the area include: world-class sport fishing and surfing; spa and yoga; hiking in Carara and Manuel Antonio National Parks; canopy and zip line tours; whitewater rafting; horseback riding; sea kayaking; catamaran tours to Nicoya Gulf islands; river tours through mangroves; and shopping and nightlife at the bars and restaurants in nearby Jaco and Manuel Antonio.

"As one of the premier Costa Rican resorts, we are excited to enhance the guest experience at Alma del Pacifico Hotel and look forward to welcoming the property into our family of RockResort properties soon," said Paul Toner, chief operating officer and senior vice president of RockResorts. "Alma del Pacifico Hotel has been consistently recognized as one of the top Central American resorts and has been named to Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List in 2009 and 2010 and to that magazine's 2007 Hot List for the Latin American region. We are committed to further elevating the guest service, as well as upgrading the amenities and overall resort experience."

Founded in 1956 in the Caribbean by Laurance Rockefeller, RockResorts was acquired and re-launched by Vail Resorts in 2001. Currently there are 10 RockResort properties located in Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen, Jackson Hole, Breckenridge, Santa Fe, Miami and St. Lucia. Half Moon in Rose Hall, Jamaica will become a RockResort on Jan. 1, 2011 followed by Balcones del Atlantico in the Dominican Republic and Alma del Pacifico Hotel in Costa Rica.

To this day, the environmental vision and legacy of Rockefeller continues with RockResorts' collection of luxury properties in the United States and Caribbean – and now Central America - with the focus on providing guests with exceptional experiences in spectacular natural settings. In particular, RockResorts has become known for its innovative environmental programs, superb cuisine using sustainable ingredients, exquisite spas and welcoming hospitality from its friendly and attentive staff.

"We are all excited about commencing a partnership with RockResorts to manage Alma del Pacifico Hotel and the rental program at Del Pacifico," said Barry Strudwick, principal of Del Pacifico Hotel Partners and Grupo del Pacifico. "Del Pacifico is more than another development on a pristine beach. We are creating a community that has been thoughtfully and carefully planned and constructed with a lively town center that embraces Costa Rica's rich cultural heritage, a community that celebrates the natural beauty of the rain forest and playa and a cherished place - either your home or your vacation destination - that preserves the soul of Costa Rica."

For more information about Alma del Pacifico Hotel, visit www.LegendaryLodging.com/CostaRica or call (506) 2778 7070. For more information about RockResorts, visit www.rockresorts.com. And, for information about the master planned residential development, visit www.delpacifico.net.

About RockResorts®

RockResorts®, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vail Resorts, owns and operates luxury resorts that offer casually elegant accommodations, lavish RockResorts Spas, renowned golf courses all certified within the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program, award-winning dining and a variety of exciting outdoor adventures. The RockResorts collection includes Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Colo.; The Osprey at Beaver Creek and The Pines Lodge in Beaver Creek, Colo.; One Ski Hill Place in Breckenridge, Colo.; The Arrabelle at Vail Square and The Lodge at Vail in Vail, Colo.; La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa in Santa Fe, N.M.; Tempo Miami in Miami, Fla.; Snake River Lodge & Spa™ in Jackson Hole, Wyo.; and The Landings St. Lucia, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia.  RockResorts plans for 2011 include the addition of: Balcones del Atlantico, Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic; Half Moon, Rose Hall, Jamaica; and Alma del Pacifico Hotel, Costa Rica. And, future RockResorts include: The Mansfield Inn at Stowe in Stowe, Vt., Rum Cay Resort Marina, The Bahamas; and the Third Turtle Club & Spa, Turks and Caicos.

About DelPacifico

Founded in 2003 by Barry Strudwick and William Ramirez, Del Pacifico is a 700-acre master planned resort town which features residential options including lots, custom homes and condominiums. Currently over 100 houses and condos are either completed or under construction. Activities include beach, eco tourism, equestrian, fishing and surfing, along with golf and two internationally renowned national parks nearby.

SOURCE Vail Resorts, Inc.