BROOMFIELD, Colo. – Dec. 02, 2010 – RockResorts International, LLC – a subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) – announced that it’s expanding and enhancing its luxury resort collection with the addition of Half Moon in Rose Hall, Jamaica, one of the premier Caribbean destinations. RockResorts has been selected to manage all resort operations starting on Jan. 1, 2011 when the property will be flagged as a RockResort with the official name of Half Moon, A RockResort.
Situated on two miles of white sand beaches in Rose Hall, Jamaica, the 400-acre luxury resort features 398 rooms, suites, villas and cottages. In addition, Half Moon features the award-winning Fern Tree Spa, a Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed 18-hole golf course, 13 tennis courts, a teen centre, an equestrian centre, 54 swimming pools, six restaurants, seven bars, a Children’s Village, a dolphin lagoon and more.
“We are excited and honored to welcome Half Moon into our family of RockResort properties,” said Paul Toner, chief operating officer and senior vice president of RockResorts. “Half Moon is internationally known as one of the best Caribbean resorts and we are committed to continuing the legacy of award-winning service, programs and amenities while looking for opportunities to enhance the guest experience in the future.”
Founded in 1956 in the Caribbean by Laurance Rockefeller, RockResorts was acquired and re-launched by Vail Resorts in 2001. To this day, the environmental vision continues with RockResorts’ collection of luxury properties in the United States and Caribbean 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.
"Since its inception in1954, Half Moon has been an iconic Jamaican destination for discerning travelers who appreciate the relaxed ambiance and amenities offered throughout the two mile long beach-front property," said Guy Steuart, chairman of the Half Moon Board of Directors. "Our enduring success is due in large part to the Half Moon staff providing genuine and friendly service to our guests, making their stays familiar and memorable. We look forward to our association with RockResorts and firmly believe that together with their experience in resort operations, a commitment to common values and the founding families’ leadership, Half Moon will continue to evolve and thrive."
“I’d like to thank the Half Moon directors, management and staff for their direction and dedication for nearly 60 years in making Half Moon into a world-class destination,” said Toner. “We look forward to building on this success and we are thrilled to welcome this premier Caribbean resort into to our family.”
For more information about Half Moon, A RockResort, visit www.halfmoon.com, and for RockResorts information, visit www.rockresorts.com.
Vail Resorts Investor Relations: Hayley Wolff, hwolff@vailresorts.com, 303-404-1827
RockResorts Media Relations: Amy Kemp, akemp@vailresorts.com, 303-404-1863
Half Moon Media Relations: Marcia McLaughlin, mmclaughlin@halfmoon.com, 876-953-2211
About Half Moon
Half Moon is a 400-acre luxury resort situated on crescent-shaped white sand beach, with 197 rooms, suites and cottages as well as 33 four-, five-, six- and seven-bedroom villas; each with a private butler, cook and housekeeper, swimming pool and two golf carts. Additionally, Half Moon features the multi-award winning Fern Tree, The Spa at Half Moon™, Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed 18-hole golf course, Spinning® studio, Half Moon Golf Academy, 13 lighted tennis courts, equestrian centre, fitness centre, 54 swimming pools, Hype Zone, the colorful Anancy Children’s Village, water sports, dolphin lagoon, shopping village, including 24-hour medical centre and more.
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 planned 2011 openings include: Balcones del Atlántico, Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic; 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.
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About Vail Resorts
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resort properties of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone mountain resorts in Colorado, Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar-at-Tahoe in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada, and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties across the United States and the Caribbean. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and the consumer website is www.snow.com.