BROOMFIELD, Colo., Dec. 14, 2010 –- 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 Atlántico 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 Atlántico, 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 Del Pacifico
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.
Media Relations: Amy Kemp, akemp@vailresorts.com, 303.404.1863