Spa and Hotel news from SpaCast.com. Part of Spa Index Media Network.

Stein Eriksen Lodge Utah to open expanded spa in December 09

With the start of ski season approaching, Stein Eriksen Lodge, located mid-mountain at Deer Valley Resort and Utah's only Mobil Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond property, makes the final touches to The Spa's expansion. The ambitious remodel has taken the award-winning facility from 4,300 square-feet to more than 20,000 square-feet dedicated to wellness and relaxation.

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Arizona Biltmore Moves Forward with $600 Million Renovation

The currently anemic state of the hospitality sector has been well documented for some time now. Doubly stung by a sharp slowdown in both business travel and tourism—as well as the financing problems that have plagued the commercial property sector as a whole—it seems clear that the sector is in the midst of one of its toughest periods ever. The struggling state of the market, though, is apparently not discouraging the owners of the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa from moving ahead with a planned $600 million renovation project. Also undeterred is the Phoenix City Council, which okayed the plan late last week.

That's not to say that the resort's owners—a partnership between Morgan Stanley, Pyramid Advisors, and Investment Partners—are blind to the current market realities. The renovation is largely dependent on future market and economic conditions. The only component of the overall plan that is currently on any set time schedule is the $120 million first phase, which will consist of the addition of a major new spa facility. The design of the spa will hit the drawing boards of architectural firm Gensler immediately, with groundbreaking planned for as early as late 2010.

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Antigua Luxury Resort Jumby Bay to Reopen with New Spa

Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort is an inclusive luxury retreat set on its own enchanting 300-acre private island two miles off the coast of Antigua in the West Indies. Accessible only by boat, the resort offers upscale travelers a relaxed and authentic Caribbean escape with superb white-sand beaches and lush tropical environs.  Sense, A Rosewood Spa® is slated to open in November 2009.

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Starwood going ahead with $4 billion Sheraton overhaul

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide said on Monday it was moving ahead with a $4 billion overhaul of its Sheraton brand despite an economic slump that has spurred a sharp drawdown in travel spending. Like other hotel operators, Starwood has suffered from lower revenue per available room from the broad decline in leisure and business travel amid rising unemployment and political pressure on businesses to curtail corporate spending.

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Iconic Arizona lodge owners hope expansion will attract visitors

With room rates topping $500 a night in peak season for its signature creekside cottages, the exclusive L'Auberge de Sedona Resort  attracts a wealthy, well-traveled crowd.   Guests check in with ultrahigh expectations, expectations that hotel officials admit haven't been universally met as the 25-year-old resort showed its age in recent years. "Stale," "dated" and "old" are words sprinkled in reviews posted in the past year on TripAdvisor.com, a popular travel-review site.   L'Auberge's new owner hopes to erase any negative impressions - and attract a new generation of fans - by plowing $25 million into a major renovation and expansion.

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Would you vacation on a decommissioned oil rig outfitted as a hotel and spa?

A weekend on an offshore oil platform doesn't fit very many people's description of a relaxing vacation -- but one day it could.  According to Morris Architects, there are something like 4,000 operating in the Gulf right now, all of which will be decommissioned sometime in the next century.  That's basically the situation that spawned the Oil Rig Hotel and Spa. You might not think there's much to do at a resort in the middle of the Gulf, but apparently that's not the case. Rigs often spawn their own lively ocean habitats that are home to rare corals and marine life. So obviously diving, snorkeling are in -- along with other water sports like boating and skiing. Or you could chill on the rooftop beach area.

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West Paces Hotel Group will assume management responsibilities for Ayana Resort & Spa, Bali

On April 1, Horst Schulze of The Ritz-Carlton fame and founder and Chairman of The West Paces Hotel Group will assume management responsibilities for The Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort & Spa. These duties will be conducted through The West Paces Hotel Group's joint venture, The West Paces Hotel Group Asia.   The award-winning property will reemerge as Ayana Resort and Spa

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Hawaii's Grand Wailea Resort Hotel completes $50M renovation

The Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa said it is finished with roughly $50 million in upgrades to the Maui resort begun early last year.  The work, most of which was completed last month, included room renovations, spa enhancements, updated food and beverage venues and the first overhaul to the resort's pool complex since it opened in 1991.  Though not part of the renovation, the resort, affiliated with the Waldorf Astoria Collection, continues to expand its inventory of accommodations with more luxury townhomes being developed next to the resort and bought by private owners, some of whom agree to rent them out to Grand Wailea guests.

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The Palms South Beach To Debut as The Palms Hotel & Spa Featuring First Aveda Luxury Beach Resort Spa

The Palms South Beach is entering a new era with two fresh, eagerly anticipated venues and a new name - - The Palms Hotel & Spa. The tropical, boutique style property, which for years has been recognized for its charm and off-the-beaten-path luxury feel, is taking its guest experience to an unprecedented level in early 2009 with the addition of a new Aveda concept spa, The Palms Spa, and a signature restaurant and lounge, Essensia.

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Vail Cascade Completes $30 Million Transformation

The Vail Cascade Resort in Colorado has just completed a two-year, $30 million transformation to reposition the property and take advantage of the resort's private location along one of the Vail Valley's most distinguishing characteristics - Gore Creek. Highlights of the renovation include:

• The complete reconstruction of the fabulous back deck, now featuring an infinity edge pool, a new hot tub, three fire features, a grand staircase and snowmelt so that it can be used all year.
• Atwater on Gore Creek, a fabulous new restaurant featuring contemporary cuisine.
• Complete renovation of the popular Fireside Bar/Lounge.
• Air conditioning in all guestrooms.
• Enhancements in all guestrooms and guestroom corridors.
• The addition of the Cascade Market and Cafe, featuring Starbucks Coffee products and grab'n'go food items.
• The addition of 4 new meeting rooms, including a state-of-the-art boardroom.
• Remodel of the porte cochere, with snow melt added under the resort entrance.
• Renovation of the locker rooms at Aria Spa & Club.

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