10 Ways that Summer Travelers Can Connect With Nature at Destination Hotels & Resorts Properties Coast-to-Coast

Englewood, Colo. - June 24, 2009 - With dozens of world-class properties across the country, Destination Hotels & Resorts cultivates getaways for travelers looking for respite among beaches, mountains, open deserts and urban landscapes. Whether guests are looking to bask in Mother Nature's glow, conquer mountains, explore unique geographical terrain or take a conservationist's approach, Destination properties are embracing their surroundings and putting people back in touch with nature, with little or no added cost.

While it's a short step for many properties to offer activities and programs that bring guests and nature together, Destination Hotels & Resorts makes a concerted effort to preserve the world and lessen its environmental footprint, most notably with Destination Earth, which launched last year.  In addition to sustainable operation practices, properties are involving guests and educating travelers about the unique land and resources that make each property distinct.Following are 10 great ways in which guests at Destination Hotels & Resorts properties can connect with nature this summer.

1.  Trails program in Aspen. Renowned ski areas come to life in the summer months. The Gant has a front row seat to Aspen, Colorado's endless trails, wildflower meadows and roaring rivers, which are seamlessly juxtaposed with a myriad of historic sites. The Gant recently launched a Best of Aspen trails program as part of National Trails Day (June 6). The program includes suggestions on things to do, places to see, trails to traverse and places to eat. Trails will be themed in order to give guests an authentic Aspen experience. For more information about the Best of Aspen trails, go to www.gantaspen.com.

2.  Sunriver's Nature Center and Observatory. Oregon's Sunriver Resort sits adjacent to the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory, a private, not-for-profit scientific and educational center home to interpretive exhibits, observatory and botanical garden. A nature trail wanders through forests and marsh habitats where guests can spy bald eagles and view a dormant volcano. North of the resort lies Lava Butte, a cinder cone rising 500 feet above the forest floor offering panoramic views of the Cascade Mountain Range. The cone's geographical terrain is so unique, it once served as a training area for NASA astronauts. Interpretive trails circle the rim of the crater, which is 180 feet deep while a trail through the nearby Lava Cast Forest serves as a living museum of volcanic landscapes. For more information about Sunriver's attractions, go to www.sunriver-resort.com.

3.  Go for the Gorge at Skamania. Surrounded by the peaks, forests and canyons of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Washington, Skamania Lodge serves as the ultimate threshold to the pristine Northwest wilderness.  The gorge stretches 90 miles across the Cascade Range Volcanoes, including Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood. The lodge is centrally located to a handful of Lewis and Clark interpretive sites, lava beds, ice caves and countless waterfalls, including the spectacular Multnomah Falls. Skamania also play host to a U.S. Forest Service office in the lobby to provide guests with information on the surrounding area. To learn more about Skamania and its many excursion opportunities, go to www.skamania.com.    

4.  Gore Creek Defines Vail Valley. Nature was the inspiration for many Destination properties, including the recent multi-million-dollar renovation at Vail Cascade. Resort. The beloved Gore Creek gives a breathtaking taste of each season. Best seen from the newly redesigned creek-side patio, featuring artistically-inspired fire pits, Infinity pool and hot tubs, the creek turns from a rushing river of snowmelt in the springtime to a peaceful stream reflecting the summer sun. The creek slows in the fall, becoming a peaceful waterway carrying resplendent autumn leaves while winter months showcase an exquisite slow moving, partially frosted brook against the snow-covered banks.  Guests can follow the meandering waters via a pedestrian pathway featuring fragrant pine needles, wistful wildflowers, golden aspen leaves and smooth river stones. To book a Vail Cascade vacation, go to www.vailcascade.com.

5. Kids' Program at Stowe. Vermont's Stowe Mountain Lodge keeps kids connected with the outdoors with a Kids' Night Camp Out, where kids ages 10-14 learn fun and integral camping skills (building shelter, water purification and cooking outside), as well as Leave No Trace Ethics.  The Big Adventure Camp, designed for ages 13-17, is a day camp complete with full-day hikes, fly-fishing, canoeing and rock climbing.  A variety of guided hikes, including Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, are also available. To book a kids' adventure, or learn more about Stowe's spectacular surroundings, go to www.stowemountainlodge.com.

6. Hiking in the Sierra. Lake Tahoe beckons those seeking to connect with nature. The surrounding Sierra Nevada is home to infinite trails and peaks encompassing the crystal blue waters of one of North America's purest lakes. A stone's throw away from this natural wonder is the Resort at Squaw Creek, which offers guided hikes of nearby Shirley Canyon (following a scenic stream through Olympic Valley). A cable car ride can take the arduousness out of the trek, leaving guests only the magnificent views of the lake and its surrounding peaks. The resort also recently opened a fly-fishing center, offering everything from beginner lessons to in-depth analysis of aquatic invertebrates. For evening outings, Squaw Valley USA staff leads moonlight and sunset tours. Go to www.squawcreek.com to learn more about the resort's guided hikes and excursions.

7.  Explore the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Opportunities to connect with nature abound in the Southwest. The Inn and Spa at Loretto, nestled in the heart of Santa Fe, New Mexico is a gateway to a medley of natural wonders and historical sites, including the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, one of the longest mountain chains on Earth with ten peaks reaching over 14,000 feet high. The nearby Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is also a geological wonder, full of towering cone-shaped tent rock formations formed after volcanic eruptions more than six million years ago. Pecos National Park preserves more than 12,000 years of history, including Pecos Pueblo and Spanish mission ruins and Santa Fe Trail wagon ruts. For more information about the inn and Santa Fe's natural attractions, go to www.innatloretto.com.

8.  Coastal Nature in Southern California. A network of coastal trails threads through Terranea Resort and the Palos Verdes Peninsula on one of Southern California's finest stretches of coastline.  Guests can take a guided interpretive hike down ocean trails through Forrestal Nature Preserve or to Abalone Cove's tide pools. Terranea's Treasure Cove guides guests through science lessons on natural habitats, eco-friendly craft creations and interactive computer fun.  Scuba diving, snorkeling and whale watching tempt travelers to extend their excursions to the Pacific. Terranea also works closely with the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy, giving guests the opportunity to donate their time towards nourishment projects and education programs. To learn more about Terranea's unique ecological programs, go to www.terranea.com.

9. On the Water in South Carolina. Nestled on the northern tip of the Isle of Palms, a lush barrier island off the coast of South Carolina, Wild Dunes Resort's 1,600 acres bursts with activities designed to bring guests to truly experience the outdoors. Coastal kayaking adventures often include face-to-face encounters with dolphins, herons, osprey, loggerhead sea turtles and the occasional manatee, while eco-tours entail the exploration of tidal creeks, crabbing and fishing. For more information about activities and adventures at Wild Dunes Resort, go to www.wilddunes.com.

10. Urban Encounters with Audubon Society. Nature continues to thrive in the shadow of urban areas. Bird watchers may be surprised to find that a bevy of birds can be spied just minutes from downtown Denver. Ospreys, eagles, falcons, swallows, larks, owls and chickadees are all frequently seen in the area. The Inverness Hotel and Conference Center, located in suburban south Denver, has partnered with the Audubon Society of Greater Denver to create Friends of Bluebird, giving nature lovers and bird aficionados a day to reconnect with nature without leaving city limits. The program focuses on improving the vitality of bluebird populations throughout Colorado. The Inverness Friends of Bluebird experience includes a guided nestbox trail program (establishing a nestbox trail that covers the basics of the birds' natural history, nesting, incubation and fledgling cycles and guidance for installing monitoring and reporting results for a nestbox trail) and nestbox assembly program, as well as overnight accommodations, dinner for two and a family membership to the Audubon Society of Greater Denver. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Audubon Society of Greater Denver. To book a bluebird experience, go to www.invernesshotel.com.

For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com. Or, to sign up for special vacation offers and exclusive discounts at properties throughout the collection, please visit www.destinationdelivers.com.

Destination Earth was developed in recognition of the need to preserve the world in which Destination Hotels & Resorts operates and serves its guests. The company is dedicated to practices and programs that pay respect to and lessen its footprint on the changing environment. Destination Hotels & Resorts recognizes that its customers, owners and associates all benefit from and desire a healthy, sustainable environment. As the company continues on the journey of environmental stewardship, it is committed to maintaining the superior guest experience that customers have come to expect while reducing impact on the earth's natural resources.

Destination Hotels & Resorts is consistently rated one of the top 10 independent hospitality management companies in the United States with more than 30 luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers. To protect and preserve the unique communities in which the company operates, Destination launched Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program in 2008. New for 2009 is the 582-room Terranea Resort situated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southern California which opened to the public in June. The 102-acre ocean front resort features a 25,000-square-foot destination spa, three swimming pools, three ocean view restaurants and a Todd Eckenrode-designed par three golf course. In addition to Terranea in the greater Los Angeles area, Destination operates properties in key metropolitan areas and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Palm Springs, Houston and Lake Tahoe. Destination is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises.  For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com or to join the company's loyalty program for the best offers available, visit www.destinationdelivers.com

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