Destination Hotels & Resorts' Historic Properties Continue to Shine

Special Fall Packages Offered at Classic Hotels

Englewood, Colo. - August 5, 2008 - While boutique hotels and trendy inns are as ubiquitous as Wi-Fi hotspots, a handful of grand, historic properties still hold their own amidst an ever-growing lodging landscape. With more than 30 upscale and luxury hotels to its name,   these Destination Hotels and Resorts' properties have stood the test of time (and trends) and continue to showcase the elegant lifestyles and traditions of yesterday. From sprawling 19th century estates to towering symbols of modern industry, Destination offers glimpses into a colorful array of American eras.

Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Ariz., takes travelers back to the 1920s, when New York financier Delos Cooke built a winter home embracing the grand Spanish colonial style. Delos and his wife Florence filled the 3,500-square foot home with worldly treasures from their travels and adorned the property with rare flora, including 900 palm trees, many imported from Egypt. After an untimely death, the home was sold to a series of private parties, including big band leader Al Stovall, who added 15 guestrooms and opened the Royal Palms Inn in 1948 to his Hollywood friends including Groucho Marx and Helena Rubenstein.

After a multi-million-dollar restoration project, the oasis continues to glimmer with enchanting stone walkways leading through lush courtyards, blooming gardens and 119 beautifully appointed casitas and guestrooms. Travelers can explore the intimacy of the Royal Palms this summer with The Heat is On Package. Starting at $269 per couple, the package includes one night of luxury accommodations and $100 resort credit to be used at Alvadora Spa or T. Cook's restaurant. For reservations or information, please call 800-672-6011 or visit online at www.royalpalmsresortandspa.com.

Perched above the Hudson River Valley minutes from Manhattan, is Tarrytown Estate and Conference Center, the nation's oldest conference center. The immaculate 26-acre estate featuring two magnificent 19th century mansions is located in an area that inspired Washington Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Dating back more than 150 years, the King Mansion, a white porticoed Georgian home once owned by the vice president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the Biddle House, created with the region's native granite and owned by the founder of the American Tobacco Company, represent early American architecture and wealth.

The homes were acquired in 1964 by visionary and journalist Robert Schwartz, who saw the need for a lodging facilities designed specifically for business meetings. With support from IBM and AT&T, he purchased the properties and set about inventing the nation's first conference center. Today guests of Tarrytown House Estate can enjoy the charm of early American opulence with the Mansions of Sleepy Hollow Country Package. Coinciding with the completion of an $11-million restoration, the package includes an overnight stay at the King Mansion, breakfast and admission for two adults to any of the nearby historic sites, including the Rockefeller estate and Washington Irving's Sunnyside.

Tarrytown is offering a special Blaze Package this fall in honor of The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor. This special package includes overnight accommodations at Tarrytown House Estate, VIP tickets for The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze. Van Cortlandt Manor, parts of which date back to the mid-1700s, was the home of one of New York's most prominent families. During "The Blaze," the Harvest and Halloween spirit is in full force as the Manor's grounds become adorned with 4,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o'lanterns. Visitors meander throughout a woodsy, darkened, riverside landscape and discover a breathtaking artistic display of carved pumpkins. Professional lighting and spooky sounds cap off the experience. Prices begin at $273 for this special package. Please call (800) 553-8118 or visit www.tarrytownhouseestate.com for more information.

Located in the heart of downtown Austin, the legendary Driskill Hotel stands as one of Texas' most recognizable icons. Cattle baron Col. Jesse Driskill sought to build the finest hotel "south of St. Louis," and he did just that when he opened a $400,000 Romanesque Revival palace on the prairie in 1886. For the past 122 years, the grand hotel has remained a center for Texas politics and elegant social festivities. Restored in 2000 to its original Victorian opulence, the 189-room Driskill continues to be known for its distinct architecture, elite level of service and prestigious history.

Live the legend at the Driskill Hotel with a 25 percent discount on room rates through September 10, 2008 and complimentary "Skillet Breakfast" for two in the hotel's 1886 Cafe & Bakery. For more than a half-century, The Driskill has been famous for its scrambled egg dishes served in small, cast-iron skillets. Choose from the Texas Two Step, South of the Border or Hippie Hollow skillets. For details, please visit www.driskillhotel.com or call (800) 252-9367.

From cattle barons to bankers, Destination has cultivated two Texas historic gems under its care.  Making its home in Houston's landmark Union National Bank building, which once housed Texas' first investment bank and offices for international construction giant Brown and Root and John Staub, the architect of choice for a who's who of local millionaires, Hotel ICON was one of the country's earliest steel and concrete skyscrapers, symbolizing industry and the entrepreneurial spirit.  Built in 1911, the 12-story building is located in the heart of downtown and continues to thrive as a cosmopolitan gathering place for the social, creative and business elite, as well as well-heeled travelers from around the world.
 
Showcasing a blend of Neoclassical architecture and dynamic contemporary accents, Hotel ICON features custom-designed furnishings, opulent décor plus original artwork and was a recipient of Conde Nast Travler's esteemed Gold List 2007.  Guests who savor fine food as well as accommodations can take advantage of Hotel ICON's Backstage Pass Package, which spotlight's the property's newly launched and already acclaimed VOICE restaurant and lounge.  Starting at $579, the package includes a special ten-course meal (with wine pairings) served at Chef Michael Kramer's personal Chef's Table (located in the in the kitchen of VOICE), take-home menu, VOICE apron, overnight accommodations and complimentary valet parking. For more information, please call (800) 970-ICON (4299) or visit www.hotelicon.com.

Destination continues to add to its historic repertoire with the recent addition of the Carolina Inn. Located in downtown Chapel Hill in North Carolina, the Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has played an important role in the life of the University of North Carolina and surrounding community since it opened its doors in 1924. The Carolina Inn blends elements of antebellum Southern plantation houses with Georgian Neoclassical features often found in the Northeast. The original front of the building was modeled after the Potomac River front Mt. Vernon.

A $16.5-million renovation completed in 1996 restored much of the Inn's traditional look and feel while adding the necessary modern features and conveniences. Lovers can escape to the Carolina Inn with the Romance Package, which includes lodging for two with sparkling wine upon arrival, breakfast for two and a late check out. Package rates begin at $195. For more information, please call (800) 962-8519 or visit www.carolinainn.com. 

All property vacation packages are based on availability with some restrictions apply. For more information on Destination Hotels & Resorts growing collection of properties, please visit www.destinatinhotels.com.

Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held lodging management company headquartered in suburban Denver, Colo. With more than 30 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the fourth largest independent hospitality management company in the country. The company's portfolio features more than 6,000 guest rooms, 11 golf courses and 13 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Houston, Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Portland, Palm Springs, Maui and Lake Tahoe. The company 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.

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