RockResorts Adds Costa Rican Hotel

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.

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.