The Latest in Luxury Resort & Real Estate News

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Robert Trent Jones Designing New Texas Golf Course

(LAREDO, TX) -- The Max A. Mandel Municipal Golf Course, designed by world-renowned golf course architects Robert Trent Jones II, is on a fast track for completion.  Jones made a special visit to the course on April 13 to review construction progress and to comment on their newest U.S. design at a press conference.  The City of Laredo's significant new golf course project is poised to achieve national and international recognition when it opens for limited play in November of this year.

The Max A. Mandel Golf Course occupies a 270-acre dream site along the Rio Grande and Jones has brought his celebrated design team's genius to transform a landscape that features two deep arroyos, a rich variety of mesquite trees and river vega flora into a spectacular 18-hole layout that will captivate and attract golfers from not only Texas and Mexico, but also outside the region.   Seven of the holes on the course have been shaped with several holes incorporating memorable vistas of the majestic Rio Grande, such as the par-3 15th whose green is perched some 60 feet above the river.

Jones says of the new course:  "The Max A. Mandel Golf Course is a celebration anew of the great game of golf and its cherished roots as a game of the people. The City of Laredo has graciously provided us with the latitude to let our imagination roam free across a rare piece of land that exuded the rugged essence of this storied region.   For the one-time capital of the Republic of the Rio Grande, we have created a golf experience that we hope will be a source of great pride and satisfaction for the public.  We believe the City of Laredo's inaugural public golf course is destined to be regarded as one of the best public golf courses in Texas."

Robert Trent Jones II, which has designed 273 courses in some 44 countries on six continents, credits four previous Texas courses in the firm's portfolio.  The esteemed architect's reputation for honoring the cultural, geographical and historical aspects of each project coupled with a sensitive respect for the environment lends an invaluable luster to the City of Laredo's impressive undertaking to deliver an unmatched golf experience in Texas.

"The City of Laredo is proud of the progress that is being made on this very special golf course that will rate as one of the very best public access facilities in the state of Texas," said Horacio De Leon Jr., Assistant City Manager and project manager for the golf course.  "We are on schedule and on budget for what will prove to be a world-class golf course.  The city expects the Max A. Mandel Municipal Golf Course to put Laredo on the map as a golf destination for tourists and the business community.  Hopefully, this will be the start for several more courses, which ultimately would position Laredo as the next great golf mecca.  We expect that this course will appeal to experienced golfers throughout the world, as well as sparking an interest with youth and aspiring new golfers in our community, thus generating more excitement for this wonderful sport."

The golf course is named in honor of one of Laredo's most prominent and highly respected citizens.  The late Max A. Mandel was a successful bank executive whose 45 years of service to the community is legendary.  His vision helped put the City of Laredo on a strong economic foundation.  The course sits on Mandel's farm, named Las Islitas (Spanish for "little islands"), and the Mandel family generously donated a total 390 acres of land, $1 million for the construction project and water rights for irrigation purposes to the City of Laredo to commemorate Max's philanthropic spirit and civic legacy.

The challenging par-72 course will cater to golfers of all ability levels, with five sets of tees available and yardages ranging from 7,069 from the back tees to 4,897 for the forward tees.  A provision has been made for competitive tournament tees to be extended to 7,297 yards, and a dedicated "juniors" teeing area on each hole is incorporated to increase enjoyment for family play.

Key community and third party partners who are closely involved with the Max A. Mandel Municipal Golf Course include:  the Mandel Family, land donation and benefactor; Foresight Golf, the lease operator; Landscapes Unlimited, the construction firm; and architectural firm RTJ II.

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Starwood Announces New Four Points Hotel in Illinois

(PEORIA, IL) -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., recently  announced plans to introduce its fast-growing Four Points brand to Peoria, Illinois. Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Peoria opens in July of 2011 near leading businesses and Peoria's recently revitalized RiverFront.

Owned by SPE LO Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Textron Financial Corporation, the hotel will feature 319 comfortable and stylish guest rooms, market-leading meeting facilities, a full-service restaurant,
indoor pool, and other amenities that have made Four Points a favorite with travelers worldwide.

Extensive renovations to all guest rooms and public areas, and smart enhancements throughout the property will completely overhaul the former Holiday Inn in preparation for its new start as a Four Points. Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Peoria will be the brand's fifth hotel in Illinois.

"The bustling city of Peoria is ideal for the expansion of our Four Points by Sheraton brand," said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. "Guests around the world love the Four Points promise of great hotels and great rates. We think travelers to Peoria will appreciate having a fresh new option."

Located at 500 Hamilton Boulevard, Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Peoria is just minutes from Peoria Regional Airport, Peoria Civic Center, Bradley University and the shops, restaurants and entertainment at Peoria RiverFront. The hotel also offers easy access to Caterpillar Inc. world headquarters, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Methodist Medical Center.

Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Peoria will offer all-day dining at Bennigan's Grill, and more than 19,000 square feet of state-of-the-art conference space for meetings, weddings, and social functions of all
sizes. Other amenities include an indoor pool and sauna, 24-hour fitness center and business center.

"The recent enhancements to the brand have led a growing number of owners and developers to reposition their properties as a Four Points," said Paul Sacco, Senior Vice President of North American Development, for Starwood. "Four Points offers a compelling blend of comfort, style and affordability, plus it's backed by the power of Starwood through the award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest program."

Four Points opened its 150th hotel in 2010, solidifying its place as Starwood's third largest brand with the second-biggest global pipeline.

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