Starwood Debuts New Aloft Hotels in Toronto

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Silver Hotel Group, recently announced the debut of its new destination sensation brand, Aloft Hotels, in the Greater Toronto Area with the opening of Aloft Vaughan Mills.

Located in Vaughan, the hotel is the second Aloft hotel in Canada, joining the Aloft Montreal Airport that opened as the world's first in 2008. Aloft is the sizzling "style-at-a-steal" brand from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide that's rocked the hotel industry. With more than 55 properties now open worldwide, the brand is designed to appeal to the digital generation and brings modern, vibrant design at an affordable price point. The momentum for the brand will continue in Canada as Aloft Calgary University will open in early 2013 as one of the first hotel conversion projects for the brand.

"We're excited to add another Aloft hotel in Canada, where it all began just four years ago," said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. "Aloft Vaughan Mills will shake-up the traditional mid-market hotel category which makes it perfectly suited for the Greater Toronto Area."

Industry changing initiatives in music, design, and technology have positioned Aloft as a must-have brand for the next generation of travelers.

"We are excited to open our second Aloft Hotel in Canada and to bring the experience to the Greater Toronto Area," said Deepak Ruparell, President of Silver Hotel Group. "The Aloft brand is a great match for the growth in this area and our team is energized about bringing a fresh lodging option to visitors to Toronto."

Featuring 131 loft-like guest rooms, Aloft Vaughan Mills will be just steps from the Vaughan Mills Shopping Center, in the heart of unrivalled luxury shopping, dining and world-class entertainment.

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Concierge Auctions Drives Big Kohola Point Sale

Concierge Auctions recently announced the successful auction of the three-acre Kohola Point estate in the private and gated Anini Vista community on the North Shore of Kauai, Hawaii. The sale marks the highest-price in the past year in Anini Vista, the second highest this year on Kauai, and the firm's 11th consecutive property sold in cooperation with listing agent Neal Norman of Hawaii Life Real Estate. The buyer is from North Dakota and is represented by Roni Marley, also of Hawaii Life Real Estate.

"The entire experience was seamless, and the Concierge team delivered as promised - producing buyer interest from all over the world, including business executives, celebrities and other capable prospects," stated the seller, Stuart Ross. "I am convinced that the auction process is the most effective way to sell luxury properties and as a result of the successful outcome in Kauai have retained Concierge to auction our one-of-a-kind residence Pa Gomo in Telluride, Colorado."

Concierge Auctions' extensive outreach produced an impressive 107 showings and 11 bidders from California, Colorado, Hawaii, North Dakota and Virginia. The diverse campaign of internet, print and direct marketing, combined with aggressive sales efforts, broker outreach, and public relations resulted in more than 400-plus inquiries and 3,500-plus visits to the auction website from all U.S. states and 42 international countries (led by Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Mexico).

Situated at 4201 Anini Vista Drive, Kohola Point is a 5,230-square-foot private residence with three bedrooms and four and a half baths, custom-designed by Gary Tobey and Steve Devery. Its massive great room features a grand, cypress-beamed ceiling and walls of glass doors that slide from the entire oceanfront side of the home and pocket to allow seamless living with the exterior.

Outdoors, the residence features an infinity pool, spa, extensive decks and tropical, native Hawaiian landscaping. Protected by the longest reef in the Hawaiian Islands, the coastline below Anini Vista offers the safest, most protected beaches on the North Shore - perfect for snorkeling, swimming, beachcombing, windsurfing, stand-up paddling, fishing and kayaking.

"We have come to know the concierge platform well, and this property was an ideal candidate," Norman said. "With the ability to use (Kohola Point) either as a primary or vacation home or as a luxury rental, the buyer pool was wide. The seller trusted Concierge to organize that interest and deliver market value through competition. We have enjoyed pioneering luxury auctions on Kauai, and in doing so have proven that the process not only works, but if executed with Concierge can even produce record prices."

The next Hawaiian property auction by concierge will be held May 24 in Kuki'o, one of the nation's finest private golf and beach clubs located on the Big Island of Kona. The 9,277-total-square-foot furnished residence is situated on a 10-hole Tom Fazio-designed golf course and has Pacific Ocean views.