Gemstone Resorts International to Manage Historic La Posada de Albuquerque, N.M.
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Gemstone Resorts International to Manage Historic La Posada de Albuquerque, N.M.
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Category: Worldwide
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2006-05-16
Officials of Gemstone Resorts International, LLC, a leading resort and hotel management company, today announced that it has signed a contract to manage the historic, 107-room La Posada de Albuquerque in New Mexico. The property currently is closed while it completes a $12 million restoration and is expected to re-open in the first quarter of 2007.
"La Posada is a perfect complement to our portfolio of unique hotels and resorts," said Thomas Prins, Gemstone principal. "Following completion of a multi-million dollar renovation, and with the introduction of our proprietary management and marketing systems, we fully expect this hotel to re-establish itself as a leading urban resort destination."
Opened in 1939, La Posada is on the National Register of Historic Places and was the fourth hotel built by New Mexico native Conrad Hilton, the founder of Hilton Hotels Corporation. The renovation, which began in December 2005, will completely make over all of the guest rooms, lobby and meeting space, and will include installation of state-of-the-art energy management systems and a complete solar heating system that will dramatically reduce the hotel's impact on the environment. Two restaurants are planned, including sidewalk dining and rooftop garden options.
The hotel also will serve as an urban cultural center and will feature exhibits from area museums, as well as live music performances and an interactive kiosk which allows guests to plan cultural activities in the area. Regular live activities at the property will include NM Symphony Orchestra events, UNM College of Fine Arts music series, a jazz series and workshop, Native American music, an artist-in-residence program with lobby plaza artist- at-work and workshops, and additional cultural displays and workshops. Displays will be provided by local museums, local organizations, and art galleries.
"We have gone to great lengths to make this a very environment-friendly hotel, including installation of cutting-edge energy conservation systems and solar hot water heating systems that will allow us to reduce energy and resource consumption by 50 percent, compared to a conventional hotel," said Gary Goodman, hotel owner. "For example, we will install one of the most advanced, computer controlled climate sensors in the state. These systems will contain motion monitors that track movement in the room, allowing us to turn off or reduce AC/heating in an unoccupied room. This electrical efficiency alone potentially can reduce CO2 emissions by 290 tons annually. We believe the La Posada will become a model for all future hotels."
Located at 125 Second Street NW, the 10-story, Southwestern-style boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Albuquerque, offers picturesque views of the Sandia Mountains. Featured among the hotel's 107 rooms and suites is the Zsa Zsa Suite, once occupied by honeymooners Zsa Zsa Gabor and Conrad Hilton. The architecture and interior design will take advantage of the original Spanish Colonial character and incorporate a memorable, contemporary edge into all aspects of the project. Guest rooms will feature the latest in technology, including free high-speed Internet access, state-of-the-art soundproofing and environmentally safe products and materials, two telephone lines, dedicated work space, experience style showers and ergonomic desks and chairs.
The hotel will offer 8,000 square feet of meeting space, including a unique boardroom, indoor and outdoor venues and an updated version of New Mexico's most famous ballroom. The space is designed to help create memorable meetings for groups of 10 to 100 and accommodate up to 200 people for social events, such as weddings and other family events. The property's relaxed atmosphere will feature coffee nooks, a library, an intimate and one-of-a kind, fine dining outlet and a lively three-meal indoor/outdoor cafe and bar. The lobby lounge will take advantage of the lobby's open spaces, comfortable gathering spots and extraordinary acoustics by featuring live entertainment five nights a week.
"The renovation will help position the hotel as a prime destination in 'the center of it all' for upscale business travelers and groups," said Sandra G. Morrill Esparza, Gemstone regional director. "The restoration will not only celebrate the past, but create a style previously not seen in the city. Additionally, leisure travelers will enjoy the hotel's unique, historical component, exciting food and beverage locations and multitude of arts and cultural offerings."
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