DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - Oct. 7, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE)- Israel Golf Resorts LLC, a Florida based resort development company, has announced that its Israeli affiliates have signed an agreement with West Paces Hotel Group LLC, based in Atlanta, Georgia, for pre-development consulting and long-term resort and golf club management services relating to a proposed resort and golf club development on historic Mount Arbel, located high above the western shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Scheduled to open by 2008, the resort will be known as ARBEL by the SEA Resort & Golf Club. The 500-acre project, a $100 million world class, ultra luxury destination resort adjoins the Mount Arbel Nature Reserve and includes 150 bungalows and resort suites, a 50,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, including a 15,000 sq. ft. Spa, and 36 holes of championship golf designed by legendary, world renowned golf architect, Robert Trent Jones II.
West Paces was selected by Israel Golf Resorts as a result of its founder's stellar reputation for quality service in the hospitality industry. The company was founded by Horst Schulze, former President and Vice Chairman of Ritz Carlton, as an "ultra luxury" hotel development and management services group. As a charter member of Ritz-Carlton in 1983, and President and Chief Operating Officer since 1988, Mr. Schulze was responsible for the $2 billion Ritz-Carlton operations, worldwide.
Project developer Joseph Bernstein said: "Working with West Paces' development and management teams, we intend to reposition tourism in northern Israel to the higher end destination resort and golf markets. The area is magnificent and has gorgeous weather, year round, along with tremendous historical and religious significance, sightseeing opportunities, sun, sea, clean air, unspoiled nature, and sporting activities."
Horst Schulze commented: "We are eager to share our expertise and add value to this new resort development opportunity in Galilee. ARBEL by the SEA will be a unique destination resort, offering the highest quality for international visitors, of all faiths, seeking a Galilee holiday."
Co-developer Albert DeVaul, who developed the first Four Seasons Resort in Kona, Hawaii, and Hyatt Grand Champions in Palm Springs, California, added: "For Israelis, the resort will also offer an exclusive, private club atmosphere as a close weekend and holiday retreat for residents of Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, much like the Hamptons serve Manhattan or Palm Springs serves L.A. We intend to offer all our local and international guests the best service one can provide."
In keeping with the high quality of the project, the developers have appointed Robert Trent Jones II to design two 'Masterpiece' golf courses on the plateau at Mount Arbel. Mr. Jones shares the developers' vision that the Mount Arbel location can become one of the world's top golf destinations. The two courses will peak at 1300 feet over the Sea of Galilee, with vistas of Lower and Upper Galilee, the snowcapped Mt. Hermon, and the Golan Heights across the sea. Mr. Jones has designed over 200 courses worldwide, including The Links at Spanish Bay, located in Pebble Beach, California. His courses host numerous internationally televised professional tour events.
Israel Golf Resorts has also selected Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG) and Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) as designers for the resort facilities and interiors. WATG and HBA have created many top luxury resorts, including Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons projects. WATG, recognized as the leading luxury resort architectural firm worldwide, designed The Venetian in Las Vegas, Atlantis at Paradise Island, Bahamas, and The Palace of The Lost City in South Africa. HBA is the world's first and foremost hospitality interior design firm, widely credited for creating the hospitality design industry.
Joseph Bernstein
Managing Director
Israel Golf Resorts LLC
6663 Casa Grande Way
Delray Beach, FL 33446
TEL: 917-365-3651
FAX: 847-589-3877
E-mail: vm1438@aol.com
Website: http://www.americaspartners.net
