 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
& Spa for $62 Million; Retains 15-Year Management Contract |
| VAIL, Colo., May 16, 2005 - Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) announced
today that one of its subsidiary companies has entered into a contract
to sell the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa for $62.0 million to
DiamondRock Hospitality Limited Partnership ("DiamondRock"). The
transaction price indicates a total value for the hotel of approximately
$180,000 per key. The sale price is subject to adjustment based on
certain provisions of the agreement. The transaction is anticipated
to close in June 2005, subject to certain closing conditions. After
the transaction is completed, the hotel will retain its current name and
will remain branded as a full-service Marriott resort. Vail Resorts,
through its Vail Resorts Lodging Company subsidiary, will continue to manage
the resort for 15 years through 2020 under a management contract with DiamondRock,
that is co-terminus with a Marriott franchise agreement for the hotel.
Adam Aron, Vail Resorts chairman and chief executive officer, commented, "With this price tag, Vail Resorts is thrilled with this sale of the Vail Marriott. We will retain management of the hotel for at least 15 years, at the same time being able to implement our strategy of capitalizing on current robust hotel market valuations. Indeed, the price we will receive for the foregone cash flow streams resulting from the hotel's sale represents a significant premium of more than 50 percent above the cash flow stream multiples at which the resort business of Vail Resorts has traditionally been valued." Aron added, "In looking at our investment in the Vail Marriott, we have been able to create for Vail visitors a greatly improved hotel facility through an impressive and expansive renovation, capitalize on two attractive and lucrative potential real estate development opportunities on land acquired with the hotel, retain management of the hotel for the extended future, and receive a handsome price on its sale. This has to be considered a very successful effort." Aron continued, "Vail Resorts has great respect for the success of Marriott-branded hotel properties, and we greatly look forward to continuing to manage the hotel as a Marriott franchisee. At the same time, we equally look forward to working hand in hand with the principals of DiamondRock, individuals for whom we have the highest respect." Vail Resorts, Inc. is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado, Heavenly in California and Nevada, and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties across the United States. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development, construction, and retail leasing and management subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). Statements in this press release, other than statements of historical information, are forward looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. |
| Contact:
Vail Resorts, Inc.
|
The
Company purchased the 345-room hotel in December 2001. Included in
the original purchase were the hotel and two adjacent parcels of developable
land. The land parcels, which have been earmarked for important real
estate development projects by the Company, are not included as part of
the hotel's sale.