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November 01, 2004
Where in the world is Jamie Holmes?
Okay - many of you probably don't even know who Jamie Holmes is. I first met him 3 or 4 years ago at a hotel association meeting. Jamie is the recently departed GM of the Ritz Carlton, St. Thomas. His leaving was abrupt (it happened this summer while I was in NJ) and I don't really know the full story behind it. I do know that he seemed like and asset to the Virgin Islands and was a great guy to work with. Well - looked what turned up today in my email (you'll have to scroll near the end of the article):
Luxury Western Resort to Open in Montana Wilderness in June
Monday November 1, 11:37 am ET
The Resort at Paws Up Is Montana's First Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
GREENOUGH, Mont., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Resort at Paws Up will bring a new level of five-star service and amenities to Montana when it opens in June 2005, combining luxury with unforgettable adventure on 37,000 acres of untamed western wilderness.
Paws Up will offer special opening rates starting at $248, available June 5 - Sept. 6, 2005 (regular rates start at $495 for the same time period). Rates include airport transfers and a guided ATV tour.
The prestigious hotel brand, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, recently named Paws Up as its first member in Montana.
"The Resort at Paws Up represents the very best offering in its destination. With the property's amenities, size and services available to guests, it was the ideal fit with Small Luxury Hotels," said Ed Donaldson, vice president of marketing, the Americas for Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
The Resort at Paws Up is situated along seven winding miles of the Blackfoot River, made famous by Robert Redford's coming-of-age classic, A River Runs Through It. More than 100 miles of trails wind through the immense property for horseback riding, ATVs, hiking and mountain biking. Guests will also enjoy some of the country's best fly-fishing, as well as whitewater rafting, lake activities, kayaking, bird and wildlife watching, and sporting clay shooting with 14-time national champion Andy Duffy.
While the setting may be rugged, Paws Up will offer the kind of amenities and pampering usually reserved for fancy city-slicker hotels. Accommodations for 80 guests range from private, 2,600-square-foot Big Timber Homes to a fully renovated, 100-year-old farmhouse nestled on the bank of Elk Creek, each individually decorated with a rich, yet rustic elegance. After a long day in the saddle, guests can relax among five-star amenities like 300-count linens, heated granite bathroom tiles, private en-suite laundry rooms, flat screen TVs with satellite and DVD players, and DSL connections.
For the true outdoor enthusiasts, guests can also spend a night along the picturesque Blackfoot River in a unique luxury tent, featuring feather beds, fine linens, artwork and all modern conveniences.
Paws Up will also offer a full-service spa with unique signature treatments featuring indigenous plants like sage and alfalfa, a fine-dining restaurant, a lively bar and bistro, live entertainment, an outdoor swimming pool featuring large native stone accents, a children's club, meeting facilities and the largest private equestrian center in Montana.
"With an average of 422 acres and one staff member per guest, Paws Up will be a treasured retreat for those who crave untouched landscapes, a vast blue sky and exciting outdoor adventures, but also want five-star amenities like fine wines and spa treatments," said Jamie Holmes, general manager of Paws Up.
Paws Up is privately owned by businessman Dave Lipson and his wife Nadine, who live in a circa 1915 farmhouse on the property. Their vision for this unique luxury resort has attracted a highly credentialed management team, including Jamie Holmes, the former GM of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Biras Creek Resort and Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands. The resort has also named Bryan Kindred as assistant general manager, who joined Paws Up from Robert Redford's Sundance Resort in Utah.
Paws Up is located 35 minutes northeast of Missoula in western Montana. Guests can fly into the Missoula Airport, which can be reached via Delta through Salt Lake City, Northwest Airlines through Minneapolis, United through Denver, and Alaska Air through Seattle.
For more information on The Resort at Paws Up, please visit http://www.pawsup.com or call 800-473-0601.
About Small Luxury Hotels of the World
The Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand is a collection of over 300 independently owned exclusive hotels in more than 50 countries. Carefully selected for their style and sophistication, Small Luxury Hotels feature award-winning properties including spas, country houses, golf resorts, island retreats, city sanctuaries, and game and wilderness lodges. Visit http://www.slh.com for more information.
Posted by afinta at November 1, 2004 08:55 PM


