Award-Winning Luxury Hotelier To Operate Famed San Diego-Area Properties



    MILL VALLEY, Calif., July 28 /EMWNews/ -- Auberge Resorts,

developers, owners and operators of award-winning luxury resorts, announced

today that it has signed a management agreement to operate Rancho Valencia

Resort and Spa in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and its sister property, the

historic La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, Calif.



    Ownership of both Rancho Valencia and La Valencia will remain with the

Harry Collins Family as it has for many years.



    Under the agreement, Rancho Valencia will be branded an Auberge Resort

and join the company's growing portfolio of small luxury properties, which

includes Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley; Esperanza in Cabo San Lucas;

Calistoga Ranch in Napa Valley; The Inn at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton,

S.C.; and Encantado, opening in Santa Fe, N.M., in August. La Valencia will

be an affiliate hotel managed by Auberge Resorts.



    "Bringing in Auberge Resorts as manager is an exciting opportunity for

us to have the expertise and extensive resources of Auberge available to us

at this time," said Harry Collins, General Partner.



    "We are delighted to have the opportunity to manage these two iconic

properties," said Mark Harmon, CEO of Auberge Resorts. "Both hotels feature

captivating settings, intimate size, a commitment to exceptional food and

beverage and outstanding service and amenities."



    Located in the exclusive enclave of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Rancho

Valencia Resort and Spa features luxuriously appointed suites, each with a

fireplace and private garden terrace, an extensive tennis program featuring

18 hard courts and a comprehensive instruction program, the award-winning

Spa Rancho Valencia and the Villas at Rancho Valencia, a private residence

club.



    Nicknamed the "Pink Lady of La Jolla," La Valencia Hotel is an iconic

82-year old property in the heart of the village of La Jolla, Calif. The

hotel features guest rooms, suites and villas, along with four distinctive

dining venues, all overlooking scenic La Jolla Cove and the Pacific Ocean.

La Valencia Hotel is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide and

National Trust Historic Hotels of America.



    Auberge Resorts' relationship with Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa spans

several years. The company provided consulting services and developed the

resort's award-winning spa, which opened in 2006.



    For more information about Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, please visit

http://www.ranchovalencia.com. More information about La Valencia Hotel is

available at http://www.LaValencia.com.

    About Auberge Resorts



    Auberge Resorts is a collection of exceptional hotels, resorts and

private clubs, each with a unique personality that assures a memorable

guest experience. Among the distinctive properties are Auberge du Soleil,

Napa Valley; Esperanza, Cabo San Lucas; Calistoga Ranch, Napa Valley; The

Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, S.C.; and Encantado, Santa Fe, with

several others in development. While Auberge Resorts nurtures the

individuality of each establishment, all are characterized by a set of

communal elements: intimate, understated elegance; captivating locations

that inspire exceptional cuisine and spa experiences; and gracious yet

unobtrusive service. For more information about Auberge Resorts, please

visit http://www.aubergeresorts.com.