Israel Golf Resorts LLC, a Florida based resort development company, announced today 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 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.
Israel Golf Resorts managing director 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.
Horst Schulze commented: "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, said, "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 LA."
Trent Jones will design two Masterpiece golf courses on the plateau at Mount Arbel. The two courses will peak at 1300 feet over the Sea of Galilee, with vistas of Lower and Upper Galilee, Mt. Hermon, and the Golan Heights. Jones has designed over 200 courses worldwide, including The Links at Spanish Bay, located in Pebble Beach, California. Jones and the developers believe that the Mount Arbel location can become one of the world's top golf destinations.
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.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on Tuesday, September 21, 2004