The Swarovski Crystal Empire Celebrates Grand Opening of Sparkling Hill Resort and Wellness Center Hotel with Dancers, Symphony, Celebrities, VIP's
Fairy Tale Festivities and Dazzling Hospitality Highlight History Making Debut of Brilliant European-Inspired Luxury Wellness Destination
Markham, ON (PRWEB) June 2, 2010
When the first guests of Sparkling Hill Resort and Wellness Hotel in Vernon, British Columbia above the Okanagan Valley, entered the hotel's glass atrium during its recent grand opening, they must have sensed that the origin of Native word "Okanagan," meaning "transport toward the heavens," was fitting.
The Grand Opening spectacular, held on April 30th for the European-inspired wellness destination literally sparkled with hundreds of thousands of Swarovski crystal elements. The property rolled out the red carpet for European dignitaries, local officials, and guests who were wined, dined and delighted by professional entertainers, musicians, and performers.
Sparkling Hill Resort's momentous Grand Opening commenced with a surprise performance by the Vernon Highlands Pipe and Drum Marching Band. The group paraded to the Resort's porte cochere and was greeted by Gernot Langes-Swarovski, the patriarch of the Swarovski crystal empire with his wife Eva and son Markus along with many smiling faces invited for the festivities. More than 150 guests including members of the Okanagan Indian Band were in attendance to commemorate the dawning of a new wellness experience in North America.
Construction of the 240,000 square foot resort was conceived by Gernot Langes-Swarovski and designed by Swarovski architect Andreas Altmayer incorporating 1.9 million Swarovski crystals in virtually every element of the property. The brilliance of the crystal elements found in the chandeliers, walls, fireplaces, and stair handrails create a laminating effect filling the space with light and dimension. "We are the first building in the world with public crystal architecture," said Hans-Peter Mayr, the Resort's chief executive officer.
The Grand Opening celebration included an elaborate afternoon reception with ribbon cutting and performances. The European rising star singer Nadine Beiler was flown in by the Swarovski family to surprise Gernot Langes-Swarovski with a song dedicated to him. After numerous performances, guests dined on European-inspired cuisine and migrated to the Austria Room, Sparkling Hill Resort's main ballroom, for a performance by the Okanagan Symphony. It was a fairy-tale ending for the breathtaking event.
NORTHWIND - Maestro PMS (http://www. maestropms. com/?onph=HOL? campaign=PRWebSparklingHillJune2.2010), which provides the Resort's property management system, congratulates Sparkling Hill Resort and Wellness Hotel on its successful Grand Opening and is honored to serve as its technology partner. The spectacular property booked hundreds of corporate groups and events, banquets, weddings, and individual reservations prior to opening using the Maestro (http://maestropms. com/whyMaestro. aspx? campaign=PRWebSparklingHillJune2.2010)™ Front Office System and fully integrated ResWave web booking engine. Sparkling Hill also implemented Maestro's Sales & Catering, Yield Management, Spa and Activities Management, Gift Card & Loyalty, and Analytics business intelligence systems.
"We evaluated many system providers to select the finest technology to support our resort's high-touch guest-centric service standards," said Hans-Peter Mayr. "The Maestro (http://maestropms. com/whyMaestro. aspx? campaign=PRWebSparklingHillJune2.2010) hotel software (http://www. maestropms. com/products. aspx? onph=HOL? campaign=PRWebSparklingHillJune2.2010) with integrated online booking engine was the most comprehensive application we saw."
Sparkling Hill Resort and Wellness Hotel partners with Predator Ridge Golf Course to offer championship golf, as well as skiing at the Silver Star and Big White resorts, fishing on Lake Okanagan, hiking, and wine tasting. The Resort also features North America's first Cold Sauna at minus 110 degrees Celsius (minus 166 Fahrenheit). "Our Cold Sauna provides temperatures that are not found anywhere else on Earth," Mayr explained. "The health effects from this cold therapy is exceptionally beneficial for many types of ailments…our entire focus is on wellness."
Credit: Event produced by Synergy Events inc. and photography courtesy of darrenhull. com.
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NORTHWIND (http://www. maestropms. com/?onph=HOL? campaign=PRWebSparklingHillJune2.2010) is recognized in the hospitality industry for its "standard setting" Diamond Plus Service and robust integrated Maestro resort hotel software technology. With over 30 years' experience dedicated to developing technology solutions for the hospitality industry, NORTHWIND is a partner who understands you need a scalable, flexible PMS that works the way you do. Maestro applications are engineered for operators who need to manage their enterprise in a real-time environment for the utmost operational efficiency, productivity, control, and profitability.
About Sparkling Hill Resort
Sparkling Hill Resort is a European-inspired hotel specializing in whole body wellness. A member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts, the resort is located near Vernon, British Columbia. Sparkling Hill Resort is the neighbor of Predator Ridge Golf Resort, permitting guests to indulge in wellness, relaxation, and championship golf during their stay.
Sparkling Hill Resort offers more than 100 treatments in 48 treatment rooms; each designed to refresh and rejuvenate the body. Traditional spa treatments are offered but Sparkling Hill Resort will provide treatments that go beyond traditional pampering.
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