J/Brice Design International Completes $6 Million Makeover for Hilton Sonoma County hotel in California's Wine Country

The Hilton hotel in Sonoma County, California turned to J/Brice Design International, Inc. to create a Wine Country experience for guests at the resort property on 13 acres in Santa Rosa. J/Brice designs new hotels and renovations for major hotel chains, real estate investment trusts (REITS) and real estate developers such as Donald Trump and Boymelgreen.

(PRWEB) October 22, 2004 -- The Hilton Sonoma County in Santa Rosa, California marked completion of a $6 million renovation by the Boston and Los Angeles-based J/Brice Design International, Inc. "The new look and feel we created is all about California Wine Country. From the moment guests drive up there is a sense of retreat," says Jeff Ornstein, J/Brice Design CEO and Founder, adding, "Jewel tones and natural finishes of its Craftsman Style architecture blend with the beautiful vistas and distinctive hues of Northern Californias foliage."

"Step inside Hilton Sonoma County and you first notice the lighting and how Craftsman-era architectural elements continue into the interior space. The theme extends to the large guestrooms with their generous bay windows," says Ornstein, whose J/Brice Design, was awarded the "Best High-End Hotel Design of the Year" by Lodging Hospitality Magazine in 2004. "The owners let us go above and beyond Hilton standards to provide a more memorable guest experience. Part of which including our commissioning noted artists from the region to create paintings and serigraphs of the local Wine Country vistas and vineyards to give guests an unmistakable sense of place during their visit."

Adds Ornstein, "We worked closely with management to position the property as a destination - not only for tourists and business travelers - but as a venue with an intimate wine-country feel that is ideal for memorable social events and passages such as weddings and anniversaries."

"Renovation encompassed all 246 guestrooms, 8,000 square feet of meeting space, all public areas, pool resurfacing & furnishings, landscaping, and parking," says General Manager Ken Murakami. Nectar the new restaurant, lounge and bar was also created as part of the renovation project.

Nectars dinner menu features primarily small plates for $7 - $13 Each item arrives on unique plates which, along with glasses, barware and silverware, are imported from Germany. The dishware is cutting edge - clean, chic, and new -- in all kinds of shapes - square, triangles, oval. "They are not tapas but small entrees," explains Olesky.

Olesky grew up in Sonoma Countys Russian River Valley, gardening, mushroom foraging, abalone diving, and fishing and hunting. His menu features all that is fresh and locally grown. "I use the best ingredients I can find from the farmers market, Farm Trails, and local producers. Pure, clean flavors are my signature," says Olesky.

Karim Lakhani, Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage, HEI/Merritt Hospitality, which owns and manages the restaurant, points out, "Nectar was the drink of Greek gods - a source of nourishment and rejuvenation befitting of a restaurant concept that offers an array of tasting pleasures utilizing fresh Sonoma County products accompanied by an eclectic wine and cocktail list at affordable prices."

Renovation aside, notes Murakami, "Our biggest asset is our talented and loyal employees. Through Hilton we provided them with extensive retraining in all areas of the hotel operations - everything from the room attendants to managers. You can feel their pride and excitement."

The Hilton Sonoma Wine County is conveniently located 50 miles north of San Francisco and Oakland, off Highway 101 at 3555 Round Barn Boulevard in Santa Rosa. Over 140 world-class wineries, golf, shopping, attractions, and the Russian River are nearby.

MERRITT HOSPITALITY & J/BRICE DESIGN
A partnership comprised of Olympus Real Estate Partners, Rockwood Capital Real Estate Partners and HEI Hospitality (the Partnership) acquired the branded Hilton hotel in July, 2003. Merritt Hospitality, an independent hotel management company and wholly-owned subsidiary of HEI Hospitality, manages the property.

J/Brice Design International, Inc. of Boston and Los Angeles has been designated an Interior Design Giant, and Architectural Giant since 1991. It ranks 24th out of 100 national firms, its staff has over 150 hotel/restaurant projects to its credit, the confidence of all major hotel chains as a preferred design team, the Trump organization and a number of REITs that specialize in hotel and resort properties www.jbricedesign.com

For information about Hilton Sonoma County or reservations visit www.winecountryhilton.com, tel. 800-HILTONS or the hotel at 707-523-7555.

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