RockResorts welcomes Bimini Bay Resort & Marina, a 350-unit resort in The Bahamas

BROOMFIELD, Colo. -- RockResorts, a subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN), will continue its expansion into the tropics with the addition of Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, an existing 350-unit resort on Bimini, the Western-most island of The Bahamas. Starting March 1, the existing resort properties, restaurants and activities, as well as the largest deep-water marina in The Bahamas, will be managed through the company's property management collection, Legendary Lodging. Once the RockResorts hotel and spa are developed and completed, the entire resort will be branded as a RockResort.

Developed with traditional Bahamian architecture, Bimini Bay Resort and Marina is comprised of 350 individually-owned existing residences, many of which feature top-of-the-line, luxurious amenities, all within a relaxed and friendly neighborhood setting. Situated on the Northern tip of the island of North Bimini in the heart of what's known as “The Bone Fishing Capital of the World,” the resort is located on the closest island to the U.S. Mainland, only 48 nautical miles off the coast of South Florida, which is a quick 25-minute flight or a short one- to two-hour boat ride. With the largest marina in the Bahamas, Bimini Bay Resort and Marina is emerging as a hub for sport fisherman as well as for the broader boating and yachting community.

The resort also features three restaurants, a shopping village, the “Beach Bums” children's activity center, two outdoor pools, tennis and access to other activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling and boat tours. An on-site casino will be developed for guests that will be managed by a separate third-party group.

Future growth plans for the property include the development of a boutique RockResorts hotel with 80 to 100 rooms, RockResorts branded residences, a RockResorts Spa, additional restaurants, a beach club and environmental and sustainability projects. The estimated opening date for the RockResorts hotel is summer of 2014 with other projects, including the RockResorts Spa and beach club set to open as early as this summer.

“This is an exciting time for RockResorts and our entire hospitality group,” said Paul Toner, chief operating officer of Vail Resorts Hospitality and RockResorts International, LLC. “Adding Bimini Bay Resort and Marina is another important milestone in expanding the profile of RockResorts as a leading player in luxury resort management and reflects our continued interest in expanding our resort and lodging operations outside of the United States, including into desirable warm-weather locations.”

The company's hospitality collection now includes 27 iconic properties and hotels spanning the Western Hemisphere in six countries - The United States, The Bahamas, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, St. Lucia and Costa Rica - and six U.S. states - Colorado, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming and Florida.

Eleven of those properties are RockResorts with the planned addition of two more this year - Balcones del Atlántico in the Dominican Republic and Alma del Pacifico in Costa Rica. Founded in 1956 by Laurance S. Rockefeller and acquired by Vail Resorts in 2001, RockResorts has become known for its progressive environmental programs, as well as its welcoming and friendly guest service, exquisite spas and superb cuisine.

“We will bring our core values of environmental stewardship and community involvement that are integral to our RockResorts Echo corporate responsibility program to Bimini Bay Resort and Marina,” said Julie Klein, director of environmental affairs for RockResorts.

Klein and the team plan to begin instituting the company's industry-leading initiatives at Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, such as the Water on the Rocks program that eliminates nearly all of the plastic water bottle usage by guests, a voluntary guest donation program for local environmental projects, a volunteer vacation program called "Give and Getaway," a progressive sustainable cuisine program, a green guest room program and the soon-to-be launched “Go Green, Get Green” meeting and event program.

“The partnership with RockResorts as the management company for Bimini Bay Resort and Marina represents a new chapter for our homeowners, for our guests and for our community and the island of Bimini," said Rafael Reyes, President of RAV Bahamas Ltd. “As we look ahead to the future with plans to improve the guest experience and the homeowner experience, it was critical to us to select the right partner. RockResorts bring the perfect combination of experience in the luxury resort industry and environmental leadership.”

For more information about Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, visit www.biminibayresort.com. Or, for more information about RockResorts or the company's Legendary Lodging property management collection, visit, www.rockresorts.com or www.legendarylodging.com.