Irvine Co Completes Renovation of Island Hotel

Former Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach, California

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. June 03, 2009

NEWPORT BEACH, CA, June 2, 2009 - Reaffirming its enduring status as Orange County's premier luxury business property, Island Hotel Newport Beach - a 20-story, 295-room urban retreat in the heart of Newport Center - has put the finishing touches on an ambitious two-year renovation encompassing all guestrooms, meeting facilities and public spaces, including the popular Palm Terrace Restaurant & Lounge.

Launched shortly after The Irvine Company took over the property in late 2005, the refurbishment was completed in phases and touched all areas of the 23-year-old hotel. The recent culmination of the project is timely, as the hotel was just awarded the Automobile Association of America's (AAA) coveted Five Diamond status for the 17th consecutive year.

"We are thrilled to unveil the 'new Island' and to set exacting new standards for business and leisure travelers in Southern California," said Richard Evanich, the hotel's managing director. "This is an exciting time for us, as we continue to raise the bar for luxury, service and amenities in Orange County and beyond."

Island Hotel's clean and crisp new look was carefully conceived by Los Angeles-based interior design firm Darrell Schmidt Design Associates. "We derived our inspiration from the property's recently enhanced landscaping, as well as the hotel's quintessentially Southern California beach town locale," said Schmidt, ASID. The end result: an inviting resort-like ambience of casual elegance with decidedly modern undertones.

Indeed, guests are in for a visual treat as they enter the newly upgraded foyer and lobby lounge areas. As with the rest of the property, a subtle tropical motif - reflecting the resort's verdant landscaping with exotic plantings of palms and birds of paradise - is woven throughout these spaces. Light spills into the sunny entrance and lobby areas, which are lavishly appointed with significant works by contemporary painters, plush new furnishings, oversized plants; polished oak, granite and marble detailing; and custom Murano glass light fixtures imported from Italy - all punctuated by a calming color palette of gold, taupe, sage and bronze.

Underscoring the sleek new look: bold new carpeting in a soft green and camel geometric pattern. Casual groupings of comfy chairs, sectionals and chaises are strategically clustered to encourage conversation and camaraderie.

Meeting Areas Redefine Luxury

The most recently completed portion of the hotel's transformation spans over 20,000 square feet of meeting space, including the expansive 6,000-square-foot ballroom, five meeting rooms and five additional meeting suites. Here, guests mix business with pleasure in a truly spectacular setting. Textures, light and patterns converge to achieve a striking mix of modern, relaxed sophistication and California chic.

These function spaces have been meticulously upgraded with lush tropical interior plantings, freshly painted walls in a soft gold, newly installed carpets in muted shades of tan and green, new shutters, furnishings upholstered in tan leather and chenille, fabric and raffia wall coverings and dramatic modern artwork. Distinctive abstract patterns on select drapes and rugs lend contemporary sizzle, while newly installed skylights infuse plenty of California sunshine.

Suites and Guestrooms Reflect Newport Beach Locale

Each guestroom and suite has been masterfully redone as well - with comfortable interiors that also play off Newport Beach's oceanfront location and the hotel's recently enhanced landscaping. With garden or sweeping ocean panoramas, accommodations are light and airy and richly appointed in subtle sage, camel, taupe and yellow shades -and re-outfitted with luxurious new carpeting and draperies, rich wood furnishings, polished marble and honed granite accents. Exquisite plein air works by contemporary California artists were commissioned to complement the breezy new decor.

All suites and rooms feature plush new Stearns & Foster beds - anchored by handsome fabric headboards - all well-appointed with crisp 300-thread count embroidered Rivolta linens and soft chenille throws. To achieve depth and drama, rooms are artfully illuminated, with accent wall sconces and lamps of delicate glass.

The marble-clad bathrooms have been retooled as well, with new textured wall covering, frameless Starphire glass enclosures and powerful oversized showerheads.

Rooms also feature up-to-the minute technology: wireless Internet access, 42-inch plasma screen HDTVs with DVDs/CD stereo systems, Bose 321 audio systems and cable service with HD service.

New Restaurant, Lounge Further Tropical Motif

Also recently refurbished: Palm Terrace Restaurant & Lounge, which relies on nature for inspiration and reinforces the resort's "urban oasis" theme. A rich color palette captures the many shadings found in lush foliage - deep greens, soft celadons and elegant bronzes - and is enhanced by the abundant interior and exterior plantings. The ever-present tropical theme accentuates select draperies, wall coverings and upholstered pieces. Furnishings are plush yet sleek in design, upholstered in complementary deep greens and warm gold hues.

Additional fine touches include: hand-hammered bronze hardware and lamp bases, and pale rattan and bamboo detailing on select furnishings.