For Immediate Release
April 27, 2007

Michael Bianco Named Director of Front Office for
Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Highlands, NC

HIGHLANDS, NC-Michael Bianco has been named Director of Front Office of the Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, NC. The Old Edwards Inn and Spa and The Lodge at Old Edwards Inn, a luxury 61-room destination resort after a $50M restoration and expansion, including Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden and the addition of a world-class spa.

With more than eleven years experience in the hotel business, Bianco brings a solid understanding of guest and staff relations that is necessary to successfully and efficiently manage the many responsibilities of Director of Front Office. In his new role, Bianco will oversee all aspects of Front Office duties including: managing staff in Front Desk, Bell Stand and Concierge. He will also work directly with revenue management and reservations.

Most recently employed with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and Sheraton in the northeast, Bianco held several management positions including Guest Services Manager, Front Desk Manager, and ByRequest Manager for the company’s reservation system. Bianco comes directly from the position of Front Office Manager/Reservations Manager and Accounting Manager at the Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel, turned Sheraton Baltimore City Center in January 2007, in Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to that, he worked as a Guest Care Manager at Marriott’s Courtyard property in Syracuse, New York.

In his years with Wyndham, he received many awards including Manager of the Quarter 2002 and Front of House Manager of the Year 1998. He was also a Certified Customer Service Trainer for Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and a Certified Property Service Culture Trainer for Sheraton Brand Hotels. He holds a diploma from the Southeastern Academy of Travel and Tourism, Kissimmee, Florida.

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa is located at 445 Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741, 828-526-8008 or 1-866-526-8008. The Old Edwards Hospitality Group, LLC, founded in 2003, includes the Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden, The Farm special events facility, Acorns retail shop; The Lodge at Old Edwards Inn, Rib Shack, The Laundry and Dry Cleaners at Old Edwards Inn and Miss Priss-Charlotte at Stonecrest.

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa is a AAA-Four Diamond award winner; a member of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America and a member of Boutique-the newest brand within Preferred Hotel Group. The property is a Recommended Hotel in Condé Nast Johansens Recommended Hotels, Inns and Resorts Guide for 2005, 2006 and 2007 and was nominated for Most Excellent Inn 2006 and 2007. Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden received Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence in 2005 and 2006.

For more information, contact:
Elizabeth McDonald
McDonald Media
404-822-3788 or lizzie@mcdonald-media.com