For Immediate Release
May 31, 2007

JULIE STRATTON APPOINTED TO HOUSEKEEPING MANAGER
AT OLD EDWARDS INN AND SPA

Highlands, NC -- Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, North Carolina is pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Stratton as its new Housekeeping Manager. An exacting hospitality professional who has assured the white-glove treatment at a number of sizable hotels over the past five years, Stratton will be responsible for all housekeeping operations at Old Edwards Inn and Spa, including overseeing a talented staff of 20         

Surrounded by the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, Old Edwards Inn and Spa dazzles with attentive service, luxurious amenities, and a wide selection of individually designed rooms, suites and guest cottages. Its Spa is a lap of European-style luxury, while Madison’s Restaurant combines the freshest local and regional ingredients into distinctive dishes using time-honored techniques.

“Julie brings the ability and experience to assure that all of our accommodations sparkle and no detail goes un-noticed,” said Mario Gomes, CEO of the Old Edwards Hospitality Group.

Stratton joins Old Edwards Inn from the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel and Conference Center, a 250-room property in Downers Grove, Illinois, where she spent the past year as Executive Housekeeper. Previously, Stratton held a series of supervisor positions at hotels in her home state of Illinois, including Assistant Executive Housekeeper Manager at the 250-room Embassy Suites in Lombard; Assistant Housekeeping Manager at the 500-room Chicago City Centre in the Windy City; and Housekeeping Supervisor at the 433-room Hyatt Regency Oak Brook. Stratton got her start on the sales end of hospitality in 2002 at Georgio’s Banquets/Comfort Inn Hotel in Orland Park. She also learned the value of creating “magical moments” for guests during an internship with the Walt Disney World College Program in 2001-2002.

Born and raised in Orland Park, Illinois, Stratton earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston in 2002. She currently resides Highlands, NC.

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, The Lodge at Old Edwards Inn, Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden, The Farm special events facility, Acorns retail shop; Rib Shack, The Laundry and Dry Cleaners at Old Edwards Inn and Miss Priss-Charlotte at Stonecrest.

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 for2005, 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:                  
Anna Stancioff
Hawkins International PR
(212) 25-6541