LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. -- It's been quite a spring for the Wigwam
Resort here.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts took over management of the
property April 1, and Ralph Vick came on board as the new general
manager soon after.
Their plans are to rejuvenate the property and restore it to its
former five-star status.
The 331-room Wigwam is owned by Kabuto Arizona Properties and,
Vick said, the firm is committed to putting dollars into the
property.
He said the Wigwam had been a five-star resort until 1998 and
that the property is stepping up its efforts to regain this
distinction.
The construction of a $5 million, 17,000-square-foot spa is
leading the initiative.
The spa groundbreaking is set for this fall, with the grand
opening scheduled for September 2001.
Next on the agenda is sprucing up the guest rooms, which Vick
described as "dated."
The upgrade will cost between $4 million and $5 million and will
"bring the standards up."
The units will receive all new soft goods, and the bathrooms
will be redone.
Also on tap for the resort is a renovation of the pool, which
Vick also described as dated.
The pool will be resurfaced, and new decking and new pool
furniture will be added.
Vick said retaining the Wigwam's historical and Southwestern
character are a key component of the refurbishment.
The property, located west of Phoenix, was built in 1918 as a
company retreat for executives of Goodyear Tire.
In 1929, it officially opened to the public and continued to
grow with the addition of golf courses, tennis courts and guest
rooms.
The Wigwam has three 18-hole courses, 30,000 square feet of
meeting space, a children's program and many other amenities.
Vick said the Wigwam finished with a 58% occupancy level last
year and plans to be more aggressive this year.
With the support of Starwood, the hotel has its eye on a 70%
occupancy level for 2000.
The resort's business stems from about 80% group and 20%
leisure, and Vick said he does not see this changing too much.
The general manager said one of the resort's advantages is its
location.
The Wigwam is about 25 minutes from the Phoenix airport.
"When you are at the Wigwam, you don't feel like you are in
Phoenix anymore," he said.
Before joining the Wigwam Resort, Vick served as general manager
of the the Ritz-Carlton Phoenix and was managing director for
Yachtscape by Hatteras, a yacht ownership company.